After nearly 19 years, the Gulf state of Kuwait has resumed issuing visas to Pakistani citizens. According to Pakistan’s Ambassador to Kuwait, Dr. Zafar Iqbal, the issuance of various categories of visas — including work, family visit, tourist, and commercial visas — has officially resumed from May this year.
Background
In 2011, Kuwait suspended visa issuance to nationals from Pakistan, Iran, Syria, and Afghanistan due to security concerns. While new visas were not issued during this time, those who already held Kuwaiti residency permits were allowed to renew them.
Dr. Iqbal clarified that there was no official ban on Pakistani visas, but due to required security clearances, the application process became highly delayed. Now, with those procedures simplified, visa processing for Pakistanis has resumed efficiently.
Which Visas Are Now Available?
Pakistani citizens can now apply for:
Work visas (through approved companies or sponsors in Kuwait)
Family visit visas
Tourist visas
Business/commercial visas
Work Visa Process for Kuwait
To work in Kuwait, applicants must receive a sponsor letter from a company or individual in Kuwait (called a kafeel). This letter is the basis for the work visa.
The sponsor is also responsible for the employee’s residency (iqama), and renewal rights remain with them. Most Pakistanis travel to Kuwait based on this sponsorship model, and their employment stability is closely tied to their relationship with the sponsor.
Dr. Iqbal confirmed that companies actively seeking to recruit skilled Pakistani workers are now being issued visas, and the overall process has become more accessible and efficient.
