COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Kuwait (20 April Update)

*Can a resident enter the country? *

• Yes with exceptions

• Citizens and residents are allowed to enter.

• Residents of Kuwait who left the country before 1 September 2019 may not be allowed to enter the country.

*Can a foreigner enter the country? *

• No

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

*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.

*Is a test required on arrival? *

• Yes

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

*Is a test certificate allowed? *

• 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

• 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.

• Travellers arriving from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman must have a negative COVID-19 PCR certificate issued only by the Medical Utility Network Accreditor (MUNA) list of approved laboratories starting from 25 March.

• Travellers departing from Kuwait with a negative PCR test certificate issued before departure can present the same test result on re-entry, provided they are returning to Kuwait within 72 hours of departure.

*Is quarantine required on arrival? *

• Yes

• All travellers are required to enter a 14-day quarantine on arrival to Kuwait.

• All incoming flight passengers must enter a mandatory seven-day institutional quarantine in a designated hotel and are required to have a confirmed hotel reservation booked at the Kuwait Mosafer Platform. Another PCR test, also at the traveller’s expense, will be performed on the sixth day of quarantine. If negative, the remaining seven days of quarantine may be completed at home.

• Kuwaiti patients seeking treatment abroad, Kuwaiti students studying abroad, unaccompanied minors under 18, medical staff, and members of the diplomatic corps are excluded from the institutional quarantine requirement and are instead subject to a 14-day home quarantine.

• Passengers in the categories mentioned below are now excluded from the institutional quarantine requirement and are instead subject to a 7-day home quarantine with a PCR test on the seventh day. Exemptions can be sought by passengers who:

• have had two COVID-19 vaccinations with the second at least two weeks prior to entry,

• have had one COVID-19 vaccination at least five weeks prior to entry,

• have recovered from COVID-19 and have had one vaccination at least two weeks prior to entry.

• The vaccine must be a State of Kuwait accredited vaccine which is either the Oxford or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

• Based on the above restrictions, all incoming travellers will be required to spend between 7 days and 14 days in quarantine.

*Entry form required? *

• An “Ok To Travel” letter issued by the Kuwait embassy is required for boarding flights to Kuwait.

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

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.

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.

• Flights from the United Kingdom remain suspended.

• All passengers, including minors, are required to wear masks and gloves upon arrival at the airport and must arrive at least four hours in advance of their scheduled flight.

• Kuwait government will not allow the repatriation of remains of foreign nationals who died of COVID-19.

Border restrictions

• Significant

• Travellers intending to visit Kuwait without 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 daily for returning Kuwaiti citizens. Land and sea borders remain closed for non-Kuwaiti citizens.

• On arrival, travellers may be asked to show proof of return or onward travel, a sponsor’s letter, and hotel confirmation.

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

• Travellers with an Israeli stamp on their passport may be denied entry into Kuwait.

• For nationals of GCC countries, a civil ID card is not accepted for entering Kuwait; however, citizens of Kuwait with a civil ID card that was used while departing from Kuwait will be accepted for re-entering Kuwait.

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

Curfew restrictions

• Minimal

• Nationwide curfew is in effect from 19:00 to 5:00 (local time) until 22 April.

• Those seeking emergency medical treatment during curfew should call 112. Curfew passes for medical appointments during curfew hours can be requested at https://curfew.paci.gov.kw/request/create.

Social distancing restrictions

• Moderate

• Social gatherings are prohibited.

Internal travel restrictions

• Minimal

• Masks must be worn.

• There are no restrictions in place for intercity or interstate travel, except during curfew hours.

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

• Passengers departing Kuwait and required to reach the airport during curfew hours should be prepared to travel directly from their homes to the airport, carrying their passport and flight confirmation to show at potential checkpoints.

*Non-essential shops open? *

• Yes

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

• All commercial businesses are closed from 19:00 to 05:00 (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.

*Accommodations open? *

• Yes

• Hotels remain closed from 19:00 to 5:00.

*Restaurants open? *

• Yes with exceptions

• Restaurants must be closed from 19:00 to 5:00. Restaurants can provide delivery services until 03:00 (local time).

• Dine-in at restaurants is not permitted until further notice.

*Bars and cafes open? *

• Yes with exceptions

• Dine-in at restaurants and cafes is not permitted until further notice. Shisha cafes will remain closed until further notice.

*Beaches and tourism sites open? *

• Yes

• Beaches are open for visitors with safety protocols.

*Personal care services open? *

• No

• Health clubs, salons, barbershops, and spas may remain closed during curfew hours from 19:00 to 5:00.

*Places of worship open? *

• Yes with exceptions

• 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

• Receptions, weddings, public and private Diwaniyas are prohibited.

*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

• Camping will remain prohibited until further notice.

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

• Banking services have resumed.

• 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 practice social distancing and 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.