Foreign residents in GCC member states can now receive a visa on arrival when entering Kuwait, according to the Ministry of Interior. This new policy applies to holders of valid residency permits from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman, Qatar, and Bahrain. Previously, these travelers were required to secure an e-visa before departure.
Kuwait International Airport confirmed that eligible GCC residents — except Iraqi nationals — may obtain a three-month tourist visa at the airport’s visa counter. To qualify, travelers must work in approved professions such as doctors, engineers, journalists, pilots, managers, business owners, and other specified roles. They must also hold a valid passport, a GCC residency permit with more than six months’ validity, a return ticket, and must not be on Kuwait’s blacklist. Applicants are also required to register their address in Kuwait during the visa application process at the airport.
The change takes immediate effect. In July 2025, Kuwait launched a nationwide e-visa platform covering various visa types, and a unified GCC tourist visa — allowing travel to all six member countries — is expected to be introduced soon.
