Updated travel information

10 November: Hand luggage allowed on flights & airport to operate 24 hours

As of the 17 November Kuwait Airport will operate 24hours, with hand luggage now allowed on flights Source

9 November: Expats allowed to return on valid residency visas

All expats who left the country from 1 September, 2019 are allowed to return to Kuwait provided that they have a valid residency visa, regardless if they have been outside the country for more than six months, according to a decision issued by the Ministry of Interior (MoI). Source

9 November: Visa Update

ALL expats on expired visit visas should make arrangements to leave Kuwait by the 30 November, should you have a residency visa that has expired, you are urged to take urgent action to amend their status before the 30 November. Source

8 November: Airport Update

The airport will remain in phase one of the resumption of commercial flights until 31 January 2021 Source

17 September: Updated list of Countries Banned from Entering Kuwait

India, Iran, China, Brazil, Colombia, Armenia, Bangladesh, Philippines, Syria, Spain, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Iraq, Mexico, Indonesia, Chile, Pakistan, Egypt, Lebanon, Hong Kong, Italy, Northern Macedonia, Moldova, Panama, Peru, Serbia, Montenegro, Dominican Republic, Kosovo, France, Yemen & Argentina Source

17 September Schengen Visa Update

Due to the entry restrictions on all non-essential travel from third countries (among these: KUWAIT) to the Federal Republic of Germany, the Embassy is currently not accepting any Schengen visa applications. As soon as entry will be permitted again i. e. for travelers from Kuwait to Germany, there will be information published accordingly on our Website. Applications for national visa for a long stay in Germany (family reunion, visa for study purposes) may be received by the embassy. Information can be found by clicking [here].

9 September PCR Update

Children under the age of 6years are exempt from PCR test  Source

23 August PCR Update

Now to be issued 96 hours before travel Source

3 August PCR Update

Now to be issued 72 hours before travel (not 96 as previously stated by the DGCA) Source

1 August: Updated list of Countries Banned from Entering Kuwait

India, Iran, China, Brazil, Colombia, Armenia, Bangladesh, Philippines, Syria, Spain, Singapore, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Iraq, Mexico, Indonesia, Chile, Pakistan, Egypt, Lebanon, Hong Kong, Italy, Northern Macedonia, Moldova, Panama, Peru, Serbia, Montenegro, Dominican Republic, Kosovo (Source: The Times, Kuwait)

31 July 2020: Visa on Arrival Service Still Suspended

31 July: Updated Entry to Kuwait Details

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) announced that anyone who has spent the last 14 days in Bangladesh, Philippines, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Iran, and Nepal will not be allowed to enter Kuwait, and it is not a ban on the nationals from these countries, reports a local daily.

Those nationals belonging to those 7 countries are free to enter Kuwait through the specified procedures as long as they are traveling from other countries, which are among the permitted countries.
This means that nationals of these 7 banned countries can travel to another country and after staying for 14 days can enter Kuwait as long as they have a PCR certificate proving they are coronavirus negative and follow the health procedures.

For example, an Indian citizen, who has not been in India for the last 14 days, can enter Kuwait without any issue. (Source: The Times, Kuwait)

30 July: Updated PCR & Entry Details

The Kuwaiti Cabinet has decided that all expat residents can fly from and to Kuwait ‪from 01/08‬ except for expat residents travelling from the following 7 countries : Bangladesh, Nepal, India, Philippines, Iran, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan.

A list of approved clinics and labs for the PCR in several countries can be found at www.kuwaitairport.gov.kw . In countries not mentioned in this list, such as the UK, medical laboratories accredited by the health authorities in that country can be used.

Information on obtaining a PCR in the UK can be found at www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-getting-tested . The Kuwaiti visit visa service remains suspended. (Source UK Embassy, Kuwait)

26 July: Travel App Required for ALL Travel

All passengers, whether arriving or departing from Kuwait Airport need to download the Mosafer App, from: www.kuwaitmosafer.com once downloaded, you will be requested to enter your flight details, and then you will be able to book appointments for PCR (where applicable), and book the required airport services such as luggage delivery, concierge, assistance etc. The app is currently available in English & Arabic.

24 July: PCR Update

It has been announced that a PCR certificate for departure from Kuwait is only required for countries who request it…not applicable for all destinations. (source Arab Times)

23 July: PCR Update

Kuwait have announced that the cost of a PCR certificate will be set at 40KWD, and currently only one laboratory has been accredited, The New Kuwait German Laboratory (source Arab Times)

Please note, that there has also been criteria set for Kuwaitis who will be exempt from the charge; students studying abroad, patients travelling overseas for medical treatment and special cases who will need to submit their application to the Ministry of Interior, including medical appointments abroad. Click [here] for more details.

Update 30 July: Price drop of PCR to 27KD, max price for PCR set at 40KD (Source The Times, Kuwait)

21 July: Airline Update

Kuwait Airways have announced that flights to the following destinations will resume on 1st August:

Amman, Bahrain, Bodrum, Baku, Beirut, Cairo, Chennai, Dammam, Delhi, Doha, Dubai, Geneva, Istanbul, Kochi, Lahore, London, Mumbai, Munich, Riyadh and Trabzon.

UPDATE 25 July: Now confirmed flights are to Dubai, London, Geneva, Beirut, Cairo, Istanbul, Trabzon, Bodrum & Bahrain

UPDATE 27 July: In addition, the following routes are also confirmed; Mumbai, Delhi, Kochi, Madras, Lahore, Munich, Baku, Amman, Sarajevo & Doha.

For more details, please click [here]

Jazeera Airways have also announced that flights to the following destinations will resume: Ahmedabad, Alexandria, Assiut, Baku, Beirut, Bodrum, Cairo, Delhi, Doha, Dubai, Hyderabad, Istanbul, Kochi, Luxor, Mumbai, Sharm El Sheikh, Sohag and Tbilisi

For more details, please click [Here]

18th July: Airport Update

Yesterday a source has stated that the recently circulated airline schedules are yet to be approved from Kuwait’s civil aviation, an up date is expected in the next couple of days….(Source: Arab Times)

5th July: PCR Update

Kuwaitis and expats returning back to Kuwait are required to obtain a health certificate from health centers accredited by Kuwait embassies abroad 4 days prior to their departure. It is not necessary to contact Kuwait consulates or Embassy to obtain any documents in order to avoid crowding at the embassies
abroad. The sources stated that the “Sholnik” app is available for citizens and expatriates returning from abroad and installing this app is a must rule which is set by Ministry of Health. The sources stated that an accredited health laboratory will be allocated under the management of the Ministry of Health at Kuwait Airport, in order for the departures to obtain a health certificate issued by the laboratories of the Ministry of Health to be certified free from Corona, and to provide health certificates for departures, which is the responsibility of the ground services companies at Kuwait International Airport. (Source: Arab Times)

3rd July: Kuwait Airways announces the return of commercial flights

Kuwait Airways tweeted that it is returning to commercial operation to its destinations starting from August 1, 2020. Kuwait Airways asked customers to follow up with its reservation department or the approved travel agent for more information to make reservations.

2nd July: Travel guidelines for departing & arriving passengers

Those departing will have to pay for a medical certificate issued by the Ministry of Health at the airport medical laboratory as proof they are negative from coronavirus. The certificate is necessary for travelers either returning or visiting the country. All airlines will be involved in scheduling incoming and outgoing flights for individual or groups. Meals will be banned on board for short trips but for long tips, pre-enclosed food packages are approved. Travelers were requested not to carry handbags on flights. An area in the aircraft will be allocated to isolate any suspected coronavirus infected cases and those who they were in contacts with.

For Arrivals

• Obtain a PCR health certificate, proving that they are free (negative) of Corona
• Signing a commitment pledge to the Ministry of Health instructions for adhering to institutional or domestic quarantine.
• 10% random PCR examination of the total passengers for each flight.
• Passengers should wear masks and gloves and check temperature before boarding and upon arrival.

For Departures

• The departures should obtain a health certificate that they are free from coronavirus, according to the requirements of the country to where the departed is flying.
• Providing health certificates for passenger who depart is the responsibility of the ground services companies at the airport.
• Adherence to health requirements, in terms of wearing masks and gloves, and keeping social distancing.

(Source Times Kuwait)

2nd July: COVID-19 Travel Restrictions to UK: Effective 8th June 2020, The United Kingdom Government has introduced measures and restrictions for travelers arriving into UK.