More than 21,900 individuals, visa holders of type 18, have been issued 'compulsory' departure authorizations.
In a bid to streamline the departure of foreign workers and ensure compliance with official procedures, the Kuwaiti government has introduced a new digital exit permit system, effective from July 1, 2025. This innovative system, designed to enhance efficiency and protect the rights of both employers and workers, is now in place for expatriate workers in Kuwait's private sector holding Article 18 visas.
To apply for an exit permit, workers can utilize the Sahel App, available on mobile devices, or the Ashal portal. Here's a step-by-step guide:
1. **Log in and Apply**: Open the Sahel App, select your preferred language (English is now available), and navigate to the Services section. Choose the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) section, then select Expatriate Worker Services, followed by Exit Permit. Fill in the official exit permit request form, including your full name, civil ID, employer information, intended date of departure and return. Submit the application electronically through the app.
2. **Employer Approval**: Your application will be sent digitally to your registered employer (sponsor) for review and approval. Employers are expected to respond within a specific timeframe to avoid delays.
3. **Track the Application**: You can monitor the status of your permit request directly in the Sahel App. Once approved, a digital exit permit will be issued, which can be downloaded and printed for travel.
4. **Timing**: Applications must be submitted between 7 days and 24 hours before the intended departure date.
5. **Alternative Platform**: The Ashal portal is another official platform where requests can be filed. In case of any discrepancies or issues with the digital process, workers may need to visit the manpower authority’s offices physically.
This new system replaces the previous manual exit permit procedure and ensures a transparent, accurate, and efficient process operating 24/7, including public holidays. It reflects Kuwait’s broader reforms to modernize labor administration[1][2][3][4].
Compliance with this digital exit permit process is mandatory to avoid legal or administrative problems when traveling abroad from Kuwait. The Director General of PAM, Marzouq Al-Otaibi, emphasized the importance of following the established regulations set by the Authority.
The departure permit approval process involves a step where the employer must approve the request. The initiative aims to ensure the orderly departure of foreign workers, and the decision to mandate exit permits for expatriate workers is a new government policy.
[1] [Kuwait Times: Kuwait introduces digital exit permit system for expatriate workers](https://www.kuwaittimes.net/kuwait-introduces-digital-exit-permit-system-for-expatriate-workers/) [2] [Arab Times: Kuwait introduces digital exit permit system for expatriate workers](https://www.arabtimesonline.com/news/kuwait-introduces-digital-exit-permit-system-for-expatriate-workers/) [3] [Al Rai: Kuwait introduces digital exit permit system for expatriate workers](https://english.alraialkuwait.com/news/kuwait-introduces-digital-exit-permit-system-for-expatriate-workers/) [4] [Gulf Times: Kuwait introduces digital exit permit system for expatriate workers](https://www.gulf-times.com/story/710185/Kuwait-introduces-digital-exit-permit-system-for-expatriate-workers)
In this new digital exit permit system, employers play a crucial role by approving the requests of their workers before they depart, indicating a significant change in the departure process for foreign workers in Kuwait's private sector. As a result, businesses in Kuwait are now expected to be more involved in monitoring and managing the departure of their expatriate employees, leveraging the efficiency and precision offered by this digital system.
