Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior has added a new function to its unified ‘Sahel’ e-government app that lets expatriates update passport details digitally, eliminating the need for in-person visits to immigration offices. The feature went live on 5 February 2026 after a joint rollout by the departments of Information Systems and Residence Affairs. Users upload a scanned copy of their new passport and receive confirmation within 24 hours. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
The change is particularly significant for India’s 900,000-strong community in Kuwait, many of whom face job disruptions and travel bans if old passport data are not promptly recorded on their residence file. Under the previous paper-based system, HR teams had to collect passports, schedule counter appointments and wait up to two weeks for an endorsement sticker.
![Kuwait launches in-app passport-update service, streamlining renewals for Indian expatriates]()
Now, companies can bulk-process renewals online, a boon for construction and healthcare firms with high volumes of blue-collar staff. The Interior Ministry said it plans to integrate the service with Kuwait Airways’ APIS system so that boarding passes automatically reflect updated passport numbers, reducing airport-check-in errors.
Indian mission officials welcomed the move but urged users to keep digital copies of the Sahel confirmation in case of system outages. Employers remain liable for fines—currently KD 2 per day—for late passport updates, and the electronic acknowledgement will serve as proof of timely compliance. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
The change is particularly significant for India’s 900,000-strong community in Kuwait, many of whom face job disruptions and travel bans if old passport data are not promptly recorded on their residence file. Under the previous paper-based system, HR teams had to collect passports, schedule counter appointments and wait up to two weeks for an endorsement sticker.
Now, companies can bulk-process renewals online, a boon for construction and healthcare firms with high volumes of blue-collar staff. The Interior Ministry said it plans to integrate the service with Kuwait Airways’ APIS system so that boarding passes automatically reflect updated passport numbers, reducing airport-check-in errors.
Indian mission officials welcomed the move but urged users to keep digital copies of the Sahel confirmation in case of system outages. Employers remain liable for fines—currently KD 2 per day—for late passport updates, and the electronic acknowledgement will serve as proof of timely compliance. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
Source: The Times of India
