Visit World - US Citizens Traveling to Kuwait: Entry Rules, Visa Requirements & Regulations

All tourists must obtain an insurance policy for the entire period of their stay in the country.

A travel insurance policy must have a minimum coverage of 30 000 euros.

—

Kuwaiti Migration Department has stopped issuing tourist and family visas to foreigners since the 28th of June. The decision was made due to the fact that the country's authorities are developing a new system of entry documents and a mechanism for their issuance.

—

A visa is a mandatory requirement for entry into Kuwait for most foreigners.

Citizens of Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE do not need a tourist visa. Entry for such citizens is possible in the presence of a passport, the validity of which is at least 6 months after the planned day of departure.

—

Tourists can obtain a visa before arrival through a Kuwaiti embassy or consulate abroad. Also, tourists can obtain an electronic visa using the website before the trip. With an electronic visa, a tourist has the right to stay in Kuwait for no more than 3 months.

—

List of countries whose citizens can obtain an electronic visa.

—

The Kuwait tourist visa is valid for 90 days (3 months). It allows its holder to stay in Kuwait for 30 days after entry. Tourists must not engage in work or business activities during their stay in Kuwait.

—

To apply for an electronic visa through the website, you need:

Fill out the application form;
Confirm all data according to the form;
Receive an electronic visa by e-mail within 3 days;
After successfully obtaining the visa, a fee of 3 KWD must be paid;
Show the e-visa to the immigration officer at the checkpoint.

—

If you do not qualify for an e-Visa, apply for a regular tourist visa at your nearest embassy.

—

What documents are required for a tourist visa?

The main documents:
Visa application form;
Two passport-size photos;
Foreign passport, the validity of which expires at least 6 months before the end of the trip;
Insurance policy.

What additional documents do I need to have to apply for a visa?

- Hotel reservation: you must provide a confirmed hotel reservation document;

- Confirmed flights: You need to confirm the duration of your stay in Kuwait;

- Bank statements and tax declaration documents;

—

Can I extend my visa to Kuwait?

Yes, you can apply to extend your Kuwait tourist visa for one month twice. The application must be submitted to the Immigration Department before the visa expires.

Travelers who extend their stay will have to pay 10 KWD per day. If the Kuwait tourist visa expires, tourists will not be allowed to leave the country until they pay the full fine.

You may need a transit visa if you plan to stay in the country for more than 24 hours. The visa allows a person to travel to a third country from the territory of Kuwait and can be issued for a period of up to seven days. It can be obtained from a Kuwaiti consulate/embassy abroad or from the port administration.

Applicants must have proof of onward travel (ticket and/or visa for onward destination). Kuwait transit fee is 2 KWD.

To import pets into Kuwait, all pets must have:

1. Microchip for pets;

Your pet must be identified with a microchip to enter Kuwait.

2. Vaccinations;

Your dog or cat must be vaccinated against rabies between 30 days and 12 months after entry.

3. Import permit;

To bring your pet to Kuwait, you must obtain an import permit from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (RAAAFR).

4. Health certificate;

The veterinary certificate for Kuwait must be completed within 10 days of entry and must be stamped by the government of the exporting country responsible for the import and export of animals.

—

Pets can enter Kuwait through Kuwait International Airport in Farwaniya.

Learn more about the rules for importing pets to Kuwait.

dial 112 for medical, fire and ambulance services.

Hotline – 101, Kuwait International Airport hotline – 161

Items that are prohibited for import into the territory of Kuwait:

Narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances;
Weapons, explosives and ammunition;
Alcoholic products;
Pork products;
Video and printed materials of a pornographic and sexual nature;
Any goods of Israeli origin;
Counterfeit money;
Gambling equipment;
Anti-Islamic materials and literature that incites inter-religious enmity;
Ivory products;
Homemade food;
Fresh vegetables, plants and plant products.

—

Things that are not subject to declaration and customs clearance when crossing the state border of Kuwait (duty-free importation):

Personal items (clothing and hygiene items);
Tools of personal use (mobile phones, computers, photo and video equipment with appropriate accessories, sports equipment, etc.);
500 cigarettes or 2 pounds of tobacco;
Medicine for personal use that do not contain narcotic/psychotropic substances;
Sealed food products that are not prohibited for import into the territory of Kuwait.

A domestic driver's license is valid in Kuwait only if you have an international driver's license with you.

To rent a car in Kuwait, you must be 21 years of age or older, and have at least one year of driving experience.

Kuwaiti Embassies in different countries can be found here: https://embassies.mofa.gov.sa/Pages/MapEN.aspx

Visa

Language

Car traffic

Phone code

Currency

Covid

Insurance policy

Minimum passport validity