General Information » Entering Kuwait » Visas

Visit visas are now processed on arrival at Kuwait International Airport for passport holders from the 34 countries listed below. The cost is KD 3, except for citizens of the UK, USA, Italy, Norway and Sweden, for whom there is no charge.

All other visitors to Kuwait, other than GCC citizens, require a visa and need to be ‘sponsored’. Sponsorship may only be provided by a Kuwaiti citizen or a Kuwaiti company. Foreigners with a valid residence permit are permitted to sponsor dependants. Five-star hotels are able to arrange visas for their guests.

Visit visas are valid for entry into Kuwait 30 days from the date of issue, and allow a maximum stay of 30 days from the date of entry. Remaining in Kuwait for longer than the permitted period will result in a fine of KD 10 for every day or part thereof, and the possible ‘black-listing’ of the sponsor. Any fines incurred have to be paid at the Immigration Department in Shuwaikh prior to departure; you are not able to pay the fines at the airport.

Should you know that you will not be able to leave Kuwait at the end of the permitted 30 day period, it is possible to obtain a visa extension, although this can only be done prior to the expiry of the original visa. Visitors are allowed a maximum of two one-month extensions.

Business Visas

In order for a business visa to be issued the visitor will require sponsorship by a Kuwaiti sponsor or company.

Multi-entry Visas

Multi-entry visas are essentially visit visas; however, the holder of the multi-entry visa may enter and exit Kuwait any number of times over a given period. Multi-entry visas tend to be given for three or six months. A business visa may be converted to a multi-entry visa whilst the holder is in Kuwait, but a visit visa processed on arrival may not.

Transit Visas

Transit visas may be obtained from a Kuwaiti Embassy or from the Kuwait Port Authority should you arrive by sea. They are valid for a period of seven days. You must be able to show a confirmed onward ticket when arriving in Kuwait by air, and have a valid visa, if required, for you next destination.

Work Permits

Work permits may be obtained under Articles 17 (public sector) or 18 (private sector) of the Kuwait Labour Law (see Labour Law, [p.55]). A summary of the process follows;

• The employment offer is made and accepted.

• The sponsor/employer applies for the work permit at the MSA&L (Ministry of Social Affairs & Labour).

• Private sector employers obtain an NOC (No Objection Certificate) from the Criminal Investigation Department after submission of the employee’s particulars (copy of passport). In addition, a certificate of go...