By Khitam Al Amir
Dubai: More than 35,000 exit permits have been issued since Kuwait began enforcing a new rule on July 1 requiring expatriate workers in the private sector to obtain prior approval from their employers before leaving the country, authorities confirmed this week.The policy, introduced by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al Yousuf, aims to regulate the departure process for expatriates while ensuring alignment with labour and residency laws.Marzouq Al Otaibi, Director General of the Public Authority for Manpower, said all issued permits met the necessary criteria and were submitted through official employer channels. .Kuwait exit permit guide: What expat workers need to know.He emphasised that the process has been streamlined through digital platforms to enhance efficiency and accessibility.Workers and employers can now submit and approve requests via the 鈥淪ahel鈥 mobile app or the 鈥淎shal鈥 manpower portal. Employers must provide their consent through 鈥淪ahel Business鈥 or the corporate version of 鈥淎shal鈥, ensuring that applications are processed in line with the authority鈥檚 regulations. .Kuwait makes exit permits mandatory for private sector expat workers. The system is available 24/7, and expatriate workers are required to complete an electronic form detailing personal information and travel history. The goal, Al Otaibi noted, is to ensure legal compliance while protecting the rights of both employees and employers.鈥淚f an employer unjustifiably refuses or delays permission, the worker has the right to file a complaint with the labour relations unit associated with the company鈥檚 file,鈥 Al Otaibi added, clarifying that there is no cap on the number of exit permits issued annually, provided employers grant approval.