India announces 5-year e-visa for Kuwaiti nationals
The Times Kuwait Report
The Government of India has officially launched the five-year e-visa facility for Kuwaiti nationals, allowing them to apply for Indian visas entirely online.
The announcement was made by the Indian Ambassador to Kuwait, H.E. Dr. Adarsh Swaika, during a press conference held at the Indian Embassy.
The initiative, effective immediately, eliminates the need to visit visa centers or embassies. Kuwaiti citizens can now complete the entire process from home through the Indian government’s official visa portal, making travel planning faster and more accessible.
The e-visa is available under five categories: tourist, business, medical, AYUSH/yoga, and conference. It supports multiple entries and offers durations ranging from six months to five years.
Visa fees vary by duration, with a five-year visa costing USD 80 and shorter durations starting at USD 40. Processing typically takes three to four days, and biometric data is collected upon arrival in India.
Ambassador Swaika described the move as a significant step forward, stating, “This fulfills a long-standing request from Kuwaiti nationals. It makes the process faster, more affordable, and much more convenient.”
He highlighted that over 8,000 Kuwaiti tourists visited India last year, and the new system is expected to boost tourism, business, and healthcare-related travel. It also supports India’s strategic goal of deepening bilateral relations through easier and more frequent people-to-people exchanges.
Regarding air connectivity, the Ambassador confirmed there are currently 12,000 seats per week available in each direction, with direct flights connecting Kuwait to nine Indian cities.
These flights are operated by Kuwait Airways, Jazeera Airways, IndiGo, Air India Express, and Akasa Air.
While the digital system is designed for simplicity, paper visas will still be available through Indian Visa Application Centers for those less familiar with online services.
