No Exit Permit Needed For Domestic Workers

The Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) has issued an official statement refuting claims circulating on social media that domestic workers in Kuwait must secure an exit permit through the "Sahel" application before traveling. The authority described these reports as false and misleading, urging the public not to rely on unverified sources.

According to PAM, there is no requirement for sponsors or employers to initiate any procedure via the Sahel app to issue an exit permit for domestic workers. The circulating messages falsely instructed users to navigate to the “Public Authority for Manpower” section within the app, select “Issuing an Exit Permit,” and define a departure and return window. These instructions also wrongly suggested uploading documents to activate the permit.

PAM Urges Use of Official Channels Only

PAM emphasized that no official announcement or government directive has been issued regarding the use of the Sahel app for domestic workers’ travel procedures. The Authority reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and encouraged the public to refer only to official government communication channels for accurate updates.

In a similar clarification earlier this year, the Ministry of Interior had also dismissed rumors about restrictions for domestic workers traveling abroad, highlighting the importance of verified information for both employers and workers. (MOI Clarifies Travel Regulations for Domestic Workers)

Sahel App’s Role in Public Services

While the Sahel application remains a centralized digital platform offering a range of government services — including residency, civil ID, and health appointments — it currently does not support any exit permit feature for domestic workers.

Users can still access services for various ministries through Sahel, but PAM has clearly stated that the application’s features have not been expanded to include travel exit authorizations for domestic workers as claimed in the viral messages.

Public Advised to Avoid Spreading Rumors

PAM concluded its statement by urging the public to refrain from spreading misinformation and to be vigilant against rumors that can cause unnecessary confusion or stress among employers and domestic workers.

The agency continues to work closely with other government bodies to streamline procedures and ensure that domestic labor regulations are transparent, lawful, and accessible to all residents in Kuwait.