Kuwait Travel Ban 2022: Updates, Country List, News & Others *Updated 18 February 2022*

This article is reviewed regularly (on a monthly basis) by Wego’s editorial team to ensure that the content is up to date & accurate.

Updated 18 February 2022

After a year of stringent restrictions, Kuwait is finally taking a step towards easing its Covid-19 restrictions in the country. Effective 20 February 2022, Kuwait has scrapped the quarantine and testing requirements for fully vaccinated Kuwaiti citizens wishing to travel back to the country. The country will also allow the unvaccinated Kuwaiti nationals to travel back to the country, provided they go through some entry requirements. Moreover, the outbound travel ban that barred Kuwaiti residents from leaving the country has also been lifted.

So who can travel to Kuwait right now? What are the latest testing and quarantine requirements? Here is the latest information on the Kuwait travel ban in 2022.

Table of Contents

Kuwait travel ban lifted

Kuwait has lifted their travel ban for fully vaccinated expatriates. Fully vaccinated travellers, who have received the second dose of vaccination against COVID-19 not more than nine months ago and have received their booster dose, with a valid e-visa can enter the country. However, unvaccinated expatriates are still barred from entering Kuwait.

Furthermore, the travel ban has been completely scrapped for Kuwaiti citizens travelling back to the country. Effective from 20 February 2022, unvaccinated as well as vaccinated Kuwaiti citizens will be allowed to travel back to Kuwait, provided they undergo some entry requirements.

Outbound travel ban on residents lifted

The previously imposed travel ban on Kuwaiti residents wishing to travel abroad will also be lifted. As reported by the authorities, starting from 20 February 2022, all Kuwaiti residents will be allowed to depart from the country without coronavirus-related health stipulations, but the passengers will still have to comply with the health requirements set by the countries to which they head.

Who can travel to Kuwait right now?

The following categories of people are allowed to travel to Kuwait right now:

Kuwaiti nationals, irrespective of their vaccination status.
Non-Kuwaiti first-degree relatives of Kuwaiti citizens with valid residence/visa despite their vaccination status.
Domestic workers with valid residence/visa accompanied by Kuwaiti nationals, despite their vaccination status.
Immunized GCC Nationals with valid passports (must meet vaccination conditions).
GCC National non- immunized minors below 16 years travelling along with their Immunized GCC national parents.
Immunized domestic workers travelling with GCC nationals can avail VOA (Visa on Arrival) on the clause accompanied by the sponsor (must meet vaccination conditions).
Non-immunized domestic worker with valid residence/visa travelling through Belsalamah package.
All other Immunized travellers with valid residence/visa.
Non-immunized minors below 16 years with valid residence/visa travelling with their immunized parents
One time entry for non-immunized minors below 16 years with valid residence/visa travelling alone
Immunized passengers with a valid e-visa. Travellers must be vaccinated according to vaccination conditions in terms to enter the State of Kuwait. Additionally, all e-visa holders are to be in possession of a hard copy of the e-Visa email/confirmation for easy transaction upon arrival.
Government and private medical staff, their accompanied or unaccompanied first-degree relatives (husband/wife/children) with valid visa/residence by submitting proof their profession and proof of relationship and their accompanied domestic worker despite their vaccination status.
Foreign diplomatic missions and approved diplomats and their accompanied or unaccompanied first degree relatives (husband/wife/children) with valid visa/residence provided that their Diplomatic ID is being presented and their accompanied domestic worker despite their vaccination status.

It is mandatory to install Shlonik (available on both iOS and Android platforms) and Kuwait-Mosafer applications on their personal devices. Visa on arrival facilities has been suspended. Every passenger must register online before their departure at https://kuwaitmosafer.gov.kw/home.html

Vaccinated tourists

Kuwait has lifted their travel ban for fully vaccinated travellers. Please note that travellers will qualify as fully vaccinated in the country only when they have received the second dose of vaccination against COVID-19 not more than nine months ago and have received their booster dose before travelling to Kuwait. Following are the vaccines approved in the country:

Pfizer/BioNTech (2 doses)
AstraZeneca/Oxford (2 doses)
Moderna (2 doses)
Johnson & Johnson (1 dose)

Additionally, travellers who have taken the following unapproved vaccinations according to the mentioned course will also be allowed entry, provided they have received at least one dose of one of the vaccines approved by the State of Kuwait:

Sinopharm (2 doses)
Sinovac (2 doses)
Sputnik V (2 doses)

Testing requirements

Please note that effective 20 February 2020, Kuwait has scrapped the pre-departure and on-arrival PCR testing for fully vaccinated Kuwaiti citizens returning back to the country. The testing requirements, however, will be the same for unvaccinated Kuwaitis planning to travel back to Kuwait.

Fully vaccinated expatriates, as well as unvaccinated Kuwaiti arrivals in the country or those who are partially vaccinated, are mandated to travel with a negative PCR test result received no more than 72 hours before departure for Kuwait.

This does not apply to:

children below 6 years old.

Passengers permitted to enter Kuwait will undergo a PCR test upon arrival and another test while in quarantine, at their own cost.

Quarantine requirements

Please note that effective 20 February 2022, fully vaccinated Kuwaiti nationals travelling back to Kuwait will NOT be required to undergo quarantine upon arrival in the country.

The following categories will however be subject to quarantine in the mentioned facilities accordingly:

Fully vaccinated travellers will have to undergo a seven days home quarantine. Passengers can end the quarantine by performing one PCR test (at their own cost) in the State of Kuwait.
Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated Kuwaiti citizens returning back to the country will be subject to a seven days hotel quarantine upon arrival at their own expense.