Kuwait: New Requirement for Foreign Nationals to Pay Certain Fines and Bills Prior to Travel

Effective immediately, foreign nationals must pay their traffic fines in order to leave Kuwait and as of September 1, 2023, the same will apply to water and electricity bills. Without payment, these foreign nationals will not be allowed to leave the country. This change came about as part of a cooperative effort between the Ministry of Interior (MoI) of Kuwait, the General Traffic Department and the Ministry of Electricity, Water (MEW) and Renewable Energy to ensure collection of debts owed to the government by foreign nationals. Foreign nationals must pay their traffic-related fines online through the Sahel mobile application or the MOI’s electronic platform. Payments can also be made in person at one of the traffic departments in Kuwait or at collection points at the Kuwait International Airport and other land and sea ports. Foreign nationals with fines related to speeding or the unauthorized use of handicapped parking spaces must settle them in person at designated traffic department offices. The fines cannot be resolved through online channels. Foreign nationals must settle their electricity and water bills online through the MEW-PAY or Sahel mobile applications or at the customer service office at the T4 terminal of Kuwait International Airport. The same service will be added to all other ports including land and sea borders at a later date.