COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Kuwait (06 July Update)

*Can a resident enter the country? *

• Yes

• Citizens and residents are allowed to enter.

*Can a foreigner enter the country? *

• No with exceptions

• Kuwait authorities have banned the entry of non-citizens. The only exemptions are for non-Kuwaiti first-degree relatives, such as parents or children, accompanying domestic workers, medical professionals, and diplomats.

• Passengers who are otherwise able to enter Kuwait may not do so if they have been in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, or Sri Lanka in the past 14 days.

• Effective 1 August, vaccinated non-citizens will be allowed to travel to Kuwait. Foreign travellers will need to be vaccinated with one of the four approved vaccines — Pfizer/BioNTech, AstraZeneca, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson.

*Is transit allowed through the country? *

• Yes, with exceptions

• Passengers transiting through Kuwait must provide a negative PCR test certificate issued no more than 72 hours before boarding the flight. Non-Kuwaiti citizens are not allowed to enter the country, including for transit until further notice.

• Any individual who may have transited Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, or Sri Lanka in the past 14 days will be denied entry.

*Is a test required on arrival? *

• Yes with exceptions

• All travellers over six years of age arriving at Kuwait International Airport must receive a PCR test upon arrival at the traveller’s expense.

*Is a test certificate accepted? *

• Yes

• Test certificates issued in other countries are accepted. The certificate must be in English and issued by an accredited laboratory. An official list of accredited laboratories may be found here.

*Test certificate required? *

• Yes with exceptions

• All arriving passengers, except children under the age of six, will have to present a negative PCR test certificate issued within 72 hours before boarding the flight to Kuwait. The certificate must be issued by Kuwait-approved laboratories.

*Is quarantine required on arrival? *

• Yes, with exceptions

• All vaccinated arriving passengers and those who have recovered from a COVID-19 infection within 90 days prior to travel are exempt from quarantine, provided that they have a negative PCR test certificate issued within the last three days prior to arrival.

• “Vaccinated travellers” refers to those who have had two COVID-19 vaccine shots with the second at least two weeks prior to entry (or one Johnson & Johnson shot), those who have had one vaccine shot at least five weeks prior to entry, and those who have recovered from COVID-19 and who have had one dose of the vaccine at least two weeks prior to entry.

• Unvaccinated passengers arriving in Kuwait must enter quarantine for 14 days. The first seven days must be in an institutional quarantine in a designated hotel. Travellers are required to have a confirmed hotel reservation booked at the Kuwait Mosafer Platform. On the sixth day of hotel quarantine, a PCR test will be performed at the traveller’s expense. If negative, the traveller may leave the hotel and continue quarantine at home for another 7 days.

• Kuwaiti patients seeking treatment abroad, Kuwaiti students studying abroad, unaccompanied minors under 18, medical staff, and members of the diplomatic corps are exempt from the institutional quarantine requirement but are required to quarantine at home for 14 days.

• Based on the above restrictions, all incoming travellers will be required to spend between 0 days or up to 14 days in quarantine.

*Entry form required? *

• No

• Passengers must register online before departure at the Kuwait Mosafer platform and Shlonik App.

Recommended Border App

• Yes

• All passengers permitted to arrive in Kuwait must register with the Kuwait Mosafer platform and the Shlonik application prior to travel.

Is vaccination required?

• No

• A vaccination for COVID-19 is not required for entry into the country. However, all incoming fully vaccinated travellers or who have recovered from COVID-19 within 90 days prior to travel will not be required to undergo mandatory quarantine after arrival.

• Non-Kuwaiti citizens are allowed to depart from Kuwait but no Kuwaiti citizens, first-degree relatives of Kuwaiti citizens, and domestic employees can depart with the former if they are not fully vaccinated or pregnant.

• Effective 1 August, vaccinated non-citizens will be allowed to travel to Kuwait. Foreign travellers will need to be vaccinated with one of the four approved vaccines — Pfizer/BioNTech, AstraZeneca, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson.

Is insurance required?

• No

• Proof of insurance coverage for COVID-19 expenses is not required to enter the country.

Airline restrictions

• Significant

• Kuwait International Airport has partially reopened.

• Kuwait resumed commercial flights with the United Kingdom.

• Commercial flights to and from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka are suspended indefinitely. Cargo operations are not affected.

Border restrictions

• Significant

• Visa on arrival and E-Visa services are currently not available.

• Travellers intending to visit Kuwait who do not have a valid visa must obtain visas or other approval in advance from a Kuwaiti embassy or consulate.

• Land and sea borders are open from 9:00 to 15:00 hours daily for fully vaccinated returning Kuwaiti citizens, their immediate relatives, and domestic employees. Land and sea borders remain closed for non-Kuwaiti citizens.

• Since 29 June, citizens, their close relatives, and any accompanying domestic helpers who have had at least one approved COVID-19 vaccine dose are allowed to pass through land and sea border crossings until 31 July.

• The Ministry has announced that residents with Article 24 (self-employed) and Article 22 (dependent) permits can renew their resident permits online.

• Kuwaiti citizens, first-degree relatives of Kuwaiti citizens, and domestic employees travelling with them are not permitted to travel with non-Kuwaiti citizens from Kuwait unless they are fully vaccinated, with the exception of those who cannot medically receive a vaccine or are pregnant.

Curfew restrictions

• Minimal

• The nationwide curfew has been lifted.

Social restrictions

• Moderate

• Social gatherings are prohibited.

Internal travel restrictions

• Minimal

• There are no restrictions in place for intercity or interstate travel.

• Public bus transport services have resumed, subject to physical distancing requirements. Taxis are allowed to serve only two passengers at a time.

*Non-essential shops open? *

• Yes

• Private businesses and services are allowed to operate at a limited capacity.

• Food retail, grocery stores, retail stores, shopping malls, general services, delivery services, company transport vehicles, automobile repair shops, construction sectors, and tailors are open.

• All commercial businesses are closed from 20:00 to 05:00 hours (local time) daily, with the exception of pharmacies, co-ops, and grocery stores.

• Grocery shopping appointments can be requested at www.moci.shop. Confirmation of the appointment must be presented to authorities upon entering and leaving the market.

• Access to commercial establishments such as salons, spas, shopping malls, is restricted to vaccinated persons.

*Accommodations open? *

• Yes

• Hotels are open.

*Restaurants open? *

• Yes

• Dine-in at restaurants is allowed.

• Effective 27 June, access to dining establishments may be restricted to vaccinated persons.

*Bars and cafes open? *

• Yes

• Indoor dining at cafes is now permitted until further notice.

• Effective 27 June, access to dining establishments may be restricted to vaccinated persons.

*Beaches and tourism sites open? *

• Yes with exceptions

• Beaches are open for visitors with safety protocols.

• Public seating areas are closed, and public parks and outdoor spaces are open only for walking.

Museums and heritage sites open?

• Yes

• Museums are open.

*Personal care services open? *

• Yes, with exceptions

• Health clubs, salons, barbershops, and spas are open.

• Effective 27 June, access to commercial places like salons and spas may be restricted to vaccinated persons.

*Places of worship open? *

• Yes

• Mosques are open with safety protocols. Friday prayers are also allowed. Individuals who are still in quarantine and children below 15 will not be allowed into the premises, while those with compromised immune systems, chronic disease, or any illness symptoms are advised to stay at home.

*Events allowed? *

• No, with exceptions

• Reception, weddings, public and private Diwaniyas are prohibited. Cultural centres, on the other hand, are open.

*Masks required in public? *

• Yes

• Every individual must wear a face mask in public places. Violators may be subject to a fine or imprisonment.

Other

• Cinemas and theatres are open to vaccinated patrons.

• Private and government offices are allowed to open with some restrictions on the number of workers in the workplace.

• Educational institutions are closed but are allowed to operate virtually through online learning.

• Electricity, oil, health, municipal services, and other essential sectors are open.

The COVID-19 epidemic is constantly changing worldwide. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Airlines may have their own requirements for testing, masking, and distancing. It is recommended that travellers carry a supply of face masks since the requirement can vary by location. It is recommended that travellers practise social distancing, maintain a 6-foot distance from other individuals and avoid crowded areas. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country's embassy for information on your specific travel plans.