(KUWAIT) Kuwait now grants an instant tourist visa on arrival to foreign residents of Gulf Cooperation Council states, including Indians. The policy takes effect August 10, 2025, at airports and land borders, with stays up to 90 days.
It replaces a 2008 rule that limited visas to select professions, opening the door to millions of GCC expats who hold valid residency permits with at least six months remaining.
What changed and who qualifies
Any foreign national who lives in a GCC country and holds a residency card with at least six months left now qualifies for a Kuwaiti tourist visa on arrival.
- Nationality does not matter; the key requirement is active GCC residency in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, or Oman.
- The visa is issued at airports and land borders and is valid for 90 days for tourism and short family or business visits.
- The change takes effect immediately following publication in the official gazette Kuwait Alyoum on August 10, 2025.
How to get the tourist visa on arrival
- Ensure residency: Hold valid GCC residency with at least six months remaining.
- Travel: Fly or drive to Kuwait through any airport or land crossing.
- Present documents: Show your passport and GCC residency card to immigration officers.
- Receive visa: Officers issue a 90‑day tourist visa on arrival.
- Enjoy your stay: You can remain in Kuwait for up to 90 days under tourist status.
Why this matters now
This reform ends a 2008 rule that favored select professions like doctors and engineers. Many other GCC expats, including service workers and their families, were previously excluded and had to apply at embassies.
By opening access based on residency alone, Kuwait makes short trips easier for people living in Riyadh, Dammam, Manama, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and beyond.
- Analysis by VisaVerge.com estimates 25–30 million foreign residents across the Gulf could benefit, boosting weekend tourism and cross‑border family visits.
- The policy supports Vision 2035 goals to grow tourism revenue and deepen regional ties.
What stays you can expect
- The tourist visa on arrival allows stays up to 90 days.
- Current rules also expand visit visas more broadly, with options in some cases to extend up to six months or one year for a fee.
- Authorities have scrapped an old requirement for certain visitors to hold university degrees and lifted airline restrictions, simplifying travel for families.
- Family visit visas now include relatives up to the fourth degree, easing reunions.
Security, enforcement, and official stance
First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Al‑Yousef Al‑Sabah emphasized Kuwait wants faster entry for genuine visitors while maintaining strong security checks.
- Public feedback is broadly positive, seeing the change as a step toward a more open, inclusive system.
- Kuwait tightened residency enforcement in late 2024; officials say this helps manage risks associated with easier entry.
Kuwait aims to speed up entry for genuine visitors while keeping robust checks, balancing openness with security.
Real‑life examples
- An Indian engineer in Dubai can book a Friday flight, show her UAE residency at passport control, and receive the visa on arrival in minutes for a weekend trip.
- A Filipino nurse based in Doha visits family in Kuwait during a three‑day break without embassy paperwork.
- A Bahrain‑based Pakistani shop manager drives to Kuwait for a football match, presents his CPR and passport at the border, and enters as a tourist.
Practical tips for GCC expats
- Check your residency card’s expiry date. You need at least six months left on your GCC permit.
- Carry the original passport and residency card. Digital copies may help, but officers will ask for originals.
- Plan your return within 90 days. The visa is for short stays only.
- Check airline and route options. Kuwait no longer restricts which carriers you can use.
- If visiting relatives, confirm your relationship. Family visit visas now reach up to the fourth degree.
- Keep your GCC ID handy during your stay; hotels and service desks may ask to see it.
Official sources and where to confirm
The decision appears in the official gazette Kuwait Alyoum dated August 10, 2025. For current entry rules, see the Kuwait Ministry of Interior website.
Background across the Gulf
Kuwait’s policy aligns with moves by neighbors like the UAE and Oman, which have eased entry for GCC residents to support tourism and regional travel. Kuwait is moving in the same direction under Vision 2035.
- Officials project tourism revenue to top about $1.13 billion in 2025, with simpler entry for GCC expats a clear part of that plan.
What this does not change
- The visa is for tourism and short visits, not work.
- It does not convert to residency; regular labor and residency laws still apply.
- Employers and sponsors must continue to follow existing rules.
Planning your trip
- Verify your documents meet the six‑month GCC residency requirement before booking.
- Use the same passport linked to your residency and keep both passport and residency ready for inspection at entry.
The bottom line
For GCC expats, especially Indians across the Gulf, Kuwait’s tourist visa on arrival is a simple, fast way to visit for up to 90 days. The door is open — your residency card is the key.
Quick answers to common questions
- Is nationality a factor? No. If you’re a lawful resident of a GCC state with six months left on residency, you’re eligible regardless of passport.
- Where can I get the visa? At all Kuwaiti airports and land borders; officers issue it on the spot after checking documents.
- How long can I stay? Up to 90 days on the tourist visa on arrival.
- When did this start? The decision took effect immediately after publication in Kuwait Alyoum on August 10, 2025.
- Does this affect other visas? Kuwait also broadened visit visas in 2024–2025, with longer stays and wider family coverage; those have their own rules and fees.
Next steps for travelers
- Check residency validity (minimum six months remaining).
- Book travel and confirm routes and carriers.
- Carry passport and GCC residency card for smooth entry to Kuwait.
Frequently Asked Questions
This Article in a Nutshell
Kuwait’s August 10, 2025 change lets any foreign GCC resident with six months’ residency obtain a 90‑day tourist visa on arrival, simplifying weekend trips, family visits, and short business travel while removing prior profession-based restrictions and supporting Vision 2035 tourism goals across the Gulf.
