Over 21,900 expatriates holding Visa No 18 have acquired ‘mandatory’ exit permits

Director General of the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM), Marzouq Al-Otaibi, said approximately 21,900 departure permits for expatriate workers have been approved submitted by their employers through designated platforms following the decision mandating expatriate workers on Visa No 18 produce exit permits when they leave the country starting July 1.

Speaking to Al-Anba newspaper, Al-Otaibi said the move is part of a broader government initiative to regulate and monitor the departure of foreign workers in a structured and lawful manner.

He explained that applications for exit permits must be submitted through either the “Sahel Individuals” mobile application or the “Ashhal Manpower Portal” website.

The request must then be approved by the employer via the “Sahel Business” app or through the “Ashal” company service to ensure compliance with official procedures.

Al-Otaibi emphasized that obtaining an exit permit is contingent upon employer approval, highlighting the importance of following the established regulations set by the Authority.