Kuwaiti visa resources
How to Apply for a Kuwait Visa
How Kuwait's visa and residency applications are made, and which authority handles each route.
Important
Kuwait separates short-visit entry from long-term residency. Short visits (tourist, family, business and official) are applied for electronically through the Ministry of Interior's e-visa system, marketed as the 'Visit Kuwait' platform, where applicants complete a form, upload documents, pay the fee and receive the visa by email.
Long-term stays require a residency permit (iqama). For employment this begins with an employer-sponsored entry work visa that is converted to a residency permit and work permit after arrival; private-sector work permits are processed by the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM), and the residency permit itself is issued by the Ministry of Interior.
Some nationalities and residents of other GCC states can obtain a visa on arrival, while GCC citizens do not need a visa at all. Certain nationalities must apply through a Kuwaiti embassy or consulate rather than online.
Next steps
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.