“French Ambassador” highlights visa process, educational opportunities, and strong ties with Kuwait

• French Ambassador noted that France remains the top destination for Kuwaitis, reflecting their strong ties.

• For Kuwaiti citizens, visa refusal rate was only 0.5% in 2024, with 99.5% of applications approved.

• Visa processing for Kuwaitis visiting France takes just 3 to 4 days.

• France welcomes more Kuwaiti students to its top business administration and engineering faculties.

The French Ambassador to Kuwait, H. E. Olivier Gauvin, stated that neither the French Embassy nor the European Union Embassy has received official information from Kuwaiti authorities regarding the details of the new passports issued to Kuwaiti women who have renounced their nationality. He emphasized that matters related to visas and passport validity fall under the sovereign jurisdiction of official authorities.

Ambassador Gauvin, during a press conference with the Director of Operations at the Capago Centre, which was established in 2012 and recently renovated, stated that they will take into account any official information provided by the Kuwaiti authorities, but as of now, they have not received any of these passports.

Domestic Labour

Regarding educators and domestic workers accompanying Kuwaitis to France, Ambassador Olivier Gauvin explained that, this category receives special treatment, distinct from visa requests for Kuwaitis. France is one of the few embassies in Kuwait that issue visas for educators and domestic workers. However, certain conditions must be met, the first being that they must travel with their Kuwaiti sponsor. Additionally, there are specific laws in France that must be followed, including the mandatory payment of social insurance fees for domestic workers, as they are classified under the private sector. This requirement is essential.

As for children, Ambassador Gauvin advised parents to provide a recent photograph of their children emphasizing that, neither the consulate nor Capago will be present at airports or ports of entry. If airport authorities see a visa photo of a child taken at the age of two, but the child is now 10 years old, and there is no way to verify their identity, it could complicate the process and lead to potential issues.

Moreover, about measures against travel agencies that exploit applicants wishing to travel to France, the Director of Operations at Capago stated that, from the very beginning, the French embassy has made it clear that they will not allow any travel agency or broker to enter their headquarters. If there are suspicions of inflated prices or any other irregularities, applicants can contact them directly. As they have a dedicated monitoring department to handle such concerns.

Ambassador Gauvin emphasized the importance of caution, stating that, this is a very important point because applicants must be vigilant. First, they should not pay unjustified additional fees that are not required by Capago or the French consulate. Additionally, brokers or travel agencies may incorrectly fill out visa applications, leading to rejection. They often list the same destination, hotel, and city for all applicants in a way that does not reflect reality, which can create complications and ultimately result in the application’s rejection.

Ambassador Gauvin emphasized that, Kuwaitis who own property in France can apply for a D-visa, which is a long-term residence visa officially termed ‘residency until further notice’.

Additionally, the French Ambassador stated that France remains the top destination for Kuwaitis, reflecting the long-standing friendship between the two countries. He highlighted that the large number of Kuwaitis choosing France for their holidays underscores the economic strength and cultural exchanges between both countries.

The most popular international destinations

Ambassador Gauvin explained that in 2024, France maintained its position as the most popular international destination, welcoming over 100 million visitors. Their embassy’s consular section processed 36,000 visa applications that year, handling around 130 files daily, with the number rising to about 300 files per day during the summer.” He also pointed out that in 2023; they issued 42,000 visas for Kuwaitis.

Ambassador Gauvin emphasized the commitment to providing a high-quality experience for Kuwaitis wishing to visit France. He noted that the new design of the modern center includes larger waiting areas and state-of-the-art equipment, allowing the entire application process to be completed in less than five minutes.

Importantly, Ambassador Gauvin explained that for the first application for a short-term tourist visa, Kuwaitis are granted a multiple-entry visa valid for five years. He emphasized that applicants must complete visa procedures at the embassy of the Schengen state where they plan to spend the majority of their first stay. After the initial trip, subsequent visits can be made to any Schengen country, as long as each stay does not exceed 90 days within a 180-day period.

Ambassador Gauvin reiterated that a visa cannot be issued for a period longer than the remaining validity of the passport. To obtain a five-year visa, the passport must have more than five years of validity remaining. If the passport’s validity is shorter, the visa duration will be adjusted accordingly, and a multiple-entry visa will be issued for a period ranging from six months to four years. He further clarified that the visa’s duration is calculated to expire three months before the passport’s expiration date.

Furthermore, Ambassador Gauvin stated that the rate of rejected applications in Kuwait is very low, adding that for Kuwaiti citizens, the visa refusal rate was just 0.5% in 2024, meaning that 99.5% of visa applications from Kuwaitis were approved.

The French ambassador urged visa applicants to ensure that their application file contains all the required documents and accurate information. He emphasized that the applicant’s personal presence is mandatory at the Capago office, where their photo and fingerprints will be taken on-site.

Ambassador Gauvin explained that the visa application can be submitted up to six months before the scheduled flight date to avoid any delays. For a trip in July 2025, the visa application can be submitted now. He also pointed out that the visa processing time for Kuwait is very short, typically taking between 3 to 4 days.

In conclusion, Ambassador Gauvin highlighted that France welcomes more Kuwaiti students in the top faculties of business administration and engineering, not just those who speak French. There are many attractive and high-quality programs available for English speakers in these prestigious faculties.