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In order to live and work in Kuwait, individuals except those belonging to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) citizens must apply for a Kuwait residence visa. Work visa falls under the Kuwait Residence visa category.
So, Indians willing to live and work in Kuwait must know the eligibility criteria and application process for Kuwait work visas for Indian citizens. Read along!
Work visas in Kuwait are residence permit and work authorization card that allow private and public sector employees to take up a job in this country. Rules regarding these are stated under articles 17 (Public Sector Employees) and 18 (Private Sector Employees) of the immigration regulations.
As stated in the introductory paragraph, expatriates other than the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) citizens must obtain an iqama or a Kuwait residence visa to live in this country. Mainly, three types of residence visas are there, namely work, dependent and domestic visas.
All of these visas need sponsorship. Expatriates can sponsor their residency or stay in Kuwait with or without applying for work if they have enough funds in hand.
No, Kuwait does not offer a visa-on-arrival or an e-visa for Indian citizens. Indian citizens typically need to obtain a visa in advance to enter the country.
No, travel insurance is not mandatory for Indian citizens visiting Kuwait for work or visiting purposes. However, it is highly recommended to have travel insurance coverage as it can provide financial protection in case of unexpected events such as illness, accidents, or lost luggage.
Note: Some visas, such as the visit and transit visas, allow short-term visits, while the work visa depends on the employment contract. You are recommended to check with the Kuwait Embassy in India for the latest update on visa requirements.
Following is a list of Kuwait work visa requirements for Indian citizens:
Individuals need to have the following documents to obtain the Kuwait work visa stamped in India:
Completed Application Form: Ensure all fields are filled out accurately.
Original Visa: Submit the original Kuwait visa for processing.
Passport-Sized Photograph: Recent photo with a white background.
One-Way Air Ticket: Proof of flight booking for entry into Kuwait.
Medical Report: Must be from authorized Khadamat Integrated Solutions centers.
Passport with ECNR: Ensure the passport has an Emigration Check Not Required (ECNR) stamp. Approach an authorized travel agent to get the visa stamp from the Kuwaiti Consulate.
Original Work Agreement: Signed by both employer and employee.
Police Clearance Certificate (PCC): Must be attested by Mumbai Mantralaya and notarized. Also, note that the attestation requirement can vary from state to state. Contact the Kuwait application centre in the state you’ll be applying through for the best details.
Driver Documents (for drivers): Attested driving license and experience certificate.
Cook Documents (for cooks): Attested experience certificate.
Note:
The travel agent does not have the right to approve or cancel the applicant’s entry to Kuwait. It depends entirely on the Kuwait Embassy.
One photocopy of each document and photocopy of the first and last page of the passport are required.
As stated earlier, employees need sponsorship to get a Kuwait work visa. Here, employers sponsor this type of visa.
Once you accept the employment offer in Kuwait, your Kuwaiti employer needs to complete some important steps on their end before you can directly apply for a Kuwait work visa from India.
Here's what the steps typically look like:
Once you have accepted the job offer, your Kuwaiti employer must sponsor the work permit. The employer applies for the permit through the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour, which regulates foreign employment in the country.
The employer is responsible for submitting your passport and obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the General Administration of Criminal Investigation at the Ministry of Interior in Kuwait. This certificate ensures there are no criminal concerns regarding your employment.
Now, it is the responsibility of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kuwait to dispatch a copy of the work permit to the Kuwaiti Embassy in the employees’ home country (here in India) for endorsement.
The sponsor or employer also needs to dispatch a copy of the work permit to the employee. With the work permit and necessary documents in hand, you can now apply for an employment visa at the Kuwaiti Embassy in India.
At this stage, employees must make an application for an entry visa for Kuwait. You can apply through the Mawared Services website. Employees belonging to private sector organisations need a no-objection certificate (NOC) and a copy of the employer’s or sponsor’s authorised signatory that has been registered for business grounds. To apply for an entry visa for Kuwait from India, follow the below steps:
Under certain circumstances where there is no Kuwait Embassy in the employee’s home country or residing country, the submission of work permit and no objection certificate to the Ministry of the Interior for getting an entry visa delegates to the sponsor.
If employees enter Kuwait on a visit visa and accept employment, then they must leave the country and again return on the new entry visa.
Note: The majority of nationalities must go back to their own country to complete medical examinations and endorsement from the home country’s Kuwait Embassy.
Kuwait work visa applications submitted at Mumbai and New Delhi Visa Application Centers typically have a faster processing time of 3 working days. Applications submitted at Hyderabad, Chennai, and Kochi Visa Application Centers may take 5 to 7 working days.
It's important to note that this is the minimum processing time. The actual processing time may be longer, depending on the specific circumstances of your application.
Refer to the table mentioned below for the cost of different types of Kuwait visas including Kuwait work visa prices:
Note: The Kuwait visa prices for Indians are sourced from Mawared Services, the authorized visa service center of the Kuwait Embassy in India, and the fee in KWD is based on the exchange rates as of 1st October 2024 and is subject to change. Make sure you check the visa fee from official sources before applying for the visa.
You must keep the following things in mind before applying for Kuwait Visa:
Find a Kuwaiti employer willing to sponsor your visa.
Prepare your passport, photos, medical certificates, and police clearance.
Learn about Kuwaiti culture, dress code, and etiquette.
Consider the cost of living and transportation in Kuwait.
Learn basic Arabic, which can be helpful for daily interactions.
Have emergency contact information readily available.
Plan for healthcare by researching healthcare options and considering travel insurance.
The most common reasons that can lead to the rejection of Kuwait work visa or any kind of visa include:
Erroneous visa application form
Inconsistency in the information provided
Applicants fail to meet the Kuwaiti immigration requirements
Having past and present criminal records
Submitting false documents
Submitting damaged passport
Passports do not have a minimum validity of 6 months
If your Kuwait visa application is rejected, don't panic! Here’s what you can do next:
Review the rejection letter to determine why it was declined—missing documents, incorrect information, or insufficient funds.
If you can address the reasons for rejection, gather the necessary documents and submit a new application.
If you're unsure, contact the Kuwait Embassy or Consulate for clarification and advice on how to proceed.
To avoid Kuwait visa rejection, ensure that your application is complete and accurate. Double-check every detail to prevent mistakes, as missing or incorrect information can lead to refusal.
When applying for a Kuwaiti visa for Indians, make sure to provide all necessary documents, including proof of income, accommodation, and travel itinerary. Remember that honesty is crucial, as providing false details may result in a denial. Plan your trip carefully to ensure feasibility, and apply well in advance for your Kuwait visa from India to allow sufficient processing time.
Yes, you can extend your Kuwait visa while you're in the country.
To extend your Kuwait visa, you'll need to submit an application to the General Department of Residency Affairs (GDRFA) in Kuwait. The specific requirements and procedures may vary depending on your visa type and the reason for the extension.
Note: It's important to note that the specific procedures and requirements for extending a Kuwait visa may change. It's always advisable to check with the Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior or the General Department of Residency Affairs for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
So, here is everything you, as an Indian passport holder, should know about the Kuwait visa application.
But, have you thought of purchasing travel insurance? Now, you might have a question in mind -
Though it is not mandatory for Indians to have a travel insurance policy in place before visiting Kuwait, it is advisable to have one.
For instance, purchasing Kuwait travel insurance from Digit will impart you with the following benefits:
Medical emergencies can happen at any time and point during your trip. Consequently, when an accident occurs, both medical evacuation, as well as treatment, are necessary; something which is completely covered under Digit’s travel insurance.
In case a trip gets cancelled, you can avail compensation for the pre-booked non-refundable expenses that you had already incurred for the trip.
Luggage loss or delay is a common occurrence in transit. Either way, it is a financial loss for the owner, which can be quite high. If such an incident occurs, Digit offers financial protection for these losses.
If you end up injuring someone or damaging a property that belonged to someone else in an accident while taking a road trip through Kuwait, your insurance policy will cover the liability costs. It will further cover the damage to the rental car due to the accident.
Injuries due to any adventure sport (for one day) are also covered under travel insurance policies, allowing you to indulge in every desire.
Check out the below-mentioned benefits we give you with Travel Insurance for Kuwait:
You don’t pay at all from your pocket, we will take care of everything.
Our coverage includes activities such as scuba diving, bungee jumping, and skydiving (provided the duration is one day).
It’s all smart with a smartphone-enabled claim process. No paperwork, no running around. Just upload your documents when you make a claim.
If your flight is delayed, we give you monetary compensation.
We’ve partnered with the world’s largest health & travel insurance network, Allianz, to support you seamlessly across the globe. T&C apply.*
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Disclaimer -
Your policy is subjected to terms and conditions mentioned in your policy schedule and policy wording. Please go through the documents carefully.
The information mentioned here about the countries, visa fees and others is taken from different sources. Digit Insurance is not promoting or recommending anything here. Please verify the same before you book your tickets, apply for a visa, buy a travel policy or make any other decision.
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