Latest news with #GeneralDirectorateofResidencyAffairs
Arab Times
4 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
4 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.
Gulf Insider
18-07-2025
- Business
- Gulf Insider
Kuwait Launches New Online Visa Portal
The Kuwait Ministry of Interior has launched a new online visa platform that allows foreign nationals to apply for e-visas. The portal enables users to submit visa applications for approved categories and access detailed visa guidelines before travelling to the country. Launched under the directives of First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al Yousef, the platform supports four major visa types: government, business, family, and tourism. The new Kuwait visa portal enables visitors to apply for the following: Government visa: Issued to officials or government employees visiting Kuwait for official purposes. Valid for 30 days from the date of entry. Issued to officials or government employees visiting Kuwait for official purposes. Valid for 30 days from the date of entry. Business visa: Issued for commercial visits such as meetings or establishing partnerships. Requires a local sponsor. Valid for 30 days from the date of entry. Issued for commercial visits such as meetings or establishing partnerships. Requires a local sponsor. Valid for 30 days from the date of entry. Family visa: Issued to individuals visiting family members residing in Kuwait. Valid for 30 days from the date of entry Issued to individuals visiting family members residing in Kuwait. Valid for 30 days from the date of entry Tourist visa: Issued to visitors entering Kuwait for leisure or tourism. Entry permit is valid for 30 days from issuance, with a maximum stay of 90 days from the date of entry. Each of these visas is single-entry and does not permit employment. The platform also outlines full details for residency permits, visit visas, and special entry categories, including entry durations, document requirements, and applicable fees or penalties. Kuwait issues residency entry permits under the following categories: Government work Private Sector work Domestic workers and similar cases Commercial or industrial activity Family dependents Students Temporary government contracts منصة كويت فيزاKuwait Visa Portalhttps:// — مركز التواصل الحكومي (@CGCKuwait) July 16, 2025 Passport validity: Minimum 1 year and 6 months Minimum 1 year and 6 months Entry permit validity: 90 days from the date of issuance 90 days from the date of issuance Stay duration (pre-residency): Up to 60 days from the date of entry Up to 60 days from the date of entry Criminal record certificate: Required from the home country (issued within 90 days), or from the country of residence if the applicant has lived there for two years Required from the home country (issued within 90 days), or from the country of residence if the applicant has lived there for two years Post-arrival process: Must report to the General Directorate of Residency Affairs to finalise residency Must report to the General Directorate of Residency Affairs to finalise residency Note: Entry permit is considered invalid if it does not match the passport details Visit visas include: Government visit visa Family visit visa Private visit visa General conditions Passport validity: Minimum 6 months Minimum 6 months Entry permit validity: 30 days from issuance 30 days from issuance Maximum stay: 30 days from the date of entry 30 days from the date of entry Entry type: Single entry Single entry Employment: Strictly prohibited Visa type Stay duration Entry validity Entries Notes Tourist visa 90 days 30 days from issuance Single Work prohibited Business visa 30 days 30 days from issuance Single Requires local sponsor Multiple entry visa 30 days per entry Up to 1 year Multiple Work prohibited Transit visa 7 days 30 days from issuance Single Must hold visa for destination Transport drivers 14 days 30 days from issuance Single Work prohibited Emergency visa 7 days 30 days from issuance Single Work prohibited Visa type Entry fee Overstay penalty All residency visas KD3 (~$10) KD2/day ($6.50 in the first month, KD4/$13 thereafter) Visa Type Entry Fee Overstay Penalty Government Visit Visa KD3 (~$10) KD10/day (~$33) Family Visit Visa KD3 (~$10) KD10/day (~$33) Private Visit Visa KD3 (~$10) KD10/day (~$33) Tourism Visit Visa KD3 (~$10) KD10/day (~$33) Business Visit Visa KD3 (~$10) KD10/day (~$33) Multiple Entry Visa KD3 + KD/month (~$3.25/month) KD10/day (~$33) Transit Visa KD2 (~$6.50) KD10/day (~$33) Transport Drivers Visa KD3 (~$10) KD10/day (~$33) Emergency Visa KD3 (~$10) KD10/day (~$33) All visa holders must exit Kuwait before the visa expires Employment is not permitted under visit or transit visas Entry permits must match passport details exactly Criminal record certificates are required for all residency permits For official applications and complete visa information, visit the new Kuwait visa portal. Also read: Kerala Teen Electrocuted At school; Mother Working In Kuwait Yet To Learn Of Son's Death
Arab Times
26-05-2025
- Business
- Arab Times
Kuwait Tightens Enforcement on Family Visa Rules for Expats
KUWAIT CITY, May 26: Under the latest ministerial decision, the Kuwaiti Residence Affairs Investigations Department has recently summoned dozens of expatriates for violating family visa regulations. The violators were granted a one-month grace period to either regularize their status or return their families to their home countries. The move targets expatriates who initially met the KD 800 salary requirement and secured family visas (Article 22) for their spouses and children, but later fell short of income. While their initial applications were approved based on valid work permits and salaries exceeding KD 800, subsequent job changes or salary reductions placed them in breach of the updated visa conditions. The source emphasized that the KD 800 salary requirement was implemented based on studies ensuring that expatriates can provide a decent standard of living for their dependents. The Interior Ministry has clarified that all expatriates, regardless of nationality or educational qualification, can apply for family visas, provided they meet the salary condition. According to the source, the government's automated systems are key in detecting fraudulent transactions and cross-verifying data across departments such as the General Directorate of Residency Affairs and the General Traffic Department. The updated rules stem from Ministerial Resolution No. 56 of 2024, initially introduced in January by First Deputy Prime Minister and Acting Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Yousef Al-Sabah. The resolution initially required applicants to earn at least KD 800, hold a university degree, and work in a profession matching their qualifications. However, an amendment in July 2024 allowed expatriates without degrees to bring in their families, provided their salary met the KD 800 threshold. Under Article 29 of the amended regulation, family residency can only be granted to those earning no less than KD 800 per month from work related to their designated profession. Exceptions may be granted for children under five or those born inside Kuwait, subject to the discretion of the Director General of Residency Affairs.
