How to Manage Back-to-Back Travel with Kuwait’s Exit Permit

07/11/2025

How to Manage Back-to-Back Travel with Kuwait’s Exit Permit

Traveling internationally from Kuwait requires careful planning, especially when making multiple trips in a short period. Many expatriates are confused about whether a single exit permit can be used for more than one journey, particularly when trips fall within the same permit validity period. Understanding the rules is crucial to avoid delays or complications at immigration, as Kuwait’s exit permit system is designed to authorize only one departure per permit, regardless of its stated date range.

Question:

Dear Arab Times, I need to make two international trips within the same week. I will travel from Kuwait to Abu Dhabi for a short visit and return on 14th November, and on the same day I will travel again from Kuwait to India. My exit permit is issued for 9–15 November. Can one exit permit be used for both trips since they fall within the same validity period, or do I need to apply for two separate exit permits?

Answer:

The name itself explains its purpose: an “Exit Permit” authorizes you to leave Kuwait within the dates specified in the Sahel app. It is strictly for exiting the country; at no point is it described or intended as an entry permit. When you select dates in the Sahel app, it represents your intended travel period, specifying both the start and end dates of your trip.

You cannot use one exit permit for multiple exits. Even though the permit shows a validity period of several days, it is only valid for one exit from Kuwait. If you are leaving twice—first to Abu Dhabi and then to India on the same day of arrival to Kuwait, you must have two separate exit permits.

Apply for the first permit only for the dates covering your Abu Dhabi trip. Once you depart and immigration stamps your exit, that permit is considered used and disappears from the system. You can immediately apply for the second exit permit for the India trip (Keep your HR informed), even if it is on the same day of arrival. To avoid overlap, keep each permit limited to the specific travel window: for example, one permit for the Abu Dhabi trip (10–13 November) and another starting from 14 November for travel to India. This ensures your HR approves both exits without confusion.

Your HR department can also generate a second Exit Permit via the Ashal website without requiring you to submit a new application through the app.

Kindly visit our legal section for answered queries. For new queries, email us [email protected]