Kuwait Imposes Sweeping Visa Restrictions on Six Nationalities, Effective Immediately.
(GENEVA) – The government of Kuwait has announced a blanket suspension of visa issuance for citizens of six nations, effective immediately, citing security concerns and a review of regional stability. According to an official statement released by the Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior in Kuwait City, the temporary ban applies to individuals holding passports from Syria, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Yemen. The decision, which was deliberated at the highest levels of the Kuwaiti cabinet, impacts all categories of visit, tourist, and business visas. The Ministry clarified that the measure is a proactive step to manage demographic pressures and enhance internal security protocols, with no definitive timeline provided for the resumption of normal visa processing. Diplomatic missions of Kuwait abroad have been instructed to halt all related applications indefinitely, while travelers currently outside the six designated countries are advised to consult official channels for further guidance. The Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry, speaking at a press conference in Kuwait City, emphasized that humanitarian cases and those with pre-existing residency permits are exempt from the new regulations.