Entry/Exit Requirements

Tourist visas are required for U.S. citizens traveling to Kuwait and can be obtained free of charge at the airport. Passports must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry into Kuwait; otherwise, you may be denied entry.

U.S. citizens with residency in Kuwait must obtain prior approval from Kuwaiti immigration authorities to enter on a limited-validity (emergency) passport. U.S. citizens who are not residents of Kuwait and hold limited-validity (emergency) passports will not be admitted into the country.

If you overstay your visa or leave without completing Kuwaiti exit procedures, you may have to pay large fines and/or face imprisonment. This includes official travelers and contractors supporting regional U.S. military operations transiting through Kuwait to and from Iraq and Afghanistan.

If you are seeking residency in Kuwait, obtain the necessary documents prior to arriving in Kuwait. Kuwaiti regulations require the verification of the informational content of such documents; the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait cannot provide this service. Have the documents authenticated by the Department of State Office of Authentications, telephone (202) 485-8000, and attested by the Embassy of Kuwait or the Kuwait General Consulate. Documents commonly required can include U.S.-issued vital records, academic credentials, police clearances, and other legal documents. Also, please note that the Government of Kuwait requires that your passport be valid for at least two years after the date the residency visa is initially issued; you will need at least one year of validity on the passport in order to renew a residency visa.

To work in Kuwait, you must have a work visa issued prior to arrival. Working under a tourist visa is illegal in Kuwait and can result in deportation or denial of admission to Kuwait.

Information for Department of Defense Contractors: Department of Defense (DoD) contractors working in Kuwait must hold a valid U.S. passport and an employment visa. DoD contractors transiting through or traveling to Kuwait must enter the country through the Kuwait City International Airport (KCIA). DoD contractors may not enter Kuwait via Ali Al Salem (AAS) Air Base. However, after obtaining a passport exit stamp from Kuwaiti immigration officials, DoD contractors may depart Kuwait from AAS Air Base.

Regardless of your status in Kuwait – official, diplomatic, military, contractor, or private citizen – you may not bring weapons, ammunition, or ammunition clips with you when flying into KCIA on any commercial flight. Import and export of these items into and out of Kuwait is illegal. Your property will be confiscated and you may be subject to arrest.

Kuwaiti officials are extremely sensitive about travelers to or from Iraq, at times detaining them for questioning or denying entry into the country. Be prepared for delays at land crossings.

Travel Bans: Travel bans can be placed on individuals for a number of reasons. The government may place travel bans on people who are charged with criminal offenses, under investigation, involved in unresolved financial disputes, or who have unpaid debts. Furthermore, private citizens can initiate travel bans for almost any reason. When placed under a travel ban, you are not allowed to depart the country, even if you are a U.S. citizen. These travel bans are rigidly enforced and can take weeks, and sometimes months or longer, to resolve. While the U.S. Embassy can provide U.S. citizens with a list of attorneys, only Kuwaiti authorities can remove travel bans.

Kuwait has strict regulations regarding certain diseases, including HIV/AIDS and hepatitis. Medical examinations are required for all individuals seeking residency in Kuwait; any applicants who tests positive for these diseases will be asked to leave the country immediately and be permanently barred from re-entry. Please verify this information with the Embassy of Kuwait before traveling.

Visit the Embassy of the State of Kuwait website for the most current visa information. The Embassy of the State of Kuwait is located at 2940 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008, telephone (202) 966-0702, and the Kuwaiti Consulate in New York City can be reached at telephone (212) 973-4318.

Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our website. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information page.