In Kuwait, domestic-worker permits run through PAM (the Public Authority of Manpower) and its online Ashal platform, with the entry visa issued by the Ministry of Interior. This is the complete, plain-English guide to all of it - issuing a new visa, renewing, cancelling and transferring a worker to a new employer - with the exact steps, documents, fees in KWD and timelines. Prefer to skip the paperwork? Our team can connect you with a verified PAM-licensed office and guide you through every step - that option is at the end.
| 🏛️ Authority | PAM - Public Authority of Manpower. Helpline 1884880 |
| 🌐 Platform | Ashal - e-portal.manpower.gov.kw (entry visa via MOI) |
| 🔐 Login | Your Civil ID on Ashal |
| 🔁 Transactions | Issue · Renew · Cancel · Transfer · Escape (absence) report |
| 💰 Work-permit fee | KWD 150 (since 2025) + visa/residence/medical/insurance |
| ⏱️ Processing | New permit 4-8 weeks; transfer 1-2 weeks |
| 📞 Help | PAM 1884880 · or message Nadia on WhatsApp |
🧾 What you can do on Ashal (PAM)
The Ashal portal handles the full life-cycle of a housemaid, nanny, cook, driver or caregiver in Kuwait:
- Issue a new domestic-worker work permit and entry visa.
- Renew the permit and residence before they expire.
- Cancel the permit when the worker leaves or the contract ends.
- Transfer a worker to a new employer in Kuwait - no need to send them home.
- Report an escape (absence), complete the medical and pay wages through the wage system.
Everything starts with your Civil ID on Ashal - so set that up first.
🔐 Before you start - who can sponsor & what unlocks Ashal
1. An active Ashal account. Domestic-worker transactions are filed on Ashal at e-portal.manpower.gov.kw with your Civil ID. The sponsor whose name the permit is under files and pays.
2. You meet the conditions. You need a valid Kuwaiti Civil ID or residency (Iqama), the minimum salary PAM requires to sponsor a domestic worker, no PAM violations or bans, and an active Ashal registration. Recruitment from some countries must go through a licensed domestic-labour office.
📋 Documents you’ll need
- Valid Civil ID (not expired)
- Salary / income proof
- No PAM violations or bans
- Active Ashal registration
- Passport (copy), valid several months
- Medical-fitness certificate
- Employment contract (via Ashal)
- Health insurance
Approved source countries (2026): Philippines, India, Sri Lanka, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Bangladesh, Nepal, Indonesia, Ghana and Morocco. Bilateral agreements can be suspended - verify the current status with PAM.
🆕 How to issue a NEW domestic worker visa
This is the full path from zero to a worker legally living and working in your home in Kuwait.
Go to e-portal.manpower.gov.kw and sign in with your Civil ID and credentials.
Choose “Domestic Worker Work Permit” from the services menu and complete the fields (worker details, category).
Attach the worker’s passport and medical certificate and the required forms electronically.
Pay the work-permit fee online via KNet or credit card.
PAM verifies and processes it - usually 4-8 weeks. Track the status on your Ashal dashboard.
After permit approval, apply for the domestic-worker entry visa through the Ministry of Interior portal.
The worker enters Kuwait and completes the medical-fitness test at an approved centre.
Finalise the worker’s residence permit and Civil ID (PACI) so they are fully documented.
⚠️ Common slip-ups: an expired employer Civil ID, a short passport validity, or recruiting from a country whose bilateral agreement is suspended. Check with PAM first.
🔄 How to renew the permit & residence
Renew before expiry to avoid fines and keep the worker’s status legal.
Sign in at e-portal.manpower.gov.kw before the permit/residence expiry date.
Select the domestic-worker permit renewal.
Renew the health insurance and upload a valid passport copy.
Pay the renewal and annual residence fees online (residence is roughly KWD 10-20/year).
Once paid, the renewed permit and residence are issued - check the new expiry.
⚠️ Late renewal brings daily fines and status problems. If you are close to the date, renew now - or ask Nadia to handle it.
❌ How to cancel the permit
Cancel when the worker leaves Kuwait, transfers to a new employer, or the contract ends. If the worker leaves without cancellation, you stay legally responsible - so cancel promptly.
Pay the final salary and any owed wages before cancelling.
Open the worker’s file on Ashal and start the permit cancellation.
Cancel the residence with MOI; if the worker is leaving, arrange the exit within the allowed period.
Save the cancellation confirmation so you are no longer the sponsor on record.
↔️ How to transfer a worker to a new employer
A worker can move to a new employer inside Kuwait without going home, when everyone agrees. By law the new employer pays the transfer fee (about KWD 150); charging the worker is illegal.
Settle salary, hours, rest days and accommodation.
The current sponsor gives written consent through their Ashal account - this is the critical step.
Log in to e-portal.manpower.gov.kw and select “Transfer of Domestic Worker Sponsorship”.
Enter the worker’s Civil ID, upload the consent letter and new contract, and pay the fees.
PAM processes the transfer in about 1-2 weeks; both parties are notified.
After approval, update the worker’s Civil ID (PACI) to your sponsorship.
💡 Full detail: Transferring a worker in Kuwait →
🚨 Other transactions you can do here
If a worker leaves without notice, file the official report to protect yourself from liability. Escape report guide →
Kuwait has moved many services online. Sahel / online visa rules →
💰 Fees & timeline at a glance (2026)
| Item | Cost (KWD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Work permit (PAM) | KWD 150 | Since 2025 |
| Entry visa (single) | KWD 3 | Via MOI |
| Residence permit | KWD 10-20 / year | Annual |
| Medical examination | KWD 15-30 | Approved centres |
| Health insurance | KWD 50-100 / year | Mandatory |
| Processing | 4-8 weeks | Transfer: 1-2 weeks |
Typical 2026 ranges; recruitment-office packages are extra and vary by nationality. Confirm on Ashal or with PAM (1884880) before paying.
💬 Don’t want to deal with it? Let our team help
Recruitment from many countries must go through a licensed domestic-labour office anyway - so tell our assistant Nadia on WhatsApp what you need (issue, renew, cancel or transfer) and we’ll connect you with a verified PAM-licensed office and guide you through Ashal end-to-end. You only approve your own login and pay the official fees - we never ask for your password or hold your money.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a domestic worker permit in Kuwait?
The PAM work-permit fee is KWD 150, plus the entry visa (about KWD 3), annual residence (KWD 10-20), medical and health insurance. Recruitment-office packages are extra and depend on nationality.
How long does it take?
Usually 4-8 weeks for a new permit; a transfer is about 1-2 weeks.
Where do I apply?
On the Ashal platform at e-portal.manpower.gov.kw with your Civil ID; the entry visa is issued through the Ministry of Interior.
How do I renew?
Log in to Ashal before expiry, renew the insurance, and pay the renewal and residence fees.
How do I cancel?
Settle dues, cancel the permit on Ashal and the residence with MOI, and arrange the worker’s exit if they are leaving.
Can I transfer my worker to a new employer?
Yes - the current employer consents on Ashal, the new employer files the transfer and pays the KWD 150 fee, and PAM approves in 1-2 weeks.
Who pays the transfer fee?
By law the new employer pays it; charging the domestic worker is illegal.
Can someone do it for me?
Yes. Message Nadia and we’ll connect you with a verified PAM-licensed office and guide you through Ashal. You approve your own login and pay the official fees - nothing else.
📚 Related Kuwait guides
- Transferring a worker (PAM)
- Reporting an escape
- Domestic worker rights (Law 68/2015)
- Online (Sahel) visa rules
- Verify a PAM-licensed office
🌐 Hiring in another Gulf country? See the complete GCC domestic worker visa guide - all six countries compared.
