Do United Kingdom passport holders need a visa to visit KW?
UK ordinary passport holders need a visa for Kuwait but can get one easily: a visa on arrival (VOA) at Kuwait International Airport for 3 KWD, valid for a 3-month stay, or an eVisa before travel. No pre-approval is required for short tourist visits. British (GB) ordinary passport holders are among the ~53 nationalities eligible for facilitated entry to Kuwait. As of 2026-05-30, the UK government confirms "You must have a visa to visit Kuwait" and that travellers "can get a visa on arrival in Kuwait or online." The most convenient option for a short tourist visit is the visa on arrival (VOA) issued at Kuwait International Airport: it costs 3 KWD (about USD 10), is granted to eligible nationalities arriving by air, and permits a stay of up to 3 months. Alternatively, an eVisa can be obtained in advance via the Kuwait Ministry of Interior portal (kuwaitvisa.moi.gov.kw); the eVisa is typically issued within about two business days, allows stays of up to 30 days per entry, and can be valid up to one year. Note: Kuwait briefly suspended eVisa issuance in December 2024 to upgrade its platform, but service resumed in January 2025. Kuwait is NOT in the Schengen area, so the Schengen 90/180 rule and ETIAS do not apply. Passports must be valid at least 6 months beyond arrival, and travellers should carry a return/onward ticket plus proof of accommodation. A passport containing an Israeli stamp may lead to refusal of a visa or entry.
VISA REQUIREDTOURISMFLEXIBLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30
For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.
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