Kuwait Entry and Travel Requirements
Kuwait entry requirements identify all the rules that a person planning to visit Kuwait must know in order to enter the country without any problems. These requirements also include gathering all necessary documents before the planned trip. Among the most necessary documents to travel to Kuwait are a passport valid for at least 6 months and a Kuwait visa.
According to Kuwait's visa policy, citizens of most countries in the world must apply for a visa to enter the country. Depending on nationality, purpose of travel as well as expected length of stay in Kuwait, different types of visas may be required, including e-visa, visa on arrival or visa embassy. Visitors from approximately 170 different countries can use the online visa system and apply for a visa in just a few simple steps, without the need for an appointment at the embassy. Visitors from countries not eligible for a Kuwait e-visa must go to the nearest Kuwait diplomatic mission and apply for a visa in the traditional way.
Kuwait also allows certain nationalities to obtain visas upon arrival in the country. However, applying for a visa at the border is generally a lengthy procedure and takes a lot of time waiting in line to enter the country. This is why it is best for travelers to apply for a Kuwait visa before their planned departure. The Kuwaiti government has imposed an entry ban on two countries, Ethiopia and Israel. As long as the ban is in effect, citizens of these countries cannot apply for a visa and enter Kuwait under any circumstances.
Due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, a number of travel restrictions have been temporarily imposed in Kuwait. According to the latest update on May 1, 2022, all travel restrictions have been lifted. Whatever your vaccination status, you no longer need to present a certificate confirming your immunity status. Important! Please note that Covid-19 regulations are subject to change at short notice. Remember to check the latest updates on entry requirements before planning any international travel.
Who can enter Kuwait?
Kuwait allows entry to all international visitors (except banned countries - Israel and Ethiopia). Entry conditions are the same regardless of the traveler's Covid-19 vaccination status.
Document checklist for entry into Kuwait
- valid passport
- Kuwait visa
- Travel insurance (optional)
Testing, Vaccination, and Quarantine Requirements
Request an inspection
Visitors to Kuwait no longer need to provide a Covid-19 test.
Vaccination required
Travelers to Kuwait no longer need to prove their vaccination status. You can enter Kuwait regardless of your vaccination status.
Quarantine required
As all Covid restrictions were lifted in May 2022, there is currently no quarantine in Kuwait.
Traveling from Kuwait
There are no specific requirements to be met in order to depart Kuwait. Nevertheless, every traveler should check the recent update on the entry and exit requirements that may change rapidly.
Traveling to Kuwait
Travelers visiting Kuwait no longer need to meet Covid-19 requirements. There is no need to provide a Covid-19 test or vaccination certificate. Quarantine requirements have also been lifted.
Visitors to Kuwait only need a valid passport and visa before departure. In addition to these two documents, you should also consider purchasing travel insurance to cover possible coronavirus treatment costs.
Entry Rules for Children
There are no specific requirements for children arriving in Kuwait. They must follow the same entry rules as adult visitors.
Transit through Kuwait
Kuwait has no specific requirements for passengers using public transport. However, if you plan to transit through Kuwait, you should check with your airlines to see if they impose their own transit regulations.
Additionally, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the visa policy and other documents required for the country you plan to visit next.
Visa requirements
Visa-free countries
Kuwait's current visa policy states that citizens of five different countries can visit Kuwait without a visa. All visa-exempt countries are members of the Gulf Cooperation Council:
- Kuwait
- Bahrain
- Oman
- United Arab Emirates
- Saudi Arabia
Citizens of these countries can enter Kuwait at any point of entry with only valid identification documents and stay in Kuwait for an unlimited period.
In addition, Chinese holders of ordinary passports issued for public activities can travel to Kuwait without a visa.
Foreign nationals residing in GCC member states cannot travel to Kuwait without a visa, but they can apply for an electronic visa, which significantly speeds up the visa application process.
Electronic visa for Kuwait
Since 2016, Kuwait has offered electronic visa services to visitors from several countries. Applicants can fill out the application form using any internet-connected electronic device and receive the e-Visa approved within a maximum of 3 business days.
Kuwait e-visa is issued as a single-entry visa valid for 1 month from the date of issue. Its holder can stay in Kuwait for a maximum of 3 months (90 days) and use it for all travel purposes.
The entire process includes several intuitive steps and an electronic visa confirmation will be sent directly to the applicant's email address.
Kuwait Embassy or Consular Visa
In addition to the countries eligible for electronic visas and visa exemption, there are about 60 countries whose citizens must apply for a visa directly from the embassy. An embassy or consulate visa is also required for all visitors planning to visit Kuwait for long-term purposes, such as work, study, business, etc.
Applying for a regular visa can take up to several weeks. Therefore, applicants should remember to start their application process well in advance of their planned trip. It may be necessary to provide certain supporting documents, which may vary depending on the type of visa requested.
The full list of countries requiring a regular visa includes:
- Aland Islands
- American Samoa
- Anguilla
- Antarctica
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Bangladesh
- Bonaire
- British Indian Ocean Territory
- British Virgin Islands
- Cape Verde
- Cayman Islands
- Christmas Island
- Cocos Islands
- Congo
- Curacao
- Dominican Republic
- Faroe Islands
- Federated States of Micronesia
- French Polynesia
- Gambia
- Gibraltar
- Greenland
- Guam
- Guernsey
- Iran
- Iraq
- Isle of Man
- Jersey
- Kiribati
- Marshall Islands
- Mayotte
- Montserrat
- Nauru
- New Caledonia
- Niue
- Norfolk Island
- Northern Mariana Islands
- Pakistan
- Palau
- Palestinian Territory
- Papua New Guinea
- Pitcairn Islands
- Reunion
- Saint Barthelemy
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Martin
- Saint Pierre and Miquelon
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Serbia
- Seychelles
- Sint Maarten
- Solomon Islands
- South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
- South Sudan
- Sri Lanka
- Svalbard and Jan Mayen
- Syrian Arab Republic
- Timor-Leste
- Togo
- Tokelau
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- Tuvalu
- United States Virgin Islands
- Wallis and Futuna
- Yemen
Visa on Arrival
Kuwait allows all countries eligible for electronic visas to also obtain VoA. However, because applying for a visa on arrival can take a long time at the border, all travelers should choose the online alternative to save a lot of time and energy.
Currently, visa on arrival is only required for citizens of Eswatini (Swaziland). The visa issued upon arrival in Kuwait is a single-entry permit for tourism purposes and the holder can stay in Kuwait for a maximum of 90 days during this entry.
Eswatini citizens must go to the border checkpoint and apply for a visa at immigration in Kuwait. They will also have to manage certain administrative procedures and pay visa fees.
Travel Insurance
Although the Kuwait government does not require foreign visitors to have travel or medical insurance, it is advisable to have a comprehensive insurance policy in force in Kuwait to cover any potential costs of medical treatment, immigration hospital and medical transportation. During the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, you should choose an insurance policy that includes Covid-19 cover.