Can You Leave Kuwait Without an Exit Permit? What Expats Must Know in 2026
Last updated: June 2026 · Legal reference: Kuwait Labour Law No. 6 of 2010 · Ministerial Circular No. 1/2025
Direct Answer
No. Since July 1, 2025, all private sector expats on an Article 18 (work) residency visa in Kuwait must get their employer's approval through the Sahel app before leaving the country — for any reason, including annual leave, emergency travel, and final permanent departures. Leaving without an approved exit permit can result in fines at the border and a GCC-wide travel ban if your employer files an absconding report. Domestic workers (Visa 20) and government employees operate under different rules. If your employer refuses to approve, there is a defined appeal route through PAM.
Kuwait introduced exit permits for private sector expats in 2025, and it caught many workers off guard. Before July 2025, you could book a flight and leave. After July 1, 2025, leaving Kuwait without your employer's digital sign-off is an immigration violation — regardless of whether you are going on holiday, visiting your family, or departing permanently after your employment ends. Most expats find out about this rule when they try to use the Sahel app for the first time, or when a colleague gets stuck at the airport. This guide covers exactly who the rule applies to, how the process works, what the consequences are if you try to bypass it, and what you can do if your employer refuses to cooperate.
Planning to leave Kuwait? Know your EOSB first.
Before departure, calculate your full end-of-service benefit entitlement — so your employer cannot underpay your final settlement when you collect it.
Calculate my Kuwait EOSB →Why Kuwait introduced exit permits for expats
Kuwait's exit permit system for private sector workers became effective on July 1, 2025, under Ministerial Circular No. 1/2025. The stated purpose was to bring Kuwait in line with employer-sponsored visa frameworks used in other GCC countries and to reduce the number of workers departing while salary or contractual disputes remained unresolved.
In practice, the system works through the Sahel app — Kuwait's Ministry of Interior mobile application for immigration and residency services. Every departure by a private sector Article 18 visa holder must be approved by their sponsoring employer through the app before travel is permitted. Kuwait International Airport and land borders check exit permit status as part of departure screening.
The system has been criticised by human rights organisations — including Human Rights Watch, which flagged it as an alarming constraint on worker mobility in a June 2025 report. For workers on the ground, the practical reality is the same: without an approved exit permit in the Sahel system, you will not be able to leave Kuwait.
Who needs an exit permit — and who does not
Exit permit required
- · Private sector employees on Article 18 (work) residency visa
- · Applies to annual leave, home visits, emergency travel, and final departure
- · Applies even during notice period after resignation
- · Applies to workers in construction, retail, hospitality, corporate, healthcare (private sector)
Different rules apply
- · Domestic workers (Visa 20) — separate sponsorship and departure process
- · Government sector employees — different residency and departure rules
- · Kuwaiti nationals — no exit permit requirement
- · Visitors, students, and family visa holders — not covered by Ministerial Circular No. 1/2025
If you are a private sector employee and your Civil ID shows Article 18 as your residency category, the exit permit requirement applies to you. If you are unsure which visa category you hold, check your Civil ID or your original residency permit document — the visa category is printed on both.
How the Sahel exit permit process works step by step
The Sahel app (available on iOS and Android) is the only official channel for exit permit requests. There is no paper-based alternative. The process:
Sahel exit permit — step by step
One practical tip: submit your exit permit request at least 10 days before your planned travel date. Most employers approve within 1-3 working days, but building in a buffer means you have time to escalate if the employer is slow or your HR contact is unavailable.
What happens if you try to leave Kuwait without an exit permit
Kuwait International Airport and all land border crossings check exit permit status as part of departure processing. If your exit permit is not showing as approved in the system when your documents are scanned:
Consequences of leaving without an exit permit
The GCC absconding blacklist is the risk most workers underestimate. An absconding mark is not easy to remove — it requires legal proceedings in Kuwait, usually with a lawyer, while you are outside the country and cannot re-enter. Workers who have gone through this process describe it as taking months to years and costing more in legal fees than the EOSB they were owed in the first place.
The PAM appeal process typically resolves in 1-2 weeks. That is a short delay compared to the consequences of bypassing the system.
What to do if your employer refuses to approve your exit permit
An employer can reject an exit permit request, but that rejection is not final. PAM (the Public Authority for Manpower) has authority to review exit permit refusals and to direct employers to approve departure when the refusal is unjustified. The appeal process is:
PAM appeal — what to do after a refusal or non-response
For a detailed walkthrough of the PAM complaint process, document checklist, and what to do in emergency situations, see our companion guide: Exit Permit Denied by Employer in Kuwait — Your Rights and Next Steps.
Your EOSB entitlement and the exit permit — understanding the connection
Your EOSB under Article 51 of Kuwait Labour Law No. 6 of 2010 is calculated on your years of service and the reason your employment ended. The exit permit process is entirely separate from this entitlement — an exit permit refusal cannot reduce, cancel, or delay what you are legally owed.
Under Article 52, your employer must pay your full final settlement within 10 working days of your last day. This obligation exists independently of whether your exit permit has been approved. The two most common situations where the exit permit and EOSB intersect badly for workers:
Situation 1: Employer withholds exit permit to force settlement signing
This is the most common abuse. Your employer approves the exit permit only if you sign a settlement that is below your legal EOSB entitlement. This is coercion and a Labour Law violation. Do not sign a below-entitlement settlement to get an exit permit. File two PAM complaints — one for the exit permit, one for the underpaid settlement. Calculate your exact entitlement first using the Kuwait EOSB Calculator.
Situation 2: Settlement is paid but exit permit is still withheld
Occasionally employers pay the EOSB but still withhold exit permit approval — sometimes as retaliation, sometimes through HR processing delays. If your settlement has been paid and you have completed your notice period or received a formal release, a continued exit permit block is unjustified. File directly with PAM citing the completed settlement and end of employment as grounds.
Before you reach any settlement conversation with your employer, use the Smart Resignation Planner to understand how your service years affect your entitlement, and check the Kuwait Final Settlement Checklist to verify that every component — EOSB, unused leave, notice pay — is included in whatever you are asked to sign.
Can you leave Kuwait during your notice period?
During a notice period following resignation or termination, your employment relationship is still active — you remain on your employer's sponsorship until the final day of the notice period. This means the exit permit requirement still applies if you want to travel outside Kuwait during the notice period.
In most cases, employers grant exit permits during the notice period without difficulty — especially for annual leave that was already approved. The complication arises if the employer has waived your notice period (releasing you early) and visa cancellation has already been filed. In that scenario, check the 30-day grace period status and confirm your exit permit is approved before booking travel.
For the notice period rules that apply to your specific service length, see the Kuwait Notice Period Calculator. If your employer cut your notice period short, that is a separate right — see the guide on what happens when your employer cuts your notice period short.
How Kuwait compares to UAE and Saudi Arabia on exit permits
Many expats in Kuwait have worked in UAE or Saudi Arabia and are surprised by how different the exit permit rules are across the GCC.
| Country | Exit permit required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kuwait | Yes — since July 1, 2025 | Applies to all Article 18 private sector workers. Via Sahel app. Employer must approve every departure. |
| UAE | No (for most workers) | UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 abolished exit permits for most private sector employees. Workers can travel without employer approval. |
| Saudi Arabia | Largely abolished | Exit permit requirement for most private sector workers removed under Vision 2030 labour reforms. Most KSA workers can now travel without employer sign-off. |
| Bahrain | Largely abolished | Bahrain's Labour Market Regulatory Authority introduced flexible labour market reforms. Most workers can travel without exit permit. |
Kuwait's July 2025 system makes it one of the most restrictive GCC countries for private sector worker mobility. Workers coming to Kuwait from UAE or Saudi Arabia — where exit permits are no longer required — should factor this into their employment decision and ensure they understand the Sahel app process before their first departure.
Emergency travel and the exit permit: what to do when time is critical
The exit permit system does not have a built-in emergency bypass — even for a death in the family or a serious medical emergency, the Sahel app process still applies. However, PAM has a fast-track process for genuine humanitarian cases when the employer is unresponsive.
If you face an urgent departure need and your employer is not responding in the Sahel app:
- 1. Call or WhatsApp your employer or HR contact immediately and explain the emergency. Request urgent approval. Keep the message as evidence.
- 2. Go to PAM offices in person — do not wait the full 7 days. Explain the urgency and bring documentation of the emergency (hospital letter, death certificate, or equivalent from home country).
- 3. Contact your country's embassy in Kuwait. India, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and other major labour-sending countries all have active consular labour desks. They can apply diplomatic pressure and in acute cases liaise with the Ministry of Interior directly.
- 4. PAM can contact the Ministry of Interior directly in genuine emergencies to facilitate rapid clearance. This is not a guaranteed pathway but is available in acute humanitarian cases.
Considering a job change instead of departure? The transfer alternative
If you are in a difficult situation with your current employer and are considering your options, a work permit transfer to a new employer is a separate legal process that does not require your current employer's exit permit approval. A transfer changes your residency sponsorship without you having to leave Kuwait.
Under Kuwait Admin Decision No. 680/2026 (effective early 2026), there are circumstances in which workers in certain sectors can transfer before the standard one-year employment mark — particularly if the employer has filed a false absconding report, neglected residency obligations, or violated Arts. 48 or 50 of the Labour Law. See the guide on work permit transfer in Kuwait for the full eligibility conditions and process.
The 2026 transfer rules also intersect with the Ministerial Resolution No. 2/2026 changes that came into effect in June 2026 for workers in restricted sectors.
Frequently asked questions
Can I leave Kuwait without an exit permit in 2026?
No. Since July 1, 2025, all private sector expatriate employees on an Article 18 (work) residency visa in Kuwait must obtain an employer-approved exit permit through the Sahel app before departing — whether for a vacation, home visit, or permanent departure. Leaving without an approved exit permit is an immigration violation that can result in fines at the border and a travel ban affecting future re-entry to Kuwait and other GCC countries.
Who needs an exit permit to leave Kuwait?
Private sector employees holding an Article 18 (work) residency visa must have employer-approved exit permits via the Sahel app before any departure from Kuwait as of July 1, 2025. This includes departures for annual leave, emergency travel, home visits, and final permanent departures after employment ends. Domestic workers on Visa 20, government employees, and some other visa categories have different rules and are not covered by the Article 18 private sector exit permit requirement.
What happens if I leave Kuwait without an exit permit?
Departing Kuwait without an approved exit permit when one is required can result in fines at the airport or border, a travel ban flagged on your passport, and complications with the GCC-wide absconding system if your employer files an Article 18 absconding report. An absconding mark in the Unified GCC system can prevent re-entry to Kuwait, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, and Oman — sometimes for years. The consequences are significantly harder to undo than waiting for the PAM appeal process, which typically resolves in 1-2 weeks.
Does the exit permit requirement apply to annual leave trips?
Yes. Since July 1, 2025, even a routine annual leave departure requires an employer-approved exit permit through the Sahel app. There is no exemption for short trips, annual leave, or emergency family visits. The requirement applies to every departure from Kuwait for employees on an Article 18 private sector work visa, regardless of how long you plan to be outside the country.
Can I leave Kuwait without telling my employer if I have resigned?
No. Even after resignation, you need an employer-approved exit permit before departing Kuwait. If you have formally resigned and are serving your notice period, your employer is still the sponsoring party until your residency is officially transferred or cancelled. The exit permit obligation remains in place until your residency status is formally concluded — either through visa cancellation by the employer or transfer to a new employer.
What is the Sahel app and how does the exit permit process work?
Sahel is the Kuwait Ministry of Interior's official app for managing residency and immigration services, including exit permit requests. As an employee, you submit an exit permit request through your own Sahel account. The request goes to your employer's registered HR representative through the linked Ashal Companies portal. The employer then approves or rejects the request — there is no automatic approval. If approved, the exit permit is generated in the system and you can depart. If the employer does not respond within 7 days, that is grounds for a PAM complaint.
What if my employer refuses to approve my exit permit?
If your employer refuses or does not respond to your Sahel exit permit request within 7 days, you can file a complaint with the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM). PAM will contact the employer and can intervene if the refusal is unjustified. Using an exit permit refusal to pressure an employee to sign an undervalued settlement is a separate Labour Law violation. In most cases, PAM mediation resolves the issue within 1-2 weeks without needing to go to court. See our guide on what to do when your employer refuses an exit permit for the full PAM appeal process.
Does leaving Kuwait permanently require an exit permit?
Yes, and for a final permanent departure, the process typically involves two steps: (1) the employer files for visa/residency cancellation with the Ministry of Interior, and (2) you apply for an exit permit through Sahel. The two processes can happen simultaneously or in sequence. If the employer has already filed visa cancellation, you enter a 30-day residency grace period during which you must either transfer your residency to a new employer or depart with the exit permit. Do not depart before the exit permit is formally approved even after visa cancellation.
Is the Kuwait exit permit system the same as in UAE or Saudi Arabia?
No. Each GCC country manages exit permits differently. Kuwait introduced the exit permit requirement for private sector expats effective July 1, 2025, via Ministerial Circular No. 1/2025. Saudi Arabia has abolished exit permits for most private sector workers under Vision 2030 labour reforms. UAE does not have a formal exit permit requirement for most employees. The Kuwait system is among the strictest in the GCC for private sector workers and is app-based through Sahel.
Can my employer stop me from leaving Kuwait permanently after my contract ends?
An employer can delay your exit by withholding exit permit approval, but they cannot permanently prevent a lawful departure. If your contract has ended — through resignation, termination, or expiry — and your employer refuses to approve your exit permit without a documented legal reason, that is a PAM complaint. PAM can direct the employer to issue the permit and, if they still refuse, refer the matter to the Labour Court. The Labour Court treats unjustified permanent exit permit blocks as serious violations, particularly when there is no active court case or documented financial dispute to justify the hold.
Key Takeaways
- ✓ Since July 1, 2025, all Article 18 private sector expats in Kuwait need employer-approved exit permits via Sahel before any departure
- ✓ Applies to every departure — annual leave, emergencies, and final permanent departures after employment ends
- ✓ Leaving without an approved permit = fines + potential GCC-wide absconding blacklist if employer files absconding report
- ✓ Employer has 7 days to respond to a Sahel request. Non-response after 7 days is grounds for a PAM complaint.
- ✓ Exit permit refusal cannot reduce or cancel your EOSB — your Article 51 entitlement is separate and must be paid within 10 days of your last working day
- ✓ If employer links exit permit to signing an undervalued settlement — that is coercion, a Labour Law violation. File with PAM on both counts.
- ✓ Emergency travel (medical, death in family): go to PAM in person immediately and contact your embassy — do not wait 7 days
- ✓ Kuwait is stricter than UAE and KSA on exit permits. Workers moving from those countries need to adjust to this requirement.
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Need legal help?
Stuck in Kuwait with a blocked exit permit — get expert advice today
Fathima Karama is a Kuwait-based employment lawyer who advises expats on exit permit disputes, EOSB claims, and settlement negotiations. If your employer is blocking your departure or linking exit permit approval to signing a settlement, she can advise on your options via WhatsApp.
Talk to a Lawyer on WhatsApp →Related Calculators
Related guides
- Exit Permit Denied by Employer in Kuwait — PAM appeal process and rights
- Kuwait Exit Permit for Expats — complete guide to who needs one and how Sahel works
- Employer Cancelled Visa Without Notice — grace period, PAM steps, and EOSB rights
- Kuwait EOSB Guide — full Article 51 indemnity formula explained
- Kuwait Final Settlement Checklist — every component to verify before signing
- Work Permit Transfer Kuwait — how to change employers without leaving Kuwait
- Smart Resignation Planner — how your service length affects your EOSB
- Kuwait Labour Transfer Rules 2026 — Admin Decision No. 680 and the June 2026 changes
Reviewed against Kuwait Labour Law No. 6 of 2010 — June 2026. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.