Latest news with #ElectronicServicesDepartment
Arab Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Arab Times
Kuwait Welcomes the World, Keeps Ban on Israelis
KUWAIT CITY, Aug 14: Director of the Electronic Services Department at the General Department of Residency Colonel Abdulaziz Al-Kandari says there is no ban on the entry of any nationality to Kuwait except for Israeli nationals, as there is a clear Amiri Decree stating that Kuwait is in a state of war with Israel. He stressed that every decision taken by the Ministry of Interior is based on thorough studies that consider both immediate and long-term implications, with regulations developed accordingly. During a visual presentation titled 'Kuwait Visa Platform... New Entry Visas' at the Government Communication Center, Colonel Al-Kandari explained the new system that is introduced through the 'Kuwait Visa' platform. He highlighted the main updates aimed at facilitating the procedures for issuing various entry visas, noting that the new electronic visa system enhances Kuwait's position as an attractive destination for tourists. Colonel Al-Kandari began the presentation with a detailed explanation of the new entry visas, including the lists of approved countries and professions. He explained that each visa type has specific controls and requirements that must be met. Among the most prominent requirements for obtaining a tourist visa are that the applicant must not be subject to any restrictions or security concerns, must pay the prescribed fees, and must submit all required documents. The tourist visa is divided into four main categories. The first category includes 52 approved countries whose citizens can obtain a tourist visa without restrictions, provided their passport is valid for more than six months from the date of entry. These 52 countries are the following: Austria; Malta; Ukraine; Georgia; Belgium; Cyprus; Liechtenstein; Vatican City; Lithuania; Turkey; Australia; Finland; Portugal; Iceland; Romania; Croatia; Japan; Czech Republic; Brunei; San Marino; Greece; United Kingdom; Denmark; Cambodia; Slovakia; Ireland; Canada; Malaysia; Monaco; Slovenia; South Korea; New Zealand; Latvia; Hungary; Laos; Netherlands; Sweden; Spain; Bulgaria; Singapore; Bhutan; Switzerland; Estonia; Germany; Italy; Norway; Poland; France; Luxembourg; United States; Andorra; Hong Kong. The second category covers professionals with financial solvency for travel and tourism, as well as residents of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, the United States, the United Kingdom, and European Union (Schengen) countries. This category also requires a passport valid for more than six months from the date of entry. The residents of GCC countries must present proof of GCC residency. The residency document must clearly state the profession and expiration date and must be valid for more than six months from the date of entry. The third category, which has not yet come into effect and is currently under development, includes visitors from other countries who can prove financial solvency through criteria set by the administration. This category requires a passport valid for more than six months from the date of entry, a recent bank statement as proof of financial solvency, and a confirmed hotel reservation for the duration of the stay. A security deposit will be held from the visitor's credit card (Visa or MasterCard) at the time of visa payment. This deposit will be forfeited in the event of a violation and refunded upon departure. The fourth category is designated for international and local events, with requirements determined based on the nature of each event at the time. Colonel Al-Kandari stressed that tourist visit visas to Kuwait are divided into two types - 'single-entry' visas, which are valid for one, two, or three months with a stay of up to 30 days, and 'multiple-entry' visas, which are valid for three months, six months, or one year, with each stay not exceeding 30 days per entry. Colonel Al-Kandari also highlighted the amendments to family visas, explaining that the most important controls and requirements include: providing proof of kinship through a document in Arabic or translated into Arabic by an accredited translation office, presenting documents such as a marriage contract or birth certificate, and that the relationship must be within the fourth degree of kinship or the third degree through marriage. He noted that family visit visas are divided into two categories. The first is 'single-entry' for one, two, or three months with a stay of up to 30 days; and the second is 'multiple-entry' for three, six, or one year, provided that each stay does not exceed 30 days per entry. As for the commercial visa, which is issued to individuals invited by a civil entity, institution, or company for business purposes, Colonel Al-Kandari explained that it includes two categories: 'single-entry' for one month with a stay of up to 30 days, and 'multiple-entry' for three, six, or one year, with each stay not exceeding 30 days per entry.
Arab Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Arab Times
Full List Revealed: Are You Eligible For A Kuwait Tourist Visa?
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
5 days ago
- Business
- Arab Times
Full List Revealed: Eligible GCC Expats For A Kuwait Tourist Visa
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 - 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
5 days ago
- Business
- Arab Times
New e-visa system positions Kuwait as a top tourist destination
KUWAIT CITY, Aug 13: The Ministry of Interior (MoI) has unveiled a new electronic visa system aimed at streamlining the entry process for various types of visas. This initiative is expected to significantly enhance Kuwait's position as an attractive tourist destination. Colonel Abdulaziz Al-Kandari, Director of the Electronic Services Department at the General Administration of Residency Affairs, highlighted the importance of the new system during a presentation at the Government Communication Center titled "Kuwait Visa Platform... New Entry Visas." In his address, Colonel Al-Kandari provided a detailed explanation of the updated entry visa procedures, focusing on the new requirements and classifications available on the "Kuwait Visa" platform. He also reviewed the most prominent amendments introduced to the visa categories. Key visa categories Colonel Al-Kandari explained that the tourist visa is divided into four main categories, each with specific criteria: First Category: Unrestricted Tourist Visa: This category allows nationals from 52 countries to obtain a tourist visa without any restrictions. Visitors must ensure their passports are valid for more than six months from the date of entry. Second Category: Professionals and Gulf Residents: This category is for professionals who are residents of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, as well as residents of the United States, United Kingdom, and European Union (Schengen) countries. In addition to having a passport valid for over six months, applicants must provide proof of their Gulf residency, which must clearly state their profession and expiry date. Third Category: Financially Solvent Applicants (Under Development): This category applies to nationals from other countries who can prove their financial solvency. Applicants will need to provide a recent bank statement, a confirmed hotel reservation, and a valid passport. A credit card security deposit (Visa or MasterCard) will be required upon visa payment, which will be returned upon departure, barring any violations. Fourth Category: Special Events and Activities: This visa is granted for attendees of international and local events and activities, with specific requirements set according to each event. Types of tourist visas Tourist visas to Kuwait are categorized into two types: Single entry visa: Valid for one, two, or three months, with each entry allowing a 30-day stay. Multiple-entry visa: Valid for three, six, or twelve months, with each entry permitting a stay of up to 30 days. Family visit visas Family visit visas are subject to new amendments. Applicants must now provide proof of kinship through documents such as a marriage certificate or birth certificate. The relationship must be within the fourth degree of kinship or the third degree of marriage. Similar to tourist visas, family visit visas are available in both single and multiple entry categories, with a maximum stay of 30 days per entry. Commercial and government visas Commercial visas: These are granted to individuals invited by a civil authority, institution, or company for business purposes. These visas are also available as single or multiple entry, with stays not exceeding 30 days per entry. Government visas: Issued to individuals invited by a government authority for specific purposes. There are no additional special requirements for these visas, as government agencies assess the need for each visit. Like the other categories, government visit visas are available in single and multiple entry formats. Colonel Al-Kandari concluded by emphasizing Kuwait's commitment to making the visa process more efficient, transparent, and accessible for visitors from around the world. He also underscored the importance of these reforms in positioning Kuwait as a premier destination for tourism, business, and government-related visits.
