Kuwait approves 7-day transit visas for GCC residents and Europeans

Dubai: Kuwait has approved the issuance of seven-day transit visas for select travelers entering the country via land, as part of its ongoing efforts to streamline border procedures and enhance regional mobility.

The move, directed by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al Yousef, aims to facilitate smoother transit for Gulf citizens, GCC residents, European nationals, and diplomatic personnel, particularly those arriving from Iraq or transiting through Iran.

Colonel Waleed Al Azmi, Director of the Abdali Border Crossing Administration, announced the decision during an interview with Al Akhbar on Kuwait TV, where he outlined new measures to improve the experience for overland travelers entering Kuwait via the Abdali border.

According to Al Azmi, the newly approved transit visa allows eligible travelers to remain in Kuwait for up to seven days, enabling them to transit between Abdali Port and Kuwait International Airport, or the reverse, while organizing travel arrangements or securing onward connections. The visa is available to non-residents of Kuwait under specific exceptions coordinated between the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“This step is part of a coordinated effort to provide flexibility and facilitate cross-border movement while ensuring national security and compliance with entry protocols,” Colonel Al Azmi said. “The directives also enable diplomatic personnel and embassy representatives to be present at the crossing to assist their nationals during entry and exit procedures.”

He noted that Interior Ministry teams stationed at the Abdali crossing have been tasked with implementing the new measures and applying the approved exemptions swiftly and professionally, particularly for those who qualify under humanitarian or diplomatic considerations.

Huda Ata is an independent writer based in the UAE