Kuwait Scraps Salary Cap for Family Visit Visas—Who Can Apply in 2025?

Written by

Mynaz Altaf

Fact check by

Shreya Pandey

Updated on

Aug 15,2025

Kuwait Scraps Salary Cap for Family Visit Visas—Who Can Apply in 2025? - TerraTern

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The sweeping policy change that has occurred in Kuwait involves the citizens making it easier than ever before to invite family members to visit them. The small country has already scrapped the minimum wage requirement for the family visit visa. The decision is included in the broader initiative to ensure that Kuwait becomes more accommodating of the foreign labourers and their families, encourages tourism, and bolsters interpersonal relationships. These new visa policies, launched on August 13, 2025, increase the number of relatives that can be invited and make the process of acquiring visas easier due to the development of new digital platforms, as well as eliminate some outdated policies that complicated the choice of entering the country. Adversely, here is what you should know as a foreigner living in Kuwait or visiting your family.

What Has Changed in Kuwait’s Family Visit Visa Policy?

In the past, the foreign residents in Kuwait were required to obtain a minimum fixed salary in order to sponsor family visit visas for their family members. This regulation was seen to be a bother to those who want to bring close but travelling families, as well as those with low income below the income threshold. There is no longer a minimum salary prerequisite, which has given an opportunity to get a visa irrespective of the profits that the sponsor makes. Here are the top changes:

  • Family Visits: Family visits on visas are not subject to any minimum salaries.

  • Eligibility was Extended: It now covers relatives on the basis of the first four degrees of blood relations (e.g. siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces) and adoption of the third degree in-law (e.g. parents-in-law, sons/daughters-in-law, etc.).

  • Full Online Programs: The new Kuwait visa platform or mobile app can be used to apply for all types of visas.

  • No Limitation on National Carriers: Tourists may not use only the national carriers of Kuwait.

  • Fast Processing: Full Web-based applications can be handled within five minutes, all other things being equal.

  • Various Options of Entry: People can enter Kuwait through air, land or sea.

Also Read: Kuwait Family Visa News: Latest Updates and Changes

Family Visit Visa Rules: Validity and Relatives List

Under the revised regulations, family visit visas offer flexible stay durations:

  • Single Entry: 1, 2, or 3 months

  • Multiple Entry: Up to one year, but each visit cannot exceed one month at a time

Relation

Degree of Kinship

Included in New Rules?

Spouse/Children

1st

Yes

Parents/Parents-in-law

1st (by marriage)

Yes

Siblings

2nd

Yes

Siblings-in-law

2nd (by marriage)

Yes

Grandparents

2nd

Yes

Grandchildren

2nd

Yes

Aunts/Uncles/Nephews/Nieces

3rd/4th

Yes

Kuwait’s Digital Visa Platform: Easy and Fast

Now all applicants can apply via the official Kuwait Visa digital platform or app to obtain one of four main types of visas: tourist, family, business and governmental. It is fast and does not require individuals to visit the visa offices to do the processing. Here is the application process:

  • Fill in the web form on the main Kuwait Visa site.

  • Put in the necessary data (the page of the passport, photograph, and the residence evidence, if necessary).

  • Pay the fee which applies online.

  • Get approved for your visa application online or over the app.

  • Carry your digital visa to enter Kuwait.

Visa Type

Who Can Apply

Typical Validity

Application Method

Family Visit

Residents sponsoring relatives

1 month–1 year

Online/digital

Tourist

Listed nationalities or GCC expats

30–90 days

Online/on arrival

Business

Business travelers

30 days

Online

Governmental

Officials/delegates

30 days

Online

Also Read: Nursing Job Vacancy in Kuwait: Expert's Job Guide

GCC Expat Residents: Instant Tourist Visas on Arrival

An express second facility is for expats located within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states. Now, visitors can enter Kuwait through a tourist visa on arrival, provided they meet certain conditions. People of Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain now receive a tourist visa upon meeting the immigration authorities in Kuwait on arrival, as long as they have a valid residence permit in their home countries of at least six months. It significantly eases short visits and family reunions of millions of people within the Gulf region.

Policy Area

Previous Rule

New Rule

Effective Date

Salary Requirement

Minimum salary needed

No salary barrier

13 August 2025

Eligible Relatives

Only close family

Up to 4th degree kin

13 August 2025

Entry Carrier

National airlines only

Any carrier

13 August 2025

Application Process

In-person, paperwork

Online/mobile, instant

July-Aug 2025

GCC Expats Tourist Visa

By profession, limited

Open to all, on arrival

13 August 2025

Why Has Kuwait Made These Changes?

It is one of the significant policy changes in the governmental plan, called Vision 2035. With these new policies that liberalise the conditions, Kuwait is striving to accommodate expat families, develop its tourism and enhance its reputation as a friendlier country in the Gulf.

The officials also mention the necessity to accommodate the changing Kuwait demographics and labour market; expatriates form a high portion of the country's population. The country wishes to preserve the close relations within the family, which is a significant aspect of its social life, by removing restrictions and opening borders.

Also Read: Kuwait Visa Check Online: Experts' Step-by-Step Guide

Additional Updates and Entry Rules

Here are the additional updates regarding the Kuwait salary requirement:

  • Security Considerations: The visitors are still subjected to a mandatory security check on arrival.

  • No Nation-based Entry Prohibitions: There is no provision of a categorical prohibition depending on nationality, so long as requirements are met.

  • Periodic Reviews: The Ministry periodically checks countries, as well as visa professions that have been approved.

Conclusion

Removal of minimum salary requirements when applying for a family visit visa is a change that makes it easier and quicker than ever before to invite loved ones to Kuwait for expats. Due to the more recent regulations introduced in August 2025, the procedure is now much more flexible, less hostile to digital applications, and cohesive to families in the global Kuwaiti society. For updated lists, official guidance, or to begin your application, use Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior e-Visa portal. To learn more about Kuwait's latest policy changes, visit TerraTern now!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply for a family visit visa to Kuwait now?

Any resident with a valid Kuwaiti residency can apply to sponsor family members from up to the fourth degree of kinship and third-degree in-laws, regardless of salary. Who can apply for a family visit visa to Kuwait now? This means residents can invite parents, children, siblings, and even extended relatives without meeting any income cap.

How do I submit a family visit visa application?

All applications are processed through the official Kuwait Visa online platform or app, with document upload and digital fee payment. How do I submit a family visit visa application? You simply fill out the forms online, upload necessary documents, and pay the fee—no need to visit physical offices.

How long can family visit visa holders stay in Kuwait?

Single-entry visas are valid for one, two, or three months. Multiple-entry visas allow repeated visits for up to a year, with each stay capped at one month. How long can family visit visa holders stay in Kuwait? The multiple-entry option is useful for those expecting repeat visits, while the single-entry suits short-term stays.

Can visitors now enter Kuwait on any airline?

Yes. The national carrier requirement is removed. Visitors can enter via any airline, by land, or by sea. Can visitors now enter Kuwait on any airline? This opens up travel to more flexible routes, so visitors aren't limited to specific airlines or entry points. Travellers will find booking easier and potentially cheaper, making Kuwait more accessible than before.

What are the new tourist visa options for GCC residents?

Residents of GCC states with at least six months’ valid residency can get a tourist visa upon arrival in Kuwait, expanding travel access for millions. What are the new tourist visa options for GCC residents? The visa-on-arrival policy lets Gulf expats skip lengthy pre-approval steps and travel spontaneously. This new flexibility boosts regional tourism and strengthens ties between Gulf countries, including Kuwait.