The Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior has introduced a new online visa platform aimed at simplifying travel procedures for foreign nationals. This digital system allows applicants to submit requests for four main types of visas—government, business, family, and tourism—prior to arriving in Kuwait. Developed under the directives of First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al Yousef, the platform also offers detailed information on visa eligibility and entry conditions.
Each visa issued through the platform is valid for single entry and does not permit employment. Government and business visas are intended for official and commercial visits, with a 30-day stay from entry. Family and tourist visas allow for leisure or familial visits, with the tourist visa offering a maximum stay of 90 days, provided entry occurs within 30 days of issuance.
Applicants can also access extensive guidelines for various residency and visit categories, including commercial activity, student dependents, and temporary contracts. The portal outlines eligibility requirements, document submissions, and applicable fees.
Residency permits and pre-entry requirements
Kuwait issues residency entry permits across several classifications, such as government and private sector employment, student entry, and family dependents. To qualify, applicants must meet specific documentation and validity criteria. A passport must be valid for at least 18 months, and entry permits are valid for 90 days from issuance.
After arriving in Kuwait, applicants are required to report to the General Directorate of Residency Affairs to finalise residency status. During the pre-residency period, visitors may stay for up to 60 days. A criminal record certificate, issued within 90 days, is also required—either from the applicant’s home country or the country of residence, provided they have resided there for a minimum of two years.
Importantly, entry permits are deemed invalid if the provided details do not exactly match the traveller’s passport.
Visa categories, validity, and associated penalties
The platform outlines several special visa categories, including multiple entry, transit, transport drivers, and emergency visas. Each comes with specific terms:
- Tourist visas are valid for a 90-day stay, with 30-day entry validity from issuance.
- Multiple entry visas allow 30 days per visit and remain valid for up to one year.
- Transit and emergency visas are valid for seven days.
- Transport drivers may stay for up to 14 days.
All visit visas are single-entry and prohibit employment. Applicants must hold a valid passport for at least six months.
Visa fees are standardised across most categories, with entry charges generally set at KD3 (approximately $10). Overstay penalties for visit visas are uniformly applied at KD10 (around $33) per day. In contrast, residency visas carry a lower initial overstay fee of KD2 (approximately $6.50) per day during the first month, which subsequently increases to KD4 (about $13) per day thereafter.
Travellers are reminded that employment is strictly forbidden under all visit and transit visa types. Exit from Kuwait must occur before the visa expiry date, and accurate document submission is essential.
For full application details and eligibility guidelines, users should visit the official Kuwait visa platform.
