Tuesday, August 12, 2025
GCC Residents Can Now Get Kuwait Tourist Visas at the Border
Kuwait has started a new policy that allows expat residents of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to get a tourist visa when they arrive. The change was announced by First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef.
This decision was published in Kuwait’s official gazette, Kuwait Alyoum, and is effective immediately. It replaces a 2008 rule about tourism entry for GCC residents. Trending: Procedure to check your exit/re-entry visa status online in Saudi Arabia
Who can get the visa:
✓ Any foreign national living in a GCC country (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, or Oman).
✓ Must have a valid GCC residency permit with at least 6 months left before it expires.
✓ The traveler’s own nationality does not matter as long as they meet the residency rule.
How it works:
➤ At airports and land borders in Kuwait, travelers can go to special immigration counters.
➤ Immigration officers will check the residency permit, confirm it has at least 6 months left, and verify travel documents. Most Viewed: New rules for Group housing in Saudi Arabia
➤ If all conditions are met, the tourist visa will be issued on the spot.
Why Kuwait made this change:
🔹 To match regional trends in entry rules.
🔹 To make travel easier for expatriates living in GCC countries.
🔹 To encourage short leisure trips and family visits.
🔹 To increase spending in hotels, shops, and cultural activities.
This move is similar to recent visa changes in the UAE and Oman. It is part of a wider GCC effort to improve travel connections and grow tourism as a way to diversify their economies. Support Saudi Expatriates News by joining our WhatsApp channel
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| GCC Residents Can Now Get Kuwait Tourist Visas at the Border |
