PACI Timing Kuwait — Office Hours All Branches 2026

The Public Authority for Civil Information (PACI) operates Sunday to Thursday with two daily shifts. The morning shift runs 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM for citizen services and 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM for Civil ID collection. The afternoon shift runs 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM for both resident services and Civil ID collection. All PACI branches are closed on Friday and Saturday.

What to Do Now

1. Check the timings table below for your branch and shift
2. Arrive 15 to 30 minutes before your chosen window opens
3. Bring your Civil ID, envelope number, and KNET card for any fees

PACI Working Hours — All Branches Timing 2026

The same split-shift schedule applies to all three PACI branches. Times are confirmed against published PACI guidance as of April 2026.

Civil ID collection is available during both the morning and afternoon windows at all three branches — no appointment is needed for collection after you receive the PACI SMS confirmation.

PACI does not operate on Fridays, Saturdays, or official Kuwait public holidays including Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha, Kuwait National Day, and Liberation Day.

PACI South Surra — Main Headquarters

South Surra is the primary PACI office and the highest-volume branch in Kuwait. It handles all Civil ID services, biometric registration, address changes, photo updates, newborn registration, and card collection.

The South Surra building operates a token-based queue system. Security staff issue tokens at the entrance — the token number determines your place in the service queue. On high-demand days, token issuance can stop 30 to 60 minutes before the posted closing time even if the official window has not ended. There is no fixed cutoff time announced in advance.

Parking at South Surra fills quickly during the morning window. Arriving by 7:30 AM on busy days ensures a parking space and a token before the queue builds.

At South Surra the queues are shortest in the first 20 minutes after each window opens — 8:00 AM to 8:20 AM for citizen services and 3:00 PM to 3:20 PM for resident services and collection. Arriving exactly when the window opens rather than 30 minutes before it closes is consistently the fastest approach at the main headquarters.

South Subahiya PACI Branch — Ahmadi Governorate

The South Subahiya branch in Ahmadi Governorate follows the same split-shift schedule as the South Surra headquarters. It serves residents across the southern governorate including Fahaheel, Mahboula, Mangaf, and surrounding areas.

Parking at South Subahiya is easier than at South Surra, making it a practical alternative for residents who live in Ahmadi Governorate. Foot traffic increases during summer months — arriving early during July and August is particularly recommended.

For detailed location, booking steps, and document requirements specific to this branch, see our South Subahiya Civil ID collection page.

Jahra PACI Branch

The Jahra branch serves residents in the northwest of Kuwait and operates on the same morning and afternoon shift schedule. Queues at Jahra tend to build in the 30 minutes before the afternoon window opens — arriving between 2:30 PM and 3:00 PM often means waiting at the entrance rather than at a service counter.

Civil ID collection at the Jahra branch is walk-in — no prior appointment is needed for collection once the PACI SMS has been received.

PACI Ramadan Timings

During Ramadan, PACI — like all Kuwait government offices — switches to significantly reduced working hours. Standard split-shift schedules do not apply during the holy month.

Ramadan timings shift slightly each year based on the official government circular. Confirm exact hours directly with PACI on 1889988 before visiting during Ramadan — the timings above are approximate and based on previous years.

The first working day after a mid-week public holiday is consistently busier than a normal day at all three branches. Arriving earlier than usual on the day after Eid or National Day prevents long waits.

Appointments vs Walk-In at PACI

Not every PACI service requires a pre-booked appointment. Knowing which category applies to your visit saves time.

Appointment required:

• Photo and biometric updates
• Address changes
• First-time registration — newborns and new residents
• Certain card replacement requests

Walk-in accepted:

• Civil ID card collection at designated collection counters
• Basic enquiries at the information desk

Appointments are booked through the Meta Kuwait platform. The Sahel app also shows appointment availability and allows booking for select PACI services. For the full list of services available online without visiting in person, see our PACI online services page.

As of 2026, PACI does not accept telephone bookings for service appointments — all bookings must be made through the Meta Kuwait platform or the Sahel app.

FAQs:

1. Is PACI open on Friday or Saturday

No. All PACI branches — South Surra, South Subahiya, and Jahra — are fully closed on Fridays and Saturdays. The working week runs Sunday to Thursday only. PACI may occasionally announce extended collection hours on specific weekends through official channels — confirm through paci.gov.kw or their official social media before making a special trip on a weekend.

2. When does PACI stop issuing tokens

There is no fixed published token cutoff time. On high-demand days, PACI security staff stop issuing tokens 30 to 60 minutes before the posted closing time when the queue has reached capacity. The safest approach is to arrive at the start of the window rather than close to the end — arriving within the last 30 minutes of any shift risks being turned away even though the office is technically still open.

3. Do I need an appointment to collect my Civil ID at PACI

No. Civil ID card collection at the designated collection halls and counters at all three PACI branches is walk-in — no appointment booking is required. You need the SMS notification from PACI confirming your card is ready, your original Civil ID or residency document for identity verification, and your payment receipt. Services such as biometric updates, photo changes, and address corrections require a prior appointment booked through the Meta Kuwait platform.