Risk level

Safety and security

Terrorism

There is a threat of terrorism. There is an increased risk of attacks in or near places of worship, particularly Shia places of worship, and heightened security measures have been put in place at these sites. Be particularly vigilant in or near places of worship.

Targets also could include:

• government buildings, including schools
• airports and other transportation hubs and networks
• public areas such as tourist attractions, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, shopping centres, markets, hotels and other sites frequented by foreigners

Always be aware of your surroundings when in public places.

Crime

Criminal activity occurs but violent crime is rare, including against foreigners.

You should, however, avoid secluded places or non-residential areas after dark. Locals have sometimes followed Westerners home after dark and then vandalized their parked vehicles. If you suspect you are being followed or you witness suspicious loitering, report it to the local police.

Ensure that your belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, are secure at all times.

Demonstrations

Demonstrations may occur.

Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation.

• Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place
• Follow the instructions of local authorities
• Monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations

Mass gatherings (large-scale events)

Border crossings

Use only official border crossings when crossing from Iraq or Saudi Arabia into Kuwait. Kuwaiti officials consider other crossings illegal.

Armed guards patrol the borders. There have been recent exchanges of gunfire.

Women’s safety

Women have been physically and verbally harassed. Do not travel alone, especially after dark.

Advice for women travellers

Munitions and landmines

Unexploded munitions and landmines from the 1991 Gulf War pose hazards in rural areas, picnic spots, beaches and desert areas. Monitor children closely. Do not touch suspicious unfamiliar objects.

Weapons are readily available, and accidental shootings have occurred.

Public transportation

Use only officially marked taxis, and pre-negotiate fares.

Road safety

Accidents are common and due mainly to unsafe driving practices such as reckless driving. Exercise caution when driving after dark. Avoid off-road driving due to residual landmines.

Sea travel

Exercise caution if travelling by sea, including for recreational purposes, in the Gulf, particularly around the Abu Mousa, Greater Tunb and Lesser Tunb islands, as both Iran and the United Arab Emirates claim sovereignty over the islands.

Piracy

Pirate attacks and armed robbery against ships occur in coastal waters. Mariners should take appropriate precautions.

Live piracy report - International Maritime Bureau

Air travel

We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.

Information about foreign domestic airlines

Entry and exit requirements

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from the Kuwaiti authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the Foreign Representatives in Canada.

Passport

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you expect to leave Kuwait.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports

Travel documents with an X in the "sex" field

The Kuwaiti authorities will deny you entry if your passport shows an X in the “sex” field or if it includes an observation to that effect.

Visas

Tourist visa: required
Business visa: required
Student visa: required

You can obtain a tourist visa upon arrival. If you need a business or student visa, you must get it at an embassy or consulate of Kuwait before arrival.

Arriving without a visa could lead to refused entry or a lengthy delay.

E-Visa

Canadians travelling with a regular passport can also get a tourist, business or visit visa online. You must present a copy of this visa for verification on arrival.

Apply for a tourist, business or visit visa - Ministry of interior

Other entry requirements

A round-trip or onward travel ticket is required to obtain a transit visa.

Residence permit

The expiry date of a residence permit cannot exceed that of a passport. In order to ensure the longest possible permit validity period, renew your passport before your residence permit expires.

Employment

If you intend to work in Kuwait, you must obtain a certified criminal record check for each individual or dependent family member over the age of 18 who will be residing in the country.

You must have certified criminal record checks authenticated by Global Affairs Canada and by the Embassy of the State of Kuwait before travelling to Kuwait. You must do this no more than 3 months before arriving there.

Canadians who intend to work in Kuwait must also obtain a police clearance from Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior (MOI) upon their arrival. Visit the Embassy of Canada to Kuwait to obtain the letter required to apply for the MOI’s police clearance.

• Authentication of documents
• Foreign diplomatic missions and consulates in Canada

Regional travel

Canadians have been denied entry into Kuwait because their passports bore an Israeli visa or border stamp, or an Egyptian or Jordanian border stamp issued by an office bordering Israel (such a stamp would indicate entry from Israel).

Children and travel

Learn more about travelling with children.

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).

Health

Routine vaccines

Be sure that your routine vaccinations, as per your province or territory, are up-to-date before travelling, regardless of your destination.

Some of these vaccinations include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella (chickenpox), influenza and others.

Pre-travel vaccines and medications

You may be at risk for preventable diseases while travelling in this destination. Talk to a travel health professional about which medications or vaccines may be right for you, based on your destination and itinerary. 

Safe food and water precautions

Many illnesses can be caused by eating food or drinking beverages contaminated by bacteria, parasites, toxins, or viruses, or by swimming or bathing in contaminated water.

• Learn more about food and water precautions to take to avoid getting sick by visiting our eat and drink safely abroad page. Remember: Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it!
• Avoid getting water into your eyes, mouth or nose when swimming or participating in activities in freshwater (streams, canals, lakes), particularly after flooding or heavy rain. Water may look clean but could still be polluted or contaminated.
• Avoid inhaling or swallowing water while bathing, showering, or swimming in pools or hot tubs. 

Insect bite prevention

Many diseases are spread by the bites of infected insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or flies. When travelling to areas where infected insects may be present:

• Use insect repellent (bug spray) on exposed skin
• Cover up with light-coloured, loose clothes made of tightly woven materials such as nylon or polyester
• Minimize exposure to insects
• Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in buildings that are not fully enclosed

To learn more about how you can reduce your risk of infection and disease caused by bites, both at home and abroad, visit our insect bite prevention page.

Find out what types of insects are present where you’re travelling, when they’re most active, and the symptoms of the diseases they spread.

Animal precautions

Some infections, such as rabies and influenza, can be shared between humans and animals. Certain types of activities may increase your chance of contact with animals, such as travelling in rural or forested areas, camping, hiking, and visiting wet markets (places where live animals are slaughtered and sold) or caves.

Travellers are cautioned to avoid contact with animals, including dogs, livestock (pigs, cows), monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats, and to avoid eating undercooked wild game.

Closely supervise children, as they are more likely to come in contact with animals.

Person-to-person infections

Stay home if you’re sick and practise proper cough and sneeze etiquette, which includes coughing or sneezing into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand. Reduce your risk of colds, the flu and other illnesses by:

•  washing your hands often
• avoiding or limiting the amount of time spent in closed spaces, crowded places, or at large-scale events (concerts, sporting events, rallies)
• avoiding close physical contact with people who may be showing symptoms of illness 

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HIV, and mpox are spread through blood and bodily fluids; use condoms, practise safe sex, and limit your number of sexual partners. Check with your local public health authority pre-travel to determine your eligibility for mpox vaccine.  

Medical services and facilities

Modern medical care is available through government-run clinics and hospitals. Immediate cash payment is often required.

Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Health and safety outside Canada

Keep in Mind...

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety.

Be prepared. Do not expect medical services to be the same as in Canada. Pack a travel health kit, especially if you will be travelling away from major city centres.

Laws and culture

You must abide by local laws.

Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad.

Culture

The work week is from Sunday to Thursday.

Driving

You must carry an international driving permit.

In the event of an accident, do not attempt to move the vehicle, even if it impedes traffic. Kuwaiti law states that the driver must wait for the police to make an official report.

Digital cameras register traffic violations.

Authorities may hold suspects as well as witnesses to incidents for lengthy periods without access to legal counsel or consular officials. Even if access is granted, it may be severely limited by Kuwaiti authorities. Authorities may withhold the passport of an individual involved in legal processes, pending resolution of the case. This could result in the delay of a planned departure.

There is a zero-tolerance policy regarding drinking and driving. Consequences include heavy fines, imprisonment or deportation.

International Driving Permit

Drugs

Penalties for possession, use and trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. Convicted offenders can expect heavy fines, lengthy jail sentences or even the death penalty. The possession of illegal drugs, even a very small amount, could result in arrest and imprisonment.

Alcohol

Possession and consumption of alcohol is illegal in Kuwait.

Alcohol cannot be legally purchased or imported into Kuwait, and the penalties associated with the possession of alcohol include heavy fines, imprisonment or deportation.

Drugs, alcohol and travel

Illegal activities

Defamation of the emir, any member of the royal family or any local authority is prohibited.

Religious proselytizing is not permitted.

The import and consumption of pork products is illegal. 

It is illegal to possess pornographic material.

Photography of government buildings and military or industrial sites, particularly oil fields, is forbidden. Don't photograph people without their permission.

Dual citizenship

Dual citizenship is not legally recognized in Kuwait.

If local authorities consider you a citizen of Kuwait, they may refuse to grant you access to Canadian consular services. This will prevent us from providing you with those services.

Dual citizens

Fraud

Fraudulent practices—for example, writing cheques without sufficient funds and non-payment of bills—are regarded as extremely serious offences and may result in imprisonment and fines.

Temporary release pending legal action may be granted in minor cases if the passport of the accused and the passport of the guarantor are surrendered to the authorities.

Dress and behaviour

Exercise common sense and discretion in dress and behaviour. Men and women should dress conservatively. Men must wear pants and a shirt in public.

It is uncommon for Western women to cover their head in Kuwait. Dresses and skirts are permitted, provided they cover the shoulders and knees. Shorts and short skirts are considered inappropriate.

Exercise particular care in your behaviour with others, especially officials, to avoid offending local sensitivities. Verbal insults and obscene gestures may be considered a criminal act and, if found guilty, you could face deportation, fines and/or a prison sentence.

Avoid physical contact, such as holding hands, in public.

Ramadan

In 2024, the lunar month of Ramadan is expected to begin on or around March 10.

In public, between sunrise and sunset, refrain from:

• drinking
• eating
• smoking

2SLGBTQI+ persons

The laws of Kuwait prohibit sexual acts between individuals of the same sex.

2SLGBTQI+ travellers should carefully consider the risks of travelling to Kuwait.

Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics

Family law

Family law matters, including child custody and divorce-related decisions, are settled according to Kuwait’s Marriage law, based on sharia (Islamic law). If you are involved in custody or other family disputes, consult a lawyer for advice on how religious law in Kuwait may affect your family situation.

Kuwait’s Marriage law

International Child Abduction

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. It does not apply between Canada and Kuwait.

If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in Kuwait by an abducting parent:

• act as quickly as you can
• consult a lawyer in Canada and in Kuwait to explore all the legal options for the return of your child
• report the situation to the nearest Canadian government office abroad or to Global Affairs Canada by calling the Emergency Watch and Response Centre

If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies.

Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country's judicial affairs.

Useful links

• International Child Abductions: A guide for affected parents
• Children and travel
• Canadian embassies and consulates by destination
• Request emergency assistance

Money

The currency of Kuwait is the Kuwaiti dinar (KWD).

KWD is readily convertible to U.S. dollars.

Credit cards and U.S. dollars are widely accepted, and ATMs are available nationwide.

Natural disasters and climate

The rainy season extends from December to January and often results in flooding.

High levels of humidity and severe heat occur from June to September.

Severe sand and dust storms can occur throughout the year.