Kuwait: Extended Family Members OF Expats Can Now Apply For A Visit Visa of Up To One Year!

It was recently revealed that expats can get family visit visas that are valid for up to one year. This was announced on Wednesday, August 13, by a top official. The development comes just a day after the Interior Ministry removed the salary cap. This restricted them from bringing extended family members! Here’s all about this visa-related development.

Expat Families Can Now Get Visit Visas

Going by the reports of the Gulf News, it was mentioned Deputy Director of Electronic Services at the Residency Affairs Department, Colonel Abdulaziz Al Kandari, mentioned that visas can now be issued for single entries. Yes, these are for one, two, or three months, or maybe even multiple entries that can last for up to one year. However, no single stay must exceed a month!

Professions Across GCC Can Get Tourist Visas

So professionals who reside in GCC states can obtain a tourist visa online or can even do so on arrival. The eligible applicants include a list of professions that are as follows:

• Executives
• Diploma
• Judges
• Academics
• Lawyers
• Doctors
• Engineers
• Investors
• School teachers
• Pilots
• Journalist

Although this is just some of the many professions that are mentioned, the entire list is available on the platform of Kuwaitvisa. However, it is pertinent to know that the applicant must meet other requirements. Yes, they must provide a Kuwait address or that of their host. Although the visa is open to all nationalities, Israeli nationals continue to be barred. Moreover, holders of travel documents can obtain a visa with the approval of the Interior Minister.

Now Extending Beyond Immediate Relatives

Marking a major shift in the residency and family visa policies of Kuwait, it is bound to make it easier for expats to unite with their families and to travel across the country freely. Additionally, with the reforms in place, several eligible relatives are now included. This includes 4th degree blood relation and even 3rd degree in law, which allows family beyond immediate relatives to visit.

As such, the Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Interior have also ordered that there be a cancellation of the national carrier requirement. As per the requirement, visitors could only enter via the national airline of Kuwait. Now they can do so via land, sea, or air and with any airline.

So, what do you think about this development? And if you are someone living in Kuwait, you might want to make the most out of this update.

Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/Anson Fernandez Dionisio & Canva Pro/Oytun Kiricioglu