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Kuwait’s new visa rules for GCC residents draw praise, concern

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Supporters welcome move for economic growth; critics warn of social, logistical challenges

KUWAIT: Kuwait has scrapped its long-standing restrictions on tourist visas for foreigners living in other Gulf states, drawing both praise and concern from the public.

A ministerial decision issued Sunday by First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah allows any foreigner with a valid Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) residency of at least six months to receive a tourist visa at the border. The regulations, published in the official gazette Kuwait Al-Youm, take effect immediately.

The new rule cancels a 2008 regulation that limited visa-on-arrival privileges to certain professions, including doctors, engineers, lawyers, judges, university professors, and business executives. It also banned those holding travel documents other than passports from entering the country. Under the previous system, foreign residents in GCC countries who didn’t fall into those categories — such as service workers or their families — were ineligible for a tourist visa on arrival in Kuwait.

Airport struggles

Most welcomed the decision as a win for tourism and the economy. “This is a bold step, no doubt,” said Hamza Al-Ostad. “It would stimulate the economy and address past imbalances” while benefiting Kuwait financially, politically, and in tourism. “No to hate speech — Kuwait is the land of the Arabs, opening its heart to everyone. You are welcome here, honored and respected — before our homes, you’re welcome in our hearts,” he wrote.

However, some raised practical concerns about infrastructure readiness. With Kuwait International Airport’s immigration counters already limited and long queues common, there are worries the new decision could increase pressure on airport facilities. “We need more counters for issuing visas and receiving tourists — not like the current situation. This is a big matter and part of tourism marketing,” one commenter wrote on Twitter.

A Qatar-based user compared the change to Europe’s Schengen visa, saying it “allows residents to visit their families and relatives” while boosting tourism and supporting airlines, hotels, and restaurants.

Banned nationalities

Others expressed concern about the potential for increased congestion and residency violations. “Get ready for overcrowding and the buildup of expatriate communities and residency violators — meaning their residencies will expire, and they’ll stay on illegally,” wrote Dhaari Mahamad Al Anjiri. He stressed the importance of respecting residency and state laws to prevent further congestion in Kuwait’s small territory.

Kuwait has long struggled with residency permit abuses, where brokers import labor under the pretext of project needs that often lack real substance. Critics argue this undermines economic goals by diverting labor from productive uses and contributing to social and financial challenges. To combat this, Kuwait intensified crackdowns and passed stricter residency laws in November 2024, with the Interior Ministry regularly conducting enforcement campaigns.

Questions also remain over whether the new policy will affect entry restrictions on certain nationalities. Previously, holders of Iraqi and Palestinian passports were not eligible for visas, even as GCC residents. Some commenters raised concerns about whether Zionist entity passport holders living in GCC countries could be allowed entry. Kuwait has long maintained a strong stance against normalization with the entity. The country enforces a strict boycott at both government and public levels, banning all sporting and commercial dealings. Zionist entity financial instruments are also prohibited, and Zionist entity citizens are not allowed to enter the country.

“So will Israelis living in some Gulf countries be allowed into Kuwait?” asked Ahmad Al-Failakawi. Another user, Abdullah Alaiban, wrote: “No word about the Zionists in the countries that have normalized relations?!” The Interior Ministry has yet to clarify how these restrictions will be applied under the new visa rules.

At a glance

GCC residents eligible: Foreign nationals with valid residency permits in any Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) country for at least six months can now obtain tourist visas on arrival in Kuwait.

Previous restrictions: The old 2008 rule limited visa-on-arrival eligibility to certain professions (for example: Doctors, engineers, lawyers, judges, professors, business executives). The new ministerial decision cancels these restrictions.

Passport exceptions: Under previous regulations, residents holding Iraqi or Palestinian passports were not eligible for tourist visas, even if they had valid GCC residencies. It remains unclear if the new policy changes this.

Zionist entity nationals: Kuwait maintains a strict ban on entry and dealings with Zionist entity passport holders, consistent with its longstanding boycott policies. The new visa policy does not officially change this stance.

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Expert urges caution as rising humidity triggers respiratory issues

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KUWAIT: As Kuwait experiences a combination of humid and dusty weather, a health expert warns that these conditions can significantly worsen respiratory illnesses such as asthma and allergies. Northern winds often bring dust storms typical of Kuwait’s desert environment, while rising humidity levels add another layer of challenge for vulnerable individuals.

“Humid air is heavy on the respiratory system because it’s saturated with water, making breathing more difficult,” Dr Abdullah Al-Mutairi, a consultant in respiratory diseases and intensive care, told KTV news channel. When moisture fills the air, tiny particles that usually settle on the ground become airborne, aggravating symptoms for allergy sufferers. Dust also plays a major role in triggering breathing problems, he explained.

“The current weather is humid and hot, which irritates the respiratory system, especially for those with allergies or asthma,” said Dr Al-Mutairi. “People should monitor air quality and avoid going outside when it’s poor. Staying indoors in air-conditioned, enclosed spaces is much safer for them.”

People living with asthma and allergies shared their coping strategies with KTV, emphasizing the importance of staying indoors and carrying necessary medications. “If you must go out, wear a mask and carry your medicines,” advised one participant. Another warned, “Avoid sudden changes between humid outdoor air and cold air-conditioning.”

Dr Al-Mutairi also addressed concerns about post-COVID-19 respiratory sensitivity. “Severe viral infections like COVID-19 can cause individuals who never had respiratory issues to develop allergies afterward,” he said. He cautioned against the misuse of inhalers, noting they’re not typically appropriate treatments for common colds or the flu. Patients with moderate to severe asthma often experience symptoms daily or several times a week and require regular use of preventive inhalers to protect their respiratory system from external irritants.

“For mild asthma, symptoms usually occur during viral infections or extreme weather, and inhalers may only be needed during those times,” he explained. The duration of inhaler use varies depending on the patient’s severity and response, ranging from a few days to several weeks.

Importantly, he clarified that not every wheezing episode indicates asthma. Wheezing can also result from sinus infections or other viral illnesses, and inhalers are not prescribed in all cases.

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New rules to protect public money, speed up courts

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Cabinet expands criminalization for public office misuse • Brings e-filing, remote sessions to courts

KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Cabinet has approved important changes to laws aimed at better protecting public funds and speeding up the court system. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Shareeda Al-Maousherji, shared details after the weekly Cabinet meeting held at Bayan Palace under Acting Prime Minister Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah.

The new rules widen the scope of what counts as misuse of public office, covering any illegal benefit. Penalties are stricter, especially when misuse involves government contracts or tenders. Officials will also be barred from sharing confidential information for up to ten years after leaving their jobs, with fines and possible dismissal if they break this rule.

Courts will have more authority to remove officials even if mistakes were unintentional. New provisions make fraud in government contracts a criminal offense, and intentional damage to public funds is now punishable even if no personal gain is involved. Companies can also be held accountable for crimes involving public money. Prosecutors will have the power to demand the return of funds even after criminal cases are dropped. And submitting false or misleading information can now lead to fines up to KD 10,000.

The changes also unify the definition of who counts as a public employee, extend deadlines for reporting to the Audit Bureau to 30 days, and introduce electronic ways to submit those reports. They also raise the threshold for investment disclosures to KD 250,000, with reporting moving to an annual schedule.

Digital courts

On the court procedures side, the Cabinet approved amendments to speed up civil and commercial cases and to fully embrace digital tools. From filing lawsuits to enforcing judgments, processes can now be done electronically, and remote court sessions will be allowed.

These changes come as part of the Ministry of Justice’s ongoing digital transformation. Minister of Justice Nasser Al-Sumait told the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) last week that the ministry is in the final stages of issuing legislation that “will grant us the legal authority to fully transition to an electronic system.”

The digital rollout will focus on three key areas: filing and registering cases—including announcements and fee payments—streamlining court procedures to reduce delays, and, most importantly, ensuring smooth enforcement of rulings. Contracts with tech giants Google and Microsoft will support this transition, Al-Sumait added.

Tuesday’s amendments include higher fines for judge recusal requests. If someone wants to request a judge’s recusal, they’ll need to pay a bail of KD 200, with fines between KD 500 and KD 1,000 if the request is refused. Repeat requests to recuse the same judge won’t be allowed, and all requests must be decided within a month. The new rules appear to be aimed at protecting fairness by allowing parties to request a judge step aside if there’s a conflict of interest. At the same time, bail and fines discourage repeated or frivolous requests that could delay cases.

This balance helps speed up court proceedings while ensuring impartial judgments. The changes come as Kuwait faces a backlog of more than 81,000 appeals at the Court of Cassation — a crisis that has already prompted the formation of ten new judicial committees to fast-track case reviews. The Cabinet also reviewed several draft decrees related to agreements and cooperation with friendly countries. These will be forwarded to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah for approval. — Agencies

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Kuwait, Somalia strengthen ties with new agreements

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KUWAIT: Kuwait and Somalia took a significant step in deepening their bilateral ties on Tuesday by signing a series of agreements aimed at boosting cooperation across diplomatic, political, and training sectors.

The agreements include the establishment of a joint committee to oversee bilateral cooperation, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to hold regular bilateral consultations, and a cooperation pact between Kuwait’s Saud Al-Nasser Al-Sabah Diplomatic Institute and Somalia’s Institute of Diplomacy and Training. These agreements are designed to formalize and expand collaboration between the two countries.

Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya and Somalia’s Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali are seen after signing a series of cooperation agreeements during Ali's visit to Kuwait. — KUNA photos

Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya and Somalia’s Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali are seen after signing a series of cooperation agreeements during Ali’s visit to Kuwait. — KUNA photos

The signings followed a high-level meeting between Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya and Somalia’s Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali during the Somali minister’s official visit to Kuwait. The ministers reviewed the close and longstanding relationship between their nations and discussed opportunities to enhance partnership in various fields.

Regional and international developments affecting both Kuwait and Somalia were also on the agenda, reflecting the two countries’ shared interest in stability and development within the Middle East and Horn of Africa regions. His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah also received the ministers at Bayan Palace. — KUNA

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