This post is also available in:
Polski
Hey! 👋
Kuwait might not be at the top of the Gulf’s tourist list, but that’s exactly what makes it great for a quick city break — a layover, a weekend, or just plain curiosity. And the good news? You can easily get your tourist visa online through the official Ministry of Interior (MOI) website, or simply upon arrival at the airport. No middlemen, no hassle — just a short form that takes a few minutes to fill out.
To put that into perspective: according to official government data, around 7.93 million entries were recorded through Kuwait’s border crossings in 2023. That shows there’s steady movement — but most of it is still family visits, business travel, and transit. Pure leisure tourism is only just starting to take off.
Good news for travelers: Polish passport holders can get a tourist visa on arrival (VOA) or apply for an e-visa. The standard requirements are simple — a passport valid for at least six months from the date of entry, a return ticket, and proof of accommodation.
Types of tourist visas to Kuwait
Below are the three real options for tourists. Which one you choose depends mainly on your nationality and where you plan to cross the border.
- E-Visa (online): The most convenient option if you’re arriving by plane or entering the country overland. You apply through the official government portal, and once approved, you receive a confirmation to present at the border. We entered Kuwait in 2025 by motorcycle from Iraq (you can read about that in a separate post).
- Visa on Arrival (VOA): Available to citizens of many countries. It’s most straightforward at Kuwait International Airport (KWI), though in some cases, it can also be obtained at land border crossings.
- Visa through the Embassy: If you’re not eligible for an e-visa or Visa on Arrival, you’ll need to apply through the nearest Kuwaiti embassy. This is also the route for travelers who, in the online visa form, have to select “Other” as their nationality (see below).
Special cases in the online application form (a dropdown menu, as shown in the screenshot):
- US, UK, or Schengen valid tourist visa holder: You hold a valid tourist visa for the USA, the UK, or the Schengen Area in your passport. Selecting this option makes you eligible for the simplified e-visa or Visa on Arrival process.
- US, UK, or Schengen valid residence permit: You hold a valid residence permit for the USA, the UK, or the Schengen Area. This option also often qualifies you for the simplified e-visa or Visa on Arrival process.
- GCC valid residence permit: You’re a resident of one of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Travelers in this category are eligible for simplified entry procedures at the Kuwaiti border.
- Others: You don’t hold any of the above-mentioned permits or visas. In practice, the system will inform you that you need to apply through the nearest Kuwaiti embassy and submit your documents there in person.
How to fill out the form?
Start with Kuwait’s official e-visa portal: kuwaitvisa.moi.gov.kw. Avoid third-party sites with “kuwait-visa” in their names — they charge extra fees (and process your personal data), and in the end, you’ll still end up using the same government system.
Account registration
In the top-right corner of the page, click Login, then select “Click here to create” under the Login button. Enter your email address and wait for a one-time verification code to arrive in your inbox.
After entering the code, set your password (we recommend using a password manager), and then accept the Terms and Privacy Policy.
Profile verification
Once your profile is created, upload a passport-style photo with a light background and a clear scan or photo of your passport’s main page (make sure nothing is cut off). Double-check that all your profile details match your passport information. Then, submit your data for verification. Until your profile is approved, the button to start the visa application will remain unavailable.
Submit a tourist visa application
Once your profile has been approved, proceed to create your visa application. To do this, go to the top menu, select “Visa applications,” and then click “New application”.
Fill in the following information:
- If you are staying at a hotel, attach your reservation confirmation to the application. If you plan to stay with a friend, enter their address.
- Planned length of stay and approximate dates.
In the next step, send the application for approval.
Pay for your visa
You’ll receive your visa application result by email — both approvals and rejections (along with the reason) are sent only to your inbox. As of the time of writing this guide, the website itself doesn’t display any detailed status — just a simple “approved” or “rejected” notice.
You’ll pay for the visa online by entering your card details. The fee is 3 KWD, so it’s best to use a multi-currency card — you’ll get a better exchange rate than with a standard bank card. Payments with Revolut, Curve, or mBank cards go through without issues — no need for a VPN.
All set — once approved, your visa will appear in your e-Visa account, and you’ll also receive a confirmation by email. The approval usually takes just a few minutes.
What should you keep in mind when entering Kuwait?
- A car wins when it comes to logistics: the roads are smooth and fast, and fuel is still ridiculously cheap — 95-octane petrol costs about 0.105 KWD/l (around 1.25 PLN/l). On long trips, that price difference really adds up — though in a country this small, “long trips” are relative 😃.
- Driver’s license: Tourists are allowed to drive, but most car rental companies require an International Driving Permit (IDP). Get it before your trip — you can’t obtain one once you’re in Kuwait.
- App rides: Careem operates in Kuwait — great for short rides within the city, but for trips outside town, the costs climb faster than the fuel gauge drops.
- Payments: Cards and mobile payments are widely accepted. Apple Pay and Google Pay work seamlessly across banks and terminals. Cash is only occasionally useful.
- Alcohol and customs: Alcohol is completely illegal in Kuwait — you can’t buy it or bring it in. Also on the list of banned imports: pornographic materials and pork products.
- Ramadan: Eating, drinking, or smoking in public during daylight hours is an offense (fines up to 100 KWD or even arrest). Just keep things discreet — many restaurants for non-fasting customers operate “behind curtains.”
- Photography and drones: Don’t photograph government buildings, military sites, oil facilities, or border crossings. Drone flights are regulated by the DGCA, and flying without proper authorization risks confiscation.
- Clothing and etiquette: Dress modestly — cover your shoulders and knees, especially in malls and conservative areas. Save public displays of affection for later.
- Hotels and relationship status: In practice, international hotel chains usually don’t question unmarried foreign couples sharing a room. However, smaller or budget hotels may interpret the rules differently and could ask for a marriage certificate. The safest option is to book well-known hotels — or have a scan of the document “just in case” (though honestly, no one’s likely to understand it in Polish anyway).
- Currency and formalities: Amounts over 3,000 KWD must be declared upon entry. Before leaving the country, make sure to settle any fines or outstanding bills — unpaid balances can actually block your departure.
Summary and contact details
Got questions or got stuck with your application? Leave a comment! If you prefer to reach out privately, drop us a message through our contact form — we’ll help you step by step with registration, attachments, and payment.
Kuwait is a “compact” destination — perfect for a 1–3 day trip: Kuwait City, an evening walk along the corniche, Souq Al-Mubarakiya, and the Kuwait Towers. Just keep the weather in mind — from late spring to early autumn, it can feel like an oven, so plan your sightseeing for mornings and evenings. English will get you far in hotels, museums, and with drivers — and when words fail, offline maps and your phone’s translator do the trick.
