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Updated March 2024

The United Kingdom is open to all travellers around the world, including those from Kuwait. Kuwaiti nationals traveling to the UK are exempt from the requirement of an entry visa, thanks to the new ETA system. As Kuwaiti residents aspire to explore the enchanting landscapes and dynamic culture of the UK, understanding the intricacies of the application process becomes paramount.

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Table of Contents

Do Kuwaitis need a visa to go to the UK?

Kuwaiti nationals are exempt from requiring a visa to enter the UK. Instead, all travellers from Kuwait will require the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for entry, which is valid for two years.

Check out our article below to learn all about the UK ETA:

ETA UK: How to Apply for the New UK Entry Permit Document?

Standard visitor visa

Kuwait nationals will need to apply for this visa if they plan to stay in the UK for more than 6 months at a time. With a Standard visitor visa, you can visit the UK for tourism, business, study 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 program
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

To enter the UK, you must have a passport or travel document that is 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 a standard visitor visa on the official UK Immigration service website here. Once you’ve started your application, you can save and complete your form 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 center.

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 travel authorization (ETA)

Kuwait is one of the first countries where citizens can apply for UK electronic travel authorization. The travel document is quick and easy to obtain and completely online.

The ETA UK visa for Kuwaitis allows travelers to enter Great Britain and Northern Ireland for the purposes of:

Tourism
Business
Study
Short-term medical treatment

The holder of a UK ETA 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 travel authorisation application

The ETA for Great Britain can be obtained within 3 days for most cases.

Below are the required documents you must provide to apply for the ETA UK.

your passport
your email address
credit or debit card

Kuwaitis can apply for the ETA through these steps:

visit the ETA website, or download the app from the Google Play Store or the App Store
input your photo, personal data such as data from your passport, current address
answer prompt questions about your 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 £115 or approximately KWD 43 with a maximum stay length of 6 months, and you can apply for an extension. Meanwhile, an ETA will cost you around £10 or approximately KWD 4 with only a maximum stay length of 6 months.