Kuwait Abruptly Ends E-Visa Services for 53 Countries

ISLAMABAD: The e-Visa program for citizens of 53 nations has been temporarily halted by Kuwait. The reason given is that the system is going through an overhaul and improvement. This change affects travelers who previously used the Internet portal to secure entry into the nation before arrival.

Some of these countries are:

The following countries and territories are included: Andorra, Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Georgia, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Laos, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and Vatican City.

The suspension is being implemented as part of a larger effort to “develop and enhance” the system, according to a notice posted on Kuwait’s official e-Visa portal. The goal is to develop a more advanced and user-friendly process for overseas travelers, but the Ministry of Interior, which supervises the e-Visa service, hasn’t announced a particular date.

To make sure tourists aren’t inconvenienced, the Kuwaiti government has made it clear that visitors from the 53 impacted countries can still get a tourist visa when they arrive in Kuwait.

How to Apply for a Visa on Arrival in Kuwait?

Tourists who meet the requirements can obtain a three-month, single-entry visa at the immigration checkpoints adjacent to Kuwait International Airport. The following documents are required of applicants:

• A passport is valid for six months after entrance.
• A return or onward ticket.
• The cost of the visa is three Kuwaiti dinars (KWD).

At the airport visa counter, applicants must also submit a legitimate residence address for the duration of their stay and ensure that they are not on Kuwait’s blacklist.