The Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) in Kuwait has clarified that expatriate workers in the private sector, holding residency under Article 18, now have full control over the start and end dates of their exit permits. According to PAM Director Marzouq Al-Otaibi, this new flexibility is part of a broader effort to enhance worker rights and streamline administrative processes.

Speaking to local media, Al-Otaibi stated that the exit permit is simply a tool for documenting the worker's departure date and does not tie the worker to a specific return timeframe. This new system reflects PAM’s commitment to providing services that accommodate the individual needs of both employees and employers, while still maintaining regulatory oversight of the labor market.

In a related announcement, PAM has launched two digital services via the Sahel application to facilitate the new exit permit procedures. These include:

• Exit Permit Request (Sahel for Workers): Allows expatriate workers under Article 18 to submit exit permit requests electronically.
• Exit Permit Approval (Sahel Business for Employers): Enables employers to review and approve their employees' exit requests online.

This digital transformation aligns with the circular issued by Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef, mandating that all expatriate workers in the private sector must obtain exit permits before leaving the country. This requirement will be strictly enforced beginning July 1.

PAM emphasized that the exit permit system is not designed to restrict worker mobility but rather to ensure organized travel and accurate documentation. This system also complements other labor reforms being rolled out in Kuwait to balance workforce freedom with market regulation.