PACI Hotline 1889988: Menu Options, Hours and Contacts
PACI 1889988 Call Helper
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The number 1889988 is printed on PACI notices, quoted on official e-government pages and passed around in every expat group in Kuwait. It is the main phone and SMS line of the Public Authority for Civil Information (PACI), the body that issues the Civil ID. Call it at the wrong time, or press the wrong option, though, and you can spend ten minutes in a recorded loop without an answer.
I compared official e-government service pages, the Zain page for the PACI SMS service, news reports and the most used Kuwait guides, then put together what the line actually does. If you only want to know whether your card is ready, our Civil ID status checker is the faster route. This guide explains the menu, the hours, the SMS codes, the language choice and what the hotline cannot do, plus the other PACI contact channels.
Table of Contents
Popular Civil ID guides
Quick answers to the most common Kuwait Civil ID and PACI questions.
What Is the PACI Hotline 1889988?
1889988 is PACI’s single public number. It works in two ways:
- Voice line: a recorded (IVR) menu that answers routine questions, with an option to reach a staff member during working hours.
- SMS short code: you send a short text with your Civil ID number and get an automatic reply.
The official e-government pages for Civil ID renewal list 1889988 as PACI’s phone and SMS contact, and guides say the same number serves the South Surra head office and all branches. Ignore older numbers such as 1844447 or 51889988 that still appear on some sites.
What You Can Do on 1889988
| Task | By call | By SMS |
|---|---|---|
| Check if your card is ready | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic Civil ID renewal | Yes | Yes |
| Ask about delivery envelope | Guides differ | Yes, with receipt number |
| Ask general questions about PACI services | Yes, agent | No |
| Confirm your card is in the collection machine | Yes | Status reply |
The automatic renewal option comes from the official e-government pages for both Kuwaitis and non-Kuwaitis. For expats it only applies when you are not changing your photo, and fees are paid through the PACI website.
PACI Hotline Working Hours
The voice line follows government working days, Sunday to Thursday. It is closed on Friday, Saturday and official holidays. The exact hours depend on the source:
| Source | Hours given |
|---|---|
| Kuwait Times, 2020 | 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM |
| Guide updated April 2026 | 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM |
| Guide updated September 2026 | 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM |
Sources differ, so call in the morning, between about 9:00 AM and 12:00 PM, for the best chance of reaching a person. In Ramadan, government offices work shorter hours, so expect a shorter window. The SMS service replies automatically, but we could not confirm whether the recorded menu answers outside working hours.
Language Options on the Hotline
The first prompt asks you to choose a language:
- Press 1 for Arabic.
- Press 2 for English.
Several guides agree on this choice. We found no source that confirms other languages such as Hindi, Urdu or Tagalog. If English is hard for you, ask a friend to call with you, or use the PACI website or Sahel, which both have English versions.
1889988 IVR Menu Options
After the language choice, the recorded menu offers Civil ID services, such as card status and renewal. Guides describe slightly different paths, because PACI changes the menu from time to time:
- One September 2026 guide says: press 2 for English, then 1 for Civil ID, then 1 and 1 again, then 2 for status, then enter your 12-digit Civil ID number.
- Older guides say: choose the language, press 1 for the inquiry service, then enter your Civil ID number.
- One 2025 guide says pressing 0 transfers you to an employee.
The same guide warns that the menu has loops. Listen to each prompt fully rather than pressing digits from memory, and keep your Civil ID number in front of you.
Card Collection Updates on 1889988 (IVR Steps)
- Step 1 Call 1889988 from a Kuwait number, Sunday to Thursday in the morning.
- Step 2 Press 1 for Arabic or 2 for English.
- Step 3 Choose Civil ID services, then the card status or inquiry option.
- Step 4 Enter your 12-digit Civil ID number on the keypad.
- Step 5 Listen to the result and note where to collect the card if it is ready.
- Step 6 If the message is unclear, stay on the line or press 0 to ask for an agent.
Make sure you type all 12 digits. A single wrong digit gives you another person’s number or an error, which is why our tool checks the check digit first.
The phone line only reads out a short result. To check online and understand every status message, use our Kuwait Civil ID status check guide.
Using 1889988 by SMS
The PACI SMS service runs on the same number. Zain’s PACI service page lists these codes:
| Send to 1889988 | What you get |
|---|---|
| Your Civil ID number | Subscription to the service (free) |
| I followed by your Civil ID number | Card inquiry (status) |
| R followed by your Civil ID number | Renewal request |
| E followed by your receipt number | Delivery envelope inquiry |
According to Zain, the subscription message is free and each reply costs 50 fils. The official e-government pages also list a fee of 50 fils per SMS. Only the Zain page lists these codes in detail, so if a code fails on another network, call instead.
Renewing a Civil ID Through 1889988
The official e-government pages list automatic renewal by calling or texting 1889988 as one of the renewal channels, next to Sahel, the PACI website and an in-person visit. In practice:
- It suits a straight renewal, with no new photo and no change of data.
- Expats need a valid residence first, because the card follows the residency.
- Fees are paid through the PACI website, as the official pages state.
For the full process, fees and documents, see our guide to Kuwait Civil ID renewal.
Talking to a PACI Agent
A staff member can explain what a service needs, which office handles it and why a request is stuck. To improve your chances:
- Call early on a weekday, not on a Sunday morning rush.
- Have your Civil ID number, passport number and any receipt number ready.
- Write down the date, time and the name or answer you get.
Agents cannot change your data over the phone. They will usually point you to Sahel, the PACI website or an office visit booked on Meta.
What the PACI Hotline Cannot Do
| You want to | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Book a PACI office appointment | Meta portal or the Sahel app |
| Change your address or photo | Sahel request or a PACI office visit |
| Pay fees or fines | PACI website or Sahel |
| Replace a lost card | Online request or a PACI office |
| Unlock a Kuwait Mobile ID PIN | A PACI self-service kiosk |
| Book fingerprints or check a travel ban | Ministry of Interior services or Sahel |
| Get a card printed or delivered | Collection machine or home delivery request |
The hotline answers questions and handles a few automatic services. Anything that changes your record needs your login or your presence.
Other Ways to Contact PACI
| Channel | What it is good for |
|---|---|
| PACI website contact form | Written questions and complaints |
| Email listed by guides (info at paci.gov.kw) | Written questions; replies are not guaranteed |
| Sahel app | Requests, payments and appointments |
| Kuwait Mobile ID (Hawyti) app and site | Digital ID, help pages and kiosk locator |
| Official PACI social media accounts | News, announcements and replies to messages |
| PACI offices | Complex cases, with a Meta appointment |
We could not confirm a live chat service on the PACI or Hawyti website. Guides also give different handles for PACI social media, so open the accounts from links on PACI’s own website, not from search results. We found no official PACI WhatsApp number.
Fake PACI Calls and Messages
PACI warned in August 2025 and again in September 2026 that fraudsters try to trick people into approving Kuwait Mobile ID requests they did not start. Some also pretend to call from PACI.
- PACI’s number is 1889988; treat calls from personal mobile numbers with caution.
- Never share your Kuwait Mobile ID PIN or one-time codes by phone.
- Approve only requests you started yourself.
- Do not pay anyone who calls to “speed up” your card.
Common PACI Hotline Problems and Fixes
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Call not answered | Call Sunday to Thursday, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM |
| Stuck in a menu loop | Hang up, choose the language again and listen fully |
| Invalid number message | Check all 12 digits of your Civil ID |
| No SMS reply | Check the format (I then your number) and your balance |
| Cannot call from abroad | Use the PACI website, Sahel or email instead |
| Agent cannot help with your case | Book a PACI office visit on Meta |
| Status says not ready for weeks | Check that fees and residency are complete |
| Caller asks for your PIN | Hang up; PACI warns never to share it |
Tips for Calling the PACI Hotline
- Call early in the morning on a weekday.
- Avoid Sundays and the day after holidays.
- Keep your Civil ID number ready.
- Choose English with 2, Arabic with 1.
- Listen to the whole menu once.
- Use SMS for a quick status reply.
- Note the time and the answer you get.
- Never share your PIN or codes.
If the line is busy, see the PACI office locations and timings or visit the PACI website.
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FAQs About the PACI Hotline 1889988
What is the PACI hotline number?
The PACI hotline is 1889988. It works as both a phone line and an SMS short code inside Kuwait.
Is the PACI hotline available in English?
Yes. Press 2 for English and 1 for Arabic at the first prompt.
What are the PACI hotline working hours?
Sunday to Thursday in the morning. Sources give 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM or 2:00 PM, so call before noon.
How do I check my Civil ID by phone?
Call 1889988, choose your language, select the Civil ID status option and enter your 12-digit Civil ID number.
How do I check my Civil ID by SMS?
Send the letter I followed by your Civil ID number to 1889988. Each reply costs 50 fils.
Can I renew my Civil ID through 1889988?
Yes. Official pages list automatic renewal by call or SMS to 1889988, for renewals with no photo change.
How do I talk to a person at PACI?
Call during morning working hours and follow the prompts for an agent. One guide says pressing 0 transfers you.
Is the PACI hotline open on Friday or Saturday?
No. PACI works Sunday to Thursday and is closed on Friday, Saturday and official holidays.
Can I book a PACI appointment through 1889988?
No. Book PACI appointments on the Meta portal or in the Sahel app.
Does PACI have WhatsApp or live chat?
We found no official PACI WhatsApp number and could not confirm a live chat. Use the hotline, the website contact form or Sahel.
Can I call 1889988 from outside Kuwait?
We could not confirm that the short number works from abroad. Use the PACI website, Sahel or email instead.
Conclusion
The PACI hotline 1889988 is useful for quick status checks, automatic renewals and simple questions, as long as you call at the right time. Here is the short version:
| If you want to | Do this |
|---|---|
| Check if your card is ready | Call 1889988 or text I and your Civil ID number |
| Speak in English | Press 2 at the first prompt |
| Book an office visit | Use Meta or Sahel, not the hotline |
| Send a written question | Use the PACI website contact form |
- Call in the morning, Sunday to Thursday.
- Type all 12 digits of your Civil ID correctly.
- Never share your PIN, even with a caller claiming to be PACI.
Menus, hours and codes change, so confirm details on PACI’s own pages before you rely on them. I based this guide on official e-government pages, the Zain service page and news references, last checked in October 2026.
Plan Your Call to 1889988
Check your Civil ID number and see whether a call, an SMS or another PACI channel fits your need.
