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Kuwait: New exit permit requirement for migrants violates international human rights law, says Human Rights Watch
In June 2025, Kuwait authorities announced that migrant workers will be required to obtain their employer’s permission before leaving the country. The new legislation will begin in July.
Human Rights Watch have raised concerns about the decision, saying the exit permit enables employers to trap workers in abusive conditions and violates international human rights law.
This decision is an alarming step backward in Kuwait’s migrant worker governance. Instead of dismantling the kafala (visa sponsorship system) in its entirety, the Kuwaiti state is reinforcing it by putting migrant workers even further under the control of their employers and making them more vulnerable to exploitation.Michael Page, Deputy Director, Middle East and North Africa Division at Human Rights Watch
While workers can file complaints with the government regarding unjust travel denials, Human Rights Watch highlights many migrants are hesitant to do this due to fear of retaliation from their employer or lack of knowledge of or access to the complaint system.