Kuwait has taken another big step toward digital transformation by introducing a new visa verification feature on the Sahel app. Designed specifically for domestic worker visas (Visa 20), this tool allows sponsors to check if a worker already has a valid visa before applying.
The goal is simple yet powerful: reduce administrative delays, prevent duplicate applications, and bring more transparency to the domestic labor recruitment process. For families in Kuwait who rely on domestic staff such as drivers, housemaids, and nannies, this feature is expected to make the entire process smoother, faster, and more reliable.
In this blog, we’ll break down:
- What this new verification feature means for sponsors.
- A closer look at the Domestic Worker Visa (Visa 20) in Kuwait.
- How the Sahel app is transforming government services.
- Broader developments in Kuwait’s immigration and labor enforcement.
- Why this move reflects Kuwait’s larger push toward digital governance and labor reforms.
Let’s dive in.
Why Kuwait Launched the Visa Verification Feature
Recruiting domestic staff in Kuwait has often been a complicated process, with both sponsors and workers facing delays due to errors in applications or duplication. For example, an employer might unknowingly begin the hiring process for a worker who already has an active visa on file. This not only wastes time but also creates administrative backlogs for the Ministry of Interior.
To tackle this, the Ministry introduced a pre-verification step on the Sahel app. Before proceeding with recruitment, sponsors can now check whether the worker in question already has a visa issued.
This benefits all parties:
- Sponsors save time, effort, and money by avoiding mistakes.
- Domestic workers face fewer risks of duplicate applications or legal issues.
- Government authorities maintain smoother processes with fewer disputes.
It’s a win-win move, aligned with Kuwait’s broader e-government vision.
What is the Domestic Worker Visa (Visa 20)?
In Kuwait, the Visa 20 category is the official route for households to hire full-time domestic workers from abroad. This includes:
- Maids and cleaners
- Drivers
- Babysitters and nannies
- Household helpers
The visa allows Kuwaiti citizens and residents to legally employ domestic staff under sponsorship. But the process requires proper documentation to ensure both the sponsor and the worker are compliant with labor and immigration laws.
Documents typically required for a Domestic Worker Visa application:
- Salary certificate – To prove the sponsor has the financial capacity to employ staff.
- Rental agreement or proof of residence – Demonstrating sufficient accommodation for the worker.
- Proof of worker’s qualifications or background documents – Ensuring suitability for the role.
With the new Sahel app verification step, employers can now double-check visa status before they even begin submitting documents, helping them avoid complications down the road.
The Role of the Sahel App in Kuwait’s Digital Transformation
Launched in 2021, the Sahel app has quickly become Kuwait’s central hub for digital government services. Instead of dealing with long queues and paperwork at different ministries, citizens and residents can now access services with just a few clicks.
Ministries and agencies linked to Sahel include:
- Ministry of Interior
- Ministry of Health
- Ministry of Justice
- Civil Service Commission
- And many more
Popular services available through Sahel:
- Renewing driving licenses
- Paying traffic fines
- Booking government appointments
- Requesting official documents
- Receiving government alerts and notifications
The app is available in both Arabic and English, making it accessible not only to Kuwaitis but also to the large expatriate community. The English version, launched in 2024, was an important step to ensure inclusivity for foreign residents who rely heavily on government services.
Data security and reliability
Kuwait has also prioritized data security and authentication. Sahel uses advanced encryption and identity verification tools to protect sensitive information. With the domestic worker visa feature now added, sponsors can trust that the process is secure, transparent, and officially recognized.
Why This Matters for Sponsors and Workers
The domestic labor sector in Kuwait is one of the most sensitive areas of immigration policy. With thousands of foreign workers employed in households, the system has long been under scrutiny for transparency and fairness.
By integrating Visa 20 checks into the Sahel app, Kuwait is:
- Reducing the burden on sponsors – No more wasted trips to government offices or resubmissions.
- Protecting workers – Avoiding duplication that could result in illegal work status or disputes.
- Supporting efficiency – Making labor recruitment more streamlined and less prone to delays.
This initiative reflects Kuwait’s intention to balance household needs for domestic staff with stronger oversight of labor practices.
Broader Immigration and Regulatory Developments in Kuwait
The launch of the Visa 20 verification tool is not happening in isolation. Kuwait has been making a series of moves to tighten regulatory compliance and modernize its administrative framework.
1. Citizenship Revocation Cases
Recently, Kuwait’s Supreme Committee for the Investigation of Kuwaiti Citizenship announced several cases of citizenship withdrawal. The grounds included:
- Submission of false information.
- Document fraud.
- Misuse or loss of citizenship certificates.
These cases are being forwarded to the Cabinet for final approval. While rare, such measures underline Kuwait’s emphasis on national integrity and identity protection.
2. Crackdown on Illegal Advertising
Kuwait Municipality has also stepped up inspections on businesses violating advertising regulations. During a recent field inspection at a mall in Hawally:
- 32 shops were inspected.
- 9 were fined for violations such as expired licenses, unauthorized signage, or unapproved digital screens.
These enforcement drives are part of a larger effort to uphold municipal standards, ensure fair business practices, and reduce visual clutter from unauthorized ads.
Both measures—citizenship scrutiny and stricter business oversight—illustrate Kuwait’s broader governance reforms in parallel with its digital initiatives.
How the New Visa 20 Verification Tool Fits Into Kuwait’s Vision
Kuwait has been steadily moving toward digital-first governance, and the Sahel app is at the heart of this effort. By bringing domestic worker visa checks online, the government achieves:
- Efficiency – Faster processing and fewer errors.
- Accountability – Sponsors and workers both benefit from transparent processes.
- Digital inclusion – Services in Arabic and English cater to Kuwait’s diverse population.
- Labor oversight – Improved monitoring of one of the country’s most sensitive employment categories.
It also aligns with the global trend of using technology to manage immigration and labor systems, much like the UAE’s digital residency platforms or Saudi Arabia’s skill-based work permit classifications.
What Sponsors Should Do Next
If you are a Kuwaiti citizen or resident planning to hire domestic staff under Visa 20, here’s how to benefit from the new tool:
- Download and register on the Sahel app if you haven’t already.
- Use the Visa 20 verification feature to check the status of your potential worker before applying.
- Prepare the necessary documents (salary proof, residence contract, worker details).
- Ensure compliance with labor laws to avoid fines or delays.
By taking these steps, sponsors can save time, avoid common mistakes, and ensure a smoother hiring process.
Final Thoughts
Kuwait’s introduction of a Domestic Worker Visa (Visa 20) verification tool on the Sahel app is more than just a technical update. It represents a shift toward smarter governance, where technology is used to cut red tape, reduce fraud, and ensure fairness in the sensitive domestic labor sector.
Coupled with ongoing reforms in citizenship oversight and business compliance, it’s clear that Kuwait is moving toward a future where transparency and efficiency are at the core of public administration.
For sponsors, this means greater convenience. For workers, it means more protection. And for Kuwait as a whole, it signals steady progress toward a digitally empowered society.
