Kuwait Announces End Of Visit Visa, Absence Permit Extensions
The Ministry of Interior in Kuwait said that effective September 1, 2026, the original regulations governing legal durations for entry visas and absence permits will be reinstated.
Recommended For YouKuwait and other Gulf countries were targeted by drone and missile strikes after the US-Iran war broke out in February 2026. In March, Kuwait announced that visitors who had entered the country would receive automatic extensions due to the exceptional circumstances. Practical issues such as airspace closures in the region and security concerns were accounted for in the decision.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
Three-month absence permits were given to residents who were outside Kuwait and unable to return to the country, with no in-person processing required and full exemption from fees.
An absence permit in Kuwait is an authorisation required for expats, typically arranged via the Sahel app or Residency Affairs departments, to remain outside the country for more than six months without invalidating their residency.
On August 20, the Ministry of Interior said that the regular legal periods for entry visas and absence permits will be reinstated from September 1 onwards. However, the additional period for absence permits will remain in effect for residents who left the country on or before August 31, 2026.
The residency permit certificate issued through the Sahel app is "the official and approved reference" that will be used to determine when a resident's absence permit will expire. "Residents must adhere to the specified period upon their return to the country," the ministry added.
ALSO READ- UAE's 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa: Fees, documents, rejection explained Indian consular services in Kuwait limited to emergency cases until July 19 6 major UAE visa rule changes in 2026 you should know about
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the
information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any
responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos,
licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information
contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues
related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Comments
No comment