Travel bans and exit rules in Kuwait

Why a travel ban is issued

• Civil, criminal and immigration cases. Gulf News reported in August 2024 that 43,289 Kuwaitis and expatriates were banned from travel in the first half of 2024, citing data from the Travel Ban Department. Common triggers included unpaid bills, overdue rent, outstanding cheques and family court expenses. Bans stay until the related civil, criminal or immigration issues are resolved.¹
• Unpaid utility bills and traffic fines. Gulf News reported in August 2023 that expatriates must clear electricity and water bills before leaving Kuwait, under a Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy rule, and that a Ministry of Interior directive requires outstanding traffic fines to be paid before departure.²
• No employer-approved exit permit (private sector). From 1 July 2025, expatriate workers in the private sector must obtain an exit permit from their registered employer before leaving, according to Deloitte, Kuwait Times and Gulf News.^4,10,3

How to check for a ban

1. Sahel government e-services appGulf News reports that Sahel is used to request a private sector exit permit (Services, PAM services, Expatriate Labour Service, Issuing Exit Permit) and to pay electricity and water bills before travel. The sources reviewed do not describe a dedicated travel ban check in Sahel.^3,2
   Official sahel.gov.kw

How a ban is lifted

• Resolving the underlying case. Gulf News reported that bans remain until the related civil, criminal or immigration issues are resolved, and that 25,149 travel ban orders were lifted in the first half of 2024.¹
• Paying bills and fines. Gulf News reports utility bills can be paid through the MEW-pay platform, the Sahel app or a customer service office at Terminal 4 of Kuwait International Airport, and traffic fines online, at traffic departments or at border crossings.²

Exit rules

Since 1 July 2025, expatriate workers in the private sector must obtain an exit permit from their registered employer before leaving Kuwait. Kuwait Times reported that the decision was taken by the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior and announced by the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM). Requests are made through the Sahel app or PAM's Ashal portal. MRRORS (formerly Migrant-Rights.org) reported that applications are accepted from seven days to 24 hours before departure and that permits are valid for one week. Gulf News reported in January 2026 that PAM introduced multiple-trip exit permits covering a period the applicant sets. Human Rights Watch said the requirement applies whatever the length of the trip and that previously workers needed government permission only for trips beyond six months. Gulf News reported in July 2025 that PAM said domestic workers are not subject to the rule.

• 1 July 2025Employer-approved exit permit made mandatory for private sector expatriate workers.^4,10,5
• 15 January 2026Gulf News reported PAM introduced multiple-trip exit permits.¹²

Sponsorship and changing jobs

Private sector work permits and transfers are managed by the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM). Domestic workers are covered by a separate 2015 law adopted by the National Assembly on 24 June 2015. Human Rights Watch describes Kuwait's system as kafala, under which a worker's legal status is tied to the employer.

Changing employer

MRRORS (formerly Migrant-Rights.org) reported that PAM Administrative Decision No. 680 of 2026 amended Article 7 of Decision No. 842 of 2015 on work transfers. It allows a worker to move to a new employer before completing one year of service, after a labour complaint and PAM investigation, where the employer failed to complete residency or work permit procedures, the employer's file is suspended, a false or malicious absconding report was filed, the employer violated Article 48 of the Labour Law including by assault, or the contract ended because of bankruptcy or closure.

Absconding reports

Kuwait Times reported in February 2021 that a sponsor reporting an absconding domestic worker files a report at an Interior Ministry service centre and then a complaint with PAM. Human Rights Watch said in 2015 that leaving a job without sponsor consent is treated as absconding, which can lead to detention, fines or imprisonment. Under Decision No. 680 of 2026, a false or malicious absconding report is grounds for an early transfer.

Reforms

• 24 June 2015National Assembly adopted a law on domestic workers setting a weekly day off, 30 days' paid annual leave and a ban on passport confiscation, according to Human Rights Watch.⁹
• 1 July 2025Employer-approved exit permit required for private sector expatriate workers.⁴
• 3 June 2026MRRORS (formerly Migrant-Rights.org) reported PAM Decision No. 680 of 2026 allowing early transfers in cases of employer abuse or negligence.⁶

Domestic workers

Human Rights Watch reported that Kuwait's National Assembly adopted a domestic workers law on 24 June 2015. HRW said it gives one day off a week, a maximum 12 hour working day with rest hours, 30 days' paid annual leave and an end of service benefit of one month's pay per year, and prohibits employers from confiscating passports, though without set penalties. HRW said domestic workers still cannot transfer to a new employer before their contract ends without the employer's consent. Kuwait Times reported in 2021 that employers report absconding domestic workers to an Interior Ministry service centre and then PAM.^9,8

Wage protection

Nairametrics reported in June 2026 that under Kuwait's new transfer rules, an employer's failure to pay wages is among the conditions that allow a worker to change employers before completing one year. The sources reviewed for this record do not describe Kuwait's wage payment system in detail.⁷

Fees workers should not pay

For domestic workers, Human Rights Watch reported that the 2015 law bars recruitment agencies and their employees from accepting any payment from domestic workers, and violators can be charged with extortion. The sources reviewed for this record do not quote the private sector Labour Law on recruitment fees.⁹

Where to complain or get help

Sources

1. Gulf News, Kuwait tightens travel rules: Over 43,000 banned in six months (10 August 2024)
2. Gulf News, Kuwait: Expats banned from leaving country if they haven't paid electricity and water bills (23 August 2023)
3. Gulf News, Kuwait exit permit guide: What expat workers need to know (16 June 2025)
4. Deloitte Middle East, Kuwait: Introduction of an exit permit for expatriate workers in Kuwait (2 July 2025)
5. Human Rights Watch, Kuwait's Exit Permit Requirement Puts Migrant Workers at Risk (15 June 2025)
6. MRRORS (formerly Migrant-Rights.org), Kuwait eases job transfer rules for migrant workers abused by employers (3 June 2026)
7. Nairametrics, Kuwait permits foreign workers to switch employers early over labour violations (29 June 2026)
8. Kuwait Times, Manpower authority sets procedures for reporting absconding helpers (2 February 2021)
9. Human Rights Watch, Kuwait: New Law a Breakthrough for Domestic Workers (30 June 2015)
10. Kuwait Times, Kuwait implements mandatory exit permit for expatriate workers (11 June 2025)
11. MRRORS (formerly Migrant-Rights.org), Kuwait reinstates exit permit, tightening the grip of kafala (29 October 2025)
12. Gulf News, Kuwait introduces multiple-trip exit permits for expatriate workers in digital overhaul (15 January 2026)
13. Gulf News, Domestic workers in Kuwait not subject to exit permit rule, manpower authority confirms (10 July 2025)