KUWAIT: The decision to force expatriates working in the private sector to obtain an exit permit with the prior approval of their employers comes into effect on Tuesday, July 1. The measure has been introduced for the first time in Kuwait to join other Gulf states, barring the UAE. Previously, private sector employees could leave the country at any time without permits.
Local media cited the Public Authority of Manpower as saying that so far, around 22,000 expats have obtained the permit through the authority’s website or through the government’s Sahel app. Employees need to apply through Sahel or the authority’s website. The employer must then approve the request online before the authority issues the permit.
The authority said the decision applies to private sector employees who have residency in accordance with article 18, adding those who have article 19 residency – self-sponsored – are not required to obtain the exit permit. Government employees or article 17 residents have long been required to obtain an exit permit from their employers.
