KUWAIT: Kuwait’s sweeping changes to its entry system are fueling a surge in visitor numbers, positioning the country to capture regional travel demand and family reunions this winter. As the summer fades, experts say the reforms will attract a large influx of family visa holders and short-term visitors.

“This is a remarkable humanitarian step by Kuwait, allowing families to reunite and live with dignity. It reflects the nation’s commitment to social harmony and human values,” commented Mubarak Al-Hajri, Deputy CEO at ENASCO, a company providing marine and inspection services.

In August, the government removed the minimum salary requirement, expanded eligibility to a wider circle of relatives and extended visa validity periods up to one year. Combined with a new all-in-one e-visa platform covering tourist, family, business and official categories, the measures mark Kuwait’s most liberal entry regime in decades, fully aligned with its New Kuwait 2035 vision.

As Al-Hajri noted, the changes are far-reaching for many expatriates. “I am really happy and thankful to the authorities. I brought my family to Kuwait on a visit last month,” said an elated Phil Anthony, a Filipino restaurant worker in Salmiya earning KD 350. “I never thought I could bring my wife here with that kind of salary.” Others, including taxi driver Shareef Padavil and clerk Joseph Williams, echoed his joy at finally reuniting with loved ones.

“Removing the salary cap for family visit visas is probably one of the most crucial and significant changes in Kuwait in recent times,” said Hussain Ibrahim, a travel executive in Kuwait. “Any legal resident can now apply without meeting a fixed salary threshold — a barrier that previously excluded many lower-paid workers.” Official tourism data for 2025 is not yet available, but projections suggest Kuwait’s travel and tourism market will generate $1.04 billion in revenue by the end of the year, with continued growth expected following the radical visa reforms.

Uptick in aviation sector

The reforms are already boosting the travel and hospitality sectors. “There is a clear uptick in Kuwait’s aviation traffic,” said P N J Kumar, General Manager of Caesars Travels, Kuwait. “Inbound flights are nearly full even after the summer rush. We also notice many senior citizens among the passengers — elderly parents of expatriates who can now visit without restrictions,” he noted.

According to Ibrahim Al-Kandari, a Kuwaiti businessman, the ripple effect extends beyond airlines. “Extended family stays will benefit hotels, serviced apartments, restaurants and retail trade,” Al-Kandari said. Multi-entry visas valid for up to a year are also expected to encourage repeat trips within the same season, multiplying the economic impact, he pointed out.

“Kuwait’s new visa changes are a step in the right direction, making it easier for families to reunite and for visitors and businesses to see Kuwait as a friendly and open destination,” said Kaizar Shakir, Chairman of the Indian Business and Professional Council (IBPC), Kuwait, and Director and CFO of Gulf Consult. The upgraded e-visa system and the new ‘Visit Kuwait’ portal are designed to reduce processing time and paperwork, centralizing access for GCC residents and eligible nationalities. Officials believe the easier entry process will help Kuwait close the gap with regional peers. “Kuwait, which historically attracted fewer tourists than its GCC neighbors, is now betting that simplified entry and easier reunification for expatriate families will boost its share of seasonal arrivals. And we have started to see results,” added Ibrahim.

Unified GCC visa

A unified pan-GCC visa system, expected to be launched by the end of 2025, will further bolster Kuwait’s tourism growth, noted Abdul Nasser, a travel company official. The new system, modeled on a Schengen-style visa for the six GCC member states — the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman — is expected to usher in hassle-free travel across the region. A pilot program of the ‘GCC Grand Tours Visa’ is currently being run on a trial basis, he added.

Winter has traditionally been the Gulf’s strongest tourism season, with cooler weather, school breaks and festive holidays driving demand. Yet Kuwait has long trailed behind its neighbors such as Dubai, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. “That gap underscores the upside,” Kumar said. “With the salary cap gone, a huge pool of lower-income expatriates can now bring in family members. Even if a fraction of them do, we could see double-digit growth in visitor arrivals over the next two quarters.”

According to estimates, Kuwait’s travel and tourism market is expected to generate $1.04 billion in revenue by end-2025, with an annual growth rate of 5.6 percent between 2025 and 2030 — reaching a projected market volume of $1.37 billion by 2030. Kuwait’s population is estimated at 4.9 million, with expatriates making up nearly 70 percent. Indians remain the largest community, followed by Egyptians and other Asian nationals — groups expected to drive much of the new demand.

Renewed optimism

For many expatriates, the new visa system represents more than convenience — it signals inclusion. “Kuwait has always been a second home to us, and now it feels even more welcoming,” said Shareef Padavil, echoing the sentiment of many. Industry observers believe the momentum could reshape Kuwait’s perception in the region. “These are well-calibrated reforms,” said Ibrahim. “They will help the country move closer to its long-term tourism and social development goals.” With the onset of the winter season, the warmth of family reunions and renewed visitor interest seem to perfectly capture Kuwait’s new spirit of openness — one that blends economic opportunity with human connection.

WASHINGTON: Minister of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy and Acting Minister of Finance and Minister of State for Economic Affairs and Investment Dr Sabeeh Al-Mukhaizeem affirmed Tuesday that economic diversification has become a strategic imperative for Kuwait’s sustainable development. Speaking at the opening of “Kuwait’s Economic Transformation – Foundations for a New Era,” organized by the Kuwait Banking Association in cooperation with Capital at George Washington University, Al-Mukhaizeem said diversification is no longer a policy choice but a national necessity.

The event was attended by Kuwaiti Ambassador to the United States Sheikha Al-Zain Al-Sabah, chairpersons and CEOs of Kuwaiti banks, and prominent financial leaders. Al-Mukhaizeem highlighted Kuwait’s longstanding leadership in financial stewardship, citing the establishment of one of the world’s first sovereign wealth funds in 1953 and the growth of an internationally trusted banking system. He said Kuwait’s credibility in the region is built on strong institutions, sound regulation and a culture of investment.

Looking ahead, he emphasized the need for finance, banking and investment to drive diversification, innovation and sustainable growth through partnerships with the private sector and international allies. “Kuwait is entering a critical phase in its economic journey. Diversification is no longer a political choice, but a strategic necessity,” he said. He stressed that sustainable growth cannot be led by the state alone, but must involve innovators, investors and the private sector. He described Kuwaiti-American cooperation as a “fundamental pillar” of this vision, extending beyond finance to technology, renewable energy, food security and advanced industries.

Al-Mukhaizeem said cooperation in financial regulation, cross-border investment and innovation — particularly in digital banking and sustainable finance — has become central to economic collaboration between Kuwait and the US. He added that the forum serves as a platform to test ideas, align strategies and build new investment channels, with the participation of financial leaders, academics and private sector partners.

He expressed confidence in the strength, stability and maturity of Kuwait’s financial system, describing it as a solid foundation for global investors. For her part, Ambassador Sheikha Al-Zain Al-Sabah underscored the importance of the event in bolstering Kuwaiti-US economic ties in line with Kuwait Vision 2035 and the national roadmap for diversification, private sector empowerment and positioning Kuwait as a regional hub for finance, logistics, renewable energy and innovation.

She highlighted forward-looking initiatives such as the Border Communities Resilience Initiative, which channels Gulf investments into underserved areas of the United States to enhance infrastructure, economic stability and shared prosperity. She described it as a powerful example of economic cooperation serving both development and humanitarian goals. “The Kuwaiti private sector embodies this spirit of entrepreneurship and responsibility — from Islamic finance to environmental sustainability, and from family offices to fintech,” she said. “Every success story affirms a simple truth: Kuwait is open for business, open to innovation, open to partnership and open to building communities.”

The event aims to showcase the role of the financial and private sectors in supporting Kuwait’s transformation and explore opportunities for engagement with the international investment community. It also seeks to highlight the country’s institutional foundations, evolving regulatory environment, openness to global companies, advanced financial structure and balanced economic vision rooted in public-private cooperation. The forum is part of Kuwait’s participation in the annual meetings of international financial institutions, including the Board of Governors of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund, taking place in Washington from October 13 to 18. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Total trade exchange among Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries reached $1.5 trillion in 2024, ranking sixth worldwide and representing 3.2 percent of total global trade, Assistant Secretary General for Economic and Development Affairs at the GCC Secretariat Khaled Al-Sunaidi said Wednesday. Speaking during the 61st preparatory meeting of GCC Undersecretaries of Ministries of Commerce, Al-Sunaidi noted that the GCC collectively ranked third globally in trade surplus, with a value of $110 billion, highlighting the region’s trade openness and the robustness of its economic structure.

He emphasized that intra-GCC trade is a key driver of economic diversification, competitiveness, and the expansion of investment and innovation opportunities. The volume of commodity trade between GCC countries is estimated at $146 billion in 2024, marking an annual growth rate of 9.8 percent compared to 2023, while non-oil goods recorded an average annual growth rate of 5.3 percent over the past decade.

Al-Sunaidi stressed that the future of GCC trade relies on deepening institutional and legislative integration through unified trade policies, modernized legal and regulatory frameworks, and streamlined movement of goods and services. He also highlighted the importance of digital transformation in the trade system, which aims to shift intra-GCC trade from a simple commodity exchange to a platform for productive and economic integration.

He explained that expanding intra-trade supports the utilization of comparative advantages and the creation of joint production and supply networks, consolidating Gulf economic integration as a key pathway to comprehensive and sustainable regional development. The General Secretariat also prioritizes negotiations for free trade agreements as strategic opportunities to enhance global market access, diversify trading partners, and attract high-quality investments, strengthening the GCC’s role as an active hub in international trade.

Al-Sunaidi expressed gratitude to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Chairman of the current session of the GCC Supreme Council, for Kuwait’s continued support in advancing joint Gulf initiatives. The 61st preparatory meeting addressed topics of common interest, including updates on free trade agreement negotiations with countries and international blocs, developments in GCC commercial laws, review of the Investment Agents Committee’s work, and matters related to the General Secretariat’s Patent Office. — KUNA