Kuwait has launched a new tourist visa system that breaks down entry into four distinct categories, aimed at making travel easier and more flexible for different types of visitors.
This change reflects Kuwait’s effort to attract a wider range of tourists and business travelers by tailoring visa options to passport strength, qualifications, and travel history.
Kuwait’s revamped tourist visa system is split into four clear categories.
Each one targets a specific type of traveller, based on nationality, visa history, or purpose of visit.
The new system divides visitors into four groups:
Category 1: Travelers from countries with strong passports and stable economies get the easiest access, with more visa options and fewer restrictions.
Category 2: This includes GCC citizens, skilled expatriates living in the Gulf, and travelers holding valid US, UK, or Schengen visas. The government said this category “makes it easier for skilled professionals and frequent travellers to get access, especially those already vetted by other major visa systems.”
Category 3: Set to launch soon, this category will cover nationals outside the first two groups, requiring proof of financial stability.
Category 4: Designed for visitors coming for specific events such as conferences, sports, or cultural activities. Visa terms will vary depending on the event.
Kuwait offers a range of visa lengths and entry options to suit different travel plans:
Kuwait also introduced visa-on-arrival for GCC residents who hold a valid residency permit with at least six months remaining and a valid passport. This move simplifies regional travel significantly.
Kuwait’s updated system aims to align visa rules with traveler profiles, offering more tailored, flexible options while improving border control efficiency.
It benefits visitors with clearer categories and easier access based on their travel history and purpose.
Kuwait has recently made several important changes to its visa policies aimed at making the country more welcoming to tourists, business travelers, and expatriate families, while strengthening its position as a regional travel hub.
Kuwait has also expanded family visit visa eligibility to include relatives up to the fourth degree, an important shift considering the cultural emphasis on extended family in many expatriate communities.