Kuwait: do South Africans need a visa?

South Africans need to apply for a visa before travel to Kuwait.

Depends on visa type; new MOI platform (July 2025) issues tourist visas (up to 90 days) and family/business/official visit visas (30 days).

Visa required. South Africa is not among the ~53 nationalities eligible for visa on arrival or the standard tourist e-visa. South Africans living in a GCC state (with 6+ months residence validity) can get a visa on arrival or the e-visa; others need a sponsored visa/application through the Kuwait MOI or Embassy.2 3 4 5

Before you travel

Length of stay

Depends on visa type; new MOI platform (July 2025) issues tourist visas (up to 90 days) and family/business/official visit visas (30 days).6

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Purpose of visit

Tourism, family visit, business and official visit visas on the MOI platform.6

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Passport validity

At least 6 months from arrival. Passports containing Israeli stamps may be refused.2

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

How to apply

Kuwait Ministry of Interior visa platform kuwaitvisa.moi.gov.kw (official; replaced evisa.moi.gov.kw). E-visa fee KWD 3 for eligible nationalities. South Africans without GCC residence typically need a Kuwaiti sponsor (host, employer, hotel) or an Embassy application; exact route not published on an official page I could open.2 5 6

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Where South Africans apply

Embassy of the State of Kuwait in Pretoria (not verified on an official page), or via a sponsor in Kuwait through the MOI platform.4

Not yet confirmed by an official source