TL; Dr:
- Kuwaiti law said that the father should give written consent to his minor children before traveling abroad, even if it is with the child.
- The need applies to both Kuwaiti citizens and migrant families applied to all departure points.
- Consent is obtained by signing an official form
passport office Or embassy.
- In the absence of the father, mothers may file a petition in the court for a personal status order issued by the court. The purpose of the rule is to prevent disputes arising out of child kidnapping and marital breakdown.
By July 2025, both citizens and migrants in Kuwait should now secure a clear written consent from the child’s father, before any minor can leave any country under the age of 21, even if the child is with their mother or any other guardian. The regulation implemented by the Interior Ministry through the Department of Passport Department of the airport gives patriarchy priority to the legal structure of Kuwait and is to prevent unauthorized transfer and custody disputes between marital discord.
Legal basis: Why father’s consent is required
Under Kuwait’s personal status law, father or male guardians are default custodians and sponsors for children. Conservator laws currently do not provide automatic travel permissions to mothers or other relatives regardless of the child’s age or the status of citizenship. This cultural and legal criteria reflects the ancestral authority as the foundation stone of travel rights. The Interior Ministry clearly strengthened it in 2024 and 2025, determining that any migrant child would not be allowed to leave without the father’s signed approval, even if traveling with the mother. The policy applies to all ports and posts in Kuwait.
Travel authority process
- The father must appear personally in the passport department of the airport – part of the ports of Kuwait’s general administration – to attract his civil ID and child’s information.
- They have to sign an official no object certificate (NOC), which is a legitimate legal consent form recognized by immigration employees.
- Alternatively, consent can also be provided through a notaryized embassy authority: usually through translation or gradation services, especially for migrants. It is valid if processed in a recognized embassy or cannons unit.
Exception and court overredes
If the father is absent, the deceased, disabled, or refuses to sign a consent, the mother may petition the court in Kuwait. The court evaluates travel requests based on the best interest of the child, and may authorize once or permanent travel order. Courts sometimes issue temporary travel permits for emergency situations, medical requirements or educational opportunities. In recent months, there have been several reports of children refusing to exit or exit at the Kuwait International Airport due to the missing or unfair authority. The ministry emphasized that all legal formalities should be completed before departure, whether even despite the relationship of the parents or the position of the sponsor.
why it matters
- Prevents international disputes: By cementing ancestral consent essentially, the system aims to avoid international child custody or kidnapping scenarios.
- Validity: The existing patronage aligns the travel policy with laws that emphasize the right of the father.
- Impact on migrant family planning: Particularly affects migrant families where the father can be abroad – literally or legally – leading to the coordination added.
- Gender and mobility restriction: Although it is applied to both sexes, in practice it inconsistently limits the autonomy of mothers and female relatives.
For minors, Kuwait’s firm enforcement of the journey approved by the father is an important regulatory step that aligns child departure policies with long -standing patron laws. While the intention is to reduce unauthorized journey and protect custody rights, the rule also strengthens the ancestral authority and add procedural obstacles to family mobility. Equally for migrants and Kuwaiti families, navigating these requirements demands a court intervention, completing legal formalities and, when necessary.
Fasting
- 1. Is it mandatory for a child to travel from Kuwait to a child?
Yes, all minors under 21 years of age require written consent from the father, even if they travel with their mother.
- 2. How can the father agree?
He must sign an official no object certificate (NOC) in the passport office or through a notaryized embassy letter.
- 3. What if the father is unavailable or denies consent?
The mother can apply for the travel order to the individual status court.
- 4. Does this rule also apply to migrants?
Yes, the rule applies to both Kuwaiti and expat families without exception.
- 5. Can a child be stopped at the airport without consent?
Yes, children are not allowed to leave Kuwait without proper authority.
