Kuwait Adds Two New Features for Expat Exit Permits

Kuwait’s Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) has launched two new enhancements to the expatriate exit permit system, aimed at streamlining travel procedures for foreign workers and their employers.

Under the updated service, expatriate workers and companies can now apply for exit permits valid for multiple trips within a specified period, replacing the previous single-trip limitation. The authority said this change is designed to reduce repetitive applications and make the process more efficient for frequent travelers.

In addition, PAM has introduced an automatic pre-approval option, allowing private sector businesses to grant exit permits in advance without reviewing individual requests each time. Employers can apply this pre-approval to all staff under a specific licence, select groups of employees, or even individual workers. The system also gives employers flexibility to exclude certain workers or revoke pre-approval when necessary.

Once pre-approval is in place, exit permits are issued automatically as soon as a worker submits a request, helping speed up processing times and reduce administrative burdens for both employers and employees.

Both new features are available through PAM’s Ashal portal under expat workers services, as part of Kuwait’s ongoing digital transformation and efforts to modernise labour-related procedures.

Officials say the improvements complement Kuwait’s broader strategy of improving service delivery and enhancing efficiency in government transactions, while maintaining effective regulation of expatriate travel.