Is it safe to travel to Kuwait right now?

This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Kuwait’s current rules for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Kuwait set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Kuwaiti Embassy in the UK:

2 Albert Gate
London, SW1X 7JU

Telephone: 020 7590 3400

Passport validity requirements

To enter Kuwait, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Previous travel to Israel

If your passport contains an Israeli stamp, you may be refused a visa or entry to Kuwait.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.

Visa requirements

You must have a visa to visit Kuwait.

Applying for a visa

You can get a visa on arrival in Kuwait or online. More information is available from the Kuwait Ministry of Interior.

British citizens born in Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Pakistan, Sudan, Syria or Yemen are not eligible for visa on arrival and must obtain a visa from the Kuwaiti Embassy before travelling.

Checks at border control

You must be able to show:

• a ticket for return or onward travel
• proof of your accommodation, for example, a hotel booking
• work visas (both public and private sector) require further documents from employer. See further details on visas and requirements

Additional processing at airports

Kuwaiti authorities may apply additional checks to some British nationals on arrival, particularly those born outside the UK, including from parts of the Middle East or South Asia. This may result in delays, additional questioning, or, in some cases, refusal of entry.

Entry decisions are made by the Kuwaiti authorities.

If you are concerned that you may be affected, consider checking with the Kuwaiti Embassy in London before you travel or applying for a visa in advance.

Working or living in Kuwait

For work or residency visas, apply to the Kuwaiti Embassy in London.

If you’re applying for a residency visa, your passport must be valid for at least 2 years. Your employers should not keep your passport.

For further information, read about living in Kuwait.

Vaccine requirements

For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Kuwait guide.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Kuwait. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty. Failure to declare could result in:

• imprisonment
• refusal of entry and possible deportation

It is illegal to import:

• narcotics
• alcohol
• gambling machines
• pork and pork products
• pornographic material

Taking money into Kuwait

Declare cash or travellers cheques if the value is 3000 Kuwaiti dinars (£7,500) or more. You will get a certified declaration to show you brought it in with you. If you do not, your money could be seized when you leave.

Some countries have imposed measures in response to the Ebola disease outbreak. These can include restrictions on entry and health screening measures for travellers having recently visited an affected country. If you are suspected of having symptoms, you may be subject to isolation, quarantine and/or travel restrictions. Contact the authorities of the country you are travelling to for more details.

The authorities of a country or territory decide who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from local authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the Foreign Representatives in Canada.

Passport

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you're travelling with.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country's entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of entry into Kuwait.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, verify this information with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

You should also be aware that current systems used by some countries and travel companies may not recognize the “X” gender identifier. You may still be asked to provide your sex/gender information as either male or female when travelling.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, verify this information with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

• Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics
• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports and other travel documents

Travel documents with an X in the "sex" field

The Kuwaiti authorities will deny you entry if your passport shows an X in the “sex” field or if it includes an observation to that effect.

Visas

Tourist visa: required
Business visa: required
Student visa: required

You can obtain a tourist visa upon arrival. If you need a business or student visa, you must get it at an embassy or consulate of Kuwait before arrival.

You should apply to obtain an electronic visa prior to arrival to avoid delays or complications upon entry.

If you’re applying for a residency visa, your passport must be valid for at least 2 years. Your employer in Kuwait should not keep your passport.

E-Visa

Canadians travelling with a regular passport can also get a tourist visa online. You must present a copy of this visa for verification on arrival.

You must be able to show:

• a return or onward ticket
• proof of accommodation

Kuwait Visa – Ministry of Interior of the State of Kuwait

Employment

If you intend to work in Kuwait, you must obtain a certified criminal record check for each individual or dependent family member over the age of 18 who will be residing in the country.

The certified criminal record checks must come from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and be authenticated to be used in Kuwait. The authentication process can’t be completed more than three months before your date of arrival in Kuwait.

• Authentication of documents
• Work visa requirements – Embassy of the State of Kuwait in Ottawa
• Foreign Representatives in Canada

Regional travel

Canadians have been denied entry into Kuwait because their passports bore an Israeli visa or border stamp, or an Egyptian or Jordanian border stamp issued by an office bordering Israel, since such a stamp would indicate entry from Israel.

Exit bans

Kuwaiti authorities may place an exit ban on certain individuals to prevent them from leaving the country.

An exit ban can relate to investigations into:

• an individual, their family or an employer
• criminal and civil matters, including commercial disputes
• employment without a valid work permit
• unpaid financial debts, such as traffic fines

An exit ban can be requested by people involved in any of these circumstances or after a judicial decision. You may not be aware that authorities have placed an exit ban on you until you try to leave the country.

Your passport may be seized until the case is fully investigated and settled.

If you face an exit ban, you should seek legal advice.

Children and travel

Learn about travelling with children.

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).