Visa-Free Countries For Kuwait Iqama Holders 2025
There are countries that Kuwaiti residents can enter without a visa by virtue of their Kuwait Iqama, also known as a residence permit. These countries grant Kuwait Iqama holders a visa-free entry or only require a visa upon arrival. Although access to these travelling benefits often depends on the individual’s nationality, Kuwait residents can still enjoy a level of visa-free travel under the coverage of their Iqama.
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Visa-Free Countries for Kuwait Residents (Iqama Holders)
These are countries that Kuwait Iqama holders can travel to without much visa hassles as:
- Qatar: Kuwait Iqama holders can obtain a visa on arrival in Qatar, provided their residency is valid for at least six months. Additionally, the profession listed on the residency must be among those approved by Qatari authorities.
- Bahrain: While not visa-free, Bahrain offers an electronic visit visa (eVisa) to Kuwaiti residents for a period of three months.
- Oman: Kuwait Iqama holders can apply for an eVisa to enter Oman.
- United Arab Emirates (UAE): The UAE provides an eVisa facility for GCC residents, including those with Kuwaiti residency. Applicants must ensure their residency is valid for more than three months at the time of application.
Visa-Free Countries for Kuwait Passport Holders
For Kuwait passport holders or citizens, the table highlights a number of countries that can be visited without a visa and the duration of stay allowed:
| Country | Visa-Free Stay Duration |
| Botswana | 90 days |
| Egypt | 180 days |
| Eswatini | 30 days |
| Mauritius | 90 days |
| Morocco | 90 days |
| São Tomé and Príncipe | 15 days |
| Sudan | – |
| Tunisia | 90 days |
| Zambia | 90 days |
| Armenia | 180 days |
| Bahrain | Unlimited |
| Georgia | 360 days |
| Hong Kong | 30 days |
| Iran | 15 days |
| Jordan | 90 days |
| Kazakhstan | 30 days |
| Kyrgyzstan | 60 days |
| Lebanon | 180 days |
| Malaysia | 90 days |
| Oman | Unlimited |
| Pakistan | 90 days |
| Philippines | 30 days |
| Qatar | Unlimited |
| Saudi Arabia | Unlimited |
| Singapore | 30 days |
| South Korea | 30 days |
| Syria | – |
| Tajikistan | 30 days |
| Thailand | 60 days |
| Turkey | 90 days |
| United Arab Emirates | Unlimited |
| Uzbekistan | 10 days |
| Albania | 90 days |
| Belarus | 30 days |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 90 days |
| Kosovo | 90 days |
| Montenegro | 90 days |
| Ukraine | 90 days |
| Bahamas | 90 days |
| Barbados | 90 days |
| Dominica | 21 days |
| El Salvador | 180 days |
| Guatemala | 90 days |
| Haiti | 90 days |
| Honduras | 90 days |
| Nicaragua | 90 days |
| Panama | 90 days |
| Saint Kitts and Nevis | 90 days |
| Saint Lucia | 42 days |
| Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 90 days |
| Micronesia | 30 days |
| Vanuatu | 120 days |
| Ecuador | 90 days |
Visa-on-Arrival Countries for Kuwaiti Passport Holders
While some countries may allow a visa-free entry for Kuwait passport holders or citizens, individuals may be required to process their visa upon arrival. Here are countries that allow visa on arrival for Kuwaiti citizens:
| Burundi | Seychelles | Sri Lanka |
| Cape Verde | Sierra Leone | Timor-Leste |
| Comoros | Somalia | Yemen |
| Djibouti | Tanzania | Marshall Islands |
| Ethiopia | Togo | Palau |
| Ghana | Zimbabwe | Samoa |
| Guinea-Bissau | Azerbaijan | Solomon Islands |
| Madagascar | Bangladesh | Timor-Leste |
| Malawi | Brunei Darussalam | Tuvalu |
| Mauritania | Cambodia | Bolivia |
| Mozambique | Indonesia | |
| Rwanda | Iraq | |
| Senegal | Laos |
Conclusion
While Kuwait Iqama holders mostly travel on the visa policies specified for their passport, they can still enjoy visa-free travel to certain countries. As listed in the article, these countries mostly belong to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and are benevolent enough to extend membership privileges to Kuwaiti residents as enjoyed by citizens of the cooperation council.
Questions & Answers
No, a Kuwait Iqama (residency permit) does not necessarily grant visa-free access; travel privileges mostly depend on your passport's nationality.
Yes, GCC countries often provide streamlined visa processes for Kuwait Iqama holders, though requirements vary by country.
Yes, if your Iqama is valid for at least six months and your profession is on Qatar's approved list, you may obtain a visa on arrival.
Yes, GCC residents, including Kuwait Iqama holders, can apply for a UAE eVisa, subject to certain conditions.
No, Saudi Arabia requires Kuwait Iqama holders to apply for visa before coming to the country.