Kuwait reopens visa access for Pakistanis

Dubai: Kuwaiti government has officially resumed issuing a wide range of visas to Pakistani nationals, in a significant step towards bolstering bilateral relations and addressing critical labor needs, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Kuwait, Dr. Zaffar Iqbal, announced.

The Pakistani Ambassador also announced plans to bring 1,200 Pakistani nurses to Kuwait’s healthcare sector, which faces rising demand. An initial group of 125 nurses was slated to arrive last week but faced delays due to housing challenges. “Special teams are actively resolving the issue, and we expect the nurses to arrive in the coming days,” Dr. Iqbal said.

Starting this May, Pakistani citizens have begun receiving approvals for various visas, including work, family visit, dependent, tourist, and commercial categories, restoring a vital channel for travel and employment between the two countries.

Dr. Iqbal also revealed that Pakistan and Kuwait are in the final stages of signing a new labor memorandum of understanding (MoU), designed to streamline worker mobility and cooperation. “Some provisions are already being implemented ahead of the formal signing,” he noted.

The ambassador commended the deep historical and fraternal ties linking Pakistan and Kuwait. ““The bond between Pakistan and Kuwait predates both nations’ modern statehoods,” he said. “From early economic migration to the role of Pakistani engineers and workers in shaping Kuwait’s infrastructure in the 1960s and 70s, our shared legacy runs deep.”

With over 93,000 Pakistanis residing in Kuwait, the community plays a vital role in healthcare, education, and other sectors. “Our citizens are exemplary and respected contributors,” Dr. Iqbal said.

Highlighting economic collaboration, he pointed to Pakistan’s vast potential in food security, agriculture, housing, and infrastructure, sectors aligned with Kuwait’s Vision 2035 development goals. Kuwaiti investors are already among the largest Gulf investors in Pakistan, holding significant assets including hotels, reflecting strong confidence in the Pakistani market.

Dr. Iqbal recalled Pakistan’s military support to Kuwait during the Iraqi invasion, praising the enduring defense ties forged through shared sacrifice and cooperation. He underscored frequent high-level communications between the two nations, with multiple engagements between Pakistan’s Prime Minister and Kuwait’s leadership in the past six months.

“Kuwait plays a key role in regional peace-building and international diplomacy,” the ambassador said, noting close cooperation at the United Nations. Kuwait’s support was instrumental in Pakistan’s recent successful bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council, where it secured overwhelming global backing.

Huda Ata is an independent writer based in the UAE