The new Kuwait exit procedures for expatriates have caused confusion among a large number of foreign workers in Kuwait, particularly those from the Indian, Pakistani, Filipino and Egyptian communities. Private-sector expats who have been granted Article 18 residence will need to submit an electronic exit permit when leaving the country from 1 July 2025.
There has been a lot of panic over the so-called “mandatory travel fee” for expats due to the rumours on social media. The authorities have, however, emphasized that the exit permit will be mandatory, but that this is not a travel tax. Instead, this is an administrative approval system that is related to Kuwait’s work and residency policy.
What are Kuwait’s New Exit Rules?
The new rules stipulate that electronic permission in the form of an approval from the employer is mandatory for all private-sector expatriates sponsored under Article-18 prior to travel abroad.
All provisions are given for temporary vacations as well as permanent final exits. The ability for all workers to simply take a flight to pass the border without any documentation in the government system will cease to exist.
The rule will now be in effect on July 1, 2025, and will be fully established in Kuwait’s digital government system.
Fact vs Fiction: Do You Have To Pay A Travel Fee?
One of the biggest misunderstandings about the new guidelines is that Kuwait has a new “airport exit tax” for expats.
“But it is not that real.“It’s not like that. There is no official fee just for this exit permit. Permit is not an administrative travel fee, but a clearance, a requirement for traveling.
But there could be usual fees for visa processing, paperwork or company requirements, depending on the policies of the company that employs the expat.
How the Digital Exit Permit System Works?
The three steps of the Digital Exit Permit System.The three-part process of the Digital Exit Permit System.
It’s now 100% digital with the Sahel Individuals application for employees, and the As-hal portal for employers.
Travel must be requested 24 hours to seven days prior to travel. The request is reviewed and approved by the sponsor/company electronically.
If approved, the exit entry is then secured to the worker’s residency record and immigration officers or airlines can check eligibility to travel in real-time.
Multi-Trip Exit Permits Introduced in 2026
One of the big changes was the multi-trip exit permits that were introduced from January 2026.
Frequent travelers will no longer have to make repeated requests for each and every brief trip abroad. Now Workers are eligible to get approvals for several journeys for a certain period of time.
The enhancement has been greeted with enthusiasm by travellers with frequent trips across the Gulf between Kuwait and neighbouring Gulf states as well as business travellers, consultants and professionals who cross the Maskah border on a regular basis.
Airlines Are Now Checking Exit Permits
Airlines are reviewing passports for exit permits.Passports are now being scanned for exit permits by airlines. The Kuwait government has issued directives for airlines to check electronic permission to exit prior to boarding.
Persons who arrive at the airport without exit permits may be denied boarding, cancel bookings or be detained at immigration points.
Trip participants are thus encouraged to check their travel approvals in advance with Sahel by using its application in order to prevent last minute disruptions while at the airport.
Additional Customs Rules Travelers Should Know
There are more than the four customs rules listed above that travelers should know.
No other requirement has been tightened in Kuwait, other than the exit permit requirement, which was reinforced.
Anyone who is travelling with cash and gold worth KWD 3000 or more must declare before passing their points of entry.
Failure to declare high-value items could lead to investigations or confiscation or financial penalties under anti-money laundering legislation.
Impact of the New Rules on families and sponsors.
The recent regulations are also aligned with the general changes on residency that have taken place in 2025 and 2026.
Private-sector expats will need to pay their spouses and children more when struggling for visas. There is a growing emphasis on the linkage of labour records, salary details and travel history by digital systems.
This has resulted in conformance with exit permit regulations becoming a requirement for keeping a clean immigration and residency record in Kuwait.
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Important Tips for Expats Before Traveling
Ideally, expatriates should obtain the exit permit several days before they travel, rather than getting it on a last minute basis. Employer approval may have an impact on travel times.
Digital copies of the approved permit are also stored in the Sahel app where they are advisable to be kept in the event of technical problems at the airport.
If workers are travelling regularly they should request from their employer if they are eligible for the new ‘multi-trip permit system’ which will limit the need to apply for multiple permits.
Conclusion
With the new digital processes in place, it has become crucial for expatriates in Kuwait to stay well-informed to ensure a seamless travel experience, free from the inconvenience of being denied boarding, delayed at the airport, or facing immigration issues. By staying compliant via the Sahel app and planning travel approvals in advance, journeys within Kuwait’s new rules for 2026 will run smoothly.
FAQs
Must ex-pats pay any compulsory travel charges when they leave Kuwait?
RW: No, Kuwait hasn’t imposed an official travel fee/exit tax. The exit permit, not a paid airport tax, is required, and is an administrative approval.
Who in Kuwait requires the exit permission?
All expired private-sectors might have to obtain an employer authorized electronic exit permit prior to traveling.
What app does the exit permit use?
The Sahel Individuals app is used by employees for approvals and the As-hal was used by employers for the processing of approvals.
When should the “expat” apply for a permit?
With the exception of applications for gainsays, most applications should be submitted within 24 hours to seven days prior to travel.
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