Kuwait to issue e-entry visas

A Kuwaiti government decision to re-issue all types of entry visas to the country, as part of recent relaxed measures, is expected to take some time before coming into effect; Al Rai newspaper reported citing security sources.

During the COVID-19 crisis, Kuwait has increasingly depended on digital services. Kuwait is experiencing labour shortages in some professions as a result of restrictions prompted by the global pandemic and the departure of many foreign workers from the country as a result of economic fallout.

“The decision requires taking several steps to be put into effect,” the sources said.

“It is necessary for senior security officials at the Interior Ministry to meet to work out a vision and a mechanism for applying the decision in coordination with the Public Authority of Manpower,” a source said.

“The trend is to continue and boost this online mechanism and consequently issue online visas, particularly for foreign residents,” the source added. “Controls will be set for in-person showing to get the visa. This will be specified during the security meetings due to be held soon,” the source said.

The sources said Kuwait is likely to resume issuing the entry visas early next month.