Kuwait Launches New Digital Visa Service for Domestic Workers and Drivers – Tightens Eligibility with Family-Based Caps (June 2026 Update)

Kuwait launches digital visa service for domestic workers and drivers via Sahel app

Kuwait City, June 8, 2026 — Kuwait has rolled out a major digital upgrade to its immigration and manpower services with the launch of a new online platform for domestic workers and drivers. The initiative, announced by the Ministry of Interior in coordination with the Public Authority for Manpower, aims to modernize recruitment, improve efficiency, and tighten control over foreign labor.

This reform is part of Kuwait’s broader push toward digital transformation while addressing long-standing concerns about the size and management of the expatriate workforce.

Key Features of the New “Sahel” Digital Service

The new service is integrated into Kuwait’s unified government application “Sahel”, allowing citizens and expatriates to:

• Apply for new domestic worker and driver visas online

• Renew existing permits

• Manage transfers, cancellations, and extensions

• Track application status in real time

• Complete all required documentation digitally

Users no longer need to visit physical service centers for most transactions, significantly reducing processing times and administrative burden.

Tightened Eligibility Rules and Family-Based Caps

Alongside the digital launch, Kuwait has introduced stricter eligibility criteria:

• Caps based on family status: Limits on the number of domestic workers and drivers a family can sponsor, depending on household size and needs.

• Enhanced scrutiny: Stronger verification processes to ensure genuine need and prevent overuse of the system.

• Priority for Kuwaiti employers: Clear guidelines favoring households that meet specific conditions.

These measures aim to balance labor market needs with demographic control and reduce dependency on foreign domestic help.

Why Kuwait Is Reforming Its System Now

Kuwait has one of the highest ratios of expatriate workers in the world. The government has been gradually implementing Saudization-style policies (Kuwaitization) to increase national workforce participation while streamlining services for those who still rely on foreign labor.

The new digital platform and tightened rules reflect two goals:

1. Efficiency and Transparency: Reducing corruption risks and bureaucratic delays.

2. Controlled Migration: Ensuring foreign workers are brought in only when genuinely needed.

Practical Benefits for Users

For Kuwaiti Families and Employers:

• Faster approval times

• Convenient 24/7 online access

• Better tracking and transparency

• Reduced costs associated with repeated visits to government offices

For Expatriate Workers:

• Clearer and more predictable visa processes

• Potentially faster onboarding for approved workers

• Stronger legal framework once employed

How to Use the New Sahel Service (Step-by-Step)

1. Download or open the Sahel government app.

2. Log in with your Kuwaiti Civil ID or valid residency details.

3. Navigate to the Domestic Workers / Drivers section.

4. Select the required service (new application, renewal, transfer, etc.).

5. Upload required documents (passport copies, medical certificates, employment contracts, etc.).

6. Pay any applicable fees digitally.

7. Track your application status in real time.

Further guidelines and required documents are expected to be updated on the official Sahel platform in the coming weeks.

Broader Context of Kuwait’s Immigration Policy in 2026

Kuwait continues to refine its expatriate management policies while maintaining its status as a major destination for foreign workers. The new measures align with regional trends in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to digitize services and implement more structured labor migration frameworks.

Advice for Employers and Workers

Employers: Review your current sponsorship numbers against the new family-based caps. Prepare documentation early and use the digital platform to avoid delays.

Workers: Ensure all documents are up to date. Work only through licensed recruitment channels to avoid complications under the tightened rules.

For the latest updates, detailed guides, and analysis on Kuwait work visas, domestic worker permits, driver visas, and Gulf immigration policies in 2026, visit: visasupdate.com/news