Travelers going to Kuwait may face certain restrictions depending on where they come from and when they go. This is especially true as of the 2019/2020 outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19).
Usually, there are not many travel restrictions to Kuwait. Most travelers are required to have either a Kuwaiti electronic visa (eVisa) or consular visa. There are also long-standing bans for citizens of just 2 countries, who are not permitted to enter Kuwait.
The COVID-19 outbreak has led many countries around the world to introduce restrictions on travel to and from certain places and Kuwait is no exception.
Transport and visas have been suspended between Kuwait and a number of countries, with nationals of certain sovereign states being temporarily banned from entering. Any traveler who has visited affected regions face similar restrictions.
Restrictions on Travel to Kuwait Due to Coronavirus
Kuwait has been steadily increasing its travel restrictions in an effort to control the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and prevent more cases of the disease in its population.
There have been over 60,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Kuwait so far.
On Saturday 7 March, all flights were suspended to the following 7 countries:
- Bangladesh
- Egypt
- India
- Lebanon
- Philippines
- Sri Lanka
- Syria
Kuwait also introduced an entry ban on anyone who has been in any of these 7 sovereign states within the last 2 weeks, apart from its own citizens. Kuwaiti nationals who have visited the banned countries may return to Kuwait, but must be quarantined.
On March 13, all commercial flights to and from Kuwait were suspended.
Kuwait has also stopped issuing visas to foreign nationals in an attempt to curb the spread of COVID-19.
As of August 1st, commercial flights have resumed to the country. At present, however, most international passengers are still not allowed to enter Kuwait. The only exceptions made for arriving travelers are the following cases:
- Kuwaiti nationals or first-degree family members of a citizen resident holding an OK TO TRAVEL Authorization from a Kuwaiti embassy
- Passengers that hold a resident permit for the country issued by the Kuwaiti Ministry of Health (unless they have visited Bangladesh, India, Iran, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan or the Philippines less than 14 days before arrival)
- Travelers who hold an expired resident permit that is sponsored by the Kuwaiti Ministry of Health (unless they have visited Bangladesh, India, Iran, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan or the Philippines less than 14 days before arrival)
- Domestic workers who hold an OK TO TRAVEL from a Kuwaiti embassy and who are accompanied by a Kuwaiti national
- Diplomatic and UN passport holders and UNESCO members who hold prior approval from governmental authorities
In addition to these restrictions, all travelers that are permitted to enter must also hold a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate. This must have been issued no more than 96 hours before arrival in Kuwait.
Furthermore, passengers arriving in the country will undergo mandatory medical screening. They will also be required to isolate for 14 days and sign a declaration agreeing to follow quarantine measures imposed by the Kuwaiti health ministry.
Residents of Kuwait however, currently may not enter the country under any circumstances if they have been in Bangladesh, India, Iran, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan or the Philippines in the past 14 days before their arrival.
Who Requires a PRC Medical Certificate
The news about the aforementioned travel ban came shortly after an announcement on March 3 that all nationals of the following 10 countries would have to undergo a medical examination and be given a PCR Certificate from a health center approved by a Kuwait Embassy.
The PCR medical certificate requirement began on 8 March.
However, since travel has now been banned from 7 of these countries, this requirement now only affects Azerbaijani, Georgian, and Turkish travelers, as well as citizens of the other nations who have not visited their home country in the past 2 weeks.
When flights are resumed between Kuwait and India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, and the Philippines, nationals of these countries will have to obtain the PRC certificate to prove they are free of COVID-19 infection.
As of the resumption of commercial flights to the country from August 1st, all arriving travelers must hold a negative PCR test certificate. This must be issued under 96 hours before flying to Kuwait.
Previously Announced Travel Restrictions Due to COVID-19
Prior to the latest announcements regarding restrictions on travel to Kuwait, all travel had been banned between Kuwait and the following countries:
- China
- Hong Kong
- Iran
- Iraq
- Italy
- Japan
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Thailand
All citizens of China, including Hong Kong, are currently prohibited from entering Kuwait and will not have their visa applications approved until this decision is reversed. This will likely be when the COVID-19 outbreak is considered to be under control.
General Travel Restrictions to Kuwait
Under normal circumstances, there are few restrictions on traveling to Kuwait. Travelers of most nationalities cannot enter the country without the following:
- A Kuwait visa
- A passport with at least 6 months’ validity and at least one blank page for stamps
Citizens of the other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states can normally visit Kuwait without a visa and passport, using only their National ID Cards.
However, as of February 2020, as part of the precautionary measures against COVID-19, GCC nationals can no longer use their National ID Cards and must travel with a valid passport.
Nationals of 54 sovereign states and territories (including the USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, and the majority of European countries) can apply online for a Kuwait eVisa. Similarly, foreign residents of GCC member states can obtain the eVisa, regardless of their nationality.
Eligible travelers can acquire this by completing the Kuwait eVisa online application. This is quick and simple to complete and means that the applicant does not have to go to a Kuwaiti embassy. Instead, they can apply from the comfort of their own home or office.
Who Is Not Allowed to Visit Kuwait?
Citizens of Israel and Ethiopia are not permitted to enter Kuwait.
Kuwait’s ban on travel from the former stems from the Arab League boycott on Israel. A number of Arab states impose a similar ban on Israeli citizens.
Kuwait’s ban extends to any foreign national who has visited Israel and officials will check visitors at border control for signs that they have crossed the Israeli border. If the traveler’s passport has been stamped by Israel, they will be refused entry to Kuwait.
Kuwait has also been known to introduce temporary visa bans, as it did against Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Yemen in 2011, for example.
In 2016, it banned visas temporarily for religious personalities deemed “controversial”.
Due to COVID-19, there are a number of other countries whose citizens are temporarily banned from entering Kuwait, including China, Hong Kong, and Italy.
Restrictions on Individual Travelers
Sometimes, Kuwait will impose a travel ban on certain individuals. This may be because they have previously committed an infraction on Kuwaiti soil, have been involved in a financial dispute, or are deemed a security risk by immigration authorities.
Travel advice for Kuwait to avoid picking up a travel ban include the following:
- Do not overstay the terms of your visa
- Abide by Kuwaiti law while in the country
- Avoid altercations with the police
- Do not take employment unless you have the relevant permission and paperwork
One reason why an individual may be denied entry to Kuwait is that on a previous visit they did not pass through Kuwaiti exit control (e.g. if they departed via military air), which can give the appearance that they have overstayed their visa.
Foreign soldiers and military contractors who are stationed in or temporarily in Kuwait are advised to go through the proper entry and exit procedures for Kuwait and notify the relevant authorities.
