Regular visa and leave permit rules will return, while residents who left Kuwait by August 31 can still benefit from the exceptional extension.
Dubai: Kuwait will end automatic extensions for entry visas and leave permits from September 1, 2026, bringing visa and residency procedures back under the country’s standard validity rules.
The Ministry of Interior said the change will apply to visit visas for people currently in Kuwait, as well as to leave permits for expatriate residents outside the country.
Visit visa extensions to end.
From September 1, automatic extensions covering different categories of visit visas will no longer apply.
Visa holders will instead be subject to the normal validity periods, procedures and regulations governing their respective visa categories.
The change means visitors should check their visa expiry dates carefully and ensure they leave or take the required action before their permitted stay ends.
Residents outside Kuwait face new rules.
The same change applies to expatriate residents who are currently outside Kuwait.
Normal validity periods for leave permits will resume from September 1. Residents will therefore need to return within the period allowed under their leave permit to avoid immigration or residency complications.
August 31 deadline for the exception
There is an important exception for residents who leave Kuwait on or before August 31, 2026.
They will continue to benefit from the additional exceptional extension, subject to the applicable regulations.
This means the date of departure is particularly important for residents who are planning to travel outside Kuwait before the new rules take effect.
Check your status through Sahel.
The Ministry of Interior said the residency permit status certificate available through the Sahel app will serve as the official reference for determining the expiry date of a resident’s leave permit.
Residents who are outside Kuwait should check the certificate and make sure they return before the permitted period expires.
The ministry has urged residents and visitors to follow the relevant deadlines and procedures to avoid residency or immigration violations.
The September 1 change effectively brings the exceptional automatic-extension system to an end for new cases, with Kuwait’s standard visa and residency validity rules returning.
Under the change, automatic extensions covering all categories of visit visas for people currently inside Kuwait will cease. KUNA
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Source: Gulf News
