Kuwait business visa application, requirements, price, and processing time

Have you been to Kuwait in recent times, or do you plan to visit the Middle Eastern Kingdom on business in the nearest future? You will need a Kuwait business visa. Kuwait is one of the Gulf Cooperation Council states which includes Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, and a few others. The country keeps evolving and steadily attracts visitors looking to invest in the Middle East. If you want to visit Kuwait for business activities , read this blog post until the end.

Kuwait At A Glance

Kuwait is a Gulf kingdom ruled by an emir and a member of the GCC. Like all countries in the region, it is rich in petroleum and gas deposits, which makes it one of the wealthiest countries in the world. Despite having significant petroleum reserves, Kuwait has been able to diversify its economy with a focus on the financial sector. Over the past decade, the country has developed this sector to the point that it has arguably the most advanced financial services sector of all the GCC countries.

This move alone has made it less dependent on oil and less susceptible to oil shocks. Besides the advanced petroleum and financial services sector, Kuwait has other advanced sectors brimming with opportunities investors can exploit for profit. The tourism sector is one of them, and so are food processing and water purification. All these sectors present economic opportunities to citizens and investors.

What Is A Kuwait Business Visa?

A Kuwait business visa is a travel document issued by Kuwait to business visitors to access the country. Also called a business permit allows the visitor to enter and stay for up to 30 days, and it is valid for 90 days before the expiration date. This visa is issued chiefly as a single-entry visa but can be issued as a multiple entry visa if the ministry of defense sponsors the visa. There is also a visa-on-arrival program for citizens of selected countries too.

How To Apply For A Business Visa To Kuwait?

Kuwait has very few missions in other countries, so most of the visas issued to visitors are online. To avail of this visa, you must download and fill out the application form online and submit it with your documents online for approval. The visa will be sent to your email if your application is successful.

Here is how to apply online

• Visit VisaHQ 

• Choose Kuwait as your destination

• Choose your country of citizenship

• Select Business Visa

• Complete the application form

• Attach travel documents

• Pay the visa application fee

• Submit for approval

The online application process is only open to nationals from selected countries, so if citizens from your country are not eligible for online applications, you will have t visit the embassy or designated visa application center with the form and all documents to apply the traditional way to enter Kuwait.

Apply Through A Sponsor

Aside from the online and embassy applications, another option is to apply for the visa through a sponsor. A sponsor can apply for a visa there in Kuwait but will require your details and passport. If you choose this route, ensure that your documents are in order, so your application is not rejected. If it is, your passport will be marked. Note that you will not qualify for a work permit since permits are only given to those with work visas.

Kuwait Business Visa Eligibility

A business visa is only issued to persons that qualify for it. Here are the conditions you must meet

• The Passport must be valid for at least 6 months

• You need a company or sponsor in Kuwait

• The purpose of the trip must be for business reasons

• You must have an invitation letter stating the purpose of your trip

How To Conduct Yourself In Kuwait?

Kuwait is a deeply religious country with conservative beliefs, so you are advised to respect the laws and not run into trouble. When you are in the country, ensure your travel documents are with you when you leave your hotel room.

Secondly, do not stay beyond the approved days. Every day you overstay attracts a fine of 10 KD. Original visas are issued to visitors at the airport, so ensure the visa is part of the documents you move around with.

You are not allowed to engage in paid work during your stay, as this will be a violation.

Kuwait Business Visa

Passport: A valid passport that will not expire in the next six months

Photograph: Two recent passport photographs with q white background

Letter: A cover letter issued by your company or written and signed by you explaining the purpose of the trip.

Flight Ticket: Confirmer flight tickets reservation for the two-way trip.

Employment Proof: Proof of employment for those who are self-employed.

Invitation Letter: An Invitation letter from the Sponsor in Kuwait

  Business Visa Processing Time

Once you submit your visa information and application, the process will take 10 days before it is ready. However, it may take longer due to several factors, such as the volume of applications handled by the embassy or whether the visa application is for a single, double, or multiple-entry Kuwait business visa.