Kuwait has announced that it will terminate the temporary extensions for visit visas and absence permits, effective September 1, 2026. This decision marks a return to the country’s standard visa regulations following the emergency measures that were implemented earlier this year due to regional airspace closures and security issues.
The move was announced by Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior on August 20. From September 1, the original legal validity periods for entry visas and absence permits will again apply, the Ministry of Interior said. Kuwait had announced automatic visit visa extensions in March to help travelers affected by the exceptional circumstances, including flight disruptions and airspace closures.
The ministry has now said those temporary arrangements will end, bringing visa rules back to their normal framework. The Ministry of Interior said the residency permit certificate issued through the Sahel app will serve as the official reference for determining when an individual’s absence permit expires. The extensions meant eligible visitors did not have to immediately leave the country or complete additional procedures while travel remained disrupted. Residents must comply with the period specified on the certificate when returning to Kuwait.
