Kuwait

Kuwait is a small, oil-rich constitutional emirate. Facilities for travelers are widely available. Read the Department of State’s Fact Sheet on Kuwait for additional information on U.S.-Kuwaiti relations. 

Transportation

TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in Kuwait, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Kuwait is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

Driving in Kuwait is extremely hazardous. Although Kuwait has an extensive and modern system of well-lit roads, excessive speed on both primary and secondary roads, coupled with lax enforcement of traffic regulations and a high density of vehicles, lead to frequent and often fatal accidents. Incidents of road rage, distracted drivers, poor driving skills, and highway brinksmanship are common.

You can drive a rental car in Kuwait if you have a valid visitor visa and a U.S. driver’s license. Otherwise, you may not drive in Kuwait without a Kuwaiti driver’s license and appropriate car registration documents. If you are stopped and cannot produce these documents, you may be taken to a police station and held until the documents are presented on your behalf.

If you are in an accident, you must immediately notify the police and remain at the scene until the police arrive. Involvement in an accident, even if you are not at fault, can lead to arrest and temporary incarceration. At-fault accidents can result in arrests, demands for financial restitution, and/or travel bans preventing individuals from departing Kuwait.

The use of front seat belts is mandatory. Driving is on the right side of the road. Speed limits are posted. Making a right turn on a red light is not permitted unless there is a special lane to do so with a yield sign. When a driver flashes his/her high beams in Kuwait, it is meant as a request to move your car into a slower lane to allow the driver flashing his/her lights to proceed ahead. Parking is not allowed where the curb is painted black and yellow. Digital cameras for registering traffic violations, including speeding, are in use on Kuwaiti roads. Non-payment of traffic and parking fines may result in travel bans which remain in place until the fines are paid, often with penalties.

Driving while under the influence of alcohol is a serious offense, which may result in fines, imprisonment, and/or deportation. Repeat traffic violations or violations of a serious nature may be deported.

Using a cellular telephone or texting while driving remains illegal, although it is widely practiced. The website of the Kuwait Ministry of Interior has information and statistics in Arabic about traffic safety and road conditions in Kuwait.

Local emergency service organizations may be contacted by dialing 112. Ambulance crews do not respond as quickly as in the United States and do not often include trained paramedics.

Buses are widely used by the low-income expatriate labor force. Taxis are available at major hotels and may be telephoned to pick up passengers at other locations. It is sometimes possible to hail taxis on streets; taxis have meters, but fares are more commonly negotiated. Only use marked taxis with meters. Avoid sitting in the front seat of a taxi, do not travel to unfamiliar areas, and do not enter taxis with unknown passengers. Travelers, and especially women, are advised not to engage in “small talk” with the taxi driver that can be misinterpreted as interest.

For further information, please visit our Road Safety page.

AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The  U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of Kuwait’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Kuwait’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the FAA's safety assessment page. 

Safety and Security

U.S. citizens in Kuwait should exercise a high level of security awareness and are advised to monitor local news broadcasts and consular messages. The Department of State remains concerned about the possibility of further terrorist actions against U.S. citizens and interests abroad, specifically in the Middle East, including the Persian Gulf and Arabian Peninsula. U.S. citizens considering travel to Kuwait should review the Worldwide Caution.

Kuwait is in an area that continues to face the threat of terrorism. Violent extremist groups in the region have transnational capabilities to target locations where Westerners congregate. Maintain a low profile, practice personal security measures, and avoid areas where Westerners are known to reside or congregate.

Terrorist actions may target public transportation, residential areas, schools and places of worship, oil-related facilities and personnel, and public areas where people congregate including restaurants, hotels, clubs, and shopping areas. Terrorist actions may include bombings, hijackings, hostage taking, kidnappings, and assassinations. Report any unusual or suspicious activity to the Kuwaiti police and the U.S. Embassy.

Kuwaiti law permits freedom of assembly and spontaneous demonstrations sometimes occur. Exercise caution and avoid large gatherings and demonstrations. Monitor media coverage of local and regional events. It is illegal for non-Kuwaiti citizens to participate in any demonstration, even if the demonstration is licensed.

Be aware that desert areas and some beaches contain unexploded ordnance and war materials, which result in deaths each year.

The following areas are considered off-limits for U.S. diplomats and require U.S. diplomats to seek special permission to travel in these areas in order to conduct official duties: Kuwait/Iraq border – north of Mutla’a Ridge, the tank graveyard (near Ali Al Salem base), and the city of Jahra. U.S. diplomats are also recommended to avoid the following areas, especially during nighttime hours, as they have been identified as high-crime areas: Jleeb Ash Shuyoukh, Hasawi, and Abbasiya, located on the outskirts of Kuwait City International Airport. 

To stay connected:

• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program so we can keep you up to date with important safety and security announcements.
• Follow the Bureau of Consular Affairs on Twitter and Facebook.
• Bookmark the Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which contains the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide Caution.
• Follow the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait on Twitter and visit the Embassy’s website.
• In the event of an emergency, contact us at 1-888-407-4747 toll-free within the United States and Canada, or via a regular toll line, 1-202-501-4444, from other countries.
• Take some time before traveling to consider your personal security and checking for useful tips for traveling safely abroad.

CRIME: Although the crime threat is assessed as low, crime is on the rise, including petty theft, vehicle break-ins, and harassment and sexual assault of women traveling alone. Incidents have occurred in various areas and times to include the Gulf Road, shopping malls, hotels, and in residential neighborhoods.

U.S. citizens should be mindful of cultural and social norms when traveling in Kuwait. To reduce your chances of becoming a victim, practice personal security measures, and share guidance with your family and household members. Female travelers should keep in mind the cultural differences in Kuwait and should be aware that some actions may invite unwanted attention. Modest dress, not engaging in small talk, not making constant eye contact, and maintaining a low profile may deter harassment. As always, call 112 for emergency assistance.

For more information, please read the 2014 Overseas Security Advisory Council’s Crime and Safety Report for Kuwait.

Laws in Kuwait regarding domestic violence and sexual assault are different from those in the United States. Protections and assistance afforded to victims of these crimes in Kuwait are not what U.S. citizens might expect, and victims of domestic violence and/or sexual assault often encounter difficulties reporting these crimes to the police. Victims should seek medical attention and collection of evidence before reporting the crime to the police.

Most hospitals will contact a criminal investigator, who may ask victims in some cases to make the initial police report and obtain the required documents for the collection of evidence prior to receiving treatment. In all cases of abuse or sexual assault, the victim must obtain a medical report from a Kuwaiti hospital. Victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse should consider hiring a private attorney. The Embassy’s List of Attorneys is available on the Embassy website. Social service agencies are few, if any; when they exist it is often only for the benefit of Kuwait citizens. There are no rape crisis centers, or women’s shelters for victims of domestic violence or sexual assault. While U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence should contact the Embassy, they should understand that due to the manner in which these crimes are treated in Kuwait, the Embassy’s ability to provide assistance to victims is extremely limited.

Travelers should exercise caution with public transportation and check points as police impersonators have been known to use that ruse to lure their victims. Police stations generally do not have female officers or investigators to assist with these cases. While most hospitals will contact a criminal investigator to assist a victim of crime, victims with minor injuries may need to make the initial police report and obtain the required documents for the collection of evidence prior to receiving treatment. The Government of Kuwait does not provide victim’s assistance and there is no rape crisis center or similar service in-country.

Kuwaiti police accept crime reports at the police station with jurisdiction over the area where the crime occurred. U.S. citizens filing a crime report should be accompanied with a local attorney or someone who speaks Arabic. The Embassy’s List of Attorneys is available on the Embassy website.

Filing a crime report can take several hours. If you have been a victim of a crime and have been injured, seek medical treatment first. Be sure to bring your medical report with you when you report the crime to the police.

VICTIMS OF CRIME: If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. We can:

• Replace a stolen passport.
• Help you find appropriate medical care if you are the victim of violent crimes such as assault or rape.
• Put you in contact with the appropriate police authorities, and if you want us to, contact family members or friends.
• Help you understand the local criminal justice process and direct you to local attorneys, although it is important to remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.

The local equivalent of the “911” emergency line in Kuwait is “112” and can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The quality and range of services provided by the emergency line are not equivalent to those provided in the United States. U.S. citizens are advised to carry a mobile phone at all times in Kuwait.

Please see our information for victims of crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States.