Visa Requirements for Kuwaiti Citizens

Kuwaiti citizens can visit 76 countries visa-free or with visa-on-arrival in 2025. Popular visa-free destinations include Malaysia (90 days), Turkey (90 days), Georgia (360 days), Albania (90 days), Singapore (30 days), Hong Kong (30 days), South Korea (30 days), Thailand (30 days), Maldives (30 days), and all GCC countries (Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE) where only a national ID card is required for entry.

The US B1/B2 tourist and business visa costs $185 (approximately 57 KWD) for Kuwaiti applicants. This is a non-refundable application fee paid before scheduling your visa interview at the US Embassy in Kuwait City. Additional fees may apply for visa issuance reciprocity depending on the visa type.

The UK Standard Visitor Visa costs £127 (approximately 49 KWD) for Kuwaiti citizens applying for stays up to 6 months. VFS Global charges an additional service fee of around 15 KWD. Priority processing is available for £500 extra (5 working days) or £1,000 for Super Priority (next working day).

Schengen visa processing for Kuwaiti applicants typically takes 15 to 30 calendar days from the date of application. During peak travel season (June to August), processing can extend to 45 days. The Schengen visa fee is €80 (approximately 25 KWD) and allows travel to all 29 Schengen member countries.

Standard visa requirements for Kuwaiti citizens include: valid passport with 6+ months validity and 2 blank pages, recent passport-size photographs (specifications vary by country), bank statements for the last 3 to 6 months showing sufficient funds, employment letter or business registration, confirmed flight itinerary and hotel bookings, travel insurance (mandatory for Schengen), and a cover letter explaining travel purpose and ties to Kuwait.

The UK visitor visa approval rate for Kuwaiti applicants is approximately 88% to 92% based on recent fiscal year data. Kuwait's strong economy and high per capita income contribute to favorable approval rates. Applicants with clear travel history, stable employment, and strong financial documentation typically experience higher success rates.

Yes, Kuwaiti citizens can enter Turkey visa-free for stays up to 90 days within any 180-day period. No visa or e-visa is required. This makes Turkey one of the most accessible European destinations for Kuwaiti travelers, with direct flights available from Kuwait City to Istanbul, Ankara, and Antalya.

Kuwaiti applicants generally experience low rejection rates due to strong passport credibility. However, higher rejection rates occur for Schengen visas from France (approximately 8% rejection rate), Germany (7%), and Italy (6%). Common rejection reasons include incomplete documentation, unclear travel itinerary, and insufficient proof of ties to Kuwait.

To maximize visa approval chances: apply at least 3 to 6 weeks before travel, provide 6 months of bank statements showing consistent balance and income, include employment verification letter with salary details, document previous international travel history (especially to Western countries), provide a detailed day-by-day travel itinerary with hotel bookings, and ensure travel insurance coverage meets destination requirements. Kuwaiti government employees and business owners typically have higher approval rates.