Kuwait
Warnings and insurance

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Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Kuwait.Kuwait
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Before you travel
No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:
- see general advice for women travellers
- read our guide on disability and travel abroad
- see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
- read about safety for solo and independent travel
- see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad
Travel insurance
If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
About FCDO travel advice
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
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Update history
2026-06-18 13:58
FCDO no longer advises against all but essential travel to Kuwait. Updated information about regional tensions. New information about additional processing at airports and driving offences (‘Warnings and insurance’, ‘Entry requirements’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2026-04-28 12:50
Updated information on the reopening of Kuwait airspace and leaving Kuwait (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2026-04-21 15:58
Addition of information about crossing the Saudi-Kuwait border (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2026-04-14 16:33
Update to information regarding regional escalation (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2026-04-08 17:02
Addition of information about crossing the Saudi-Kuwait border (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2026-04-01 16:10
Updated information about regional escalation (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2026-03-16 20:15
Updated information about regional escalation (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2026-03-15 15:04
Updated information about exit permits (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2026-03-14 10:00
Updated information about regional escalation (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2026-03-09 17:16
New information about entry to Saudi Arabia (see ‘Warnings and insurance’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages).
2026-03-09 14:36
New information about the closure of the Kuwait – Iraq border (‘Warnings and insurance’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages).
2026-03-07 12:58
Updated with information about risks from terrorism in the context of regional escalation (‘Safety and security’ page).
2026-03-05 20:27
Updated with information about the risks from terrorism (‘Safety and security’ page). FCDO now advises against all but essential travel to Kuwait. Register your presence if you’re in Kuwait (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2026-03-04 10:11
Updated with information about the risks from terrorism (‘Safety and security’ page). FCDO now advises against all but essential travel to Kuwait. Register your presence if you’re in Kuwait (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2026-03-03 21:04
Updated information about regional escalation and leaving Kuwait (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2026-02-28 23:57
The FCDO now advises against all but essential travel to Kuwait. Register your presence if you’re in Kuwait (Warnings and insurance)
2026-02-28 10:05
Addition of information due to reported missile attacks, British nationals in Kuwait should immediately shelter in place. Remain indoors in a secure location, avoid all travel and follow instructions from the local authorities. (‘Warnings and insurance’ page)
2026-02-27 22:30
Updated information about the risks of regional escalation (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2026-01-14 21:22
There is a heightened risk of regional tension. Escalation could lead to travel disruption and other unanticipated impacts (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2026-01-09 11:57
Updated information about travelling with prescribed medication to Kuwait (‘Health’ page).
2025-12-18 09:38
Updated information about penalties for illegal drug offences following the introduction of a new law in Kuwait on 15 December (See ‘Illegal drugs penalties’ on the ‘Safety and security’ page).
2025-12-10 13:03
New information about dual nationals returning to the UK (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2025-11-28 16:39
Addition of information on the risks from methanol poisoning (See ‘Alcohol laws’ on the ‘Safety and security’ page).
2025-06-27 20:05
Updated information about regional risks (see “Warnings and Insurance” page)
2025-06-24 17:34
Updated information about the risks of regional escalation and the instruction to take shelter if instructed (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2025-06-22 12:32
Update on regional risks following US military strikes against Iran on 22 June (‘Safety and security’ page).
2025-06-19 20:10
Updated information about possible travel disruptions, including short-notice airspace closures, delayed and cancelled flights (‘Safety and security’ page)
2025-06-13 12:39
Ongoing hostilities in the region and between Israel and Iran could escalate quickly and pose security risks for the wider region (‘Safety and security’ page).
2025-01-24 16:07
Updated information on visa requirements (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2024-12-18 10:30
New information on visa requirements and updated information that terrorist attacks in Kuwait cannot be ruled out (‘Entry Requirements’ and ‘Safety and Security’ pages).
2024-10-26 08:22
On 26 October Israel carried out military action against Iran (‘Safety and security’ page)
2024-09-28 23:58
Updated information on the Conflict affecting Lebanon (Safety and Security Pages)
2024-09-28 22:51
Updated information on the Conflict in Lebanon (Safety and Security Pages)
2024-04-26 12:36
Removal of some language on military activity in the region (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-04-19 15:01
Information on explosions in Iran, and unconfirmed reports of explosions in Syria and Iraq (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-04-14 09:19
13 April 2024 – drones and missiles fired from Iran into Israel (‘Warnings and Insurance’ page)
2024-04-12 20:04
Information on regional risks (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-03-20 16:26
This travel advice has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand.
2024-02-21 11:02
Updated assessment that terrorists are likely to try and carry out attacks in Kuwait (‘Summary’ and ‘Terrorism’ pages)
2024-01-12 00:22
Update to Safety and Security page
2023-10-29 14:21
Updated assessment that the risk of terrorist attacks happening in Kuwait is very likely (‘Terrorism’ page). Updated information on public demonstrations based on wider regional tensions (‘Political Situation’ page).
2023-09-07 11:17
New information that it is now mandatory for all non-Kuwaitis to settle any traffic fines and unpaid utility or telecommunications bills before leaving Kuwait (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2023-06-22 11:03
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages
2023-04-17 13:52
Updated information on E-visas (‘Entry Requirements’ page).
2022-10-19 13:49
New information about the FIFA World Cup taking place in Qatar from 20 November to 18 December 2022 (‘Summary’ page).
2022-05-12 11:35
Updated information on entry requirements for passengers; the Kuwaiti authorities have lifted all travel restrictions that were implemented in response to the COVID-19 (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-02-18 15:49
Updated information on entry requirements for passengers who have been fully vaccinated or infected with COVID-19 in the 3 months prior of their arrival to Kuwait (‘Entry requirements’ page)