Kuwait introduces visa on arrival for GCC residents
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Kuwait has unveiled new visa-on-arrival rules for expatriate residents of the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman, in a move aimed at boosting tourism from neighbouring Gulf states.
The policy, announced by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al Yousef Al Sabah, took effect immediately following the publication of Ministerial Decision No. 1386 of 2025 in the official gazette Kuwait Al Youm.
Under the new rules, GCC residents can obtain a tourist visit visa upon arrival at any Kuwaiti port of entry, provided they hold a valid residency permit in a GCC country with at least six months remaining before expiry.
Local media reported that the decision supersedes Decision No. 1228 of 2008, which previously set the framework for the entry of GCC residents under similar provisions. The Ministry of Interior said the updated regulations align with Decree Law No. 114 of 2024 governing the residence of foreigners.
Kuwait’s latest move comes as Gulf nations increasingly look to streamline travel for residents within the region, encouraging tourism and short-term visits as part of wider economic diversification efforts.
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