Kuwait announces extensive visa reforms
Revamped programme introduces streamlined applications through the “Kuwait Visa” platform
Dubai: Kuwait has announced one of its most extensive visa reforms in decades, opening its doors to visitors from almost every country in the world, with Israel remaining the only nation explicitly barred under an Amiri Decree citing a state of war.
At a presentation titled “Kuwait Visa Platform... New Entry Visas,” Colonel Abdulaziz Al Kandari of the General Department of Residency outlined the four-tier visa system that takes immediate effect.
The policy maintains Kuwait’s 1964 Amiri Decree declaring a state of war with Israel, making it the only nationality explicitly barred from entry.
The revamped programme introduces streamlined digital applications through the “Kuwait Visa” platform, with eligibility varying by nationality and profession:
Unrestricted access (52 Countries):
Passport holders from nations including the US, UK, EU/Schengen states, Japan, and Australia may obtain visas without additional requirements beyond six-month passport validity.
GCC residents and professionals:
Residents of Gulf Cooperation Council countries and professionals with financial solvency from approved nations qualify, provided they present valid residency proof and meet passport requirements.
Financial solvency route (pending implementation):
Visitors from non-listed countries may apply by demonstrating financial means through bank statements, hotel bookings, and a refundable security deposit.
Event-specific visas:
Tailored visas for international conferences and local events, with requirements adjusted case-by-case.
Entry categories and durations
Tourist visas: Single-entry (1-3 months) or multiple-entry (3-12 months), with 30-day stays per entry.
Family visas: Require Arabic-translated kinship proof (up to fourth-degree relatives) with similar duration options.
Business visas: Issued for corporate invitations, valid for single 30-day stays or multiple entries over 1 year.
Colonel Al Kandari emphasised that all decisions were taken following “thorough studies of immediate and long-term implications,” noting the system aims to boost Kuwait’s appeal as a tourism destination while safeguarding national security.
Kuwait remains the sole Gulf state without diplomatic ties or travel provisions for Israelis, contrasting with neighbours like the UAE and Bahrain, which normalised relations through the 2020 Abraham Accords.
The policy aligns with Kuwait’s historical support for Palestinian rights, including a 1964 law barring business with Israeli entities.
The Interior Ministry confirmed the platform is operational immediately for eligible nationals, with the third-tier system expected within months.
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