Kuwait has declared its intention to recommence the issuance of visit visas for various purposes, including family visits, tourism, and commercial activities.
This decision follows the directives of the Deputy Prime Minister, Defense Minister, and Acting Minister of Interior, Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Saud Al-Sabah, and entails the implementation of new conditions for visa issuance. The objective behind these new visas is to revitalize commercial, economic, and tourist activities within the country, all while considering social aspects.
Effective Wednesday, February 7, the new visit visas come with specific prerequisites. Expatriate family members seeking entry must meet certain criteria, including a minimum salary requirement and the presentation of return air tickets. Visas are granted to parents, spouses, and children of expatriate workers, provided that the salary of the sponsor meets the stipulated thresholds.
Additionally, applicants must adhere to several terms and conditions, such as holding round-trip tickets on designated airlines, committing not to convert their visit visas into residency permits, and adhering strictly to the designated duration of stay. Furthermore, visitors are required to seek medical treatment exclusively from private hospitals and medical centers, as treatment in government hospitals is not permitted.
Failure to comply with the specified duration of stay will result in both the visitor and the sponsor being entered into the security control system by the General Department of Residency Affairs Investigations. Legal action, as per the Foreigners Residency Law, will be taken against violators.
Regarding commercial visas, these are issued upon the request of Kuwaiti companies and institutions and are granted to individuals possessing university or technical qualifications in alignment with the company's activities and work nature.
For tourists, visas are available for citizens of 53 countries either upon arrival at Kuwaiti ports or through the electronic visa system on the Ministry of Interior website. Additionally, residents of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries can obtain tourism visas under specific conditions outlined in Ministerial Resolution No. 2030/2008.
Kuwait offers visa-on-arrival services to citizens of the following countries:
- Andorra
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bhutan
- Brunei
- Bulgaria
- Cambodia
- Canada
- China
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Georgia
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Japan
- Laos
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- San Marino
- Serbia
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Hong Kong
- Turkey
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- United States
Moreover, citizens of numerous countries are eligible for visa-on-arrival in Kuwait, including countries like Australia, Canada, France, Japan, and the United States, among others.
