What is the Kuwait residence permit and Civil ID, and what if my employer delays it?

In Kuwait your residency is the iqama (Article 18 for private-sector workers), handled through the Ministry of Interior, and your ID card is the Civil ID, issued by PACI. Your employer or sponsor starts the process. After your iqama sticker is placed, the Civil ID must be applied for within 30 days. Processing usually takes a few working days after your fingerprints are taken. You can check status at paci.gov.kw or on the Sahel app. If your employer delays your residency, you can be left without legal papers, which risks fines. Ask your employer in writing to complete it. If they refuse, you can raise the matter with PAM.