Working in Kuwait

Government service

Kuwait Civil ID (PACI): Kuwait's residence ID card and Kuwait Mobile ID app

Kuwait's residence ID card and Kuwait Mobile ID app

What is Kuwait Civil ID (PACI)?

The Civil ID is the identity card every resident of Kuwait must hold, issued by the Public Authority for Civil Information (PACI). It carries your civil number, residence and address details, and you need it for banking, phone lines, healthcare and government services. PACI's Kuwait Mobile ID app gives you an official digital version on your phone.

Who uses it

All Kuwaiti citizens and foreign residents, including private-sector workers on Article 18 residence and their family members.

What you can do with Kuwait Civil ID (PACI)

  • Check whether your new or renewed card is ready on the PACI website.
  • Renew your card through the Sahel app, the PACI website, in person, or by phone or SMS to 1889988.
  • Update your registered home address online through the Sahel app (since May 2025).
  • Use the Kuwait Mobile ID (Hawiyti) app as a legal digital ID, to verify your identity, log in to e-services and sign documents digitally.
  • Collect a ready card from a PACI smart-card machine instead of waiting at a counter.

Step by step

  1. Start the renewal

    Once your residence has been issued or renewed, request your Civil ID renewal in the Sahel app or on the PACI website. You can also renew by phone or SMS to 1889988.

  2. Have your documents ready

    You need your civil number, a valid passport and a valid residence.

  3. Pay the fee

    The card fee for expatriates is KD 5, paid online on the PACI website.

  4. Check the card status

    Use the card status service on the PACI website with your civil number to see when the card is ready.

  5. Collect the card and activate Mobile ID

    Collect the card from a PACI machine, then set up the Kuwait Mobile ID app so you have a digital copy for Sahel and other services.

Official Kuwait Civil ID (PACI) website

Sources:e.gov.kwe.gov.kwkuwaittimes.comkuwaittimes.combeta.kuwaittimes.comblog.wego.comblog.wego.com

Frequently asked questions

How do I check my Civil ID status?

Go to the card status service on the PACI website, enter your civil number and submit. It shows whether your card is still being processed or ready to collect.

Is the Kuwait Mobile ID app accepted instead of the physical card?

Yes, in most cases. The app is issued by PACI and counts as a legal identity, so it can replace the physical card for identity checks. A few institutions may still ask for the card.

How much does a Civil ID renewal cost for expats?

KD 5, paid online through the PACI website. SMS renewals have a small extra SMS charge.

How do I change the address on my Civil ID?

Use the address update service in the Sahel app. Upload your lease or proof of ownership, your employer's approval and a signed declaration. Residents must register a valid address within 30 days of moving, or face fines.

Last reviewed: 17 Oct 2026. General information based on the official sources cited - not legal advice. Check with the relevant authority before acting.

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