This article has been reviewed by Wego’s editorial team to ensure that the content is up to date & accurate.
Updated September 2023
Considering that a European excursion is undoubtedly a top priority for many travelers, it is likely that you’ll need a short-term visa allowing you to explore the Schengen Area and realize your travel aspirations.
If you desire to travel from Kuwait to Europe, Wego offers everything you need about the Schengen visa; the required documents, the detailed procedure and guidelines, and how and where to apply in Kuwait.
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Schengen visa Kuwait latest news
The European Commission recently introduced a set of tailored regulations governing the issuance of multiple-entry visas to Kuwaiti nationals. These new regulations represent a significant improvement over the previous generic rules.
Under this visa ‘cascade’ system, all eligible applicants, including those venturing into European travel for the first time, will now receive visas with a remarkable validity of 5 years. This extended validity period will be granted if the passport’s expiration date permits such an arrangement.
Furthermore, as part of this adapted visa ‘cascade’ regime, Kuwaiti nationals can now obtain long-term, multiple-entry Schengen visas valid for five years. In cases where the visa’s validity exceeds the passport’s, a multiple-entry visa will be issued with a validity period ending three months before the passport’s expiry date.
Notably, during the validity of these visas, holders will enjoy travel rights equivalent to those of visa-free nationals.
What is a Schengen visa?
The Schengen Area is a passport-free zone in Europe, which means that there are no requirements for a passport and any border-control activities in this zone. It is the largest free travel zone in the world.
A Schengen visa is a short-stay visa that allows a person to travel to any member of the Schengen Area per stay for up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes. The Schengen visa is the most common visa for Europe. It enables its holder to enter, freely travel within, and leave the Schengen zone from any Schengen member country. There are no border controls within the Schengen Zone.
Currently, the Schengen Area consists of 27 member countries.
- Austria
- Belgium
- Czech Republic
- Croatia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
Digital Schengen visa
The European Parliament revealed that they have approved a new strategy to digitize the physical Schengen visa application and sticker process. This means that travelers from outside the Schengen zone, including Kuwaiti passport holders, can say goodbye to long lines and complicated paperwork, as they will soon be able to apply for and receive their Digital Schengen visa online.
This platform enables visa seekers to input all necessary information, upload digital copies of their travel and supporting documents, and complete the payment process for their visa fees. Additionally, they will receive notifications regarding the status of their visa application.
Check out our article to learn all about the Digital Schengen visa for more details:
Do Kuwaitis need to apply for Schengen visa?
Yes, Kuwaiti passport holders are required to obtain a Schengen visa in order to enter any European country in the Schengen Zone. To be eligible to file your visa application at the Schengen embassies/consulates or visa application centers (VACs) in Kuwait, you must belong to one of the following categories:
- Kuwaiti passport holders.
- third-world nationals who are required to obtain a visa to Europe, living in Kuwait under a permanent or temporary residence permit.
What is the validity of the Schengen visa?
The validity of the Schengen visa is 90 days within 180 days. Furthermore, the Schengen visa is categorized into the following:
- single-entry. Allows for a single entry to the Schengen area. Upon departure, you will not be able to use your single-entry Schengen visa to return
- double-entry. You are allowed to enter the Schengen Area twice. This means that you can enter the Schengen area within the allowed period, leave, and reenter
- multiple-entry. You will be granted the right to enter any Schengen state as many times as you wish within a six-month period.
How to apply for a Schengen visa in Kuwait?
Documents and requirements
You must prepare these documents for your Schengen visa from Kuwait:
- Schengen visa application form, filled and signed.
- two recent identity photographs following guidelines.
- a valid Kuwaiti passport that is not older than 10 years and is valid for at least 3 months beyond the date you plan to leave the Schengen area must be submitted.
- round-trip flight itinerary, including internal flights. Please note that it must include dates and flight numbers specifying entry and exit from the Schengen area.
- travel health insurance with EUR 30,000 coverage.
- proof of accommodation (hotel bookings, Airbnb, or invitation letter).
- proof of financial means that shows you have money to support yourself financially throughout your stay in the Schengen Area. This can be one of the following:
- bank account statement that shows you have enough money in your account for the trip. The statement shall be no older than three months
- sponsorship letter by another person that confirms they will be financially supporting your trip to the Schengen. In order for this letter to be valid, it must be accompanied by a bank statement of the sponsor, no older than three months
- a combination of your bank account statement and a letter of sponsorship
- proof of paid visa fee
Please note that some additional documents might also be required. Hence, make sure to consult with your Consulate/Embassy or visa application center for more details.
Steps to apply for Schengen visa in Kuwait
In order to apply for a Schengen visa from Kuwait, you must follow these steps:
- check which Schengen visa type you need. There are different Schengen visa types depending on your purpose of traveling from Kuwait to Europe.
- check where you need to apply for a Schengen visa in Kuwait. Pay attention to the embassy/consulate/VAC where you need to apply.
- decide when to apply for a Schengen visa in Kuwait. The earliest time you can lodge your Schengen visa application in Kuwait is 6 months before your planned trip. In contrast, the latest time to file your visa application is at least 15 working days before you intend to travel to Europe.
- collect the documents required for a Schengen visa for Kuwaiti citizens.
- make an appointment for an interview at the visa application center in Kuwait. Depending on the country, you may make an appointment online, by phone, or in person. Below in this article, you can find more information about each EU embassy/consulate located in Kuwait.
- attend the interview on the day of your appointment.
- pay the visa fee. All Schengen states have fixed and synchronized visa fees.
- wait for the processing of your visa.
Please note that you might be required to provide your biometric details at the time of your application, especially if it is the first time you are applying for a Schengen visa.
For more details, check out our dedicated article on biometrics for Schengen visa below:
Schengen visa processing time
Schengen embassies/consulates in Kuwait will typically require you to schedule an appointment 4-6 weeks in advance. The applications usually take around two weeks to process.
However, during busier periods (depending on your particular situation), it can take up to a month or two. Hence it is advised to apply early. You can apply up to 6 months in advance.
What is the price of a Schengen visa in Kuwait?
The following is the current price cap for Schengen visa for Kuwaiti residents:
- adults: EUR 80 (approx KWD 26)
- child between 6-12 years of age: EUR 40 (approx KWD 13)
- child younger than 6 years of age: FREE
Where to apply for a Schengen visa in Kuwait?
The Embassies and Consulates representing each Schengen country in Kuwait provide the opportunity for travelers to submit their Schengen visa applications.
Please carefully consider these regulations, as it is vital to submit your application to the correct authority. Filing your application with the wrong authority can lead to the denial of your Schengen visa application.
Austria
VFS Global, Kuwait
Level 28, Arraya Centre Al Shuhada Street, Al Asimah Governorate, Kuwait
Tel: +965 22281047
Email: [email protected]
Austrian Embassy, Kuwait
Daiyah, Block 3, Ahmed Shawki Street, House No. 10, Kuwait
Tel: (+965) 2255 2532
Belgium
Embassy of Belgium in Kuwait
Block 13, Street 4, Villa 8, Bayan 13033 Kuwait Kuwait
Tel: +965 253 897 55
Email: [email protected], [email protected]
Czech Republic
VFS Global, Kuwait
VFS Global, Arrayah tower, floor 25, Omar Ben Al Khattab Street, Kuwait City, Kuwait
Tel: +965 22971114
Email: [email protected]
Denmark
VFS Global, Kuwait
Level 28, Arraya Centre, Al Shuhada Street, Al Asimah Governorate, Near Courtyard by Marriott. Kuwait City.
Email: [email protected]
France
Capago Kuwait
Arraya Shopping Centre, Tower 1, 24th Floor, Al Shuhada Street, Sharq, Kuwait City
Tel: +965 222 85 785
Email: [email protected]
Germany
VFS Global, Kuwait
Level 25, Arraya Tower – 2, Al Shuhada Street, Al Asimah Governorate, Near Courtyard by Marriott, Kuwait City
Email: [email protected]
Greece
Greek Embassy Consular Office in Kuwait
Khaldiya, Block 4, Street 44, House 4
Tel: 00965 24817 100-2
Email: [email protected]
Hungary
Embassy of Hungary in Kuwait
Kuwait, Bayan, Block 13, Street 30, Villa 38
Tel: 2537 9351, 2537 9352
Italy
Embassy of Italy in Kuwait
Jabriya, Block 9, Street 1, Villa 84 – Kuwait
Tel: +(965)25356010/1/2
Email: [email protected]
Lithuania
Consular Information Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic Of Lithuania
Surra, Bloque 3, Calle 14, Villa 19, Kuwait
Tel: + 965 2 532 58 28/ 29
Email: [email protected]
Netherlands and Sweden
VFS Global, Kuwait
Level 28, Arraya Centre, Al Shuhada Street, Al Asimah Governorate, Near Courtyard by Marriott, Kuwait City
Tel: 00965-22254676
Email: [email protected]
Norway
Norway Consular, Kuwait
Al-Jabriya, Kuwait
Tel: +965 94467001
Email: [email protected]
Poland
Embassy of the Republic of Poland in the State of Kuwait
Al-Jabriya, Block 7, Street 3, Villa 20 P.O. Box 5066 Safat, 13051 Kuwait
Tel: +965 253 11 573
Email: [email protected]
Spain
Embassy of Spain in Kuwait
Address: Surra, Block 3, St. 14, Bldg. 19 PO Box 22207 13083, Safat, Kuwait
Tel: +965-2-532-5827, +965-2-532-5828, +965-2-532-5829
Email: [email protected]
BLS International in Kuwait
Office No 224, 22nd Floor, Baitak Tower, Ahmed Al Jaber Street, Kuwait City, Kuwait
Tel: +965 22240677
Email: [email protected]
Switzerland
Embassy of Switzerland, Kuwait
Qortuba, Block 2, Street 1 Villa 122, Kuwait
Tel:+965 25 34 01 72, +965 25 34 01 73, +965 25 34 01 74, +965 25 34 01 75
Email: [email protected]
