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Mixed reactions to Kuwait’s new exit permit rule for expat workers

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Some employers welcome tighter controls, while some employees fear increased restrictions

KUWAIT: From July 1, 2025, expatriate workers in Kuwait’s private sector will need an exit permit from their sponsor to leave the country. The regulation aims to streamline departures and protect both employer and employee rights. Reactions to the new measure have been mixed. Speaking to Kuwait Times, employer Adel Suliman voiced support for the decision, while emphasizing the need for further system enhancements. “I hope leave types can be categorized into ‘internal’ and ‘external’. Some workers request annual leave but remain in the country, and in such cases, sponsors should not be held legally responsible,” he said, calling for a digitalized process to minimize administrative burdens on employers.

Employer Homoud Al-Ajmi also praised the move, highlighting its importance for business owners. “This is an excellent step, which many responsible employers have long awaited. We also hope the regulation will include mandatory return dates for expatriate workers, with clear consequences such as residency cancellation if they overstay without employer and ministry of interior approval. Some workers take a one-month leave and return late, which causes delays in company operations. Deducting from salaries is not enough — the sponsor should be allowed to protect his business and prevent such people from coming back to the country,” he said.

Al-Ajmi further suggested that Kuwait follow the example of other Gulf countries, where overstaying a vacation can result in a five-year entry ban. “This is vital to protect national economic interests, preserve job opportunities for citizens and reduce the financial burden on the state budget,” he added.

On the other hand, business owner Abu Ali criticized the decision, suggesting it should only apply to sensitive positions such as managers, accountants or cashiers. “Why all this hassle for regular jobs? This just adds to the daily load and stress for employers. Unfortunately, this may also give visa traders an excuse to demand more money in exchange for approving workers’ leaves,” he pointed out. He advised the minister to focus more on the issue of runaway domestic workers. “There are many labor violations and financial losses due to runaway workers. There should be a way to prevent them.”

Meanwhile, expatriate workers expressed concern that the decision could be misused by employers to exert further control. “This will give more power to the sponsor to mistreat employees. I’ve been trying to get medical leave for surgery for months, but my manager keeps refusing. This policy may worsen such cases,” Salem Oudeh warned.

One worker proposed a system where the state, rather than employers, acts as the legal sponsor of expatriate workers, handling residency renewals while companies function purely as contracting entities. “This could reduce exploitation, bribery, and unjust practices against workers,” Othman Osama said.

Mohammad Saed suggested the system be applied selectively. “Instead of applying it to everyone, there should be a feature where an employer can flag a specific employee who shouldn’t be allowed to travel without their approval. Emergencies happen, and some people need to leave immediately — especially in cases of family deaths.”

As for Ahmad Aziz, overly strict regulations could stifle economic growth and flexibility. “While the move to enforce a mandatory exit permit may help regulate the labor market and protect employers’ rights, I must emphasize that strict laws and excessive red tape hinder market growth. We all want a flourishing and flexible economy — only then will the benefits truly reach everyone: workers, employers, and the country,” he said.

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Workshop aims to boost governance in charitable sector

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KUWAIT: The International Islamic Charitable Organization (IICO), in strategic partnership with the Ministry of Social Affairs, organized a specialized workshop on Tuesday titled “Introduction to Compliance Management: Practical Applications” as part of its ongoing “Tamkeen” initiative. The workshop aimed to strengthen the principles of governance and institutional compliance within Kuwait’s charitable sector.

Speaking to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), IICO Deputy Director General and Head of the Tamkeen initiative Abdulrahman Al-Mutawa said the workshop reflects the organization’s commitment to promoting a culture of integrity, transparency and sustainability. He noted that IICO was the first charitable institution in Kuwait to establish an independent compliance and governance department in 2022 — demonstrating a proactive approach to institutional development.

Al-Mutawa highlighted that the organization has successfully met all criteria of the institutional evaluation set by the Ministry of Social Affairs, including those related to organizational structure, risk management, governance and internal controls. He added that IICO continues to develop systems and policies aimed at achieving excellence in institutional performance.

He clarified that the workshop is part of a strategic roadmap to protect organizational reputation, minimize risks and enhance administrative efficiency in the charitable field. He also revealed plans to launch a new training program soon, which will certify “compliance specialists” working in charitable societies in cooperation with the Ministry of Social Affairs, providing them with the expertise needed to excel in the field.

For her part, Acting Director of the Department of Charitable Societies and Endowments at the Ministry of Social Affairs Iman Al-Enezi said the workshop is part of a broader strategic initiative to embed a culture of compliance and governance in charitable institutions. She noted that the Tamkeen initiative, launched in 2018, aims to qualify professionals working in the sector and adapt to ongoing administrative and technical developments.

Al-Enezi pointed out that since its inception, the initiative has conducted 46 training programs benefiting over 1,500 participants from various charitable organizations. She commended the efforts of IICO and the Tamkeen initiative, reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to supporting initiatives that enhance institutional performance in Kuwait’s charitable and humanitarian sectors. The workshop was attended by senior officials from charitable associations and foundations, as well as representatives from the public sector, underscoring the joint efforts to prepare administrative cadres in line with international best practices. — KUNA

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Traveling abroad and need a physical Kuwaiti driving license? Here’s what to do

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KUWAIT: As summer travel picks up, many expatriates have reported that Kuwait’s digital driving license is not accepted abroad, making international car rentals challenging. But this is now changing. After a suspension that began on Dec 10, 2023, the issuance of physical driving licenses for expats resumed in mid-April 2025, following ministerial decision no. 560/2025 issued by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah. The amendment allows expatriates to reissue physical licenses for a KD 10 printing fee, effective immediately upon its publication in the official gazette Kuwait Al Youm.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to the process (the exact steps may vary slightly by location):

1. Visit the traffic department (muroor):

Head to the traffic department of the governorate that originally issued your license — this might differ from your current governorate of residence. Keep in mind that working hours and queues can vary for citizens, expats and companies.

2. Request the application form:

Go to the typing section and request a form to issue a physical driving license. This service usually costs KD 1. You will need to attach:

• A copy of your Civil ID

• A copy of your current digital license (from the Kuwait Mobile ID app)

• Your previous physical license (if available)

3. Form submission and payment:

• Submit the filled form at one of the designated counters for verification and stamping.

• Then, proceed to pay the KD 10 reissuance fee.

• Note: If you no longer have your previous physical license, an additional KD 10 fee may apply.

4. Final submission and collection:

Submit the signed and stamped form at the designated printing counter, then wait for your name to be called. Your physical license will be printed and issued shortly, depending on the number of applicants.

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Nod to humanitarian work law

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KUWAIT: A high-level government committee entrusted to regulate charity and humanitarian activities in Kuwait approved on Wednesday a draft law for humanitarian work in the country with the aim to boost transparency and accountability. The charitable work committee, headed by First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah, has been working for the past several months to increase official oversight over a number of charity organizations in Kuwait that have carried out a large number of charity projects inside and outside Kuwait.

The approval came after the ministry of social affairs ordered charity organizations in Kuwait, a majority of which are run by Islamic societies, to halt their work for several weeks in a bid to regulate them. The ministry and the committee both issued stricter reforms to boost transparency of the charity organizations and the government’s oversight of their work.

The draft law aims to strengthen the principles of governance, reinforce transparency and accountability and enhance the efficiency of implementing charitable initiatives and projects, a statement said. Once officially approved, the new draft legislation is expected to mark a significant step in organizing humanitarian work practices, improve policies and regulations and bolster local and domestic trust in the organizations operating in the charity sector.

For the past several decades, Kuwait has played a leading role among the oil-rich Gulf states in charitable work, with a large number of charity projects all over the world, especially in the Middle East and Africa.

Separately, the interior ministry announced on Wednesday residency detectives busted a network selling visas to expats for money, the second such bust this week. The ministry said a complaint by a Pakistani who paid KD 650 for a residence permit to another Pakistani led to busting the network.

Investigations revealed that the accused, who admitted to receiving the money, is a partner in 11 companies with 162 workers on their records. A number of workers registered on these companies admitted to paying sums ranging between KD 500 and KD 900 to obtain residency permits. Investigations also revealed that some of them paid additional sums ranging between KD 60 and KD 70 to falsify salary data on work permits to obtain family residency permits.

A Kuwaiti was also summoned as an authorized signatory for the 11 companies, admitting to receiving monthly sums ranging between KD 500 and KD 600. The ministry said the 12 suspects were referred to the public prosecution, confirming that investigations, arrests and inspections of the headquarters of the concerned companies are underway.

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