Kuwait launches digital visa program for tourists, families, and business travelers
**Kuwait Introduces Streamlined E-Visa System for Travellers**
Kuwait has launched a new electronic visa (e-visa) system, offering a smoother experience for eligible applicants and simplifying entry for travellers and residents. The new e-visa system, launched in early July 2025, provides four main categories of electronic visas: tourist, family, business, and official visas [1][2][4].
The new e-visa system aims to reduce paperwork, shorten processing times, and make the system more efficient and accessible. The entire application for all four visa types is done online through the e-visa platform.
### Visa Categories and Requirements
- **Tourist Visa** - Purpose: For individuals wishing to explore Kuwait’s cultural, recreational, and scenic attractions. - Validity: **Up to 90 days**. - Application: Available online via the e-visa platform; suitable for sightseeing and leisure travel.
- **Family Visa** - Purpose: For residents of Kuwait who want to invite relatives from abroad. - Validity: **Up to 30 days**. - Application: Residents submit online applications to bring family members for visits, facilitating easier and faster family reunions.
- **Business Visa** - Purpose: For representatives of foreign companies or institutions visiting Kuwait for professional engagements such as meetings, events, conferences, or negotiations. - Validity: **Up to 30 days**. - Application: Applicants apply online, targeting business-related visits.
- **Official Visa** - Purpose: For government delegations, diplomats, and officials on formal missions. - Validity: As per mission length, issued through the e-visa system. - Application: Reserved specifically for official governmental and diplomatic assignments.
### Application Process
Travellers can apply by submitting the required documentation electronically, depending on the visa category. This typically includes passport details, purpose of visit, and any supporting documents relevant to their visa type (e.g., invitation letter for family and business visas).
### Additional Notes
The tourist visa is now valid for up to 90 days, an increase from previous shorter durations reported earlier in 2025 [3]. The family and business visas each allow a stay of up to 30 days, facilitating short visits for family reunification and business engagements, respectively.
The official visa is specialized and typically coordinated with government entities. A forthcoming GCC Grand Tours Visa proposal aims to introduce a unified short-term visa covering six Gulf countries, which could further ease regional travel in the future [1].
This e-visa system represents Kuwait’s significant step toward streamlining travel formalities and enhancing its position as a welcoming destination for tourists, families, businesspeople, and official delegations from around the world. The e-visa system is part of Kuwait's strategy to modernize digital services and promote itself as a key destination.
- With the new e-visa system, business representatives can now apply for a Business Visa online, facilitating smoother and more efficient entry for professional engagements in Kuwait, such as meetings, events, conferences, or negotiations.
- As part of their travel plans, individuals seeking to explore Kuwait's rich cultural, recreational, and scenic attractions might consider applying for the Tourist Visa, which allows for up to 90 days of stay and is available through the streamlined e-visa platform.
