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Updated February 2023
The United Kingdom is open for all travellers around the world including those from Kuwait. No PCR tests and no quarantine are required upon arrival for Kuwaitis who wish to travel to the UK.
If you are one of them, read further to know about what kind of visa you need before you pack your bags.
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Do Kuwaitis need a visa to go to the UK?
Yes, Kuwaitis need a Standard visitor visa or an electronic visa waiver to go to the UK, depending on their needs and how long they are planning to stay.
In addition to the EVW, all travellers from Kuwait will soon require the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for entry. The ETA is not a visa, and Kuwait travellers will maintain their EVW eligibility but will need an ETA to cross the UK border.
Check out our article below to learn all about the UK ETA:
Standard visitor visa
With a Standard visitor visa, you can visit the UK for tourism, business, study (courses up to 6 months) and other permitted activities that we have listed below:
- for tourism, for example on a holiday or vacation
- to see your family or friends
- to volunteer for up to 30 days with a registered charity
- to pass through the UK to another country (‘in transit’)
- for certain business activities, for example, attending a meeting or interview
- to take part in a school exchange programme
- to do a recreational course of up to 30 days, for example, a dance course
- to study, do a placement or take an exam
- as an academic, senior doctor or dentist
- for medical reasons
There are some things that you can not do with this Standard visitor visa:
- perform paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed person
- claim public funds (benefits)
- live in the UK for long periods of time through frequent or successive visits
- marry or register a civil partnership, or give notice of marriage or civil partnership – you’ll need to apply for a Marriage Visitor visa
You might be able to apply for an extension within certain circumstances.
Standard visitor visa eligibility
You must have a passport or travel document to enter the UK. It should be valid for the whole of your stay.
You must be able to show that:
- you’ll leave the UK at the end of your visit
- you’re able to support yourself and your dependents during your trip (or have funding from someone else to support you)
- you’re able to pay for your return or onward journey (or have funding from someone else to pay for the journey)
- you’ll not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, or make the UK your main home
You may need to meet extra eligibility requirements if you’re visiting the UK:
- to study, do a placement or take an exam
- as an academic, senior doctor or dentist
- for medical reason
Standard visitor visa application
You can apply for standard visitor visa on the official UK Immigration service website here. Once you’ve started your application you can save your form and complete it later.
If you’re applying with family members, each person must have their own application and pay the fee. They need to attend their own appointment at a visa application centre.
You can apply on behalf of your partner and child if they cannot apply for themselves.
You can also visit the Embassy of the United Kingdom if you have some inquiries about visas. Below is the address of the Embassy of the United Kingdom in Kuwait:
British Embassy
Arabian Gulf Street
Dasman
Kuwait City
Kuwait
Telephone: +965 2259 4320
Website: http://www.gov.uk/contact-consulate-kuwait
Working hours: Sunday to Wednesday 07:30 – 15:30, Thursday 07:30-13:30.
UK electronic visa waiver (EVW)
Kuwait is one of a number of countries whose citizens are eligible to apply for a UK electronic visa waiver. The travel document is quick and easy to obtain, and it is completely online.
The EVW UK visa for Kuwaitis allows travellers to enter Great Britain and Northern Ireland for the purposes of:
- Tourism
- Business
- Study
- Short-term medical treatment
The holder of a UK EVW can stay in the UK for up to 6 months. If they plan to stay for longer than 6 months, they must apply for a visa.
UK electronic visa waiver application
The EVW for Great Britain can be obtained between 6 months and 48 hours before travelling to the United Kingdom. Please note that in order to successfully apply for UK electronic visa waiver, Kuwaitis are expected to have:
- Valid Kuwaiti passport
- Email address to receive the EVW
- Credit or debit card for the processing fee payment
Kuwaitis can apply for the EVW in 3 simple steps:
- Fill out the UK EVW application form here.
- Input their personal data such as data from passport, current address, and travel plans
- Pay the processing fee and submit the application
- Receive the approved document via e-mail
How much does UK visa cost for Kuwaitis?
A standard visitor visa will cost you around £100 or KWD 32,32 with a maximum stay length of 6 months and you can apply for an extension. Meanwhile, an EVW will cost you around £30 or KWD 9,69 with only maximum stay length of 6 months.
