Kuwait Travel Guide

Kuwait — Passport and Visa Information

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Passports

Country	Passport Required	Visa Required	Return Ticket Required
Australian	Yes	Yes/1	Yes
Canadian	Yes	Yes/1	Yes
USA	Yes	Yes/1	Yes
Other EU	Yes	Yes/1	Yes
British	Yes	Yes/1	Yes

Passport valid for at least six months required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Passport Notes

Nationals may be refused entry in to Kuwait if:
(a) they have an Israeli visa in their passport;
(b) they have an Israeli border stamp in their passport;
(c) they have an Egyptian or Jordanian border stamp in their passport, issued by an office bordering with Israel.

Visas

Required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Note 1: Nationals of the EU (except nationals of Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovak Republic and Slovenia), Australia, Canada and the USA can now obtain a 30-day visa on arrival for business or tourist purposes.

Note 2: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Important Addresses).

Visa Note

Any national referred to in the chart above must have a sponsor in Kuwait when applying for a visa before arriving in Kuwait.

Types of Visa and Cost

Business, Visitor and Transit. Transit visas are not required provided passengers hold all necessary documents for their onward journey and do not leave the airport. The fee for a visa depends on the applicant's nationality. For UK nationals the fees are as follows: Single-entry: £30 (for three months). Multiple-entry: £135 (for one year). On arrival: KWD3,000 (approx £6).

Validity

Depends on nationality and purpose of visit. Validity of the visa is usually three months from date of issue. Enquire at consulate (or consular section at embassy) for further details.

Applications to:

Consulate (or consular section at embassy); see Important Addresses for details.

Working Days Required

Allow 10 working days.

Travel Warnings

There is a high threat from terrorism. Terrorists continue to issue statements threatening to carry out attacks in the Gulf region. These include references to attacks on Western interests, including residential compounds, military, oil, transport and aviation interests.

In early 2005, Kuwaiti security forces mounted operations against suspected militants and their safe houses, during which several suspected militants were killed or arrested. The security forces discovered bomb-making equipment and material linked with planned kidnaps. It is believed that individuals associated with these incidents are still at large and remain a threat to Western interests.

Travelers should review their security arrangements carefully. They should continue to exercise caution, particularly in public places and maintain a high level of security awareness. They should avoid large gatherings and demonstrations and exercise caution if intending to travel through or to conservative areas such as Block 7 of Fahaheel, and Jahra where there have been a significant number of incidents involving firearms.

Penalties for trafficking, dealing and using illegal drugs are severe. Penalties for drug trafficking include the death sentence.

This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organizations for the latest travel advice:

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk

US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel