Revamping Visa Policies to Invigorate Domestic Economy
In a significant move, Kuwait is revamping its visit visa policies, aiming to attract more visitors and strengthen family and social ties for expatriates residing in the country. The new reforms, announced by Colonel Abdul Aziz Al-Kandari, head of the Residency Affairs Sector, align with Kuwait's new vision and the aspirations of the political leadership.
The changes include expanding tourist visa issuance, removing nationality restrictions, abolishing mandatory travel by the national carrier, and eliminating the salary requirement for family visit visas.
Tourist Visas
Kuwait now grants a 90-day tourist visa on arrival to all foreign residents of GCC countries (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman) holding valid residency permits with at least six months’ validity. This expands access from a previous rule that limited visa-on-arrival to certain professions.
Removal of Nationality Restrictions
Citizens of many countries across Europe, North America, Latin America, and Asia already enjoy e-visa or visa-on-arrival. The new tourist visa reforms further liberalize access for GCC residents, broadening eligibility to a combined approx. 25 million people.
Family Visit Visa Reforms
Kuwait has removed the minimum salary requirement for expatriates sponsoring family visit visas, allowing all legal residents to invite immediate and extended family members (up to fourth-degree blood relatives and third-degree in-laws).
Travel Carrier Flexibility
The previous rule requiring visitors to enter Kuwait only via the national carrier has been abolished. Visitors can now arrive by any mode of transport or airline (air, land, sea).
Visa Application Processing
Family visit visa applications can now be processed online in as little as five minutes, simplifying procedures.
The Kuwait Visa platform, introduced for digital transformation in visa processing, offers four services: tourist visas, family visit visas, government visit visas, and business visas. The platform, in cooperation with the General Administration of Information Systems, allows visitors to obtain visas electronically without visiting the Residency Affairs Departments.
Business visits can be applied for electronically, with companies and institutions submitting applications, documents, and paying fees online. The platform consists of a website and a smartphone application.
The new visa policies are part of Kuwait’s broader efforts to liberalize visa policies, attract more visitors, and strengthen family and social ties for expatriates residing in the country.
[1] Al-Rai, 2022 [2] Al-Seyassah, 2022 [3] Arab Times, 2022 [4] Kuwait Times, 2022 [5] Gulf Times, 2022
