Kuwait Visa for British Citizens
Travelling to Kuwait as a British citizen involves understanding the specific visa requirements and procedures to ensure a smooth entry into the country. Kuwait offers various visa options to cater to the different needs of travellers, including tourism, business, and work.
The process for British citizens to secure a visa for Kuwait is streamlined and accessible, primarily online. This page gives a reliable summary of the prerequisites for British nationals intending to visit Kuwait, detailing the application procedure for the e-visa and offering insights into travel preparations.
What are the requirements British citizens need to visit Kuwait?
Required documents for British citizens include:
- Relevant Passport
- Kuwait tourist visa
- Additional travel documents (may required)
- Accommodation address
- Return Ticket
- Financial Proof
British citizens must meet the following conditions to go to Kuwait:
- Every visitor must have a British passport valid for 6 months beyond arriving in Kuwait.
- UK nationals are required to apply for and maintain a valid travel visa to Kuwait at all times.
- Entry into Kuwait requires extra payment, which can vary according to the applicant.
The border officials in Kuwait have the potential to enforce stringent immigration controls, so it's critical to ensure you have all the required documentation on hand. For British nationals, this includes the relevant passport, the Kuwait tourist visa, and any additional travel documents.
How to apply for a Kuwait visa with a British passport?
To obtain a Kuwait visa, British passport holders must complete the online Kuwait eVisa application form, which will ask general questions about the traveller and request passport information and details of the visit to Kuwait.
The eVisa application process takes approximately 10 minutes to complete, and applicants usually receive the response within 24 hours, although it can sometimes take longer.
Kuwait e-visa application process for British citizens
The application process will require basic personal information, including name, gender, date and place of birth, country of citizenship, passport details such as country and date of issue, expiry date and passport number, intended date of arrival, and accommodation address. The second section of the Kuwait eVisa application requires a copy of the biometric page of the applicant’s British passport.
After completing this application and sending it to be screened by the Ministry of Interior of the State of Kuwait, you will receive an email with the approved e-visa for Kuwait indicating the issue date, valid-until date and the visa number to be printed and presented to the authorities at the Kuwait border control upon entry.
United Kingdom to Kuwait with e-visa
The e-visa permits British citizens a single entry into Kuwait, valid for one month from the issue date, allowing a stay of up to 90 days. Alternatively, a traditional visa may be obtained from the Kuwait Embassy in London, offering another avenue for visa procurement.
- 2 Albert Gate
- London
- SW1X 7JU
- Tel: 020 7590 3400
- Tube Station: Knightsbridge
Additional Advisory
British nationals are encouraged to register with the UK Embassy in Kuwait for enhanced safety and communication. This registration facilitates access to vital travel and safety advisories and ensures assistance in emergencies.
How many visas are available in Kuwait for British citizens?
Below are the major traditional visas issued by Kuwaiti missions to British citizens:
- Visit Visa (for business trips or for meeting relatives)
- Residence Visa
- Entrance Visa
Visit Visa
To apply for a visit visa, you must have a sponsor in Kuwait in the form of a Kuwaiti company or a resident relative.
The sponsoring party must lodge an application in Kuwait after obtaining a copy of the applicant’s passport. Once the visa is approved, a copy can be mailed to the foreigner.
The applicant must carry this approval to the embassy in London, after which the original visa will be stamped on the passport. A visit visa can be issued for business or meeting relatives in Kuwait. The documents required are as follows:
Business Visit Visa
- A visit visa application form filled out by the sponsor in Kuwait
- A copy of the traveller’s passport, accompanied by their signature
- A copy of the sponsor’s invitation letter explaining the reasons for travel
Visit Visa for Meeting Relatives
- A visit visa application form filled out by the sponsor in Kuwait
- Proof of relationship with the sponsor in Kuwait
- A copy of the applicant’s valid passport
- Civil ID of the sponsor (copies and originals)
- Salary statement of the sponsor
A Kuwaiti visit visa is valid for 90 days and allows a maximum stay of up to 30 days per visit. You can extend your visa after paying an additional fee and applying to the Immigration Department before the expiry of your current passport.
Residence Visa
A residence visa is required when you wish to live long-term in Kuwait. It is issued in three types: work, domestic, and dependent. All of these visas need you to have a sponsor in Kuwait. The documents required for these different residence visas are as follows:
Dependent Visa
- A visa application form was filled in Arabic and submitted by the resident family member to the “jawazaat” bureau in Shuwaikh.
- A copy of the dependent’s passport
- A copy of the Kuwaiti resident’s civil ID and salary certificate
- A birth certificate or marriage certificate
Work Visa
- An application form filled out by the Kuwaiti employer sponsor and submitted to the Ministry of Social Affairs & Labour.
- Employee passport and no-objection certificate from the Ministry of Interior's General Administration of Criminal Investigation
A copy of the work permit will be delivered to the Kuwaiti Embassy in the UK by the Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs upon approval of the application. Once the applicant receives this document, he can apply for an entry visa at the UK mission.
Entrance Visa
A Kuwaiti entrance visa is granted to government and civil sector employees to join providers.
The documents required are:
- A completed visa application form
- A copy of the sponsor’s civil ID
- A copy of the dependant’s passport
- Salary statement, accompanied by a copy of the company contract or license
- A copy of the attested marriage contract or proof of relationship
- A photocopy of the work permit
Once the documents are ready, you can visit the General Department of Immigration in the governorate and submit the application package. You will receive the stamped passport within the set time frame if the visa is approved.
FAQS
British citizens looking to visit Kuwait need to ensure their passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond their intended arrival date in Kuwait. The essential requirements include having a valid British passport, applying for a Kuwait tourist visa, securing accommodation in Kuwait, arranging a return ticket, and providing proof of sufficient finances for the stay.
British passport holders can apply for a Kuwait e-visa through an online application process that typically takes about 10 minutes to complete. Applicants need to provide personal information, passport details, and travel plans. The processing time usually takes up to 24 hours, though it can vary depending on the volume of applications or any additional checks required by the Kuwaiti authorities.
Once British citizens receive their approved e-visa by email, they ought to print out a copy of the e-visa that includes the issue date, valid-until date, and visa number. This document must be presented to the border control authorities upon entering Kuwait. It's also advisable to keep electronic copies accessible during travel.
British citizens can apply for an extension of their stay in Kuwait by visiting the Immigration Department and paying an additional fee before their visa expires. The type of visa and the conditions that come with it determine whether or not it can be extended. It's essential to make such requests well in advance to avoid complications with immigration authorities.