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Updated February 2024
After almost two years of suspension, as announced by the Ministry of Interior, represented by the Residency Affairs Sector, an issuance of instructions within the next few days to resume the issuance of family visit visas will be released. The Kuwait family visit visa allows the immediate family members and other relatives who reside in other countries to visit their family members living in Kuwait.
Keep reading to know more about the available types of visit visas, ranging from tourist visas, business visas, family visit visas, and multiple-entry visit visas.
Important note: According to the latest report in May 2023, Kuwait has stopped issuing work and entry visas to Filipinos on the instructions of Interior Minister Sheikh Talal Al-Khaled Al-Sabah. The reason for this action is the Philippines’ failure to adhere to the labor agreement signed by both countries in May 2018. The resumption of visa issuance is conditional upon the Philippines’ commitment to fulfilling the terms of the agreement.
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Kuwait visit visa 2024 news
After almost two years of suspension, as announced by the Ministry of Interior, represented by the Residency Affairs Sector, an issuance of instructions within the next few days to resume the issuance of family visit visas will be released.
The visa may be granted to the parents, spouses, and children of expatriate workers who earn a minimum of KD400 (equivalent to Dh4,770), and to other relatives if the earner’s income is at least KD800.
Moreover, the sources also stated that the salary cap for infants and for humanitarian considerations is NOT applied, and the timing of the opening of the visit and the dependent visas and others is not known. Furthermore, the salary condition might be subject to change, especially since there is a study that was submitted according to which it is raised salary cap.
Kuwait visit visa new rules 2024
There are no specific rules for Kuwaiti residents returning to Kuwait as of now.
Meanwhile, Kuwait has suspended granting new visas to Filipinos since May 10 as a diplomatic strategy to pressure the Philippine government into lifting its ban on deploying domestic helpers to Kuwait. This update was confirmed by the Department of Foreign Affairs in the Philippines on May 11.
According to Foreign Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega, the ban includes visit visas but not Filipinos with residency status in Kuwait, including most of the approximately 300k Filipinos living there. The DFA aims to resolve bilateral issues confidently and expects a mutually satisfactory solution prioritizing protection and justice for Filipino nationals working in Kuwait.
Kuwait visit visa types and fees
Tourist visa
The Kuwait Tourist Visa or the e-Visa is an online electronic visa available for travellers of a number of nationalities, including citizens from the US, Canada, Australia, Japan, and all EU countries, who plan to visit the Gulf state as tourists. The Kuwait Tourist visa or eVisa allows the holder a single entry to the Gulf state and enables them to stay for a period of 90 days.
As the Kuwait tourist visa is issued to accommodate travellers visiting Kuwait for leisure purposes, travellers must not engage in employment or business activities during their stay and must not overstay their welcome.
Read more about the documents required, the application process, and fees in our article– Kuwait Tourist Visa: How to Apply For Tourist Visa to Kuwait?
Business visa
In case a traveller wants to visit Kuwait for business purposes, they can apply for a Business Visit Visa in Kuwait. In such cases, the hotel in which the travellers has planned to stay can sponsor their visa.
Some additional requirements include:
- A Kuwaiti sponsor or company is required to apply for the Business visa
- Kuwait visit visa application and security form filled out by the sponsor
- A copy of the visitor’s passport
- A copy of the sponsor’s signature as registered for business purposes
- A copy of the sponsor’s letter of invitation to the business, stating the purpose of the visit.
Family visit visa
The Kuwait family visit visa can be issued to the immediate family members and other relatives who reside in other countries and wish to visit their family members living in Kuwait. This type of visa has no eligibility criteria. As long as the traveller has proof of relationship, they can visit the Gulf state with their Kuwait Visit Visa.
Documents required
- Proof of relationship or kinship
- Copy of the visitor’s valid passport
- Original and copy of the civil ID of the sponsor (or the family who resides in Kuwait)
- Recent salary certificate for foreign sponsor
Procedure to obtain the family visit visa
- Go to the nearest Kuwait Embassy in your country and submit the required documents as mentioned above.
- Fill out the service application form (Visa Application Form).
- Pay the due fees of the visa (Family visit visa application costs around 3 KWD ($9.86)
Kuwait multiple entry visa
The Kuwait multiple entry visa is a type of visit visa that allows travellers to enter Kuwait as many times as they want within a one-year period. The multiple-entry visa is most useful for travellers who have to visit Kuwait regularly for business purposes. However, such travellers are required to have a sponsor in the Ministry of Defence to avail of this visa.
American nationals are eligible to visit Kuwait with a Multiple Entry Visa with a validity of 10 years with an unlimited number of entries.
What is the validity of a Kuwait visit visa?
The validity period of a Kuwait visit visa is 90 days (3 months). Visitors are allowed a stay of 30 days in the country, after entry.
Kuwait visit visa extension fee
An expatriate is eligible to apply for a 30 days visa extension twice. The application for a visa extension has to be submitted to the Immigration Department before the expiration of Kuwait visit visa.
Travellers who extend their stay will have to pay 10 KWD per day ($32.87). In case the Kuwait visit visa expires, passengers will not be allowed to leave the country until they pay the total fine.
