Kuwait Mobile ID

Overview

Kuwait Mobile ID is the Public Authority for Civil Information's (PACI) biometric digital identity app, designed to turn a smartphone into a legally recognised digital Civil ID. The app is the resident-and-citizen-facing digital ID layer for Kuwait, equivalent in function to UAE Pass in the UAE and Nafath in Saudi Arabia. Once activated, the app's biometric authentication is accepted at banks for KYC, by government services for identity verification, at traffic stops (subject to local police protocol), and as the login layer for the Sahel super-app and many other Kuwaiti government portals.

Activation requires an active Kuwaiti Civil ID and a Kuwait mobile number registered in the holder's name. The app reads the Civil ID through NFC (or alternatively activation happens at a PACI kiosk for older Civil IDs without NFC), enrols a face-scan tied to the PACI biometric record, and binds the smartphone as the trusted device. After activation, the app generates a one-time QR code or a digital signature that any verifier can use to confirm the holder's identity in real time.

Three operational points matter. First, Kuwait Mobile ID is the recommended login channel for the Sahel super-app, and many Sahel services that previously required visiting a PACI counter now work end-to-end through the app. Second, the digital identity is bound to the device; changing phones requires a kiosk visit or a guided re-binding flow. Third, while the digital ID is increasingly accepted at private merchants and counters, residents are advised to also carry the physical Civil ID until the acceptance is universal in their day-to-day. Confirm specific scenarios on paci.gov.kw before assuming the digital ID will be accepted.

How to access

1. 1. Install Kuwait Mobile ID

   Download Kuwait Mobile ID from the App Store or Google Play. Publisher is PACI. The app is free.

2. 2. Activate with NFC or at a kiosk

   Open the app, choose Activate. Newer Civil IDs activate via NFC: hold the card against the back of the phone and follow the prompts. Older Civil IDs without NFC require a one-time kiosk visit at any PACI service centre.

3. 3. Complete face verification

   The app uses biometric face-matching against the PACI record. Follow the on-screen prompts in good lighting. The bind takes about 30 seconds. The smartphone is now the trusted device.

4. 4. Use the digital ID at counters

   When asked for identity at a bank, government counter, or hotel, present the QR code generated inside the app. The verifier scans and sees a confirmed identity record from PACI. For some scenarios the verifier asks for a digital signature, which the app generates on demand.

5. 5. Link Sahel and other apps

   Open Sahel and choose Login with Kuwait Mobile ID. The biometric approval comes through Kuwait Mobile ID and Sahel logs in immediately. Many other Kuwait government and partner apps offer the same SSO option.