Kuwait Issues 35,000 exit permits since new rule for expat workers took effect

Dubai: More than 35,000 exit permits have been issued since Kuwait began enforcing a new rule on July 1 requiring expatriate workers in the private sector to obtain prior approval from their employers before leaving the country, authorities confirmed this week.

The policy, introduced by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al Yousuf, aims to regulate the departure process for expatriates while ensuring alignment with labour and residency laws.

Marzouq Al Otaibi, Director General of the Public Authority for Manpower, said all issued permits met the necessary criteria and were submitted through official employer channels.

He emphasised that the process has been streamlined through digital platforms to enhance efficiency and accessibility.

Workers and employers can now submit and approve requests via the “Sahel” mobile app or the “Ashal” manpower portal.

Employers must provide their consent through “Sahel Business” or the corporate version of “Ashal”, ensuring that applications are processed in line with the authority’s regulations.

The system is available 24/7, and expatriate workers are required to complete an electronic form detailing personal information and travel history. The goal, Al Otaibi noted, is to ensure legal compliance while protecting the rights of both employees and employers.

“If an employer unjustifiably refuses or delays permission, the worker has the right to file a complaint with the labour relations unit associated with the company’s file,” Al Otaibi added, clarifying that there is no cap on the number of exit permits issued annually, provided employers grant approval.