Entering Kuwait: entry requirements and more

The emirate Kuwait is a country in the Middle East, which is considered one of the most beautiful in the region. The country owes its prosperity to oil production. In a very short time, the emirate became the largest oil producer in the Persian Gulf, which had far-reaching consequences. The huge revenues generated as a result could be used for the construction and development of Kuwait. The result is visible everywhere today: The desert state is literally bursting with modern infrastructure, which benefits both locals and tourists and business travelers.

The capital of the country is Kuwait City, where about two-thirds of the total population live. The metropolis is located directly on the shores of the Persian Gulf and enchants with magnificent buildings, beautiful green spaces, and white sandy beaches. The most famous sights include the shopping center "The Avenues", the street market "Souk Al-Mubarakiya", as well as the Grand Mosque and the Science Museum "Abdullah Alsalem Cultural Center".

If you want to visit the emirate or even spend a holiday there, you should keep an eye on the season. Rain is generally rare, but temperatures vary significantly depending on the season. Temperatures regularly exceed 40 degrees between May and September. A relaxing beach holiday is therefore primarily recommended in spring or autumn. Furthermore, the high temperatures during the summer months mean that city life only reaches its peak in the evening and the cities of Kuwait shine in all their glory.

If you want to visit the country, there are some points to consider regarding entry. We have compiled the most important aspects for you and show you exactly which documents you need and how to apply for them.

Entry into Kuwait is only possible with valid visas. The entry requirements for Kuwait are very strict. This means that travelers from Germany should pay attention to several points. The most important aspect is that valid visas are the only way to enter the emirate. If these are not available upon arrival, you can obtain them at the airport for a fee of approximately ten euros. Nevertheless, it is advisable to take care of the visas for you and your fellow travelers before departure. This will prevent possible difficulties upon arrival in the emirate.

There are also specific regulations regarding accepted identification documents. Travelers from Germany must be able to present a passport. All other types of identification documents - including temporary passports or identity cards - are not accepted by the local authorities. This includes the identity card and the children's passport. Regardless of the age of the travelers, a passport is required. In addition, the passport must be valid for at least six months on the day of entry.

It should also be noted that due to political conflicts, the emirate has imposed sanctions against Israel. These affect, among other things, the possibility of entering the country. If the passport presented contains entry stamps from Israel, entry will be refused. Accordingly, no visas will be issued. Apart from this political conflict, foreign nationals are generally allowed to enter the country.

If you intend to reside or work in the emirate, you must apply for the visa through the Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior.

A good portfolio of travel insurances is recommended for many travel destinations. Since Kuwaiti authorities sometimes impose very strict regulations, their importance for travelers in the emirate is even greater. To put it precisely: For travelers from abroad, a special insurance is required to protect you in case of unexpected costs. This can include costs due to a car accident or a hospital stay, for example. In the past, it has often happened that people were prevented from leaving the country due to outstanding payments or bills. To prevent such a scenario, you should be as well prepared and positioned as possible.

The good news is that there are insurances specifically tailored to Kuwait that fully cover in case of damage. Such insurance is not only advisable, but also a legally secure coverage regardless of the amount of damage.

While international health insurance is not mandatory per se, it is also recommended. Since temperatures are very high during the summer months, many travelers suffer from circulatory problems because they are not used to the heat or become dehydrated. In case of a possible need for medical treatment, the international health insurance covers the costs.

If you have any doubts or concerns about your travel protection, you can contact your insurer and ask them directly to develop the most comprehensive protection for you. This way, you ensure that you are prepared for all eventualities.

As in many other countries, there is only a specific vaccination requirement in Kuwait. If you are entering from a country with a high risk of yellow fever, you will need a yellow fever vaccination. Entry is usually denied without such vaccination.

In addition, there are other vaccinations recommended by the medical profession. These include tetanus, diphtheria, polio, pertussis, measles, and hepatitis A. Depending on belonging to a risk group, vaccinations against hepatitis B, typhoid, rabies, pneumococcal disease, and influenza are also advisable.

If you plan to enter with your children, you should inform yourself about the current Kuwaiti regulations before departure in Germany. The vaccination requirements for children differ from those for adults and also vary depending on the age of the children.

Do not forget the sun protection, which is almost essential for travelers in countries around the Persian Gulf throughout the year. To protect yourself from the sun's rays, sun protection should have a high UV protection. During the summer months, it is also advisable to avoid the sun between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

Regarding the Covid-19 pandemic, there is hardly anything to consider upon entry. The country is very generous in this regard and has lifted all restrictions for incoming travelers. Both vaccinated and unvaccinated persons are allowed to enter. Furthermore, there is no need for a current Covid-19 test or quarantine. However, since the pandemic situation can change at any time, it is advisable to inform yourself about the current regulations shortly before starting your journey.

Children who wish to enter Kuwait with their parents or legal guardians are subject to the same regulations as adults. Kuwait's entry regulations clearly stipulate that children can only enter with a passport valid for at least six months. No other identification documents are accepted, just like with adults. A visa is also mandatory. Ideally, you should apply for this before starting your journey. In case of emergency or if the visa is lost, it can be obtained upon entry at the airport by presenting a valid passport and paying a fee of about ten euros.

When entering with minors, it is important to have the consent of the legal guardians. Two key points should be considered. If only one parent is traveling with the children, it is advisable to have a consent form from the other legal guardian in case of unforeseen circumstances. This becomes even more important if the child is not accompanied by the legal guardians. If minors are traveling with their grandparents, it is recommended to carry several documents. In addition to the consent form from both parents, it is advisable to have a copy of the birth certificate and the parents' identification documents. Any necessary documents can be downloaded, filled out, and printed from the Foreign Office's website before starting the journey.

As mentioned earlier, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with any mandatory vaccinations for children before starting the journey and to inquire with the Kuwaiti Embassy about the current conditions if in doubt. Regarding Covid-19, there are no deviations for children from the basic guidelines of the Emirate.

Who wants to travel to Kuwait and does not want to leave their pets behind, may be able to take them along on the journey. The basic requirement for this is an health certificate issued and certified in the home country. You can obtain this from the official veterinarian of the district where you reside. In order to obtain a health certificate for your dog and be able to enter together with him, the legal requirements stipulate a mandatory rabies vaccination. If this is not available, entry is also not possible.

Once you have obtained the corresponding certificate from the official veterinarian, you will also need a so-called import license from the Kuwaiti Veterinary Office. This can only be obtained through the Public Authority of Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources. Since the office's website is not available in foreign languages, it is advisable to establish contact through the German Embassy in Kuwait or the Kuwaiti Embassy in Berlin. It is also possible to obtain the necessary documents through the American Embassy, as the country maintains good relations with the emirate.

In addition to the entry requirements, the customs regulations of the Kuwaiti customs are somewhat stricter than in other countries. One reason for this is that the country is strictly influenced by Islam. This results in some food and luxury goods not being allowed to be imported. Please accept the local culture and religion and strictly adhere to the travel recommendations.

It almost goes without saying that any kind of drugs and weapons are not allowed to be imported. Apart from that, the import of alcohol, pornographic material, as well as pork products and pork is not allowed. The same applies to all products with Israeli origin. The penalties for attempting to import are sometimes very high, which is why it is strongly advised against. It should also be noted that strict luggage checks take place upon entry to ensure that the aforementioned items are not imported into the country. However, the emirate is more open to tobacco products. Upon entry, each adult is allowed to import up to 500 cigarettes or up to 900 grams of tobacco.

With regard to valuables and currencies, there is a fixed limit to be observed upon entry. All types of valuables are combined. These must be declared to customs if national and foreign currencies and valuables exceed a total value of 3,000 Kuwaiti dinars. 3,000 KWD currently correspond to about 9,440 EUR. Below this threshold, you do not have to declare your valuables and currencies to customs. If you want to bring gifts for acquaintances, friends, or family, the exemption limit is only 100 KWD, which is just over 300 EUR.

With the exception of the airport in Kuwait City, there are only three other airports in the entire emirate. However, since these are exclusively military airports, they are not relevant for travel. The fact that there is only one civilian airport in Kuwait is due to the fact that the emirate's area is comparable to that of Schleswig-Holstein.

Kuwait's only civilian airport is located in the south of the city and is only about ten to 15 kilometers away from the city center on the coast of the Persian Gulf. As the only hub of a country with about four million inhabitants, it is correspondingly large and has four terminals. Another terminal is currently being modernized and is expected to complete the facility soon. Kuwait Airport is also the home base for important airlines such as Kuwait Airways and Jazeera Airways.

After your arrival, you have various means of transportation to reach the city center. The two most affordable options are undoubtedly buses of public transport and the city bus. Regardless of the bus line, you will not pay more than a maximum of three euros for a ride to the city center. However, the ride by taxi is significantly more expensive. Although taxis are the fastest and most comfortable way to leave the airport towards the city center, you should budget a price of about 20 EUR per trip.

Of course, you will find several car rental companies at the airport, including well-known companies from Germany, offering you different models at various conditions.

Even if you only use the airport as a transit station and have a connecting flight planned from there, you and your fellow travelers need valid visas. There are exceptions for citizens who hold Kuwaiti nationality, members of the US military, and individuals from countries that are part of the Gulf Cooperation Council. If any of these points apply to you, you do not need to apply for a visa for transit.

If you only want to use Kuwait Airport for transit purposes, different regulations apply. Basically, with regard to the topic of Covid-19, there are no special points to consider. Transit is possible regardless of vaccination status and Covid-19 test. However, if you experience symptoms that suggest a corresponding illness, you are required to wear a face mask. If a Covid-19 infection is confirmed during transit, you must go into quarantine for five days. Although the emirate does not require a test upon entry, it is not advisable to enter with symptoms or a Covid-19 infection for this reason.

In order to comply with the emirate's strict laws, the luggage of individuals in the transit area is sometimes inspected for its contents. Therefore, make sure to only carry items that would also be allowed for import into the emirate and do not violate any laws of the country. In particular, the import of weapons, drugs, or alcohol should be avoided at all costs. If you adhere to these guidelines, nothing stands in the way of a peaceful and pleasant stay at Kuwait City Airport.

Ambassador Stefan Möbs is responsible for the concerns of German citizens in Kuwait. After various activities, including at the German Embassy in Washington and for the Foreign Office, he has been serving as the German ambassador in the Emirate since August 2019.

The German Embassy is located in Kuwait City in the Al Hamra Tower. There are various reasons for contacting the embassy, as it is responsible for a variety of matters. In particular, in emergencies and in case of loss of credit or debit cards as well as identification documents, you should immediately contact the German Embassy. The visa section of the embassy can be reached by phone on Sundays to Thursdays between 08:00 and 11:00.

Outside of business hours, German citizens also have the opportunity to contact the embassy through the emergency number. You can reach a responsible person at the number +965 99048660 on Sundays to Thursdays between 14:00 and 22:00 as well as on Fridays and Saturdays between 08:00 and 22:00. It is important to know that the emergency number is intended exclusively for actual emergencies. Visa questions or other consular questions will not be processed through the emergency number.

The emirate places a high value on education and culture. Therefore, it is not surprising that there are numerous offers for study and cultural trips.

Away from the capital and the breathtaking backdrop of the desert landscape, there are only a few sights in the country. For this reason, the emirate is often part of wonderful tours along the Persian Gulf.

Due to the modern and luxurious hotels as well as the golden sandy beaches, the country is also a popular destination for holidaymakers.