Kuwait has long been a popular tourist destination for emigrants, drawing visitors from all over the world with claims of steady employment and tax-free living. The Gulf country is now enforcing stricter restrictions on entry, stay, and departure, as well as new regulations that affect everything from family sponsorship to labour rights. Here is a comprehensive analysis of the most recent visa and citizenship requirements, including those for employees in the private sector, updated family sponsorship regulations, and how these changes impact foreigners.
Enter permits are required for personal business residents starting July 1.
Kuwait made a major change earlier this week that would affect the nation’s large expat workforce: all employees in the foreign private sector who are residents of Article 18 had now obtain obvious employer approval before leaving.
- This return permit system, which is prevalent elsewhere in the Gulf as part of the kafala sponsorship system, may be fully operational starting on July 1, 2025.
- Practical implications: Private company employees in Kuwait cannot leave Kuwait without the employer’s ( the “kafeel” ) approval, which they must submit through the government portals.
- This includes both regular vacations and everlasting departures.
- The company has the final say in the matter, but the” Sahel” game or the Ashal Manpower Portal does the digital transformation.
How the Exit Permit Procedure Operates
The program is designed to be 24/7, modern, and accessible.
- Step 1: Worker submits an app
Employers apply website via the Sahel software or the Ashal portal using their Legal ID and private information. They decide the permit’s start and end dates. The force itself doesn’t demand a particular return date.
- Step 2: Boss acceptance
The employer is required to approve the request via the Sahel-Business software or Ashal portal, which immediately sends it to them. Before issuing the force, the structure checks the relationship between the employer and employee.
- Step 3: Immediately e-verifying the force
The force is soon issued upon employer approval, with no further formalities required.
- handling refusals or refusals:
The Public Authority of Manpower ( PAM ) has the authority to investigate if the employer doesn’t respond to or rejects a request without cause.
Who is impacted:
- All foreigners in the private sector who are accompanied by their relatives and residents who are residents of Post 18. Government workers have long demanded vacation authorization from the department.
Why is this rule introduced now? Kuwaiti authorities say the measure aims to:
- Stop unauthorized absences.
- Confirm that employees ‘ financial and legal obligations are fulfilled.
- Reduce injustices like labour market irregularities and fleeing.
The Leave Force and the Kafala Sponsorship System
The kafala program, which is present throughout the Gulf, is closely linked to the new leave force. Under kafala, migrant workers ‘ visas are tied to their companies, giving sponsors a considerable amount of control over their legal status and action.
- Employer oversight is strengthened by Kuwait’s reintroduction of the exit permit, which is in contrast to many Gulf Cooperation Council ( GCC ) nations ‘ reforms or eliminations of some kafala areas.
- The Public Authority of Manpower ( PAM ) set out a number of goals for this rule:
- Improve monitoring of foreigners ‘ movements: improve the government’s recording.
- Balance rights:” Achieve a balance between the rights of the staff and the employers,” preventing employees from leaving without fulfilling their obligations.
- Reduce illicit departures, such as staff fleeing without paying debts or providing proper documentation.
- Curb card investing: Support stop illegal immigration practices and illegal labor market practices.
The KD800 Salary Threshold and stricter Family Visa Regulations
Kuwait has also updated the guidelines for household funding, focusing on the financial support of dependents by sponsors.
- Minimum wage condition:
Foreign nationals must make at least KD800 ( approximately$ 2, 610 ) per month to sponsor spouses and children under Article 22 residency.
- Background:
This income cap was established in January 2024 as part of Ministerial Resolution No. 56. Candidates had to have a degree from a school and work in a field that matched their credentials at the time of application.
However, a modification to the level requirement in July 2024 kept the income level as the main eligibility factor.
- Police plan
The Residence Affairs Investigations Department of Kuwait is constantly looking for foreigners who immediately received a KD800 salary but afterwards fell short as a result of job changes or salary reductions.
Those impacted by the situation may update their status within a month, or their children could be sent back to their native nations.
Other Significant Clauses and Exclusions
- Professional persistence:
Just expatriates who work in occupations that correspond to their declared occupations may sponsor their families, according to Article 29 of the updated regulations.
- Unilateral exclusions:
The Director General of Residency Affairs does grant exceptions for children under five years old or those who were born inside Kuwait.
- open the app approach:
As long as they meet the income condition, the Ministry of Interior stresses that the family immigration process is available to all expatriates regardless of nationality or education background.
