Kuwait Facilitates Tourism with New Visa Policy for GCC Residents

Kuwait now offers tourist visas on arrival to foreign residents of GCC countries with valid six-month residency, easing travel for over 30 million expatriates. This move streamlines entry, supports Kuwait’s Vision 2035 economic diversification, and boosts tourism projected to exceed $1.13 billion by 2025. It aligns Kuwait with regional efforts to enhance mobility, cultural exchange, and sustainable growth. In a major policy shift benefiting millions of Gulf expatriates, Kuwait now allows foreign GCC residents to obtain tourist visas on arrival, without prior application or embassy procedures, lifting long-standing restrictions and opening new travel opportunities across the region. Kuwait’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister, Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah, issued the new directive through the country’s official gazette Kuwait Alyoum on Sunday, August 10, 2025. The announcement confirms that any foreign national residing in a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) country, that is, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, or Kuwait itself, is now eligible to receive a tourist visa on arrival, as long as their residency permit is valid for at least six months. The visa is granted directly at the port of entry into Kuwait and does not restrict eligibility based on nationality, provided the residency criteria are met. This policy immediately repeals a 2008 regulation that previously governed how foreign residents of GCC states could enter Kuwait for tourism purposes. The aim is to streamline entry procedures and improve regional mobility, particularly for non-GCC nationals residing in the region. Eligible travelers can approach designated immigration counters upon arrival at any Kuwaiti border point or airport. Immigration officers will check the validity of the GCC residency permit (minimum six months), valid passport, and travel documentation, with the tourist visa issued on the spot after verification. This simplifies the entry process, benefiting expats who often travel on short notice for leisure, family visits, or non-work purposes. The decision significantly impacts a large portion of the Gulf’s population, promoting regional tourism and economic integration.