Kuwait offers three-month family visit visa under new reforms

Kuwait has announced a wide-ranging set of visa reforms aimed at making the country more accessible to visitors and boosting its tourism sector. The measures include the introduction of a three-month family visit visa, the removal of long-standing entry conditions and new policies that streamline application processes.

The changes were confirmed by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al Sabah in a phone call with Ahmed Al Jarallah, Editor-in-Chief of Al Seyassah newspaper. The conversation was later published in the local press.

Effective Tuesday, the new visa regulations are part of a broader overhaul of the ‘Kuwait Visa’ platform. This platform is a central initiative designed to position Kuwait as a regional hub for tourism and commerce.

One of the most notable updates is the cancellation of the local carrier requirement. Travellers are no longer required to book with a national airline to obtain a visa.

“The state should not act as a marketer for airlines”, Sheikh Fahad said.

“They must market themselves", he added.

The restructured family visit visa now allows an initial stay of up to three months. It also provides the option to extend for six months or even one year, depending on the applicant’s compliance with visa rules.

“Violations in this category are minimal, so flexibility can be granted”, Sheikh Fahad noted.

The eligibility for family visit visas has also been expanded. Relatives up to the fourth degree of kinship are now included. In addition, the requirement for visitors to hold a university degree has been scrapped.

Sheikh Fahad said travellers with security restrictions will be notified in advance and are expected to resolve those matters independently. He explained that this policy aligns with global travel standards.

The visa fee structure is currently under review. Sheikh Fahad confirmed that the new fee proposal will be submitted to the Council of Ministers for final approval.

“We are building a new airport, and our goal is to bring back all airlines that exited the local market”, he added.

Meanwhile, Minister of Information and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Abdulrahman Al Mutairi emphasized the strategic role of tourism in Kuwait’s economic diversification. At a recent event, he introduced the “Visit Kuwait” platform, a digital initiative designed to unify tourism promotion under a single national brand.

“The platform will serve as the gateway for all tourism-related messaging”, Al Mutairi said.

He added that it is fully aligned with Kuwait Vision 2035, the country’s long-term development strategy.