Kuwait issues thousands of visas for business, family, and tourism
The country issued about 2,000 visas for business visits, 2,900 for family visits, and 3,800 for tourist visits, with a weekly issuance rate averaging approximately 8,700 transactions across six governorates.
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Entry visas to Kuwait are typically processed smoothly within 15 to 30 minutes if the application meets the conditions. Sponsors can visit the Residence Affairs Department based on their residential address.
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Kuwait maintains open visitation under established standards but has tightened measures for sponsors and visitors, emphasizing strict accountability for law violations despite eased entry procedures.
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Seven nationalities lead in visa numbers, with Americans at the forefront, followed by British citizens, Turks, Jordanians, Egyptians, Indians, and Syrians in seventh place.
Kuwait has seen a significant increase in visitor arrivals of all nationalities over the past four months since easing entry procedures for expatriates, in line with Ministry of Interior regulations, reported by Al Rai newspaper.
The average weekly issuance rate of entry visas—covering family, tourism, and commercial categories—has reached approximately 8,700 transactions per week across the six governorates.
Brigadier Mazid Al-Mutairi, the Assistant Director General of the General Administration for Residency Affairs, provided details on the average weekly issuance rates of entry visas, revealing that approximately 2,000 visas are issued for business visits, 2,900 for family visits, and 3,800 for tourist visits.
Al-Mutairi informed Al-Rai newspaper that “the decision to open all types of entry visas came upon instructions from Sheikh Fahd Al-Yousef, the First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, and Minister of Interior. Visas are now accessible to all nationalities, subject to specific controls and standards. These regulations mandate that every sponsor seeking a tourist, commercial, or family visa must adhere to the established conditions, while every visitor must respect the state’s laws.”
He added, “During the past period, visa holders demonstrated full compliance with their visit durations; as soon as their period ended, they departed, which is an excellent indicator.” He noted the awareness shown by both visitors and sponsors in respecting the country’s laws, knowing that accountability applies to both parties, resulting in a very low percentage of violators.
He pointed out that the Residence Affairs Investigations Department takes steps if a visitor fails to comply. This includes sending a notification via the ‘Sahel’ application to the sponsor once the sponsored person’s visit period ends.
Subsequently, an SMS is sent to the sponsor’s phone, followed by contact with the sponsor on the fifth or seventh day after the violation to review the matter with the Residence Affairs Investigations Department.
He stated, “The trend in the sector is to be strict with violating sponsors. It begins with a warning, followed by a ban on receiving sponsorships. In severe cases, this can lead to the visitor’s arrest and other procedures involving significant penalties for the sponsor.”
He also mentioned, “Entry visas to the country are typically processed smoothly within 15 to 30 minutes if the application meets the conditions. Sponsors can visit the Residence Affairs Department based on their residential address. Instructions have been issued to decentralize operations and avoid complicating the process for those applying for visit visas.”
Regarding the nationalities entering with the most visit visas, Al-Mutairi stated that seven nationalities lead in visa numbers. Americans are foremost, followed by UK citizens, Turks, Jordanians, Egyptians, Indians, and Syrians in seventh place.
Al-Mutairi concluded by saying, “The country and its visits are open according to established standards. However, measures on sponsors and visitors are stricter than before. While we have facilitated entry into Kuwait, strict accountability measures are in place for those who violate laws. The Residence Affairs Investigations have implemented a plan to enforce these directives.”
Sequence of actions for violators:
- Notification via ‘Sahel’ application to the sponsor.
- Text message sent to the sponsor’s phone.
- Phone call after the fifth day to discuss residence affairs.
- Suspension of sponsorships.
- Visitor arrest.
- Imposition of severe penalties on the sponsor.