Kuwait visa policy

Kuwait visa policy determines the entry rules and regulations of the country. All foreign nationals must meet the travel requirements in order to enter Kuwait. They need to prepare the necessary documents, such as a valid passport for at least 6 months and a visa.

There are several methods of getting a visa; you can do it electronically, on arrival, or at the embassy. A Kuwait online visa is available for approximately 170 countries and is the highly recommended option. The application process is very convenient, and there is no need to visit the embassy or consulate.

Visitors from around 65 countries are not eligible for Kuwait eVisa, so they need to contact the nearest embassy or consulate to obtain a proper permit. Also, some nationals may apply for a visa on arrival upon entry to the country.

Note that nationals of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates) can enter Kuwait visa-free for short trips if they are from eligible professions.

Who can enter Kuwait?

Visitors who meet the entry requirements of Kuwait visa policy are able to travel to the country. They need to prepare before the trip and obtain the necessary documents, such as a valid passport and a visa.

The COVID-19 restrictions were lifted on May 2022, so there is no need to show proof of vaccination or negative test results. However, the situation may change, so be updated and check the news.

What is more, note that travelers who have the Israeli stamp on their passports may be banned from entering Kuwait.

Entry Requirements for Kuwait

According to the tourist visa policy, all the Kuwait requirements must be met to be accepted in the country. Mainly, travelers must have a passport and a visa. It is advisable to check the important information before the trip to Kuwait.

Document Checklist for entering Kuwait

The following documents must be prepared to visit Kuwait:

• a passport that won’t expire within the next 6 months with one page per entry stamp
• a valid visa
• sufficient funds.

Remember that all requirements may change anytime, so checking the news on the governmental website is recommended.

Methods of getting a visa to Kuwait

Foreign nationals have three options for applying for a visa. They can obtain a Kuwait electronic visa, a visa on arrival, or a traditional visa. The most recommended is eVisa, as the application process is fast and convenient.

Around 170 travelers may apply for a tourist eVisa and stay in Kuwait for up to 90 days. The rest of the visitors must obtain a visa at the embassy. Also, it is possible to get a visa on arrival.

Electronic Visa

Kuwait eVisa was implemented in 2016, and the whole application process can be done online. You only need to visit the panel, complete the form, and cover the fee. It is very simple, and there is no need to visit the embassy or consulate.

Visa on Arrival

Visa on arrival is available for certain nationalities. The travelers must prepare the documents (a passport, a return ticket, proof of accommodation, and a valid credit card) and wait in line to obtain this visa type upon arrival. They can pick a 30 or 90-day visa that can be extended.

Regular Visa

Approximately citizens of 60 countries must apply for a visa at the embassy or consulate. Also, those who want to stay longer in Kuwait or for a different purpose than tourism need to contact the nearest embassy and make a face-to-face appointment.

Countries and regions which require a visa for entry into Kuwait

We present the list of countries eligible for certain visa types.

Electronic visa:

• Andorra
• Afghanistan
• Albania
• Armenia
• Angola
• Argentina
• Austria
• Australia
• Aruba
• Azerbaijan
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Barbados
• Belgium
• Burkina Faso
• Bulgaria
• Burundi
• Benin
• Bermuda
• Bolivia
• Brazil
• Bahamas
• Bhutan
• Botswana
• Belarus
• Belize
• Canada
• Congo
• Central African Republic
• Switzerland
• Ivory Coast
• Cook Islands
• Chile
• Cameroon
• China
• Colombia
• Costa Rica
• Cuba
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Germany
• Djibouti
• Denmark
• Dominica
• Algeria
• Ecuador
• Estonia
• Egypt
• Eritrea
• Spain
• Finland
• Fiji
• Falkland Islands
• France
• Gabon
• United Kingdom
• Grenada
• Georgia
• French Guiana
• Ghana
• Guinea Bissau
• Guinea
• Guadeloupe
• Equatorial Guinea
• Greece
• Guatemala
• Guyana
• Hong Kong
• Honduras
• Croatia
• Haiti
• Hungary
• Indonesia
• Ireland
• India
• Iceland
• Italy
• Jamaica
• Jordan
• Japan
• Kenya
• Kyrgyzstan
• Cambodia
• Comoros
• North Korea
• South Korea
• Kazakhstan
• Laos
• Lebanon
• Saint Lucia
• Liechtenstein
• Liberia
• Lesotho
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Latvia
• Libya
• Morocco
• Monaco
• Moldova
• Montenegro
• Madagascar
• Macedonia
• Mali
• Myanmar
• Mongolia
• Macau
• Martinique
• Mauritania
• Malta
• Mauritius
• Maldives
• Malawi
• Mexico
• Malaysia
• Mozambique
• Namibia
• Niger
• Nigeria
• Nicaragua
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Nepal
• New Zealand
• Panama
• Peru
• Philippines
• Poland
• Sierra Leone
• San Marino
• Senegal
• Somalia
• Suriname
• El Salvador
• Chad
• Thailand
• Tajikistan
• Turkmenistan
• Tunisia
• Tonga
• Turkey
• Taiwan
• Tanzania
• Ukraine
• Uganda
• United States
• Uruguay
• Uzbekistan
• Vatican City
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Venezuela
• Vietnam
• Vanuatu
• Samoa
• South Africa
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe
• Singapore
• Rwanda
• Portugal
• Sweden
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Russia
• Brunei Darussalam
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Romania
• Paraguay
• Sudan
• Saint Helena
• Puerto Rico

In the case of GCC citizens, they can apply for a Kuwait online visa if they have an eligible profession:

• Judges & Members of Public Prosecution
• Engineers
• Doctors
• Consultants
• University Teachers
• Lawyers
• Pilots
• System Analysts & Computer Programmers
• Press & Media Staff
• Businessmen
• University Graduates (Managers and Representatives of Commercial Companies and Establishments)
• Managers
• Diplomatic Corps

Visa on arrival

• Andorra
• Austria
• Australia
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Brunei
• Bhutan
• Canada
• Switzerland
• Serbia
• Cyprus
• Germany
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Spain
• Finland
• France
• United Kingdom
• Georgia
• Greece
• Hong Kong
• Croatia
• Hungary
• Ireland
• Iceland
• Italy
• Japan
• Cambodia
• South Korea
• Laos
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Latvia
• Monaco
• Malta
• Malaysia
• Netherlands
• Norway
• New Zealand
• Poland
• San Marino
• Turkey
• Ukraine
• United States
• Singapore
• Portugal
• Sweden
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Romania

Traditional visa

• Anguilla
• American Samoa
• Aland Islands
• Bangladesh
• Cocos Islands
• Congo
• Serbia
• Christmas Island
• Dominica
• Dominican Republic
• Micronesia
• Faroe Islands
• Georgia
• Gibraltar
• Greenland
• Gambia
• Guam
• Iraq
• Iran
• Kiribati
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Cayman Islands
• Sri Lanka
• Marshall Islands
• Northern Mariana Islands
• Montserrat
• New Caledonia
• Norfolk Island
• Nauru
• Niue
• French Polynesia
• Papua New Guinea
• Pakistan
• Syria
• Caicos Islands
• Togo
• Tokelau
• Timor Leste
• Tuvalu
• United States
• British Virgin Islands
• Yemen
• Mayotte
• Seychelles
• Palau
• South Sudan
• United States Virgin Islands
• Turks and Caicos Islands
• South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
• Saint Pierre and Miquelon
• Isle of Man
• Guernsey
• Solomon Islands
• Sao Tome and Principe
• Saint Martin
• Reunion
• Jersey
• Curacao
• Cape Verde
• British Indian Ocean Territory
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Saint Barthelemy
• Sint Maarten
• Bonaire

Visa-free entry

• United Arab Emirates
• Bahrain
• Oman
• Qatar
• Saudi Arabia

Entry requirements for children

When it comes to the entry requirements for children, they are the same as for adults. A child must have a valid visa and passport that won’t expire within the next 6 months. The visa application needs to be submitted by the parent or guardian.

Transit information

A transit visa to Kuwait is required in case you want to spend in the country more than 24 hours or leave the transit zone as a traveler from a non-visa-free country. In another case, a visa is not needed.

Important information

• There are three methods of application for a Kuwait visa. You can obtain a visa electronically, on arrival, or at the embassy.
• The COVID-19 restrictions were lifted, but it is advisable to check the news as the situation may change anytime.
• A valid passport is a must-have when you travel to Kuwait.
• Travelers with Israeli stamps on their passports may be unable to visit Kuwait.
• There aren’t special rules for children traveling to Kuwait.
• A transit visa is a must-have in case the visitor plans to leave the transit zone or stay in Kuwait for more than 24 hours.