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Khaleej Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Kuwait: 4 visas under new online system explained; fees, duration, how to apply
Everybody is welcome. This was the message Kuwaiti officials conveyed as they announced acomprehensive plan for boosting tourism and attracting visitors by facilitating the process of issuing visas. During a recent press conference, a Kuwaiti official from the General Department of Residency Affairs highlighted how the revamped visa procedures have simplified the process for visitors planning to travel to the Gulf nation. The overhaul provides four types of online visas for all nationals except for Israelis, Lieutenant Colonel Abdulaziz Al-Kandari, Assistant Director of Electronic Services at the department said. Here are the four new options made available by the Kuwaiti authorities: 1. Tourist visa There are four categories of tourist visas under the new system: 1 - Nationals of 52 countries are eligible for a visa without restrictions. They are only required to have a passport valid for more than six months from the date of entry. These countries are: Spain-Portugal-Czech Republic-Denmark-Sweden-The Vatican-Germany-Norway-Finland-Japan-Greece-Ireland-Australia-Estonia-Italy-Andorra-Iceland-Brunei-UK-Belgium-Bulgaria-Bhutan-Poland-US-Romania-San Morino-Slovakia-Slovenia-Singapore-Switzerland-France-Croatia-Cambodia-Canada-South Korea-Latvia-Laos-Luxembourg-Malta-Malaysia-Monaco-New Zealand-Hungary-The Netherlands-Hong Kong-Austria-Ukraine-Georgia-Cyprus-Liechtenstein-Lithuania-Turkey) 2 - Professionals with financial capacity for travel and tourism, and who are residents of GCC countries, US, UK and Schengen nations. They must have: Passport valid for over 6 months For GCC residents: Valid residency that clearly shows the profession and is valid for over 6 months Eligible professions include judges and prosecutors, businessmen, managers, doctors and pharmacists, lawyers, members of the diplomatic corps, university professors, shareholders, directors and officers, engineers, consultants, journalists and media professionals, system analysts and computer programmers, pilots 3 - Nationals of other countries (Not activated yet) This category includes those who prove their financial capacity by methods specified by the Kuwaiti authorities. They are required to have: Passport valid for more than six months from the date of entry Proof of financial solvency through a recent bank statement Confirmed hotel reservation for the entire duration of stay An insurance amount of money will be charged via the visitor's credit card (Visa or MasterCard) at the time of visa payment. This amount is collected in case of violation and refunded upon departure. 4 - Visa applicants pertaining to international and local events and activities. Requirements for this category will be determined according to each event or activity at the time. Tourist visas come in two forms: Single entry for 1, 2, or 3 months with a validity of 30 days. Multiple entries for 3, 6 months or 1 year with a stay not exceeding 30 days per entry. 2. Family visit visa To get this visa, applicants are required to provide a proof of family relationship in a document in Arabic or translated into Arabic by a certified translation office. This document can be a marriage contract or a birth certificate. The relationship can be up to the fourth degree of blood relation or third degree by marriage. Family visit visas come in two forms: Single entry for 1, 2, or 3 months with a validity of 30 days Multiple entries for 3, 6 months, or 1 year, with a stay not exceeding 30 days per entry. 3. Business visa It is granted to individuals whom a private entity—such as a company or organisation—wishes to invite for a visit for business purposes. It comes in two forms: Single entry for 1 month with a validity of 30 days Multiple entries for 3, 6 months, or 1 year, with a stay not exceeding 30 days per entry. 4. Government visa Granted to individuals whom a government entity wishes to invite to visit Kuwait from abroad for purposes related to that government entity. There are no specific requirements to obtain a government visit visa; rather, the government entities determine the need for the visit. It comes in two forms: Single entry for 1, 2, or 3 months, with a validity of 30 days. Multiple entries for 3, 6 months, or 1 year, with a stay not exceeding 30 days per entry. Fees, how to apply The fee for the new visas is 3 Kuwaiti dinars (around Dh36). For a detailed, step by step guide on how to apply, check this video: #CGCKuwait — Ù�رÙ�ز اÙ�Ø°Ù�اصÙ� اÙ�ØÙ�Ù�Ù�Ù� (@CGCKuwait) August 14, 2025
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Kuwait: No more minimum salary requirement for family visit visas, what expats need to know
Visitors to Kuwait can now enter by air, land, or sea using any airline or transport carrier, removing previous restrictions/ Representative image K uwait has officially removed the salary requirement for expatriates applying for family visit visas, in a significant shift aimed at easing entry for extended family members. The move, confirmed by top interior ministry officials, forms part of a wider effort to make Kuwait more accessible to visitors and to strengthen social ties among residents. Just a day earlier, Kuwait had also introduced visa-on-arrival privileges for foreign residents of GCC countries, underscoring the country's broader regional integration goals. TL;DR Kuwait removes minimum salary requirement for family visit visas. Extended family up to fourth degree now eligible for visits. Visa applications processed online in as little as five minutes. Visitors can arrive via any airline or transport mode. Salary barrier removed, all expats can now invite extended family In a major policy overhaul, Kuwait has eliminated the minimum income requirement for expatriates seeking to bring family members on visit visas. Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah authoriz ed the change, which is now officially in effect. Under the updated rules: All expatriates residing legally in Kuwait can apply for family visit visas, regardless of their salary level. The new eligibility extends to relatives up to the fourth degree by blood, and third-degree in-laws by marriage, significantly expanding the previously limited scope which covered only spouses, parents, and children. Colonel Abdulaziz Al Kandari of the General Residency Department's Electronic Services Administration confirmed that the shift aims to support family cohesion and remove bureaucratic hurdles for residents. 'Any legal resident in Kuwait can now apply to host visiting family members, regardless of income,' he said, adding that applications are available through the newly launched Kuwait Visa platform and mobile app, with most complete applications processed in just five minutes. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like These Are The Most Beautiful Women In The World Undo The family visit visa is valid for one month, with the option to arrive via air, land, or sea, using any carrier. This marks another major update, as visitors are no longer required to travel exclusively with Kuwaiti airlines such as Kuwait Airways or Al-Jazeera Airways. A unified platform offering four visa categories The visa reforms are part of the government's broader plan to modernize and digitize the immigration process. The Kuwait Visa platform, available via website and mobile application, now issues four distinct types of visas: Tourist Visa Family Visit Visa Business Visa Governmental Visa Each category serves specific needs, with streamlined online procedures for faster processing. The business visa, for instance, allows Kuwaiti companies to invite foreign business partners, with fees varying based on nationality. Detailed breakdown of tourist visa categories Tourist visas issued via the platform are classified into four categories, each with different eligibility conditions: Category 1: Nationals of 53 countries, mostly Western and developed nations. Includes 41 European countries, 8 Asian countries (such as Japan, Singapore, Brunei, South Korea, Hong Kong, Laos, Cambodia, and Malaysia), and the USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Eligible individuals can obtain visas on arrival or through online application. No additional conditions or documentation required. Authorities still recommend applying online to avoid potential delays due to security screening. Category 2: Open to foreign residents of GCC countries, as well as individuals holding valid US, UK, Canadian, or Schengen visas. No longer requires proof of profession level, as the earlier stipulation for "medium to high" profession holders has been removed. No need for salary certificate or bank statement. Required documents: Passport copy Personal photo Confirmed air ticket Hotel booking Visa options: Single-entry: valid for 1, 2, or 3 months. Multiple-entry: valid for 3 months, 6 months, or 1 year (maximum stay: 1 month per entry). Category 3: For applicants not eligible under Categories 1 or 2. Must show proof of financial capacity through bank account statements. Final rules are still under review. Category 4: For individuals attending entertainment or sports events in Kuwait. Applications will open only during event periods. GCC expat residents now get visa on arrival, no prior application Just a day before the family visa reforms, Kuwait introduced a separate but equally significant change: foreign residents of GCC countries can now obtain tourist visas on arrival. The decision was introduced by First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah, and applies to expatriates living in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, or Kuwait, as long as their residency permit is valid for at least six months. Unlike before, there are no restrictions based on nationality, and travelers no longer need to apply in advance or go through embassies. The visa is issued directly at any entry point, by land, sea, or air, making travel to Kuwait much easier for non-GCC nationals living in the region. This move replaces older, more restrictive policies and is part of a wider shift across the Gulf to open up travel for residents. It also supports Kuwait's efforts to grow its tourism sector, which is expected to generate over $1.13 billion by 2025 through increased regional mobility and visitor numbers. FAQs: Q. Who can apply for the family visit visa under the new rules? Any legal expatriate resident in Kuwait can apply, regardless of income. Q. Which relatives are now eligible for family visit visas? Relatives up to the fourth degree by blood and third degree by marriage. Q. How long is the family visit visa valid? The visa is valid for one month only. Q. Do visitors have to use Kuwait's national airlines to enter? No, visitors can arrive by air, land, or sea using any carrier.
Zawya
6 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Now, no more salary cap for Kuwait family visit visas
KUWAIT CITY: The Ministry of Interior has confirmed that the issuance of tourist visas is open to all nationalities, provided applicants meet the specified conditions. Lists of approved countries and eligible professions are reviewed periodically in line with global indicators. Colonel Abdulaziz Al-Kandari, from the Ministry's Residency Affairs Sector, stated that the move aims to attract more visitors to Kuwait and offer them a distinctive tourism experience. He explained that there are four identified categories eligible for the tourist visa, each with multiple options and specific requirements. On family visit visas, Al-Kandari told Kuwait TV that expats can now bring their family members to Kuwait without the previously required minimum salary condition. The eligibility has also been expanded beyond spouses and children, allowing applications for relatives up to the fourth degree of kinship and the third degree by marriage. He highlighted that, unlike the previous system, the updated process no longer requires visitors to travel via Kuwait's national carrier. Additionally, the visa application process has undergone full digital transformation through the launch of the 'Kuwait Visa' platform, developed in cooperation with the General Administration of Information Systems. Arab Times | © Copyright 2024, All Rights Reserved Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
