Domestic workers in Kuwait not subject to exit permit rule, manpower authority confirms

Dubai: Domestic workers in Kuwait are not yet required to obtain exit permits to leave the country, the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) confirmed, refuting a wave of misleading reports that circulated widely on social media.

In an official statement, the authority described as “entirely false” reports suggesting that sponsors must secure exit permits for their domestic workers via Sahel, Kuwait’s government services app, before travel is permitted.

While Kuwait had earlier introduced a system mandating exit permits for private sector workers seeking to travel abroad — a measure intended to regulate labour mobility and ensure contractual compliance — domestic workers remain explicitly excluded from this requirement so far.

PAM reiterated that no such travel restrictions or permit procedures apply to them. The exit permit rule took effect on July 1.

The inaccurate social media posts claimed that sponsors were required to use the “Public Authority for Manpower” section of the Sahel app to apply for the exit permit at least one day prior to departure. The posts also alleged that supporting documents had to be uploaded to activate the permit.

PAM stated that no such process exists and emphasised that no official procedures concerning exit permits for domestic workers have been launched or announced. The authority urged the public to rely exclusively on official government channels for information and to avoid spreading unverified rumours.