KUWAIT CITY : The visa reforms were announced by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al Sabah during a phone interview with journalist Ahmed Al Jarallah, Editor-in-Chief of Al Seyassah newspapers. The changes, effective Tuesday, mark a bold overhaul of the ‘Kuwait Visa’ platform, aimed at making the country more accessible to visitors and global talent.
Among the most notable updates is the new three-month family visit visa, which allows further extensions of six months or even up to a year based on compliance. “Violations in this category are minimal, so flexibility can be granted,” said Sheikh Fahad, noting that the move responds to public demand from both citizens and expatriates.
The reforms also remove the requirement to fly via Kuwait’s national carriers, enabling travellers to choose their preferred airline.
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Eligibility for family visit visas has also been expanded to include relatives up to the fourth degree, and the controversial condition requiring university degrees for visitors has been eliminated entirely. Travellers flagged with security concerns will be informed and must resolve issues independently, aligning with international norms.
The visa fee structure is under review and is expected to be finalized soon by the Council of Ministers.
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