Okay, now imagine this. You’re at home, scrolling away pointlessly, when your pal says, “Fancy popping over to Kuwait for the weekend?” And instead of launching into the usual embassy paperwork sob story, you just…say yes. Why? Because Kuwait’s only gone and made it ridiculously easy for us lot living in the GCC.
Here’s the deal: If you’re a foreign national with a valid GCC residency permit, and by valid, I mean at least six months left on it, not that one that’s expiring next Tuesday – you can now waltz into Kuwait International Airport and get a tourist visa on arrival. No forms printed in triplicate. No soul-crushing queues at some mystery government office. Just hop off your flight, smile at the nice immigration officer, and boom, you’re in.
Also read: UAE Residents Can Travel Visa-Free to This Country Starting July 1!
Kuwait Awaits – Just Land and You’re Grand!
So, this was all announced by the First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef, and printed in Kuwait Alyoum, which is basically their official “what’s happening” gazette. The old rules from the pre 2010s have been binned, and frankly, good riddance. The whole point, according to the Interior Ministry, is to make travel more spontaneous and align Kuwait with the rest of the GCC. Which is code for: “Pack your bag now, we’ll sort the paperwork later.”
And listen, this isn’t just for beach lovers or souk wanderers. This means more last-minute foodie trips (because apparently Kuwait’s shawarma scene is chef’s kiss), more quick business catch-ups, and more “oh-why-not” weekends.
Also read: Less Than 65 Days To Go! Dubai Fountain Show Is Almost Back – Here’s When!
53 Other Countries That Are Granted Visa On Arrival In Kuwait
Upon the instructions of the Ministry of Interior, nationals of the following countries can also just rock up to Kuwait International Airport and get a visa on arrival. No drama, no suspense. Here’s the big list:
- USA
- UK
- France
- Italy
- Germany
- Canada
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Japan
- Netherlands
- Belgium
- Luxembourg
- Switzerland
- Austria
- Sweden
- Norway
- Denmark
- Portugal
- Greece
- Ireland
- Finland
- Spain
- Monaco
- Vatican
- Iceland
- Andorra
- San Marino
- Liechtenstein
- Brunei
- Singapore
- Malaysia
- Hong Kong
- South Korea
- Bhutan
- Poland
- Georgia
- Ukraine
- Slovenia
- Estonia
- Czech Republic
- Turkey
- Bulgaria
- Romania
- Cyprus
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Cambodia
- Latvia
- Laos
- Lithuania
- Malta
- Croatia
- Hungary
Here’s What Else Need To Know About Kuwait’s Visa On Arrival:
Of course, every dreamy travel plan needs a little reality check, here’s what you should keep in mind, in terms of cost, procedure and the like before you start packing your bags:
- A visa cost of 3 Kuwaiti Dinars may apply when you get your visa, so keep some cash handy for the tourist visa-on-arrival.
- Your passport must be valid for more than six months.
- Holders of temporary travel documents in any form are not eligible.
- You must not have any security restrictions stopping you from entering or exiting Kuwait.
- If any of the info you’ve provided on your application doesn’t match your actual documents, your Visa will be invalid and you won’t be allowed in.
- A tourist visa is valid to enter Kuwait within one month from its issue date (single entry).
- Once you’re in, you can stay for up to three months from your entry date.
- Working while on a tourist visa is strictly forbidden, and will get you into legal trouble.
- Overstaying means fines, possible bans, and other legal headaches.
So basically, pack your passport, check your residency date, and maybe have a look at flights for this weekend. Because when a country throws its doors wide open like this, it would be rude not to take them up on it!
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