New Tourist Visa Rules: Kuwait Sets Out Four Categories for Tourist Entry
KUWAIT CITY, Aug 11: The Government Information Center has announced four categories of tourist visas designed to cater to the needs of different types of travelers.
Visa validity for the first and second categories ranges from 30 days up to 360 days, depending on the selected options.
The first category is open to citizens of countries with high safety standards, powerful passports, and strong economic indicators, providing a variety of visa options.
The second category covers Gulf citizens and expats with professional qualifications, along with individuals holding valid US, UK, or Schengen visas or residence permits.
The third category, which will be launched soon, is intended for other nationalities who can provide proof of financial statement and necessary guarantees.
The fourth category covers visitors attending events and activities in Kuwait, with conditions applied based on each specific event. Visas Visa Validity Duration of Stay Single entry 1 month 30 Days 30 Days Single Entry 2 months 60 Days Single Entry 3 months 90 Days Multiple Entry 3 months 90 Days 30 Days - Every Month Entry Multiple Entry 6 months 180 Days 30 Days - Every Month Entry Multiple Entry 1 year 360 Days 30 Days - Every Month Entry
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Arab Times
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- Arab Times
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KUWAIT CITY, Aug 13: Director of the Electronic Services Department at the General Directorate of Residency Affairs Colonel Abdulaziz Al-Kandari announced the removal of the national carrier requirement for entry visas to Kuwait, declaring that beneficiaries can now enter Kuwait by land, sea, or air using any airline. In a statement to Kuwait TV recently, Colonel Abdulaziz Al-Kandari explained that the 'Kuwait Visa' platform, which was launched in cooperation with the General Directorate of Information Systems, enables the issuance of tourist, family, commercial, and government visas through the website and smartphone application, thus eliminating the need to visit Residency Affairs Departments. The tourist visa decision, which has been published in the official gazette 'Kuwait Alyoum' was issued under the directives of the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah. The decision followed a special study on visas conducted to meet the leadership's aspirations, under the supervision of the acting Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior Major General Ali Al-Adwani. The four categories of tourist visas are: Category One - Citizens of approved countries, determined based on the Global Peace Index, passport strength, and per capita income. These countries have no additional requirements and can choose from six tourist visa options - single or multiple entries, with stay durations of one, two, three, six months, or one year, provided each entry does not exceed one month. Category Two - Expats of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, residents of countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Schengen countries, as well as holders of tourist visas for these countries. These individuals can obtain a tourist visa if they belong to approved medium- or high-level professions that demonstrate the financial solvency necessary for tourism, residence, and travel in Kuwait. Currently, no proof of income is required as long as they reside in a Gulf country. Category Three (Under study) - This will be an open visa for anyone wishing to visit Kuwait for tourism who does not fall under categories one or two. It will require proof of financial solvency, such as a bank statement. Category Four - For local and international events and activities. Its requirements and duration are determined at the time of each event, such as the Gulf Cup, Asian Cup, or exhibitions held in Kuwait, based on the event's needs. Colonel Al-Kandari went on to explain that any resident can now apply for family visits and bring their relatives to stay in Kuwait, as the salary requirement has been abolished. Kinship ties have been expanded to include relatives up to the third and fourth degrees, allowing the entire family to be brought in. In addition, any commercial institution or company in Kuwait can apply for business visits through the 'Kuwait Visa' platform to submit visa applications. The process begins with approval, followed by payment, after which the visa is issued electronically. Once the application is submitted and the form is completed with a passport photo, the visa is typically issued within approximately five minutes and is ready for the applicant. Colonel Al-Kandari emphasized that no nationality is barred from entry, provided the applicant meets the established requirements and regulations. He said Kuwait welcomes everyone and urges people to obtain information from official sources via the Kuwait Visa platform, which offers full details on the four types of visas and operates 24/7 with technical support staff available to answer any inquiries. During a visual presentation at the Center for Government Communication (CGC), Al-Kandari detailed the electronic visa process, highlighting necessary documents, security restrictions, and the requirements for each visa category. He underscored that tourists, business visitors, and government guests must comply with all instructions to ensure smooth processing. The Interior Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing visa procedures and promoting Kuwait as an attractive destination for tourism, business, and international events. Below is a list of professions approved for obtaining tourist visas to Kuwait for residents of GCC countries: 1. Presidents, their deputies and assistants, with all their titles. 2. Ministers, their deputies and assistants, with all their titles. 3. Council members, their deputies and assistants, with all their titles. 4. Secretaries-General, their deputies and assistants, with all their titles. 5. Undersecretaries, their deputies and assistants of all titles. 6. Governors, their deputies and assistants, with all their titles. 7. Members of the diplomatic corps and staff of embassies and diplomatic consulates. 8. General managers, directors, their deputies and assistants, with all their titles. 9. Judges, prosecutors and lawyers. 10. Muftis, their deputies and assistants, with all their titles. 11. A member of the academic and university education, his deputies and assistants, with all their titles (Dean of the College - Assistant Dean - University Teaching Assistant - University Professor - Lecturer - etc.). 12. Holders of golden residency (permanent or temporary) in the GCC countries. 13. Investors, businessmen, employers and partners. 14. Owners of companies and commercial establishments. 15. Representatives of companies and commercial institutions. 16. Property owners. 17. Advisors, their deputies and assistants of all titles. 18. Experts, their deputies and assistants, with all their titles. 19. Senior jobs in tourism, travel and hospitality. 20. Financial intermediaries for bonds and securities. 21. Accountants, auditors, regulators, and economic and financial analysts. 22. Physicians, surgeons, their deputies and assistants of all titles. 23. Pharmacists, their deputies and assistants of all titles. 24. Nurses, their deputies and assistants of all titles. 25. Medical and paramedical technicians and assistants. 25. Medical and paramedical technicians and assistants. 26. Engineers, their deputies and assistants of all titles. 27. Professors, teachers, scholars, their deputies and assistants, with all their titles. 28. Basic and technical functions of information systems, networks, computers and websites. 29. Pilots, flight attendants, their deputies and assistants of all titles. 30. Referees, sports coaches, their deputies and assistants, of all titles. 31. Journalists and media professionals. 32. Professions with the following titles: physicist, chemist, astronomer, geologist, statistician, specialist, commercial agent, commercial broker, liaison officer, sales officer, marketing officer, consultant, ship captain, architectural draftsman, aircraft mechanic.
Arab Times
13-08-2025
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The decision followed a special study on visas conducted to meet the leadership's aspirations, under the supervision of the acting Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior Major General Ali Al-Adwani. The four categories of tourist visas are: Category One - Citizens of approved countries, determined based on the Global Peace Index, passport strength, and per capita income. These countries have no additional requirements and can choose from six tourist visa options - single or multiple entries, with stay durations of one, two, three, six months, or one year, provided each entry does not exceed one month. Category Two - Residents of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, residents of countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Schengen countries, as well as holders of tourist visas for these countries. These individuals can obtain a tourist visa if they belong to approved medium- or high-level professions that demonstrate the financial solvency necessary for tourism, residence, and travel in Kuwait. Currently, no proof of income is required as long as they reside in a Gulf country. Category Three (Under study) - This will be an open visa for anyone wishing to visit Kuwait for tourism who does not fall under categories one or two. It will require proof of financial solvency, such as a bank statement. Category Four - For local and international events and activities. Its requirements and duration are determined at the time of each event, such as the Gulf Cup, Asian Cup, or exhibitions held in Kuwait, based on the event's needs. Colonel Al-Kandari went on to explain that any resident can now apply for family visits and bring their relatives to stay in Kuwait, as the salary requirement has been abolished. Kinship ties have been expanded to include relatives up to the third and fourth degrees, allowing the entire family to be brought in. In addition, any commercial institution or company in Kuwait can apply for business visits through the 'Kuwait Visa' platform to submit visa applications. The process begins with approval, followed by payment, after which the visa is issued electronically. Once the application is submitted and the form is completed with a passport photo, the visa is typically issued within approximately five minutes and is ready for the applicant. Colonel Al-Kandari emphasized that no nationality is barred from entry, provided the applicant meets the established requirements and regulations. He said Kuwait welcomes everyone and urges people to obtain information from official sources via the Kuwait Visa platform, which offers full details on the four types of visas and operates 24/7 with technical support staff available to answer any inquiries. During a visual presentation at the Center for Government Communication (CGC), Al-Kandari detailed the electronic visa process, highlighting necessary documents, security restrictions, and the requirements for each visa category. He underscored that tourists, business visitors, and government guests must comply with all instructions to ensure smooth processing. The Interior Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing visa procedures and promoting Kuwait as an attractive destination for tourism, business, and international events. Below is a list of professions approved for obtaining tourist visas to Kuwait for residents of GCC countries: 1. Presidents, their deputies and assistants, with all their titles. 2. Ministers, their deputies and assistants, with all their titles. 3. Council members, their deputies and assistants, with all their titles. 4. Secretaries-General, their deputies and assistants, with all their titles. 5. Undersecretaries, their deputies and assistants of all titles. 6. Governors, their deputies and assistants, with all their titles. 7. Members of the diplomatic corps and staff of embassies and diplomatic consulates. 8. General managers, directors, their deputies and assistants, with all their titles. 9. Judges, prosecutors and lawyers. 10. Muftis, their deputies and assistants, with all their titles. 11. A member of the academic and university education, his deputies and assistants, with all their titles (Dean of the College - Assistant Dean - University Teaching Assistant - University Professor - Lecturer - etc.). 12. Holders of golden residency (permanent or temporary) in the GCC countries. 13. Investors, businessmen, employers and partners. 14. Owners of companies and commercial establishments. 15. Representatives of companies and commercial institutions. 16. Property owners. 17. Advisors, their deputies and assistants of all titles. 18. Experts, their deputies and assistants, with all their titles. 19. Senior jobs in tourism, travel and hospitality. 20. Financial intermediaries for bonds and securities. 21. Accountants, auditors, regulators, and economic and financial analysts. 22. Physicians, surgeons, their deputies and assistants of all titles. 23. Pharmacists, their deputies and assistants of all titles. 24. Nurses, their deputies and assistants of all titles. 25. Medical and paramedical technicians and assistants. 25. Medical and paramedical technicians and assistants. 26. Engineers, their deputies and assistants of all titles. 27. Professors, teachers, scholars, their deputies and assistants, with all their titles. 28. Basic and technical functions of information systems, networks, computers and websites. 29. Pilots, flight attendants, their deputies and assistants of all titles. 30. Referees, sports coaches, their deputies and assistants, of all titles. 31. Journalists and media professionals. 32. Professions with the following titles: physicist, chemist, astronomer, geologist, statistician, specialist, commercial agent, commercial broker, liaison officer, sales officer, marketing officer, consultant, ship captain, architectural draftsman, aircraft mechanic.
Arab Times
11-08-2025
- Arab Times
New Tourist Visa Rules: Kuwait Sets Out Four Categories for Tourist Visa
11/08/2025 KUWAIT CITY, Aug 11: The Government Information Center has unveiled four categories of tourist visas tailored to meet the diverse needs of various travelers. Visa validity for the first and second categories ranges from 30 days up to 360 days, depending on the selected options. The first category is open to citizens of countries with powerful passports and strong economic indicators, providing a variety of visa options. The second category covers Gulf citizens and expats with professional qualifications, along with individuals holding valid US, UK, or Schengen visas or residence permits of GCC countries. The third category, which will be launched soon, is intended for other nationalities who can provide proof of financial statement and necessary guarantees. The fourth category covers visitors attending events and activities in Kuwait, with conditions applied based on each specific event. Visas Visa Validity Duration of Stay Single entry 1 month 30 Days 30 Days Single Entry 2 months 30 Days 60 Days Single Entry 3 months 30 Days 90 Days Multiple Entry 3 months 90 Days 30 Days - Every Month Entry Multiple Entry 6 months 180 Days 30 Days - Every Month Entry Multiple Entry 1 year 360 Days 30 Days - Every Month Entry
