Kuwait unveils three-month family visit visa in sweeping visa platform overhaul

Dubai: Kuwait has introduced a series of visa reforms, including the launch of a three-month family visit visa and the removal of long-standing entry requirements aiming to enhance tourism and ease travel restrictions, 

The changes were confirmed by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al Sabah during a recent phone call with journalist Ahmed Al Jarallah, Editor-in-Chief of Al Seyassah newspapers.

The reforms, effective Tuesday, are part of the broader overhaul of the ‘Kuwait Visa’ platform, a key initiative that seeks to position Kuwait as a regional hub for tourism and commerce. 

Key changes include the cancellation of the local carrier requirement, previously a mandatory condition for visa issuance. Travellers can now select airlines of their choice, following the removal of the rule tying visa issuance to national carriers.

Sheikh Fahad said that the revised visit visa allows for an initial stay of three months, with options to extend for six months or even a year, depending on the applicant's preference and compliance with visa regulations.

"Violations in this category are minimal, so flexibility can be granted," he said, adding that the reforms are a direct response to feedback from citizens and expatriates.

“We are building a new airport, and our goal is to bring back all airlines that exited the local market,” he stated. “The state should not act as a marketer for airlines, they must market themselves.”

The revised policy also expands eligibility for family visit visas, extending kinship qualifications to the fourth degree, and eliminates the controversial requirement for visitors to hold a university degree.

Sheikh Fahad emphasised that travellers with security restrictions will be promptly notified and are expected to address those matters independently, aligning Kuwait’s practices with international norms.

The visa fee structure is currently under review and expected to be submitted to the Council of Ministers this week for final approval. 

The changes are designed to remove bottlenecks, streamline the process, and make Kuwait more accessible to the world.

Meanwhile, Minister of Information and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Abdulrahman Al Mutairi has highlighted tourism as a key pillar of Kuwait’s economic diversification strategy. Speaking at a recent event, he unveiled plans for the upcoming “Visit Kuwait” platform, an integrated digital initiative aimed at consolidating tourism promotion efforts under a unified national brand.

“The platform will serve as the gateway for all tourism-related messaging,” Al Mutairi said, noting its alignment with Kuwait Vision 2035, the country’s long-term development blueprint.

Kuwait’s growing focus on tourism will also take center stage internationally. The country is set to host the 52nd session of the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s Regional Committee for the Middle East in early 2026.

Additionally, Kuwait will participate in Expo Osaka 2025, where it aims to showcase its advancements in sustainability, innovation, and cultural identity.

Cultural diplomacy is also on the rise, with preparations underway for the Kuwait International Book Fair and the launch of the “I Am the Author” initiative, an interactive experience for children and young adults designed to nurture creative expression through writing and publishing.