India issues more than 11,000 tourist visas to Kuwaitis since January 2024

Dubai: Over 11,000 tourist visas issued by India to Kuwaitis in 2024 and the first half of this year, with India is seeing continued growth in Kuwaiti tourism as e-visa service gains momentum, Al Qabas Arabic newspaper reported.

India is witnessing growing interest from Kuwaiti travellers, with tourism from Kuwait to India steadily increasing, according to Indian Ambassador to Kuwait Dr. Adarsh Swaika.  

The ambassador welcomed the rise in Kuwaiti visitors, noting that more than 7,700 tourist visas were issued to Kuwaiti nationals in 2024 alone.

“Between January 1 and July 31, 2025, 3,600 tourist visas were issued, reflecting sustained enthusiasm for travel to India, the ambassador said.

A major factor in this upward trend is the growing popularity of India’s electronic visa (e-visa) system, reactivated by the Indian government in July 2025. Ambassador Swaika revealed that between July 13 and August 6, 2025, 163 e-visas were issued to Kuwaiti citizens, highlighting the effectiveness of modern digital platforms in streamlining the visa process.

“The e-visa service has been warmly welcomed by many of our Kuwaiti friends,” Swaika said. “Applicants can now complete the process from anywhere without having to visit the Indian visa centre in person.” He emphasised that one of the most notable advantages of the service is the option to obtain long-term visas — including five-year tourist visas — for a fee of just $80.

In addition to tourist visas, India is offering a range of other categories, including business, medical, and a newly introduced visa tailored for alternative medicine and wellness seekers, known as the Ayush Visa, which caters to those seeking Ayurveda and yoga treatments.

The ambassador added that the Indian Embassy is actively working to raise awareness about these visa options and, so far, the e-visa platform has operated smoothly with no major technical issues.

Ambassador Swaika also noted that recent visa facilitation measures introduced by Kuwaiti authorities are expected to encourage more Indian tourists to visit Kuwait, expressing hope that the coming period will witness a rise in Indian visitors, further strengthening cultural and tourism exchange between the two friendly nations.