Kuwait Opens Tourist Visa‑On‑Arrival for All GCC Residents

Anyone living in a GCC country with a valid residency permit of at least six months can obtain a tourist visa on arrival in Kuwait. The new regulation replaces a 2008 policy that limited entry to certain professions and excluded many residents from quick access.

Under the updated rule, tourism to Kuwait becomes simpler for longtime residents of the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain. Visitors no longer need to apply ahead of time or meet specific job criteria - now a passport and proof of residency are enough to cross the border.

Contextually, the change comes as Kuwait joins other GCC nations in making regional travel smoother. It follows the launch of the country’s revamped e‑Visa platform and fits within a wider shift in Gulf policy towards more inclusive mobility in tandem with the anticipated launch of a unified GCC tourist visa