Kuwait ends 19-year visa ban on Pakistanis, thousands of jobs ahead

Dubai: Kuwait’s decision to lift a 19-year visa ban on Pakistani citizens has opened wide range of employment opportunities, particularly in healthcare, oil, and skilled labour sectors.

The Gulf nation, facing rising demand for qualified workers, is now actively recruiting professionals from Pakistan including an initial batch of 1,200 nurses to support its workforce needs.

With access restored to work, family, tourist, and business visas, the move promises a major boost for Pakistani jobseekers looking to build careers abroad, while deepening economic cooperation between the two nations.

New era

Kuwait’s decision to lift ban on Pakistani citizens is set to usher in a new era of economic cooperation, labor mobility, and people-to-people connectivity between the two nations.

Effective immediately, Pakistani nationals can now apply for a wide range of Kuwaiti visas, including work, family visit, dependent, tourist, and commercial categories. The resumption of visa services is being widely hailed as a positive step, reflecting Kuwait’s confidence in Pakistan’s improved security environment and its growing interest in strengthening bilateral ties.

Key benefits for Pakistan

Thousands of skilled Pakistani workers, especially in the healthcare and oil sectors, now have renewed access to jobs in Kuwait.
The lifting of the visa restriction marks a strategic shift toward deeper economic collaboration. Kuwait is actively seeking skilled labour, and Pakistan, with its large, trained workforce, stands to gain significantly. The renewed access to Kuwaiti markets also creates openings for Pakistani businesses, entrepreneurs, and investors.

Diplomatic and cultural relations
Beyond economics, the decision enhances people-to-people contact, allowing families to reunite and tourists to explore both nations. This development reflects mutual trust and the evolving maturity of Pakistan-Kuwait relations.

Labour agreements
A new labour Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is in the pipeline, aimed at regulating and safeguarding the rights of Pakistani workers in Kuwait. This will provide a more structured and secure framework for labor migration.

All visa applications can now be processed through Kuwait’s online platform, making it easier and faster for Pakistanis to apply and plan their travel or employment.

Dr Zaffar Iqbal, Pakistan's Ambassador to Kuwait, welcomed the development, stating: "This is a significant milestone in Pakistan-Kuwait relations. The reopening of visa channels for Pakistanis will not only address Kuwait’s labor needs but also uplift thousands of families in Pakistan."