Kuwait has rolled out a major travel reform, allowing foreign residents of GCC countries to get tourist visas on arrival, provided they hold at least six months of valid residency. Announced on August 10, 2025, the new rule removes the need for prior embassy approvals or online applications.
Who Can Benefit
The change opens the door for over 30 million expatriates across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman. Now, any foreign national living in a GCC state who meets the residency requirement can get a visa directly at Kuwaiti airports or land borders with just a valid passport and proof of residency.
Policy Replaces Old Restrictions
The directive, issued by First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah, repeals a 2008 regulation that had imposed tight entry restrictions on non-citizen GCC residents. It’s one of the most inclusive intra-GCC visa reforms to date, with no discrimination by nationality.
Boost for Tourism and the Economy
The move aligns with Kuwait’s Vision 2035, which aims to diversify the economy and grow tourism beyond its current $860 million market to an expected $1.13 billion this year. Easier entry is expected to lift visitor numbers and drive spending across hospitality, retail, and transport.
Part of a Regional Trend
Other Gulf nations have also eased entry for expatriates—Oman introduced visa-free entry for certain GCC residents in 2021, Saudi Arabia is expanding its eVisa program, and the UAE issues multi-entry permits. But Kuwait’s policy stands out for its simplicity and inclusivity.
Why It Matters
GCC citizens have long enjoyed free movement within the Gulf, but expatriates faced differing visa rules in each country. This reform gives millions of expats in cities like Dubai, Riyadh, Doha, Manama, and Muscat the ability to visit Kuwait spontaneously—even for a weekend trip—strengthening cultural ties and regional mobility.
A Signal of Openness
More than a convenience, the visa change positions Kuwait as a modern, connected Gulf destination that values the contribution of expatriates to the region’s economy and society.
