Yes. British citizens travelling on a full British citizen passport can apply for a Kuwait eVisa online, or get a visa on arrival, according to UK government advice.
The UK Foreign Office (FCDO) no longer advises against all but essential travel to Kuwait, but it still warns of regional strikes and reduced flights. Read the travel section below before you book.
Quick overview
| Topic | What the sources say |
|---|---|
| Visa needed? | Yes. Britons need a visa to visit Kuwait. |
| Routes | Online (eVisa), visa on arrival, or the Kuwaiti Embassy in London |
| Where to apply online | Ministry of Interior portal, kuwaitvisa.moi.gov.kw |
| Passport | Expiry date at least six months after arrival |
| Border checks | Return or onward ticket and proof of accommodation |
| Fee and stay length | Sources disagree. Check the portal and your visa. |
Current UK travel advice
The FCDO's Kuwait page (still current at 1 October 2026, last updated 20 August 2026) removed its "all but essential travel" warning. It says that since 8 July there have been Iranian strikes and retaliatory attacks across the region, including in Kuwait, against US military and civilian infrastructure. It adds that flight schedules remain reduced.
Check the latest advice and your airline before you book. FCDO advice also notes that insurance can be invalidated if you travel against its advice, so ask your insurer if the advice changes.
Eligibility: can British citizens get a Kuwait eVisa?
Eligibility follows the nationality in your passport, not where you live. Kuwait's Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists Great Britain among the countries whose citizens can use the eVisa portal or get a visa on arrival. GOV.UK says the same for UK travellers. You can compare other countries on our Kuwait visa eligible countries page.
GOV.UK's entry advice is written for a full "British citizen" passport. If you hold another type of British nationality or passport, ask the Kuwaiti Embassy in London how the rules apply to you.
If you were born outside the UK
This is the point many guides skip. GOV.UK says British citizens born in Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Pakistan, Sudan, Syria or Yemen cannot get a visa on arrival. They must get a visa from the Kuwaiti Embassy before travelling.
It also warns that some British nationals, particularly those born outside the UK, may face extra checks at the airport. That can mean delays, more questions or refusal of entry. If this might apply to you, consider applying in advance and ask the embassy.
Other blockers
- If your passport shows Israeli travel, GOV.UK says you may be refused a visa or entry. Other sources are firmer, so assume it is a real risk. Wikipedia also lists the UK among countries whose diplomatic, official and service passport holders can enter for 30 days without a visa. Confirm that with the embassy before relying on it.
Documents commonly needed
For the eVisa you need your passport details, a scan of the photo page, an email address and a payment card. You also need an address in Kuwait, such as a hotel. Our Kuwait visa documents guide explains each item.
GOV.UK says border officers may ask you to show:
- A ticket for return or onward travel
- Proof of accommodation, such as a hotel booking
Keep the approved eVisa on your phone and in print. A private visa company says you should also carry a copy of the approval when boarding.
eVisa vs visa on arrival vs embassy visa
| Route | Suits you if | When you know the result | Key conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| eVisa | You want certainty before flying | Before departure, by email | Online form and fee. Details must match the passport. |
| Visa on arrival | You are flying in and were born in the UK or elsewhere not restricted | At the border | Not available if born in the countries listed above. Check that your airline will board you without a visa. |
| Embassy visa | You were born in a restricted country, plan to enter by land or sea, or travel for non-tourist reasons | Before departure | Apply through the Kuwaiti Embassy in London. A sponsor or host may be needed for business or family visits. |
A private visa company says you should ask your airline whether it will let you board without a visa. A refusal at the airport can leave you stuck, so the eVisa is the safer choice for most visitors.
Some sources say visas on arrival work only for air arrivals, and that land or sea arrivals need a visa in advance. Other government advice says a visa can be requested at a land border too. If you plan to drive in, ask the embassy.
Application steps
If you qualify for the eVisa
- Check your passport expires at least six months after your arrival date.
- Type kuwaitvisa.moi.gov.kw into your browser yourself, since look-alike sites exist.
- Create an account and fill in your details exactly as in your passport.
- Upload the passport scan and enter your accommodation details.
- Pay the fee and save the receipt.
- Download the approval email, then print a copy.
If you would like help, our Kuwait visa application service is a private assistance option. You can follow your case on the visa status check page.
If you apply through the consulate
- Contact the Kuwaiti Consulate General in Mumbai or the Embassy in New Delhi and ask for the current list of documents.
- Prepare the documents, including any sponsor papers they request.
- Submit the application and follow their instructions for collecting the passport.
Validity, stay period and entry window
Sources conflict. Wikipedia says each eVisa stay is limited to 30 days. Several private UK visa sites say up to 90 days, or three months. One private company says the entry date must fall within 30 days of issue.
I could not confirm an official figure. Rely on the dates printed on your approved visa and the official portal.
Fees and processing time
The fee is also uncertain. Some private sites say about 3 KWD. One says 10 KWD per month of stay. Others quote service fees on top of the government fee.
Processing times range from one day to three working days on private sites, and none is confirmed officially. Check our Kuwait visa fees page for current details, and apply early.
If the eVisa is not available or is refused
Apply at the Kuwaiti Embassy in London, or ask your sponsor in Kuwait about a visit visa. For business trips, a private visa company says the sponsor or host in Kuwait handles the visa through the Ministry of Interior.
A Kuwaiti embassy page for Austrian applicants says a mismatch between the form and the passport makes the application void. If that happens, correct the data and apply again. Our Kuwait visa rejection guide covers common causes.
Contacts for British travellers
Kuwait's authorities set the entry rules, so the embassy has the final word. Confirm hours and appointment rules before you visit.
Kuwaiti Embassy in London
- Address:
2 Albert Gate, London SW1X 7JU, United Kingdom - Phone:
+44 20 7590 3400 and +44 20 7590 3406 - Fax:
+44 20 7823 1712
British Embassy in Kuwait City
- Address:
Arabian Gulf Street, Dasman,
P O Box 2, Safat 13001,
Kuwait City, Kuwait - Phone:
+965 2259 4320 - Fax:
+965 2259 4352 - Email:
kuwait.generalenquiries@fco.gov.uk
consularenquirieskuwait@fco.gov.uk - Website:
www.gov.uk/government/world/kuwait
Common mistakes
- Assuming a visa on arrival is open to everyone, including those born in restricted countries.
- Booking a flight before checking whether the airline will board without a visa.
- Having a passport with under six months left.
- Entering a name or date that differs from the passport.
- Paying a look-alike website.
- Forgetting the return ticket and hotel proof.
Before you fly
- Approved eVisa, printed and saved on your phone
- Passport valid six months after arrival, with no Israeli stamps
- Return or onward ticket and hotel booking
- Flight status checked, since schedules remain reduced
- Insurance checked against the current FCDO advice
Frequently asked questions
Disclaimer
This website is a private assistance service. It is not a government office and is not affiliated with the Government of Kuwait, the UK government or any embassy. Visa rules, fees, contact details and travel advice change without notice. Always confirm the latest requirements on the official Kuwait Ministry of Interior portal, with the Kuwaiti Embassy in London and on the GOV.UK Kuwait page before you travel. Our assistance fees are separate from government fees. See our refund policy for details.