UK Visa for Kuwaiti Citizens: A Complete Guide

If you are planning on visiting the UK from Kuwait, you will either need an electronic travel authorization (ETA) or a UK visa. If you intend to stay in the UK for less than six months, apply for a UK ETA. If you’re planning to work, pursue long-term study, or stay long-term in the UK, you will need a UK visa from Kuwait instead. You will also require a UK visit visa from Kuwait if your UK ETA application is refused.

Kuwaiti citizens previously did not need a visa to travel to the UK for short trips as they were part of the electronic visa waiver (EVW) On February 1, 2024, the UK ETA application was launched for Kuwaiti nationals, along with nationals of Bahrain, Jordan, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. It became a requirement for these nationals to have a valid ETA to enter the UK from February 22, 2024, onwards.

Since the rollout of the ETA system, Kuwaiti citizens no longer have to apply for a UK EVW, simplifying travel to the UK. Including the UK, Kuwaiti passport holders can travel visa-free to a total of 96 countries.

Understanding the UK ETA for Kuwaiti Travelers

Here is some brief information about the UK ETA: 

What is the UK ETA for Kuwaiti citizens?

The UK ETA for Kuwait citizens is a digital permission that needs to be obtained in advance to travel to the UK for short visits of up to 6 months. The ETA was introduced by the UK government to pre-screen travelers before they arrived in the UK and to prevent individuals who could pose a threat to public security from entering the country. It was also launched to simplify the entry process at the borders with increased digitization and automation.

The UK ETA permits entry to the UK for up to six months for the following purposes:

• Tourism This includes sightseeing, visiting friends and family,
• Studying Studying on a short-term basis.
• Business It allows conducting business activities such as attending meetings.
• Creative Worker Visa concession It allows individuals in the creative industry to work in the UK for up to three months.
• Permitted paid engagement You need an ETA to stay in the UK for up to six months if you have been invited for a permitted paid engagement.
• Transit You will require an ETA to transit in the UK if you are passing through border control.

What are the benefits of the UK ETA? 

The UK ETA has a quick and easy application process. It can be completed online and does not require any visits to the embassy or consulate. As there is no UK electronic visa, visa applications require traveling to the visa application center or embassy. The UK ETA is also more affordable than a UK visa. There are far fewer documents required, and the processing time is much shorter. The UK ETA also allows for multiple visits with a single application.

How long is the UK ETA valid for?

The UK ETA is valid for a period of two years, or until your passport expires (whichever is sooner). You can make multiple trips to the UK for up to six months at a time while the ETA is valid. 

What is the UK ETA application process like? 

The UK ETA application can be done completely online. Here are more details about the application process:

• Fill in the application form
  • Provide basic personal information such as your full name, contact information, and passport details.
  • Answer questions about your employment status and declare your criminal history.
• Upload documents
  • Upload a passport-sized photo of yourself that meets the specific guidelines.
  • Upload a copy of the biodata page of your passport.
• Make payment
  • Pay the application fees securely using a valid debit or credit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.
• Receive your ETA
  • The typical processing time for the UK ETA is three working days. You will receive it via the email address you provided in the application.

Types of UK Visas for Kuwaiti Citizens

Explore the different types of UK visas for Kuwaiti citizens: 

Standard Visitor visa

A UK Standard Visitor visa from, Kuwait (also known as the UK tourist visa from Kuwait) allows you to visit the UK for up to six months for tourism, business, short-term study, and other permitted activities. Here’s a comprehensive list of activities you can do with a Standard Visitor visa:

• Tourism, such as coming to the UK on a holiday for sightseeing.
• To visit family or friends.
• To volunteer for up to 30 days with a registered charity.
• For business activities, such as attending an interview or participating in a meeting.
• For a permitted paid engagement as an expert in your profession.
• To do short-term courses, such as a month-long fine arts course.
• For medical reasons, like seeking medical treatment at one of the UK hospitals or medical facilities.

Work visa

Work visas enable you to gain long-term employment in the UK. There are many types of work visas to choose from according to your profession. The validity period of each visa varies from 12 months to five years. The conditions of work and ability to settle in the UK also differ according to the visa type. Here’s a list of some different work visas you can apply for:

• Health and Care Worker visa
• Skilled Worker visa
• Global Talent visa
• Scale-up Worker visa

Study visa

This student visa to the UK from Kuwait is for individuals who want to pursue long-term study in the UK. If you are 16 years old or above and you are enrolled in a degree program, you can typically stay in the UK for up to five years. If it is below the degree level, you can usually stay in the UK for up to two years.

There is also a specific short-term study visa to study English in the UK. Your language course should be more than six months but less than 11 months.

Family visa

You will require a family visa if you wish to live with a family member in the UK for more than six months. You can apply for this visa to live with your:

• Spouse or partner
• Child
• Parent
• Relative who will be caring for you in the long term

Marriage Visitor visa

You will require a marriage visitor visa if:

• You do not intend to live or settle in the UK after your marriage or civil partnership.
• You need to give notice for a marriage or civil partnership in the UK.
• You plan to marry or register a civil partnership in the UK.

Required Documents for UK Visas

You will also need to provide your birth certificates and those of your family members for a family visa to prove that you’re related. You may also need to submit your marriage certificate as proof of your marital relationship with your spouse. You may also need to submit them if you are visiting a family member for less than six months with a Standard Visitor visa.

If you’re planning to stay in the UK for more than six months and have lived in one or more of a list of specific countries for 6 months or more, or in the past 6 months, you will also need to have a tuberculosis test. If the test comes back negative, you will be given a certificate that is valid for 6 months.

For a student visa, you will also require a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your course provider.

If you’re applying for a marriage visitor visa, you will need to provide details of your marriage and proof that you have paid money for the wedding costs. You also need to prove that you are planning to get married in the UK. For example, this may be in the form of a booking confirmation of the venue in London.

For work visas, you will need to submit your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reference number, the name of your employer and their sponsor license number, proof of your English language ability, and details of your job, such as the title and annual salary.

UK Visa Application Process for Kuwaiti Citizens

Learn how to apply for a UK visa from Kuwait:

• Fill out the online application
  • Select the appropriate visa type on the website and fill in the application form accurately.
• Book an appointment
  • Book an appointment to submit your biometric data and supporting documents at the UK visa application center.
• Submit your documents
  • Prepare all the necessary documents and submit them during your appointment.
  • Check that you have originals and copies as requested.
• Attend an interview
  • You may need to attend an interview at the UK embassy, depending on your visa type.
  • Be prepared to answer questions about the purpose of your visit, your financial ability, and travel plans in the UK.
  • Bring documents you may need to show to the interviewer to support your answers.
• Pay the visa fee
  • Pay the full visa fee according to the visa type and duration of your stay.
  • You may pay additional fees for various services.
• Wait for the decision
  • You will need to wait for your application to be processed.
  • You will be informed once your passport is ready for collection.
• Receive your visa
  • Once approved, you will receive a UK visa sticker on your passport.
  • It will contain the conditions of your visa, such as the validity period and visa type.

Current UK Visa Fees

The fee for a UK visa for Kuwaiti nationals will vary based on the type of visa. The fees for a visa in the same category may be higher depending on the validity period of the visa and its specific purpose. You can also pay an additional fee to expedite the processing time for certain visas. You typically have to pay a healthcare surcharge as well. Here’s a breakdown of the current fees for key UK visa types:

Visa type	Fee	Maximum length of stay
Standard Visitor visa	£115	6 months
Skilled Worker visa	from £719 to £1,639	3 years
Student visa	£490	2 to 5 years
Family visa	£1,258 - £3,250	2 to 5 years
Marriage Visitor visa	£115	6 months

Processing Times for UK Visas

The processing times can vary depending on the type of visa. Here are the processing times for key UK visa types:

• Standard Visitor visa It will take approximately three weeks.
• Skilled Worker visa It will take three weeks if you’re outside the UK and eight weeks if you’re inside the UK.
• Student visa You can apply as early as 6 months before your course starts, and the decision typically takes three to eight weeks.
• Family visa It typically takes 12 weeks.
• Marriage Visitor visa You can submit your application as early as three months before you travel, and you will usually receive a decision in three weeks.

What Are the Reasons for a UK Visa Application Refusal

There are a number of reasons why a UK visa from Kuwait may get rejected. Here is a list of common reasons:

Documentation issues

• Incorrect information and missing documents may lead to a visa rejection.
• If there are any discrepancies in the documents, such as variations in the spelling of names or differing residential addresses, the visa application may be rejected.

Lack of strong ties to your country

• If you do not show that you have strong ties to your country, the immigration officers may conclude that you may not return when your visa expires.
• It is important to demonstrate you have strong personal, economic, financial, and community ties to your home country through employment letters, proof of business ownership, evidence of elderly people or young children depending on your care, or ongoing educational commitments.

Insufficient financial evidence

• You need to show that you can support yourself financially during your stay in the UK. You can do this by providing evidence of funds through bank statements and ongoing employment through payslips.
• The visa officer will consider your travel and accommodation costs when assessing your funds.
• A lack of funds may lead to rejection, as the visa officers may conclude that you are going to the UK to find work instead of a holiday or to study.

Frequent and successive visits to the UK 

• If you have made multiple visits to the UK, the visa officer may conclude that you are attempting to live in the UK with frequent and successive visits.
• The officer will also examine how long you stayed in the UK each time you entered the country and how frequently you returned.
• If you are found spending more time in the UK than in your home country, your visa may get rejected on the grounds that you are trying to live in the UK.

Travel and immigration history

• The officer will review the countries you have traveled to and examine if you comply with the visa conditions.
• They will check if you overstayed your visa or if you were found breaching the conditions of your visa, such as working on a tourist visa.
• Not having complied with the visa conditions during your previous visits to the UK or other countries may lead to a visa rejection.

What to Do if Your UK Visa Application is Refused

If your UK visa from Kuwait is refused, you will receive a letter or email explaining the reasons for your refusal. You can choose any one of these three pathways:

• Submit a fresh application
  • You can rectify the issues mentioned in the letter and apply again.
  • For example, the officer may have not considered you as a genuine visitor due to insufficient evidence of strong ties to your home country.
  • In your new application, you may want to submit a letter from your employer stating the duration of your employment and leave approval during the travel dates. You may also want to include the birth certificates of your young children or documents related to your business.
• Apply for a visa administrative review
  • You must apply within 28 days of getting the decision and pay the relevant fees.
  • It may take 12 months or more to get a decision.
• Appeal against the decision
  • Your letter will indicate if you have the right to appeal the visa decision.
  • You need to submit your appeal within 28 days of getting your decision.

UK Visa for Kuwaiti Residents

Kuwaiti residents will need to apply for a UK visa depending on their nationality and the purpose of the visit. They can apply for an ETA for short stays in the UK of up to six months if they are a national of an eligible country. Residency in Kuwait does not exempt individuals from the UK visa requirement. Kuwaiti residents may require a Standard Visitor visa, work visa, or student visa to visit, work, or study in the UK respectively.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about the UK ETA and UK visa for Kuwaiti citizens: