Kuwait opens doors to GCC foreign residents

All foreigners in Gulf states eligible for tourist visa on arrival

KUWAIT: Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah issued a decision on Sunday. It allows all foreigners residing in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states to enter Kuwait. They can obtain a tourist visa on arrival at all entry points. The decision was published in the official gazette Kuwait Al-Youm on Sunday and is effective right away. Under a recently issued decision, a tourist visa is valid for 90 days. According to the decision, GCC foreign residents must have a residency authorization in Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Oman. They must also have a residency authorization in Qatar and Bahrain.

The decision abolishes regulations issued in 2008. These regulations allowed only certain categories of GCC residents to avail of the tourist visa on arrival. These categories included doctors, engineers, judges, and executives. Around 25 million foreigners residing in the five GCC member states can gain from the Kuwaiti visa on arrival. For many years, nationals from most countries in Europe have obtained tourist visas upon arrival. North American and some Latin American countries enjoy the same privilege. Leading Asian nations like China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and others are also included.

Kuwait has eased restrictions on visas to foreigners. This change happened over the past 15 months. The aim is to open up for visitors. It has eased restrictions on family visas, allowing expats working in Kuwait to bring their close relatives. Spouses, children, parents, and others can visit them for a limit of one month. Hotels can now easily sponsor visitors. Additionally, companies find it simpler to obtain business visas for their foreign partners.