As well as a passport, British nationals require an entry visa, which can be obtained from the Kuwait Embassy in London and costs £30 for single entry. Multiple visas cost £66 (1 month), £75 (1 year), £96 (2 years) and £135 (5 years). Most travellers will need a sponsor in order to obtain a visa.The simplest way to obtain a visa is via most of the large hotels in Kuwait who can sponsor a visa application - send a fax copy of the passport together with arrival and departure details and reason for visiting ('business'). You should allow 3-4 days for this process and longer if close to public holidays. The hotel will then send you the visa details which can then be collected on arrival at the airport. Visas are usually valid for one month and are difficult to extend while in Kuwait. Visas are not issued at point of entry to those arriving without one. A business visa cannot be changed to a residence permit while in the country. Passengers in transit are exempt from the visa requirement, provided they are transiting within 24 hours and do not leave the transit area.

In recent years, visa requirements have been periodically changed at short notice. Travellers should always check with the Kuwait Embassy on the latest position, well before departure.

Embassy of the State of Kuwait
2 Albert Gate
Knightsbridge
LONDON
SW1X 7JU
Tel: 020 7590 3400
Fax: 020 7259 5042

If employment is taken up with a private firm or non-government institution a No Objection Certificate (NOC) is required. British passport holders should ensure that their prospective Kuwaiti employer has obtained the NOC well in advance before travelling, as the NOC needs to be presented to a Kuwaiti Embassy or Consulate (usually in the country of the person's residence) within 20 days from the date of issue to permit the holder to travel to Kuwait.

Employment in Government Departments or public institutions is normally granted for two or three years; approval for employment in the public sector is the responsibility of the appropriate Department or Institute. Anyone leaving this type of employment will be given a grace period of between one week and three months in which either to leave the country or apply for an ordinary residence permit.

It is essential that a visitor to Kuwait has the correct documents appropriate to his visit before arrival. It is not possible to change status without returning to one's country of origin, eg a visitor from the UK with a one month visitor's permit intending to work in Kuwait would have to return to the UK and obtain the necessary endorsement from the Kuwaiti Embassy before taking up employment. The Kuwait Residence Law required that a person desiring to change his status, eg visitor to employee, should leave Kuwait for any other country and return on a new NOC. This no longer applies.

Residence permits are issued for the period the person is to reside in Kuwait, either in employment or as a dependant. The rules can change: those intending to take up employment should check latest position with the Kuwaiti Embassy or with their prospective employer.

Visitors intending to go on to other Middle East countries are strongly advised to obtain any visa or other documentation which may be required before leaving Britain. If a traveller's passport bears evidence of a visit to Israel, or it is known that he intends to do so, it will be necessary to obtain a new passport to visit Kuwait. Travellers who are likely to be affected should consult their nearest regional Passport Office in London, Liverpool, Glasgow, Newport (Gwent), Peterborough, Belfast or, if overseas, the nearest British Embassy or Consulate.

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