No More Automatic Visa Extensions From 1st Sep

20/08/2026

No More Automatic Visa Extensions From 1st Sep

KUWAIT CITY, Aug 20: Kuwait will discontinue automatic extensions granted to entry visas and leave permits and reinstate their legally prescribed validity periods effective September 1, 2026, the Ministry of Interior announced.

Under the new measures, the automatic extension of all categories of visit visas for individuals currently in Kuwait will end, with the standard legal validity periods, procedures and regulations coming back into effect.

For expats currently outside the country, the regular validity periods for leave permits will likewise resume. However, expats who departed Kuwait on or before August 31, 2026, will continue to benefit from the additional exceptional extension, in accordance with the applicable regulations.

The Ministry clarified that the residency permit status certificate issued through the Sahel app will be the official reference for determining the expiration date of a resident’s leave permit. Residents abroad are therefore required to return to Kuwait within the period indicated on the certificate. The Ministry of Interior called on all concerned to comply with the applicable laws, regulations and procedures to avoid any violations.