Domestic Worker Visa Cancellation in Kuwait: Procedures, Documents and Both Parties’ Rights
By Lawyer Ahmed Al-Fadly / November 05, 2026
Domestic Worker Visa Cancellation in Kuwait: Procedures, Documents and Both Parties’ Rights
Cancelling a domestic worker’s visa in Kuwait starts with identifying the worker’s status: are they still abroad, have they entered Kuwait, or have they already received a residence permit? If a residence permit has been issued, the Ministry of Interior’s requirements for cancelling domestic worker residency must be reviewed. Terminating the employment contract and claiming a refund of recruitment fees are separate matters requiring a review of the contract and supporting documents.
Identifying the correct transaction from the outset helps you prepare the appropriate application and avoid confusing an entry visa with a residence permit.
Visa Cancellation vs. Residence Permit Cancellation
The word “visa” is sometimes used to describe all domestic worker immigration transactions. However, the appropriate procedure depends on the worker’s current status.
Worker’s status | Matter to review |
|---|---|
Outside Kuwait and has not used the entry visa | Cancelling the entry visa or checking its validity with the Ministry of Interior |
Entered Kuwait but has not received a residence permit | Identifying the appropriate procedure based on the entry record and immigration status |
Holds a domestic worker residence permit | Submitting a residence cancellation application |
Wishes to work for another employer | Reviewing residence transfer conditions and required approvals |
Has an outstanding wage or recruitment fee claim | Addressing the financial dispute alongside the residency transaction |
Kuwait Government Online lists domestic worker residence cancellation and transfer to another sponsor as separate services within the residency services commonly referred to as “Article 20.”
Which Authority Handles Domestic Worker Residence Cancellation?
Residence cancellation is handled through the Ministry of Interior’s Residency Affairs departments.
Disputes concerning a domestic worker’s contract or a recruitment agency are referred to the Department for Regulating the Recruitment of Domestic Workers at the Public Authority for Manpower.
A complaint against a recruitment agency does not, by itself, resolve the worker’s residency status. Likewise, submitting a cancellation application does not automatically settle financial claims between the parties.
Documents Required to Cancel a Domestic Worker’s Residence Permit
The Ministry of Interior publishes the following basic requirements:
The designated residence application form, signed by the sponsor.
The sponsored worker’s original passport.
The sponsored worker’s original Civil ID.
The sponsor’s Civil ID and a copy.
If an original document is missing, or the worker is outside Kuwait, consult Residency Affairs to establish how the case should be handled before applying.
Steps for Cancelling Domestic Worker Residency
You can organize preparation and follow-up as follows:
Establish the worker’s status: Confirm whether they are inside or outside Kuwait and whether a residence permit has been issued.
Identify the required outcome: Determine whether the worker will depart, transfer residency, or needs their status addressed before a residence permit has been issued.
Prepare the documents: Gather the required paperwork and check that names and identification numbers match.
Complete the official form: Use the approved form and obtain the sponsor’s signature.
Submit through the authorized channel: Follow the Ministry of Interior’s submission and attendance instructions for the case.
Confirm completion: Retain evidence of the outcome and any instructions concerning the worker’s subsequent status.
Travel should not be arranged solely on the basis that an application has been submitted. Confirm its approval and the resulting status of the worker’s file.
Can a Domestic Worker’s Residence Permit Be Cancelled Online?
The availability of electronic residency services does not mean every cancellation case can be completed entirely online.
Check with the Ministry of Interior which service applies to the case and whether an in-person visit or original documents are required.
Cancelling a Domestic Worker’s Entry Visa Before Arrival
If the worker has not arrived in Kuwait, prepare a copy of the entry visa, its number, and the worker’s passport and sponsor details. Ask Residency Affairs which procedure applies to the issued visa.
If you have a contract with a recruitment agency, also retain:
The recruitment agreement.
Payment receipts.
Correspondence concerning recruitment and arrival.
Any written agreement concerning cancellation or reimbursement.
Visa cancellation and a refund claim require separate consideration. Completing one should not be assumed to complete the other.
Recruitment Agency Liability During the Guarantee Period
Article 17 of Domestic Workers Law No. 68 of 2015 regulates the agency’s six-month guarantee of the worker’s continued employment, including repatriation and reimbursement of amounts received from the employer in the circumstances specified by law.
These circumstances include:
An obstacle beyond the employer’s control that prevents the worker from performing the work.
A medical or legal impediment.
Inaccurate information provided by the recruitment agency.
The worker’s refusal to continue working or departure to an unknown destination.
An employer’s wish to cancel does not automatically establish a right to a refund. The facts, evidence and applicable guarantee conditions must be reviewed.
The Worker’s Rights When the Relationship Ends
Article 16 requires the worker to receive their contractual and statutory entitlements when the contract ends.
Article 23 provides for an end-of-service benefit, upon completion of the contract term, equivalent to one month’s wage for each year of service.
Residence cancellation does not itself constitute a financial settlement. It is therefore advisable to prepare a statement of paid and disputed amounts and retain clear receipts or bank transfer records.
What Should You Do If There Is a Dispute?
Prepare a file setting out the facts, including:
The employment contract and recruitment agreement.
Payment receipts and bank transfer records.
The worker’s details, entry visa and residence information.
Correspondence and documents supporting the grounds of the dispute.
A brief chronology of events and the remedies requested.
The Public Authority for Manpower has announced a service for registering domestic worker disputes through its electronic forms portal, with attendance at the relevant department to have the application approved under the announced procedures. Check the current instructions when submitting.
Sample Cancellation Request Letter
This is a supporting letter explaining the request. The official approved form must still be used for the transaction.
To: The Relevant Residency Affairs Department — Ministry of Interior
Subject: Request to Consider Cancellation of a Domestic Worker’s Entry Visa / Residence Permit
I, …………………, Civil ID No. …………………, request consideration of the cancellation of the entry visa / residence permit for the following worker:
Information | Details |
|---|---|
Worker’s name | ………………… |
Nationality | ………………… |
Passport number | ………………… |
Entry visa number | ………………… |
Civil ID number, if available | ………………… |
Worker’s location | Inside Kuwait / Outside Kuwait |
Reason for the request | ………………… |
Please take the appropriate action and advise me of any additional documents or requirements.
Applicant’s name: …………………
Signature: …………………
Date: …………………Lawyers and Contact Details at Ineqad Law Firm
For employment dispute inquiries and appointments with Ineqad Law Firm for Legal Consultancy, contact the firm’s central number. The table lists members of the team published on its website.
Lawyer’s Name | Contact through the Firm |
|---|---|
Fahad Al-Saeed | |
Riyadh Al-Fadhli | |
Ahmed Al-Fadhli | |
Ahmed Mohamed Naguib Abdelhadi | |
Ahmed Salah Al-Serri |
This is the firm’s central number for appointments and coordination, not a separate personal number for each lawyer. The appropriate lawyer is assigned after the nature of the dispute and documents have been reviewed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I cancel a domestic worker’s residence permit in Kuwait?
Prepare the residence application form signed by the sponsor, the worker’s original passport and Civil ID, and the sponsor’s Civil ID and a copy. Then follow the approved Residency Affairs procedures.
Does visa cancellation mean recruitment fees will be refunded?
Cancellation alone does not establish a right to a refund. The reason for cancellation, the contract and the applicability of the recruitment agency’s guarantee must be reviewed.
Can residency be transferred instead of cancelled?
The government portal lists a service for transferring domestic worker residency to another sponsor. Completion depends on meeting the conditions and obtaining the approvals applicable to the case.
How long does residence cancellation take?
The official requirements referenced here do not specify a fixed processing time. Contact the relevant department to check the application’s status and expected completion.
Legal Consultation on Domestic Worker Visa Cancellation in Kuwait
Before applying, gather entry and residency information, contracts and proof of payment to identify the appropriate transaction and any claims requiring separate follow-up.
Contact Ineqad Law Firm for Legal Consultancy:
Telephone and WhatsApp: +965 6666 8811
Website: ineqad.com
Email: info@ineqad.com
