The Wait Is Over! Kuwait has officially lifted its 19-year visa ban on Pakistani citizens. Commencing in May, Pakistani nationals have begun to secure approvals for various visa types, specifically work, family visit, dependent, tourist, and commercial. This measure is designed to re-establish workforce pipelines and reinforce bilateral economic relations.
Kuwait Jobs Visa for Pakistani 2025 Open
In a landmark decision, Kuwait has ended its nearly two-decade-long moratorium on issuing visas to Pakistani citizens. This historic move, lifting a 19-year restriction, is poised to significantly benefit Pakistan’s workforce and substantially strengthen bilateral relations between the two nations.
Pakistani nationals can now apply for work, family, visit, tourist, and commercial visas. All applications will be efficiently processed via Kuwait’s online visa platform, thereby streamlining the procedure and eliminating the burden of protracted wait times and extensive paperwork.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
- Resumption of ALL Visa Types:
- Work Visas
- Family Visit Visas
- Business Visas
- Tourist Visas
WHY IS THIS HUGE?
- Thousands of New Opportunities:
- Employment
- Trade
- Tourism
- Boost for Pakistan’s Economy:
- Pakistani workers can now earn valuable foreign exchange.
- Kuwaiti Dinar: The World’s Strongest Currency (1 KWD PKR 914)
THE NEW VISA PROCESS:
- Online Portal: All applications processed digitally.
- Lightning-Fast Processing:
- As little as 1 minute
- Up to a maximum of 24 hours (depending on visa category)
“This is a historic moment. The credit goes to the Kuwaiti government and the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis for their tireless efforts.” – Mustafa Malik, Focal Person, Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis
IMPACT:
- Benefits Pakistani families
- Strengthens Pakistan-Kuwait relations
خوشخبری: کویت نے 19 سال بعد پاکستانیوں کے لیے ویزے جاری کر دیے۔
وزارت کا کہنا ہے کہ ویزا کیٹیگری کے لحاظ سے پروسیسنگ کا وقت 1 منٹ سے 24 گھنٹے تک ہوسکتا ہے۔
ایک اہم سفارتی پیش رفت میں، کویت نے پاکستانی شہریوں پر 19 سال پرانی ویزا پابندی کو باضابطہ طور پر ہٹا دیا ہے، جس سے ورک، خاندان، وزٹ، سیاحتی اور کاروباری ویزوں کا اجراء دوبارہ شروع ہو گیا ہے۔
وزارت اوورسیز پاکستانیز کے فوکل پرسن مصطفیٰ ملک کے مطابق، یہ اقدام پاکستان اور کویت تعلقات میں ایک نئے دور کا آغاز ہے، جس سے ہزاروں پاکستانیوں کے لیے روزگار، تجارت اور سیاحت کے حوالے سے وسیع مواقع کھلیں گے۔
HOW TO APPLY FOR A KUWAIT VISA FROM PAKISTAN
Official Channels:
- Online Portal: Most visa types will now be processed via an online portal.
- Embassy/Consulate: For categories not covered by the e-Visa, or if you are not eligible for e-Visa (which currently includes Pakistani citizens for the general e-Visa), direct application at the Kuwaiti Embassy/Consulate is required.
General Steps (for online applications):
- Fill out the online application form.
- Upload digital copies of required documents.
- Review and pay applicable fees.
- Receive approval via email.
GETTING YOUR APPROVED VISA
- Once approved, your Kuwait e-visa will be sent to you via email.
- Print a copy and carry it with you when traveling to Kuwait.
CHECKING YOUR KUWAIT VISA STATUS (OFFICIAL)
- Visit the official Kuwait Ministry of Interior (MOI) website or the Kuwait e-Visa portal (if applicable for your visa type).
- Look for options like “Visa Status,” “Visa Inquiry,” or “e-Visa Status.”
- Enter required details: Visa Application Number, Passport Number, or e-Visa Reference Number.
- Always use official government websites to check status to avoid scams and ensure data security.
With over 93,000 Pakistanis residing in Kuwait, the community continues to play a vital role in various sectors, particularly healthcare and education. Dr. Iqbal noted, “Our citizens are highly respected and make significant contributions to Kuwaiti society.
To visit Kuwait for tourism, travelers must obtain a paper or Ambassy visa prior to their trip. This visa, typically a stamp or sticker in the passport, needs to be acquired from a local embassy, consulate, or visa center before departure.
Kuwait Passport Visa Free Countries 2025
As of May 2025, the Kuwaiti passport offers its holders access to a significant number of destinations worldwide. The total number of visa-free travel destinations (including visa-free, visa-on-arrival, and eTA) for Kuwaiti passport holders is 96. This positions the Kuwaiti passport with a respectable global ranking in terms of travel freedom.
Visa-Free Countries (58 Destinations)
Kuwaiti passport holders can travel to the following 58 countries without the need for a prior visa:
- Albania
- Armenia
- Bahamas
- Bahrain
- Barbados
- Belarus
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Cayman Islands
- Cook Islands
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- El Salvador
- Eswatini
- Georgia
- Guatemala
- Haiti
- Honduras
- Hong Kong
- Iran
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kosovo
- Kyrgyzstan
- Lebanon
- Malaysia
- Mauritius
- Micronesia
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Nicaragua
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Panama
- Philippines
- Qatar
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Saudi Arabia
- Singapore
- South Korea
- St. Vincent and the Grenadines
- Sudan
- Suriname
- Syria
- Tajikistan
- Thailand
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
- Uzbekistan
- Vanuatu
- Venezuela
- Zambia
Important Note: While these countries offer visa-free entry, it’s crucial for travelers to verify the permissible duration of stay and the accepted purposes of travel as per each nation’s visa regulations. For extended stays or travel not covered by visa waiver policies, a visa might still be required.
Visa-On-Arrival Countries (36 Destinations)
Kuwaiti nationals can obtain a visa upon arrival in the following 36 countries. Typically, this process involves completing paperwork, providing necessary documentation, and paying a fee at the airport or border crossing. Requirements, fees, and validity periods can vary.
- Azerbaijan
- Bangladesh
- Bolivia
- Brunei
- Burundi
- Cambodia
- Cape Verde
- Comoros
- Djibouti
- Ethiopia
- Guinea-Bissau
- Indonesia
- Iraq
- Laos
- Macao
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Maldives
- Marshall Islands
- Mongolia
- Mozambique
- Nepal
- Niue
- Palau
- Rwanda
- Samoa
- Senegal
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Solomon Islands
- Sri Lanka
- Tanzania
- Timor-Leste
- Tuvalu
- Yemen
- Zimbabwe
Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) Countries (3 Destinations)
An eTA is a digital travel document required for eligible visa-exempt travelers, applied for online before departure. Kuwaiti passport holders are eligible for an eTA to visit these 3 countries:
- Kenya
- New Zealand
- United Kingdom
eTA application processes are generally streamlined, with approvals often granted within a few days. Travelers should always check the specific eTA requirements for their destination.
Countries Requiring an Electronic Visa (eVisa) (28 Destinations)
Kuwaiti nationals need to apply for an electronic visa (eVisa) online before traveling to these 28 countries. eVisas are typically sent to the applicant’s email upon approval. Processing times, fees, and validity can differ.
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- Benin
- Bhutan
- Burkina Faso
- Cameroon
- Colombia
- Congo (Dem. Rep.)
- Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
- Equatorial Guinea
- Gabon
- Guinea
- Lesotho
- Libya
- Mauritania
- Moldova
- Montserrat
- Myanmar
- Namibia
- Nigeria
- Norfolk Island
- Russia
- South Sudan
- St. Helena
- Taiwan
- Togo
- Uganda
- Vietnam
The eVisa application process usually involves an online form, uploading documents (e.g., passport copy, photo), and paying the fee. A printed copy of the eVisa may be required for travel.
Countries Requiring a Regular Visa (104 Destinations)
For the following 104 countries, Kuwaiti passport holders must apply for a regular visa in advance, typically through the destination country’s embassy or consulate in Kuwait or their country of residence.
- Afghanistan
- Algeria
- American Samoa
- Andorra
- Angola
- Anguilla
- Argentina
- Aruba
- Austria
- Belgium
- Belize
- Bermuda
- Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba
- Brazil
- British Virgin Islands
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Chile
- China
- Congo
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Cuba
- Curacao
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Eritrea
- Estonia
- Falkland Islands
- Faroe Islands
- Fiji
- Finland
- France
- French Guiana
- French Polynesia
- French West Indies
- Gambia
- Germany
- Ghana
- Gibraltar
- Greece
- Greenland
- Grenada
- Guam
- Guyana
- Hungary
- Iceland
- India
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Jamaica
- Japan
- Kiribati
- Latvia
- Liberia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Mali
- Malta
- Mayotte
- Mexico
- Monaco
- Nauru
- Netherlands
- New Caledonia
- Niger
- North Korea
- North Macedonia
- Northern Mariana Islands
- Norway
- Palestinian Territories
- Papua New Guinea
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Poland
- Portugal
- Puerto Rico
- Reunion
- Romania
- San Marino
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Somalia
- South Africa
- Spain
- St. Maarten
- St. Pierre and Miquelon
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Tonga
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Turkmenistan
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- United States of America
- Uruguay
- US Virgin Islands
- Vatican City
- Wallis and Futuna
Visa processing times, fees, and required documents (e.g., passport, photos, itinerary, proof of funds) vary significantly by country. It is essential to check the specific requirements of the destination country well in advance of travel.
Disclaimer
Visa policies are subject to change due to international agreements, temporary travel restrictions, or evolving entry requirements. Kuwaiti passport holders are strongly advised to verify the latest visa information with the official embassy or consulate of their destination country before planning any trip.
