Kuwait will end the temporary extensions granted for visit visas and absence permits from September 1, 2026, restoring the country’s regular rules after the emergency measures introduced during regional airspace closures and security disruptions earlier this year.
Kuwait had announced automatic visit visa extensions in March to help travelers affected by the exceptional circumstances, including flight disruptions and airspace closures. The extensions meant eligible visitors did not have to immediately leave the country or complete additional procedures while travel remained disrupted. Residents must comply with the period specified on the certificate when returning to Kuwait.
The move was announced by Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior on August 20. From September 1, the original legal validity periods for entry visas and absence permits will again apply, the Ministry of Interior said.
The ministry has now said those temporary arrangements will end, bringing visa rules back to their normal framework. The Ministry of Interior said the residency permit certificate issued through the Sahel app will serve as the official reference for determining when an individual’s absence permit expires.
