KUWAIT — In a significant policy shift, Kuwait has announced that all expatriates can now bring extended family members to the country on visit visas, as the previously required salary cap has been abolished.

This change, confirmed by Colonel Abdulaziz Al-Kandari, Director of Electronic Services at the Department of Residency Affairs, marks a move towards easing restrictions for foreign visitors and tourists.

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During an interview with state-run Kuwait Television, Al-Kandari explained that while the validity of family visas remains limited to one month, the new regulations allow expatriates to sponsor relatives up to the fourth degree, including third-degree relatives by marriage. Previously, family visas were largely restricted to spouses, children, and parents.

The application process has also been streamlined, with visas now available through the newly launched Kuwaitvisa platform. Al-Kandari indicated that if applications are complete, visas can be issued in as little as five minutes.

Easing Travel Restrictions

In a further effort to enhance accessibility, Kuwait has lifted the requirement for visitors to utilize Kuwaiti carriers, such as Kuwait Airways or Al-Jazeera Airways. “Visitors can now arrive by sea, land, or air using any carrier,” Al-Kandari stated, highlighting the broader range of travel options available to tourists.

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The Kuwaitvisa platform facilitates several types of visas, including tourist, family, business, and governmental visas.

Tourist Visa Categories

Tourist visas are categorized into four groups, with the first encompassing nationals from 53 predominantly Western countries, including most European nations and key Asian countries such as Japan and Singapore, as well as Australia and Canada.

Citizens from these nations can obtain various types of tourist visas upon arrival or online without any additional conditions.

The second category includes foreign residents from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, as well as those holding valid residency permits in the U.S., Canada, or the UK, and Schengen visa holders.

While applicants in this category are not required to submit a salary certificate, they must hold medium to high-level professions.

To streamline the application process, Al-Kandari advised that candidates upload necessary documents, including a passport copy, a personal photo, a confirmed air ticket, and a hotel reservation.

Single-entry visas for one, two, or three months, as well as multiple-entry visas, are available, although each stay must not exceed one month.

The third category, currently under review, involves individuals not covered by the first two groups, who will need to demonstrate financial capability through bank statements.

The fourth category is designated for those attending specific sports and entertainment events, allowing them to apply at the time of the event.

For business visas, local companies can now sponsor foreign business partners or visitors. Visa fees will vary depending on nationality.

This progressive stance reflects Kuwait’s commitment to welcoming a greater number of visitors and fostering stronger ties with expatriate communities.

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