KUWAIT - Al Yousuf Enterprises L.L.P.

KUWAIT VISIT VISA

There are two basic types of visa, a visit visa and a residence visa.

A foreigner whose Country without a visa abolition treaty with Kuwait, i.e.a treaty permitting Kuwait to enter their country without a visa, may be granted reciprocal rights in Kuwait. These persons however may require an entry permit. Entry permits are acquired in the same way and under the same procedures as a visit visa.

Application for a visit visa

Visit visas and entry permits are valid for entry within 90 days of issue and then for a stay of up to 30 days only after entry, A visit visa costs kd 3/- entry permits are free.

A visit to Kuwait must be sponsored by a Kuwait individual or company, or a resident foreigner who is a relative of the visitor while he or she is in Kuwait.

To Obtain a visit visa for a business, visitor, a Kuwait sponsor or company will require:

Visa application and security form completed by the sponsor
Copy of the visitor’s passport
Copy of the sponsors signature as registered for business purposes
Copy of the letter of invitation from the sponsor to the business visitor stations the purpose of the visit.
To obtain a visit visa and security from completed by the sponsor
Copy of the visitor’s passport
Original and copy of the sponsor’s passport
Original and copy of the sponsor’s civil ID Original and copy of the sponsor’s work permit (Private sector employees)
Original and copy of the sponsor’s work permit (Private sector employees)
Recent salary certificate from the sponsor’s employer
Authenticated proof of the family relationship

EXTENSION OF VISA

The fine for staying more than 30 days on a visit is KD 10a day. A visitor whose has expired is not allowed to leave until the fine has been paid the fine must be paid at the Immigration Department in Shuwaikh during government working house.

Not at the airport fines however may be paid a few days in advance and, unless this is done, the flight out is invariably missed. An expatriate may obtain two one- month expansion to a visit visa or temporary residence provided the application is made to the immigration department before the visa has expired. A pleasant solution for visitors wishing to extend their stay is to obtain a second visit visa in Kuwait travel to Bahrain on a morning flight and re-enter Kuwait in the evening round trip (40 minutes flying time) only costs about KD 45.

MULTIPLE ENTRY VISA

Multiple entry visits, which allow holders to enter the country any number of times within a 12- month period, may be available to businesses sponsored by the ministry of defense.

American citizens (but not other westerners) can sometimes obtain multiple entry visit that is valid for up to 10 years and allow an indefinite number of entries.

TRANSIT VISA

A transit visa, valid for a maximum stay of 7 days, can be obtained from a Kuwait consult abroad or from a port authority in Kuwait the fee is KD 2 the applicant must have a valid visa for his next country of destination and unless he is working on a ship or airline a confirmed onward ticket bonafide international truck drivers and their helpers may obtain multiple entry transit visas.