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Kuwait's New Visit Visa Rules 2024

Understanding the New Visit Visa Regulations Set to Commence This Wednesday

As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, many countries are revisiting their immigration policies to better manage the influx of visitors. A significant update comes from the upcoming changes to the visit visa rules, which are set to take effect this Wednesday. These modifications aim to streamline the visitation process while ensuring that visitors and expatriates can enjoy a hassle-free experience. This detailed article delves into the nuances of the new regulations, offering clarity and guidance to prospective visitors.

1. Visa Validity and Entry Requirements

Under the new regulations, individuals granted a visit visa must enter the country within a month from the date the visa is issued. This change underscores the importance of timely travel planning, as visas will become invalid after this one-month period. This measure is designed to prevent the accumulation of unused visas and ensure that visitors are genuinely intending to enter the country within a specified timeframe.

2. Revised Visit Visa Durations

A significant adjustment has been made concerning the duration of visit visas:

• For Wives and Children of Expatriates : The duration for visit visas has been reduced to three months. This change aims to better accommodate the short-term nature of family visits while still allowing ample time for families to spend together.
• For Parents and Siblings : The visit visa duration for parents and siblings is now limited to one month. This adjustment reflects a more streamlined approach to managing family visits, ensuring that visitors can enjoy their stay without overstaying.

3. Age Restrictions for Visit Visa Applicants

In a move to tailor the visit visa policy more precisely, individuals over the age of 50 will generally not be eligible for a visit visa. However, exceptions may be made for parents above this age threshold, subject to a thorough review of the applicant's situation and salary. This criterion ensures that visitors can adequately support themselves during their stay and that their visit is in line with the country's immigration objectives.

4. Health Insurance Requirement

A notable proposal under consideration is the requirement for visit visa applicants to purchase health insurance. This potential requirement aims to safeguard visitors and the healthcare system, ensuring that all visitors can access medical care without imposing a financial burden on the host country.

5. Minimum Salary Requirements

The financial capability of expatriates applying for visit visas for their families has been addressed through specific salary requirements:

• For Wives and Children : A minimum salary of 400 KWD is required to apply for a visit visa. This requirement ensures that visiting family members are adequately supported during their stay.
• For Parents and Siblings : The minimum salary threshold is set at 800 KWD for visit visas. This higher requirement reflects the additional financial responsibility assumed by those inviting extended family members.

The forthcoming changes to the visit visa regulations represent a significant shift in immigration policy, emphasizing the need for responsible tourism and family visits. By setting clear guidelines on visa validity, duration, applicant eligibility, and financial requirements, the new rules aim to foster a balanced and sustainable visitation framework. Prospective visitors and expatriates are encouraged to familiarize themselves with these changes, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable visitation experience.

These updates underscore the country's commitment to maintaining a welcoming yet regulated environment for international visitors. As the implementation date approaches, it is crucial for all potential visitors and expatriates to review these regulations closely and prepare accordingly to ensure compliance and a hassle-free entry.

Kuwait's New Residency Law Proposes 3-Month Visit Visa and Much More

T he National Assembly's Interior and Defense Committee approved  amendments to the residency law on Thursday, Dec. 14, which includes extended visit visa durations, long-term residency , and increased fines for violations. 

Visit Visa Duration and Penalties for Violations

The new amendments have extended the visit visa duration from one month to three months.

Read More: Kuwait's Civil Service Commission Announces New Year's Holidays

The new law penalizes foreigners who overstay in Kuwait beyond their visit visa duration with a one-year imprisonment and a fine of KD 2,000.

Penalties for Residency Law Violations

The daily fine for violators of the residency law will be KD 2 and if the fine is not paid after the first month of penalization, then the fine will be increased to KD 4.

Foreigners working for businessmen who do not sponsor them will be penalized with a fine of KD 3,000.

Parents of a newborn baby are given four months to obtain a residency visa for the child, or they will be fined KD 2 for the first month after the deadline. 

Read More: Kuwait's MoH Has Announced New Operating Hours for Expat Health Checks

The fine will be increased to KD 4 if the fine is not paid for the second month after the deadline.

Other Amendments to the Residency Law

Foreign wives of Kuwaiti locals who are divorcees or widows with children can sponsor themselves for a residency permit.

The following individuals can obtain a ten-year residency visa:

Read More: Kuwait to Allow Transfer of Workers from Public to the Private Sector

Domestic helpers who have a residency permit can stay outside of the country for four months if they exceed this duration their residency visas will be cancelled. 

Approval of Dependent Visas for Expats

The Interior Minister of Kuwait assured on Wednesday, Dec. 13 that he will approve dependent visas  for expats' families once the amendments to the residency law are approved by the National Assembly. 

Read More: How to Make Friends in Kuwait

These amendments now need to be approved by the National Assembly, which will meet from Dec. 19 to Dec. 20.

When will the New Residency Law be Implemented?

With these amendments, the new residency law is expected to be implemented by the start of 2024. 

For the latest updates on the amendments to the residency law, check out Kuwait Moments !

This article was posted on KuwaitMoments

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New Conditions For Family Visit Visas In Kuwait

The Kuwaiti government is set to make a significant decision regarding the opening of family visit visas, as reported by local daily Kuwait Times. The anticipated changes are expected to come into effect by December this year and will bring with them new conditions that potential visitors need to be aware of. This article will delve into the specifics of these impending changes, including increased fees and mandatory health insurance for visa applicants.

According to reliable sources, the new family visit visa will only be granted to close relatives. This means that distant relatives and acquaintances may not be eligible to apply for this type of visa. This move is likely aimed at limiting the number of visitors and streamlining the process to accommodate immediate family members effectively.

One of the most significant changes is the introduction of mandatory health insurance for visa applicants. Under the new regulations, visitors will be required to have health insurance coverage during their stay in Kuwait. The health insurance fee is projected to be as high as KD 500, which could be a considerable financial burden for some applicants. Nevertheless, this measure is intended to ensure that visitors have access to medical care while in the country without putting a strain on Kuwait's healthcare system.

Additionally, the visit period for visa holders will be limited to one month. This restriction is likely to ensure that visitors do not overstay their welcome and comply with the duration specified in their visa. The authorities intend to enforce this limitation strictly and may impose penalties on those who overstay their visa.

To support the implementation of these new regulations and cover administrative costs, the visit visa fee is expected to increase substantially. In comparison to the previous fee structure, the new fee could see a staggering 100 percent hike. This fee hike might deter some potential visitors, but it is viewed as a necessary measure to manage the influx of visitors effectively.

Applicants who sponsor their close relatives for a family visit visa will be held legally accountable for their guests. They will be required to guarantee that the visitor will leave the country upon the expiry of the visa. In the event that a visitor overstays their permitted duration, the sponsor will face both financial and administrative penalties. This approach is designed to encourage sponsors to take responsibility for their guests and ensure compliance with the visa regulations.

The new regulations governing the issuance of family visit visas are still in the proposal stage. They will be presented to the Minister of Interior in the near future for final approval. Once approved, the changes will be officially implemented, and applicants will need to adhere to the new conditions and requirements outlined.

The opening of family visit visas in Kuwait is set to undergo significant changes in the coming months. The new conditions, including mandatory health insurance, increased fees, and a one-month visit limit, are aimed at streamlining the visa process and ensuring the well-being of visitors during their stay. While these measures may pose challenges for some applicants, they are intended to create a more sustainable and controlled visa system. As the new regulations await final approval, potential visitors must keep themselves informed and prepared for the changes to avoid any complications in their travel plans.

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UAE flights: Indian airlines issue guidelines for visit visa holders travelling to Dubai

Agents have received advisories from airlines that warn of denial to board, and possible deportation, in absence of necessary documents.

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In response to recent travel updates for visitors from India to UAE, a few Indian airlines have issued a set of guidelines for passengers.

The advisory, issued by airlines to travel agents in India and in UAE, states that “travellers should carry necessary documents when travelling from Indian cities to the UAE.”

An Air India Express spokesperson confirmed to Khaleej Times that they issued an advisory urging passengers to carry valid passports, return tickets, accommodation details, and financial proof.

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The advisory stated that travellers from India must ensure their passport is valid for at least six months from the date of entry.

“Visitors must have a confirmed return ticket, proof of confirmed hotel reservation, carry or have in their account Dh3,000 (approximately Rs68,000) for a 1-month visa and Dh5,000 for a longer stay, and additional documents of relatives or friends who are residents of the UAE,” the advisory stated.

Travel agents based in India and Dubai told Khaleej Times that they have received advisories from many airlines flying between the two countries.

“We have received circulars from SpiceJet, Air India, and other airlines who have issued such advisories so that travellers can be equipped with all the necessary documents and funds for ease in travel,” said Taha Siddique, owner of Siddique Travels.

According to a circular shared with the agents by SpiceJet, the airline warns the passengers to carry all the documents and that “failure to do so may lead to deportation.”

The advisory also stated that “passengers who do not have the required documents will be denied boarding on our flights at the departing airport and all related charges will be debited to the ticketing agency."

“We will have to bear the expenses of the return if our client is denied entry in the UAE airports. So we make sure that they have all the related documents before we book their tickets,” said Siddique.

According to travel agents, travellers are well aware of the situation and are carrying all the necessary documents.

“As many were not allowed to board the flights from India, or were sent back from the UAE airport, travellers are not taking any chance now and they are well prepared in advance,” said Deepak Kaushik, operations manager at ToursOnBoard.

Bharath Aidasani, managing partner at Pluto Travels, said if denied entry to UAE, “it becomes the airline's responsibility to take the traveller back to his home country, and this is the reason that they are conducting rigorous checks before issuing a boarding pass."

“Travellers at the check-in counters have their documents checked by airline executives. Upon failure to produce them, travellers may be sent back or asked to obtain the documents before boarding the flight,” said Firoz Maliyakkal, founder and CEO of Tahira Tours and Travels.

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Visit Visas could return under new conditions

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KUWAIT: Official sources revealed that the Ministry of Interior will issue new conditions regarding family visas at the end of this year. Family visas have been suspended for over a year ago, in implementation of ministerial directives to re-evaluate the mechanisms for their issuance and applying new mechanisms that prevent visitors overstaying their permit. Sources told Kuwait Times they expect the new conditions to be publicized in December.

“The new mechanism is almost ready and will be submitted to the Minister of Interior Sheikh Talal Al-Khaled in the coming period,” sources said. “It will include a granting a special card to the visitor and mandating the visitor gets health insurance, whether they are a son, daughter, or parent of a child older than 16 years old or a parent and their child.”

Visas won’t be issued for a resident’s brother or sister, sources said. They added that the health insurance fee could reach up to KD 500 and the visit period can’t exceed one month. “Fees for issuing a visit visa could increase by 100 percent from what was applied in the past,” sources added.

The new conditions include that the applicant promises that a visitor leaves the country immediately after the end of the visit period. If they do not leave, the resident who applied for their visa will be legally accountable and subjected to financial and administrative punishment, including permanently banning them from issuing a visit visa, sources said.

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Three month visit visa for expats in the proposed new residency law

The proposed new residency law allows three month stay for visit visa instead of the earlier one month duration, reports Al-Seyassah daily. It can be renewable with the approval of the Minister of Interior, report added.

The new residency law also stipulated heavy penalty on a foreigner who visits Kuwait and remains here in violation without residency. The penalty includes one year imprisonment and/or a fine ranging between KD 1,000 and KD 2,000.

The new law increased the daily fine amount for the violation of residency law to KD 2, as well as the fine for the delayed registration of a new-born to KD 2 in the first month, and KD 4 for each day after that.

The new law also states that an amount of KD 3,000 must be paid in the event that an expatriate works for other sponsors other than his own, in violation of the requirements of his residency.

The new law is expected to be implemented by the beginning of 2024.

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Kuwait to resume issuing family visas within next few days

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The salary cap for sponsors has been set at KD500 per month

Dubai: The Ministry of Interior will issue instructions within the next few days to resume issuing family visas, Al Rai newspaper reported, quoting well-informed security sources.

The ministry’s Residency Affairs Sector said that the first stage will cover children, after which the process of allowing wives, mothers, and fathers to join their families in the country will gradually begin, based on the criteria to be determined by the ministry. The salary cap for sponsors has been set at KD500 per month, the paper said.

According to security sources, this step comes following the temporary suspension of family visa issuance as part of the Ministry of Interior’s attempts to establish specific regulations and processes to alter the demography and protect citizens’ rights to reconnect with their families.

The source stated that the salary cap for infants and for humanitarian considerations will not be applied. Last August, Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior suspended the issuance of family visit visas and tourist visas until further notice, excluding e-visas and visas-on-arrival issued to nationals of select countries. A new regulatory framework is being developed while this suspension is in place. No further details have been announced at the time.

Soon after the suspension was announced, many expat families faced a problem bringing their children who were born in their home countries, either due to the loss of residency or the renewal of passports.

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Centre’s decision to deny Kerala minister visit to Kuwait triggers political row

Pinarayi vijayan and state’s opposition criticised the centre’s move, while governor arif mohammed khan and union minister suresh gopi backed the decision..

Kochi: A political row has erupted after Kerala’s health minister Veena George was allegedly denied permission by the Centre to travel to Kuwait on Thursday as the official state representative in the backdrop of the fire tragedy in the West Asian country that claimed 49 lives, including 23 from the southern state.

Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and state’s opposition Congress on Friday criticised the Centre’s move, while Governor Arif Mohammed Khan and Union minister Suresh Gopi backed the decision.

George and Jeevan Babu, state mission director, National Health Mission , were authorised by the Kerala government on Thursday morning to fly to Kuwait to oversee the medical treatment being provided to injured persons from the state and repatriation of their mortal remains to India.

Since the trip required political clearance from the MEA, a request was forwarded to the Centre and the state chief secretary as well as the resident commission of Kerala in Delhi got involved in speeding up the bureaucratic process, George told reporters.

“We were hopeful of getting the clearance at the last minute and even travelled to the airport in Kochi...but the MEA did not give the political clearance for the travel. The death of each person from India in Kuwait is saddening. But Kerala has lost the most numbers of people in this tragedy,” she said.

“A lot of people injured in the fire are undergoing treatment in hospitals. Their families are not with them. In the face of this tragedy, these deaths and the grief, the stance of the Centre towards Kerala was wrong and highly unfortunate,” George alleged.

At least 49 people were killed in the fire in the Al-Mangaf building in Kuwait on June 12 and 45 of them were Indians, including 23 from Kerala.

Vijayan, who paid respects to the deceased after their bodies were transported to Kochi by an IAF aircraft from Kuwait, termed the Centre’s decision as “wrong”, but chose not to raise it at the hour of grief. “I don’t intend to raise it now as a serious issue, maybe, we can discuss it later. Right now, the state and central governments must work together and coordinate efforts to help these families affected by the tragedy,” he told reporters at the Kochi airport.

The opposition Congress in the southern state termed the Centre’s decision “most unfortunate”.

“When such tragedies occur in foreign countries, it’s important that representatives of state and central governments are present there. The Centre’s representative went early, but if the state representative was also there, she [George] could have coordinated efforts with the local Malayali expatriate outfits there. The Centre’s decision sends a wrong message,” VD Satheesan, leader of the opposition in Kerala assembly, said.

Governor Khan defended the Centre’s decision, saying when the bodies of the deceased were being brought on Friday, what would George have achieved by going to Kuwait a day ago. “So, if you go yesterday and then come back again today, what will be the actual work which will be done there? Already the government of India ministers were in Kuwait and they were bringing the bodies today [Friday],” he told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lawmaker and Union minister of state for tourism and petroleum Suresh Gopi said there was “no controversy” in the matter.

“There is no need to see politics in it. Every person has a position and responsibilities. The MEA is in charge of matters like these and decisions have been taken within the ambit of cooperative federalism. S Jaishankar and his team have done a good job. An MoS was deputed to go to Kuwait and everything has been handled well,” Gopi added.

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Kosovo and Israel agree to allow each other’s citizens visa-free entry

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PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) — Citizens of Kosovo and Israel will be able to visit the other nation without a visa following an agreement between the two governments signed Tuesday, the Kosovar Foreign Ministry said.

The visa waiver agreement was signed in the Kosovar capital, Pristina, by visiting Israeli Interior Minister Moshe Arbel and Kosovar Foreign Minister Donika Gervalla.

Gervalla said the agreement will “open a new chapter in promoting our country, our cooperation and economic development, youngsters’ educational development and the implementation of joint initiatives and projects between our citizens and our countries in the future.”

The visa waiver will go into effect in September. No details on the length of stay were given.

This year Kosovars can also enjoy visa-free stays of up to 90 days -– within six months -– in any of the 27 Schengen-area member states in Europe.

Kosovo and Israel formally established diplomatic ties in February 2021. Israel is the 117th country to recognize Kosovo.

Kosovo’s independence from Serbia in 2008, nine years after a U.S.-led 78-day NATO airstrike campaign against Serbia to stop a bloody crackdown against ethnic Albanians in Kosovo, is recognized by most Western nations, but not by Serbia and its allies Russia and China.

The government of former U.S. President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in late 2017 and moved the U.S. Embassy there in May 2018.

Kosovo was the first European country, and the first country with a Muslim majority, to establish an embassy in Jerusalem, following the U.S. and Guatemala. An opening ceremony was held in March 2021.

Semini reported from Tirana, Albania.

Follow Llazar Semini at https://x.com/lsemini