To reduce administrative delays and prevent duplicate applications, Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior has introduced a new visa pre-verification feature for domestic workers (Visa 20) via the Sahel app. The move is part of a broader push to digitize services, enhance transparency, and streamline regulatory compliance in labor and immigration processes.

Visa status check now available on Sahel App

The Ministry of Interior recently launched a new tool on the unified Sahel application, enabling users to verify whether a visa has already been issued for a particular domestic worker before they proceed with recruitment. This is aimed at avoiding common errors such as duplicate applications, which often result in delays or outright rejections. The feature focuses specifically on the Visa 20 category, which applies to foreign nationals working as domestic staff — including maids, drivers, and household helpers, under the sponsorship of a Kuwaiti citizen or resident. By making this verification step available through Sahel, the Ministry aims to:

This marks a step forward in Kuwait’s efforts to introduce tech-driven improvements in a sector that remains both sensitive and complex, particularly in terms of labor rights and regulatory oversight.

Understanding Kuwait’s Domestic Worker Visa

The Domestic Worker Visa (Visa 20) is the standard visa used by Kuwaiti households to hire full-time domestic staff. Designed for roles such as maids, drivers, and nannies, this visa category is structured to support households that require assistance with day-to-day domestic work. To apply for this visa, sponsors are required to submit a comprehensive set of documents:

This visa is considered the preferred legal route for Kuwaitis and residents looking to hire household help from abroad. The newly added verification step on Sahel ensures that employers do not unknowingly begin the hiring process for workers who already have active visa entries, thus saving time and preventing legal complications.

Sahel App – Central hub for government services

The Sahel App, first launched in 2021, is a mobile platform developed as part of Kuwait’s national digital transformation initiative. It allows citizens and residents to access a wide array of e-government services from multiple ministries and agencies, including:

Services available on Sahel include:

The app is designed for accessibility, available in both Arabic and English, with the English version launched in 2024 by the Minister of State for Communication Affairs, Omar Al-Omar. This bilingual approach broadens accessibility to the expatriate community and reflects Kuwait’s commitment to inclusive digital services. Additionally, the platform is built with high standards of data security and user authentication, ensuring that personal information remains protected while allowing for seamless, real-time interactions with government systems.

Broader developments in immigration and municipal enforcement

Beyond the updates to Sahel and Visa 20 processes, other regulatory efforts are also underway across Kuwait:

Citizenship revocation cases underway

The Supreme Committee for the Investigation of Kuwaiti Citizenship, led by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al Yousef Saud Al Sabah, convened recently and disclosed a set of cases involving the revocation of Kuwaiti citizenship. Grounds for these actions included:

The committee emphasized that all actions were taken in the “higher interest of the country” and confirmed that these cases would now be forwarded to the Kuwaiti Cabinet for final approval. Citizenship withdrawal remains a highly sensitive topic in Kuwait, often tied to discussions of national identity, legal rights, and political implications.

Tighter oversight on Advertising Licenses

Meanwhile, Kuwait Municipality is intensifying its inspection drives targeting businesses operating without valid advertising permits. During a recent field visit to a shopping mall in Hawally, inspection supervisor Bader Al Najdi reported:

Offending outlets included those with:

Al Najdi stated that inspectors are submitting monthly reports to the Financial Affairs Department, detailing violations, warnings, and fines collected. Businesses are being urged to strictly comply with municipal regulations, with Al Najdi affirming that inspection teams will maintain strict enforcement protocols to preserve public standards.