Kuwait has introduced a new visa category that provides more freedom for individuals involved in sports or cultural activities to visit the country. The Deputy Prime Minister, Sheikh Talal Al-Khaled Al-Sabah, issued a decree to implement this visa, as reported by local media.
The General Directorate for Residency Affairs will be responsible for issuing the visa, which aims to facilitate the entry of individuals engaged in sports, culture, or social pursuits into Kuwait. To apply for the visa, applicants must go through a recognized sports club, social organization, cultural association, or other approved groups, following the guidelines provided by the authorities.
Initially, the sporting and cultural visas will be valid for three months, with the possibility of renewal for up to one year from the date of issuance. This new visa category, added as a new clause within Ministerial Resolution No. 957/2019, is expected to have a positive impact on Kuwait’s sports and tourism sectors, thus contributing to the country’s economy.
Kuwait, situated in Western Asia on the northeastern part of the Arabian Peninsula, has an estimated population of around 4.5 million people as of 2021. The country shares borders with Saudi Arabia and Iraq and has a coastline along the Arabian Gulf to the east. In 2019, Kuwait welcomed approximately 2.3 million international tourist arrivals, according to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
