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Kuwait Visa Rules 2026: What Expats Abroad Need to Check on the Sahel App Before Sept 1

Published

4 hours ago

August 22, 2026

Shorya

The Ministry of Interior (MOI) for the Republic of Kuwait has decided to terminate temporary immigration measures started due to travel restrictions in the region. The decision will mean no more visa extension and expatriate absence permits after 1st September 2026, and immigration status of individuals will need to be established in advance of travel by residents abroad.

For those who are abroad at present, the Residence Permit Certificate issued via the Sahel App is recognized in the provided information last but not least important document for proving the relevant return date.

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What Changes on September 1?

The automatic extensions to visit visas will cease and regular validity rules apply. The same will apply for expatriates who are entitled to temporary absence allowances, who will then be taken back to the relevant statutory absence framework.

Importantly, September 1 is not a set date for all expatriates returning. The exact date should be verified with the Sahel resident’s official residence certificate whose date of expiry is indicated on the certificate.

How to Check Your Kuwait Residency Status on Sahel?

It is important to check the verification of these records by the expats in foreign countries using the Sahel mobile application. The process begins by unlocking and logging into the app using necessary civil ID authentication with instructions from the website, which also mentions the use of Kuwait Mobile ID (Hawiyati) for authentication.

Once signed on, click on Data which will then show the list of government entities, choose the Ministry of Interior. From the main page you can include options for the appropriate residence or services for residence.

Click to choose Residence Permit Certificate and then create and/or print the official digital certificate. The certificate needs to give the information necessary to establish the resident’s current status, and the absence deadline.

Check the Individual Expiry Date Carefully

The crucial thing about this certificate is the Absence Permit Expiry Date written at the end of the certificate. Expats should not think that their residency automatically ends on September 1 due to the end of the emergency measures.

Any resident who departed Kuwait prior to or on August 31 continues to be able to avail the absence allowance, bearing the date of departure from official documentation, under the temporary arrangements.

What Visit Visa Holders Should Know?

Residents staying in Kuwait should check their existing valid residency permit. After the end of the emergency extensions, expired tourist, family or commercial visit visas will no longer be eligible for the temporary automatic renewals described in the information provided above.

Kuwaiters are thus urged to leave the country before their valid period expires. Excessive overstay is punishable by Immigration consequences and fines.

Return of Standard Absence Rules

The supplied guidance reads that the norm of six months’ absence limit shall apply again. The renewal of the residency permits of those who are continued outside Kuwait after the expiration of the validity periods without obtaining an appropriate permission may be affected.

The policy date for September 1 is just an example and may not reflect the situation of any individual residents; residents should not base an assumption or deadline on the policy date.

FAQs

Do all Kuwait expatriates abroad have to return before September 1?

No. September 1 puts an end to the temporary rules and it’s back to the normal rules. The Applicable Deadline of the individual should be verified on the Residence Permit Certificate available via Sahel.

Do emergency visit visa extensions expire 1st September?

The “automatic visa extensions” that are described in the guidance provided will expire and the normal rules of visa validity in respect of visits will be resumed.