Domestic Worker Civil ID in Kuwait: How Sponsors Register

Brought a new housemaid, nanny or driver to Kuwait? After their residency is done, they need a civil ID like everyone else. Without it they can’t open a bank account, get a SIM card, see a doctor easily or even prove who they are at a checkpoint. The sponsor usually handles this, and much of it is online now. This guide explains the full domestic worker civil ID process in Kuwait: who applies, the documents, the online steps, fees, renewal, and what to do when things go wrong.

Who is responsible for the worker’s civil ID?

The sponsor (kafeel) is responsible for registering a domestic worker with PACI. That covers housemaids, nannies, cooks, drivers, gardeners and other workers on a domestic (Article 20) residency. The worker doesn’t need to do the registration on their own, and in most homes the sponsor or a family member does the whole thing from their phone.

If you hired the worker through a recruitment office, the office may help with the first steps, but the PACI registration is still linked to you as the sponsor.

The order things happen in

1. Entry visa and arrival in Kuwait
2. Medical test and fingerprints
3. Residency issued by the Ministry of Interior
4. PACI registration for the civil ID
5. Card printed and collected

PACI can only register the worker after step 3. If you try earlier, the system won’t find the residency and the request will fail.

Before you start: quick checklist

• The worker’s residency is complete at the Ministry of Interior.
• Your own civil ID is valid, because the request is made under your name.
• Your home address is correct with PACI. A domestic worker is registered at the sponsor’s address, so if your address has a problem, the worker’s card will get stuck too.
• You have Kuwait Mobile ID on your phone if you plan to use Sahel.
• You have a KNET card to pay the fee.

Documents you’ll need

Document	Notes
Worker’s passport	Clear scan or photo of the main page
Residency details	From the Ministry of Interior after the residency is issued
Recent colour photo of the worker	Plain light background, face clearly visible, no sunglasses
Sponsor’s civil ID number	The request is linked to you
Address details	Your home’s PACI unit number, if asked

Keep the files ready on your phone as clear photos or PDFs before you start; it makes the online form much quicker.

How to register a domestic worker with PACI online

PACI has an online service for first-time registration of domestic workers (Article 20) in the e-services section of services.paci.gov.kw. Many sponsors also use the PACI services inside Sahel.

Through the PACI website

1. Open services.paci.gov.kw and switch to English.
2. Go to the electronic services section and open Individuals.
3. Choose the service for first-time registration of domestic workers (Article 20).
4. Enter your civil ID number as the sponsor and the worker’s details.
5. Upload the passport, residency details and photo.
6. Submit the request and save the reference.
7. Pay the 5 KD card fee online with KNET.

Through Sahel

1. Log in to Sahel with Kuwait Mobile ID.
2. Go to Services and choose Public Authority for Civil Information.
3. Pick the domestic worker registration service.
4. Fill in the details, upload the documents and submit.
5. Pay the fee and keep the confirmation.

Civil ID fee for a domestic worker

Service	Fee
New card or renewal	5 KD
Lost or damaged card replacement	20 KD
Late registration fine	Shown on PACI’s payment page if it applies

Tracking and collecting the card

Use the receipt number to follow the card with a civil ID status check. When it’s ready, the status shows the PACI centre. The sponsor or the worker can collect it. If the worker goes alone, give them the receipt and their passport, and explain where the card machine or counter is. More detail is in our civil ID collection guide.

Renewing a domestic worker’s civil ID

The card follows the residency. When you renew the worker’s residency, the civil ID needs renewing too. You can usually do that online through PACI’s card renewal service or Sahel, pay the 5 KD fee, and collect the new card when it’s ready. Renew on time to avoid fines and to keep the worker’s ID valid for daily life.

When the worker changes sponsor or leaves Kuwait

• Transfer to a new sponsor: once the transfer is done at the Ministry of Interior, the new sponsor updates the worker’s details and address with PACI, and a new card may be issued.
• Final exit: when the residency is cancelled, the civil ID is no longer valid. Keep a copy of the cancellation in case PACI or a bank asks later.
• Absconding cases: these are handled with the Ministry of Interior, not PACI.

Common problems and fixes

• “No data” on the status check: the residency may not be finished yet. Check with the Ministry of Interior or your recruitment office.
• Request rejected for the photo: retake it on a plain background with good light and upload again.
• Sponsor’s address problem: fix your own address with PACI first, then resubmit.
• Payment done but status not moving: give it one or two working days, then call 1889988.
• Wrong spelling of the worker’s name: ask PACI to correct it before the card is printed, using the passport as the reference.

Tips for sponsors

• Keep copies of the worker’s passport, residency and civil ID in a safe folder.
• Note the expiry dates of the passport, residency and civil ID in your phone calendar.
• Let the worker keep their own civil ID; they need it for daily life in Kuwait.
• Help them set up Kuwait Mobile ID if they have a smartphone.

Frequently asked questions

Who applies for a domestic worker’s civil ID?

The sponsor applies, through PACI e-services or Sahel.

How much is a civil ID for a housemaid in Kuwait?

The card fee is 5 KD. A lost card replacement is 20 KD.

Can I register my driver before his residency is done?

No. PACI needs the completed residency from the Ministry of Interior first.

Can the worker collect their own card?

Yes, with their receipt and passport, or the sponsor can collect it.

What address is used on a domestic worker’s civil ID?

The sponsor’s home address registered with PACI.

Can the worker keep their civil ID?

Yes. It’s their identity document and they need it for everyday life in Kuwait.

How do I check my housemaid’s civil ID status?

Enter her civil ID or receipt number in the Card Status box on services.paci.gov.kw.