Kuwait’s New Visa-on-Arrival and All Other Visa Types for Foreign Traveler

Kuwait now offers visa-on-arrival to all GCC expats, alongside new e-visa options and entry requirements for tourism, business, and family visas.

Kuwait has opened its borders wider to foreign residents of neighboring Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The new decision allows all the residents or expats living in Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain to obtain a tourist visa on arrival at all entry points into Kuwait.

The move takes immediate effect. It replaces a 2008 regulation that had allowed visa-on-arrival to only specific professions like doctors, lawyer, teacher, judge, engineers, and executives.

Eligibility and requirements

Under the new rules, any foreign national residing in a GCC country can apply for a visa on arrival, provided they hold a valid residence permit in that country for at least six months. The tourist visa will be issued directly at Kuwait’s ports of entry after immigration officials verify the applicant’s residency status.

The visa is valid for up to 90 days and is open to an estimated 25 million foreign residents across the GCC. Nationals from Europe, North America, parts of Latin America, and several Asian countries, like China, Japan, and Singapore, have long been eligible for visa-on-arrival access, but this marks the first time the benefit has been extended to all GCC expatriates.

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The new measure is part of a broader easing of Kuwait’s entry rules over the past 15 months. The government has:

• Extended family visit visas to allow stays of up to one month;
• Allowed hotels to sponsor visitors; and
• Made it easier for companies to secure business visas for foreign partners.

In July 2025, Kuwait also launched a nationwide e-visa platform under its Vision 2035 initiative, covering tourist, family, business, and official visas, with processing times as short as one to three business days.

Current visa categories in Kuwait (2025)

Kuwait offers a range of visa options which suits different travel purposes:

• Tourist visa: Tourist visa is valid for up to 90 days for leisure and sightseeing purposes. It is available via the new e-visa system or on arrival for eligible travelers.
• Family visit visa: It allows relatives to visit residents for up to 30 days, but it needs to be sponsored by a Kuwaiti resident.
• Business visa: This visa is valid for 30 days and is granted for business meetings, conferences, and trade events. It also requires an invitation from a Kuwaiti company.
• Official/Government visa: It is for diplomatic or government delegations and remains valid for 30 days. It is issued only upon official invitation.
• Work/Employment Visa: Its duration depends on the job contract and requires job offer, medical certificates and police clearances.
• Transit Visa: It is valid up to seven days for travelers in airport transit through Kuwait exceeding 24 hours.
• Multiple Entry Visa: Valid for up to one year for frequent visitors, including business and family purposes.

How to apply

Travelers can apply through:

E-Visa system:
Accessed via Kuwait’s official e-visa portal (evisa.moi.gov.kw). Applicants fill out the online form, upload documents such as passport scans and photos, pay fees (USD 10–30 for most tourist visas), and receive the visa by email within a few days:

• Visit the official Kuwait e-visa portal
• Select the appropriate visa category for your travel purpose
• Complete the online application form with your passport and travel details
• Upload the required documents (passport scan, recent photo, hotel bookings, and any applicable invitation letters)
• Pay the online visa fees, which range from US$10 to US$30 depending on nationality.
• Track the application status using the provided reference number
• Receive the e-visa by email within 1 to 3 business days of processing

Visa on arrival is also available at Kuwait International Airport and other entry points. GCC expats who meet the new criteria can get the visa after document verification. GCC citizens get visa free entry only with their national IDs.

It is also possible to submit application at nearest Kuwaiti embassy or consulate. This would require in-person submission and physical documents, which could have a longer processing period.

Visa requirements for entry into Kuwait

Foreign nationals seeking to enter Kuwait needs to present proper documents within the given deadlines. The list of mandatory documents varies by visa category, but all applicants must hold a valid passport and meet set identification and health criteria.

Required documents are:

• The passport must be valid for at least six months from the intended date of entry and contain a minimum of two blank pages;
• The applicant must provide a recent passport-style photograph with a white background, taken within the past six months;
• A medical certificate is required for work visas, covering an HIV test and general health screening;
• A police clearance certificate is required for work visas;
• The applicant must submit an invitation letter for family and business visa applications; and
• The applicant must provide proof of financial capacity, such as bank statements and confirmed hotel reservations.

Conclusion

These updates mark Kuwait’s most substantial visa policy reforms in recent years. They align with the country’s Vision 2035 strategy, which seeks to boost tourism, encourage regional mobility, and support economic diversification.

Kuwait’s new visa-on-arrival scheme for GCC expatriates marks one of the country’s most inclusive travel reforms in years, simplifying access for millions of foreign residents in the region. Coupled with its expanded e-visa system and relaxed entry requirements, the changes are part of a broader effort to boost tourism, encourage regional mobility, and align with its Vision 2035 economic diversification goals.

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