Exit Permit via the Sahel App in Kuwait
Reviewed by the Commoner Law Editorial Team. Sourced from Kuwaiti national legislation, Amiri decrees, and ministerial decisions. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
From 1 July 2025, private-sector expatriate workers in Kuwait request their exit permit through the Sahel app under Ministerial Circular No. 2 of 2025. The employer is required to act on the request, and the permit — once issued — is valid for 7 days. If the employer denies, ignores, or weaponises the request, the worker can escalate to the PAM dispute department with MoI referral for exit-permit review, which has the authority to override an unreasonable employer refusal.
Why this matters. Before Circular 2/2025, exit-permit requests routed through paper channels that the employer effectively controlled. The Sahel flow makes the request visible to PAM and the Ministry of Interior the moment it is filed — the employer's inaction is now itself a documented violation.
Who this covers: all private-sector expatriate workers (Article 5 employees under Law 6 of 2010). Domestic-worker exit permits follow a separate but parallel Sahel flow.
How the override works: when the employer denies without legitimate ground, or sits on the request for more than a reasonable period (in practice 7 days), the worker submits a grievance to the PAM dispute department + MoI referral with the Sahel screenshot attached. The committee may grant the exit permit directly. Priority is given to documented medical or family emergencies.
Other entitlements that remain in play: Article 67 (employer pays the repatriation ticket on contract end), Article 51 (end-of-service indemnity), Article 53 (resignation right that does not require employer consent to take effect).
When does it apply?
- You are a private-sector expatriate worker in Kuwait covered by Law 6 of 2010.
- You filed a Sahel exit-permit request that the employer denied without a clear, legitimate ground.
- You filed a Sahel exit-permit request that the employer has neither approved nor denied for more than 7 days.
- The employer is attaching unlawful conditions — release waivers, drop of a claim, or fees — to the approval.
- You are leaving on contract end, qualifying resignation, or a documented medical / family emergency.
What to Do If Your Kuwait Employer Denies or Ignores Your Sahel Exit-Permit Request
- Screenshot the Sahel request and every status update from it. That record is your primary evidence.
- Open a PAM digital complaint via manpower.gov.kw or the Sahel app — both accept written submissions.
- File a grievance with the PAM dispute department + MoI referral if the employer denies or sits on the request. Priority routing for medical and family emergencies.
- Send a written demand to the employer citing Circular 2/2025 and Articles 51, 53, 67 of Law 6/2010. The Commoner Law letter below does this with the right citations.
- Once approved, the exit permit is valid for 7 days — check Sahel daily and travel within the window.
- If your contract has ended, separately request the Article 67 repatriation ticket and the Article 51 end-of-service indemnity — these are not contingent on the exit permit.
What should you NOT do?
- Do not sign a release waiver or drop a claim in exchange for exit-permit approval. Conditional approval is not a permissible practice under Circular 2/2025.
- Do not delete the Sahel app after the permit is approved — the record is your protection if the employer files a counter-complaint.
- Do not leave the country before the permit is approved on Sahel — leaving without the permit triggers absconding processes you will then need to defend.
- Do not wait past 12 months to pursue end-of-service or repatriation-ticket claims — the one-year labour-claims limitation runs from the end of the employment relationship.
Common Questions
When does it apply — exit permit via the sahel app?
You are a private-sector expatriate worker in Kuwait covered by Law 6 of 2010.You filed a Sahel exit-permit request that the employer denied without a clear, legitimate ground.You filed a Sahel exit-permit request that the employer has neither approved nor denied for more than 7 days.The employer is attaching unlawful conditions — release waivers, drop of a claim, or fees — to the approval.You are leaving on contract end, qualifying resignation, or a documented medical / family emergency.
What can I do if my employer in Kuwait will not approve my Sahel exit-permit request?
Screenshot the Sahel request and every status update from it. That record is your primary evidence.Open a PAM digital complaint via manpower.gov.kw or the Sahel app — both accept written submissions.File a grievance with the PAM dispute department + MoI referral if the employer denies or sits on the request. Priority routing for medical and family emergencies.Send a written demand to the employer citing Circular 2/2025 and Articles 51, 53, 67 of Law 6/2010. The Commoner Law letter below does this with the right citations.Once approved, the exit permit is valid for 7 days — check Sahel daily an...
What should you NOT do — exit permit via the sahel app?
Do not sign a release waiver or drop a claim in exchange for exit-permit approval. Conditional approval is not a permissible practice under Circular 2/2025.Do not delete the Sahel app after the permit is approved — the record is your protection if the employer files a counter-complaint.Do not leave the country before the permit is approved on Sahel — leaving without the permit triggers absconding processes you will then need to defend.Do not wait past 12 months to pursue end-of-service or repatriation-ticket claims — the one-year labour-claims limitation runs from the end of the employment rel...