The Kuwaiti government has implemented significant changes to its entry visa regulations starting August 10, 2025. According to an official announcement published in the newspaper “Al-Kuwait Al-Youm,” from now on, all residents of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries—including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman—regardless of their nationality, will be eligible to receive a 90-day airport visa upon arrival in Kuwait.
This new measure allows approximately 25 million foreign nationals residing in the Gulf region to enter Kuwait without needing to obtain a prior visa. Previously, airport visas were only granted to residents holding specific professions such as doctors, engineers, executives, and judges.
Additionally, nationals from European countries, North America, certain Latin American countries, and Asian countries such as China, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore have also previously been eligible to receive tourist visas upon arrival.
Visa Facilitation; A Step Towards Boosting Tourism in Kuwait
This change in visa regulations is part of the Kuwaiti government’s efforts to strengthen the tourism industry and reduce travel restrictions within the GCC region. With attractions such as the Kuwait Towers, the Grand Mosque, traditional markets, and modern shopping centers, Kuwait has become one of the popular tourist destinations in the Gulf.
The implementation of this decision also serves as a prelude to the GCC Single Visa, a plan set to be piloted by late 2025, which will facilitate easier travel between member countries of the council.
