Useful Information

Civil Identity Card

A civil identity card or a civil ID card, also called bitaqa-almadaniyah, is a requirement for any expatriate or resident, regardless of the type of residence he owns.  Civil identity ards are issued by the Public Authority for Civil Information or PACI.

The civil identity card information includes the civil ID number, full name, date of birth, local address, blood type, sponsor’s name, type of visa and card expiration date.

Civil ID number is unique for each resident.  It remains the same even if the owner changes sponsors or return to Kuwait after a long stay outside the country.  The algorithm of the civil ID number includes the birthday of the owner.

Civil identity card must be renewed on any of the following:

  • the ID card expires
  • change of sponsor
  • change of residence

Civil Id Registration

These are the documents required for civil ID registration.

First time applicants for civil ID registration

  • Passport
  • Photocopy of passport pages showing personal details and residence stamp
  • Security clearance or fingerprinting for age over 16 years old
  • Original birth certificate for those born in Kuwait
  • Blood group certificate
  • Proof of house address (rent agreement or receipts)
  • Declaration signed by sponsors

For babies born in Kuwait, the following are required:

  • Copy of birth certificate
  • Copy of the sponsor’s passport (with personal details and residence stamp)
  • Baby’s own passport (with personal details and residence stamp)

For renewal or change of civil ID, no matter what type of visa he holds, the following are required:

  • Photocopy of his passport (with personal details and residence stamp)
  • Sponsor’s declaration
  • Current card
  • Proof of new address (for change of address)

To replace a lost civil ID, you need the following:

  • Photocopy of the lost card (if possible)
  • Passport

Procedures for civil ID registration:

Go to the PACI office in Farwaniyak for first time applicants on a work or dependent visa  and for lost card replacement.

Use the application form and special envelop from “Express-Envelope” machines located in Coop supermarkets (250 fils) for civil ID change or renewal, first time applicant’s for a document’s servant’s civil ID, and for babies born in Kuwait.  Follow the instructions in the form and submit in the special machines.

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Where to Download Forms for Kuwait Visa Applications?

Listed below are links for relevant forms for Kuwait passport and Kuwait visa applications:

kuwait visa

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GCC Countries Allowed to Enter Kuwait without Visa

GCC stands for Gulf Cooperation Council.  Citizens from its member countries are not required to obtain a Kuwait Visa and undergo formalities when they visit Kuwait.  The member countries of GCC are:

  • Kuwait
  • Kingdom of Bahrain (Bahrain)
  • United Arab Emirates (UAE)
  • Sultanate of Oman (Oman)
  • Qatar
  • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA or Saudi Arabia
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Countries Who Can Get Entry Visas in Kuwait Upon Arrival

The Ministry of Interior of Kuwait declared in February 2004 that citizens from the following countries can obtain entry visa in the Kuwait Airports upon arrival.  Countries not in the list are required to undergo formalities and are subject to strict entry rules and regulation as visitors under a sponsorship of a Kuwait citizen.

  1. USA
  2. UK
  3. China
  4. France
  5. Italy
  6. Germany
  7. Canada
  8. Australia
  9. New Zealand
  10. Japan
  11. The Netherlands
  12. Belgium
  13. Luxembourg
  14. Switzerland
  15. Austria
  16. Sweden
  17. Norway
  18. Denmark
  19. Portugal
  20. Ireland
  21. Greece
  22. Finland
  23. Spain
  24. Monaco
  25. The Vatican
  26. Iceland
  27. Andorra
  28. San Marino
  29. Liechtenstein
  30. Brunei
  31. Singapore
  32. Malaysia
  33. Hong Kong
  34. South Korea
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US Citizen Requirements to Travel to Kuwait

US citizens who are travelling to Kuwait requires the following:

  • Valid US passport
  • Visit visa (this can be obtained for a fee at Kuwait port of entry)
  • 3KD (around 10 USD)
US citizens who stay longer than applied for are required to pay fines before leaving Kuwait.
US travelers who do not complete Kuwaiti exit procedures will pay fine or can be imprisoned if they return and attempt to depart from the country.
Embassy of Kuwait in the US
Website: http://www.kuwaitembassy.us
Address: 2940 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
Telephone: 202-966-0702
Kuwaiti Consulate
New York
Telephone: 212-973-4318

Note: Kuwaiti officials are very strict about traveling to Iraq.  US citizens who wish to travel to Iraq through Kuwait will be turned around and/or detained.

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Kuwait Airlines in Operation

There are two airlines operating in Kuwait.  Kuwait Airways and Jazeera Airways.

Kuwait Airlines: Kuwait Airways

الخطوط الجوية الكويتية Al-Khutout Al-Jawwiya Al-Kuwaityah‎

Kuwait Airways is the national airline of Kuwait.  It is the first operating airline founded in 1954.  Its headoffice is located in Kuwait International Airport, Al Farwaniyah Governorate, Kuwait.  Its international operations cover Middle East, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Europe and North America.

Basic Kuwait Airlines information:

Website: http://www.kuwaitairways.com/
Country Destinations: 39
Company Slogan: Earning  Your Trust
Aircrafts: 18
CEO: Hamad Abdullatif Al-Falah
Frequent Flyer Program: Oasis Club
Airport Lounge: Dasman Lounge in Kuwait International Airport

Kuwait Airlines: Jazeera Airways

طيران الجزيرة

Jazeera Airways is the second national airline in Kuwait founded in 2005.  It is a low-cost airline with office located in the Kuwait International Airport in  Al Farwaniyah Governorate, Kuwait.  The operations of Jazeera covers Middle East and Europe.

Basic Kuwait Airlines information:

Website: http://www.jazeeraairways.com/
Parent Company: The Boodai Group
Country Destinations: 18
Company Slogan: Wings of Freedom
Aircrafts: 6 (+4 orders)
Chairman: Marwan Boodai
CEO: Stefan Pichler

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Kuwait Airport Arrivals

Here are the top 10 websites that gives you information regarding Kuwait airport arrivals.

  1. FlightStats.com – Kuwait International Airport information http://www.flightstats.com/go/Airport/airportDetails.do?airportCode=KWI
  2. Directorate General of Civil Aviation – DGCA.gov.kw http://www.dgca.gov.kw/AxCMSwebLive/ArHome.cms
  3. KuwaitBusiness.net – Flight information service from Kuwait Business http://www.kuwaitbusiness.net/pages/airport.htm
  4. UK Airport Information – Kuwait Airport Arrivals http://www.ukairportinformation.com/arrivals-1038-kuwait_-_kuwait_airport.htm
  5. BahrainFlights.com – Bahrain Flights  http://www.bahrainflights.com/Flights_Arrivals.aspx
  6. Flights http://www.bahrainflights.com/Flights_Arrivals.aspx
  7. Airport Guide – Kuwait International Airport Flight Arrivals http://airportguide.com/flight-arrivals/Kuwait/Kuwait-OKBK-KWI/
  8. Khaleej Times Online – Kuwait Airport Arrivals / Departures http://www.khaleejtimes.com/kuwait_city_airport_arrivals_departures.asp
  9. iFly.com – Kuwait International Airport Flight Status Arrivals http://www.ifly.com/kuwait-KWI-airport/KWI-airport-flight-status-arrivals
  10. CheapFlights.com – Airport Guide to Kuwait http://www.cheapflights.com/airports/kuwait-KWI/
  11. Kuwait-Airways.com – Kuwait Airways Arrivals & Departures http://www.kuwait-airways.com/Default.aspx?pageId=13
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