Kuwait Breaks Ranks to Launch Immediate “Visa-on-Arrival” for GCC Residents

Kuwait has officially announced a significant shift in its immigration policy, breaking ranks with its previous conservative stance to launch an immediate “Visa-on-Arrival” facility for all GCC residents. This new order does abandon the restrictive list of qualified professions, in which case any expatriate holding a valid residence in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, or Oman can easily enter into Kuwait. This shift will be effective as of now and will help Kuwait to be consistent with the regional trends in tourism and streamline cross-border travel. Visitors are not required to get advance approval of the embassies in advance as long as their passports and residences are valid within six months. for more news updates, visit our Gulf Independent News page.

New Rules for Kuwait Visa on Arrival

According to the new rules, the Ministry of Interior has repealed a rule of 2008 which restricted access to certain high-level professionals such as doctors and engineers. The Kuwait Visa on Arrival is now accessible to all foreign residents across the Gulf, regardless of their job title. Any traveler who has been found to be eligible should only present residency card and a passport within six months of entry to the country.

Read more: Planning to Visit Kuwait? A Complete Guide to Kuwait Visa Requirements

Immediate Benefits for GCC Residents

The benefits for GCC residents are substantial, enabling spontaneous travel for millions of expatriates previously barred by bureaucratic hurdles. It is now possible to have a 90-day entry permit when visiting the country on short business or leisure trips by the Kuwaiti residents themselves in Kuwaiti ports. This strategic decision not only boosts Kuwait travel numbers but also signals the country’s readiness to integrate more deeply with the upcoming unified GCC tourist visa system.

Official Post: Ministry of Interior – Kuwait (X Account)