7 Documents OFWs in Kuwait Should Fix Before Flying Home for Good

Going home for good is not just about booking a flight. For OFWs and other expatriates in Kuwait, it means settling work and residency requirements on both sides—Kuwait’s exit process and the Philippines’ overseas-employment requirements.

Since July 1, 2025, most private-sector expatriate workers under Article 18 need an employer-approved electronic exit permit before leaving Kuwait, whether for a short trip or a permanent departure. OFWs should also prepare their Philippine documents, including a valid passport, verified employment contract, and the appropriate exit clearance or OEC.

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Here are the seven documents to secure before your final flight home.

Valid Philippine Passport

  • Check that your passport is valid for travel and has enough blank pages for immigration stamps.
  • Philippine guidance for OFW contract verification requires a passport valid for at least six months from the intended departure date.
  • Bring the original and keep a clear photocopy of the bio page.

Kuwait Exit Permit

  • If you are an Article 18 private-sector worker, submit your exit-permit request through the Sahel app. The request goes to your registered employer for approval through Sahel Business or the Public Authority for Manpower’s Ashal portal.
  • A standard single-trip permit is valid for seven days after employer approval, so schedule your final departure within that period.
  • Kuwait introduced a multiple-trip exit permit in January 2026, allowing several departures and re-entries under one approval within a set period.
  • Domestic workers under Visa 20 are reported as exempt from the private-sector exit-permit requirement, but confirm your category and the latest rules through official Kuwaiti channels.

Visa Cancellation or Final-Exit Papers

  • If you are leaving Kuwait permanently, secure proof that your residency or work visa has been cancelled or that your final-exit process is complete.
  • Guidance for voluntary repatriation lists a cancelled visa among the requirements for Visa 18 workers who will not return to Kuwait.
  • For Visa 20 domestic workers not returning, the same guidance lists the original passport and cancelled visa.
  • Do not assume that resigning completes the process. Make sure your residency cancellation and employer-related requirements are settled before you fly.

Civil ID and Residence Permit

  • Keep your Kuwait Civil ID and residence permit, or iqama, until you have completed your departure requirements.
  • The Civil ID is needed for government services, including the Sahel-based exit-permit application.
  • Immigration and employer-related checks may ask for proof that your residency is active, cancelled, or consistent with your departure status.

Employment Contract and Proof of Employment

  • Bring your original employment contract, certificate of employment, company ID, or recent payslip as proof of employment.
  • Philippine rules require OFW employment contracts to be verified by the Migrant Workers Office or authenticated by the Philippine Embassy where no MWO or POLO covers the jobsite.
  • Workers changing employers or jobsites may need additional proof, such as a current certificate of employment, valid company ID, recent payslip, or a sworn statement explaining the new employment.
  • Keep copies of your contract and employment records even after leaving Kuwait. They may be useful for benefits, claims, or future overseas work.

OEC, OFW Pass, or OFW Travel Pass

  • The OEC is the Philippine government’s overseas-employment exit clearance. It confirms that your overseas employment has been documented with the Department of Migrant Workers.
  • A traditional OEC is valid for 60 days from issuance and may be used for one exit from the Philippines.
  • Eligible returning OFWs may use a digital OFW Pass or OFW Travel Pass instead, which serves as an exit clearance for qualified workers.
  • Before your final return, confirm with the DMW, MWO Kuwait, or the Philippine Embassy whether an OEC, OFW Pass, or other clearance applies to your case.

OWWA and Government-Benefit Records

  • Secure your OWWA membership or renewal records before leaving. OWWA membership is mandatory for OFWs and supports social-benefit programs for members and their families.
  • Enrollment or renewal generally requires a passport copy, accomplished OFW Information Sheet, work visa or permit, and an MWO-verified employment contract or proof of employment.
  • Keep your PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG, SSS, and tax records where applicable, along with receipts for contributions and claims.
  • These records can matter later for reintegration assistance, insurance claims, pension contributions, and future employment processing.