Kuwait travel advice

Travel Summary

• On 24 August 2009, one of the main pumping stations in Kuwait City has broken down and untreated sewage has been released into the sea. It is strongly advisable to avoid swimming in the sea off Kuwait City until the problem has been resolved.
  
  
• There have been confirmed human cases of the A (H1N1) virus (swine flu) in Kuwait, including a death (source: the Kuwait Government). The Kuwaiti authorities are screening visitors and transiting passengers for A (H1N1). This may result in the request for payment for medical procedures. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its pandemic threat alert phase to Level 6. The WHO website has further details. You should monitor media reports for any developments and advice. There is a dedicated swine flu page on the FCO website. Guidance on pandemic flu is available on the UK Department of Health website.
  
  
• There remains a general threat from terrorism. Terrorists continue to issue statements threatening to carry out attacks in the Gulf region. These include references to attacks on Western interests, including residential compounds, military, oil, transport and aviation interests. See the terrorism section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• In August 2009, Kuwaiti security forces disrupted a Kuwaiti terrorist cell and arrested six Kuwaiti nationals who were in the final stages of planning a major attack against a US military base in Kuwait. In January and February 2005, Kuwaiti security forces mounted operations against suspected militants and discovered bomb-making equipment and material linked with planned kidnaps. Three individuals associated with these incidents are still at large and remain a threat to Westerners and Western interests in the region.
  
  
• You should review your security arrangements carefully and maintain a high level of security awareness, particularly in public places. Avoid large gatherings and demonstrations. Exercise caution if you intend to travel through or to conservative areas such as Jahra, where there have been a significant number of incidents involving firearms, and Jleeb As Shuyoukh where there were riots by migrant workers protesting about their conditions in summer 2008.
  
  
• Most visits are trouble-free. 35 British nationals required consular assistance in Kuwait in the period 01 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 for the following types of incident; deaths (11 cases), hospitalisations (6 cases), and arrests, for a variety of offences (10 cases). During this period assistance was also requested with regard to lost or stolen passports (16 cases). Labour disputes are common; the Embassy cannot usually intervene in these, so if you are considering coming to work in Kuwait you are advised to check the details of your contract thoroughly in advance.
  
  
• Penalties for trafficking, dealing and using illegal drugs are severe. Penalties for drug trafficking include the death sentence. See the local laws and customs section for more details.
  
  
• We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See the general (insurance) section of this advice and travel insurance for more details.

Safety and security

Terrorism

There remains a general threat from terrorism. Attacks cannot be ruled out and could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. Attacks could be directed against Western, including British, interests.

Terrorists continue to issue statements threatening to carry out attacks in the Gulf region. These include references to attacks on Western interests, including residential compounds, military, oil, transport and aviation interests. In August 2009, Kuwaiti security forces disrupted a Kuwaiti terrorist cell and arrested six Kuwaiti nationals who were in the final stages of planning a major attack against a US military base in Kuwait. In January and February 2005, Kuwaiti security forces arrested nearly 40 suspected militants in a series of operations, some involving shooting. Bomb-making equipment and material linked with planned kidnaps were discovered. Most of those arrested have since been sentenced to death or to imprisonment. Three individuals associated with these incidents are still at large and remain a threat to Westerners and Western interests in the region.

You should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners. For more general information see terrorism abroad. Please also check the British Embassy website.

Crime

Incidents of violent crime against foreigners are rare. Some 6,000 British nationals live in Kuwait, and we estimate over 40,000 visit each year. Most visits to Kuwait are trouble-free. However, you should exercise caution if you intend to travel through or to conservative areas such as Jahra, where there have been a number of incidents involving firearms, and Jleeb As Shuyoukh where there were riots by migrant workers protesting about their conditions in summer 2008.

For more general information see victims of crime abroad.

Political Situation

Kuwait country profile

Developments in Iraq, Iran and on the Middle East Peace Process continue to have an impact on local public opinion in the region. Emotions are currently high due to the Israeli attacks on Gaza and there have been several public demonstrations. You should be aware of local sensitivities on these issues and follow news reports about regional developments. Take sensible precautions for your personal safety and avoid public gatherings and demonstrations.

Local Travel

Only authorised road border crossing points into Iraq and Saudi Arabia should be used. Any other unauthorised movement in the vicinity of borders is illegal and dangerous: armed guards patrol the border area. If you are planning to cross the border from Kuwait into Iraq you, should ensure that you have the correct paperwork. The British Embassy can offer advice on this.

Landmines and other hazardous ordnance are still present in Kuwait. Off-road driving is therefore discouraged. However, if you do travel off-road, confine your movements – whether by bicycle or on foot - to clearly identifiable tracks, and exercise great care, because even if an area has been officially cleared, there is still a danger of unexploded ordnance. Do not pick up any strange metal, plastic or other objects lying around or souvenir-hunt for war memorabilia.

Road Travel

You can drive on an International Driving Licence. Third party insurance is compulsory. Anyone applying for residence in Kuwait can also drive on an International Driving Licence until such time as the residency permit is issued. Thereafter, a Kuwaiti driving licence is required.

Driving is hazardous. Many drivers pay scant attention to other road users; driving in excess of speed limits, switching lanes without warning, frequently ignoring traffic lights and using mobile phones while driving. You should remain vigilant at all times.

If you have an accident you must stay with the vehicle and not attempt to move it. Call the police. It is an offence to leave the scene of an accident before the police arrive.

Hailing a taxi from the road is not advisable in Kuwait, particularly if you are female. There have been a few incidents of passengers being harassed while doing so. We recommend that you book a taxi in advance by telephone, from a known and reputable taxi company.

For more general information see driving abroad.

Sea Travel

On 24 August 2009, one of the main pumping stations in Kuwait City has broken down and untreated sewage has been released into the sea. It is strongly advisable to avoid swimming in the sea off Kuwait City until the problem has been resolved.

Many areas of the Gulf are highly sensitive, including near maritime boundaries and the islands of Abu Musa and the Tunbs in the southern Gulf. The area in the northern Gulf, between Iran, Iraq and Kuwait has not been demarcated and vessels entering these areas have been detained and inspected; and there have been occasional arrests. Mariners should make careful enquiries before entering these waters or considering visiting ports.

In March 2006, a Dhow capsized in Bahrain. There were 58 fatalities, including 12 British nationals. Exercise care when travelling by Dhow, as the safety of these vessels may not be up to UK standards. You should also ensure that life jackets are available.

For more general information see river and sea safety.

Local laws and customs

Kuwait is a Muslim country. You should respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions at all times and be aware of your actions to ensure that they do not offend other cultures or religious beliefs, especially during the holy month of Ramadan (corresponding to mid-August/ September in 2009) or if you intend to visit religious areas.

For more general information see travelling during ramadan

In public, general modesty of behaviour and dress is expected. Women who wear shorts or tight-fitting clothes, in particular in downtown areas, are likely to attract unwelcome attention.

You should carry your passport or a Kuwait civil identification card, if you have one, at all times.

The importation of narcotics, alcohol, pork products and obscene material is forbidden and can lead to imprisonment. Convictions of possession and abuse of drugs can lead to a prison sentence of between five years and ten years and a heavy fine. Bail is usually not given for drug offences and even if found not guilty you can expect to spend several months detained in prison while the case progresses through the judicial system. Penalties for drug trafficking include the death sentence.

Drunken behaviour in public or driving under the influence of alcohol is punishable by a fine or imprisonment and/or deportation and the withdrawal of the driving licence.

Photography near government, military and industrial sites, particularly oil fields, is forbidden.

'Bouncing' cheques is illegal and the law does not provide for offenders to be released from custody on bail. 'Post dated' cheques can be banked immediately.

Homosexual behaviour is illegal, and so is any public display of affection between men and women.

Co-habiting of unmarried partners in Kuwait is illegal. If you wish to live with your partner in the same house, you need to be married.

For more general information for different types of travellers see your trip.

Entry requirements

Visas

British nationals travelling by air can obtain a 90-day visit/business visas on arrival in Kuwait. You will be charged three KD 3,000 (three Kuwaiti Dinars, just over £7) for the visa. Further information can be obtained from the Kuwait Embassy in London. Exchange facilities are available at Kuwait International Airport 24 hours a day, every day. You should have a ticket for travel out of Kuwait. It may speed the processing of the visa if the traveller is able to show a sponsor's letter or confirmation of a hotel reservation. If you have an Israeli stamp in your passport you may be refused visas/entry to Kuwait.

Travellers arriving by land or sea should obtain visas in advance from the Kuwaiti Embassy in London.

Passport validity

Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond the end of your intended stay.

Entering from Iraq

If you are planning to enter Kuwait overland from Iraq, it is best to obtain a visa in advance. Take careful and up-to-date advice (including from the FCO travel advice) about travel in Southern Iraq, which remains very dangerous.

Applying to work or live in Kuwait

For work or residency visas you should apply to the Kuwaiti Embassy in London.

British nationals intending to apply for a residence visa for their dependants in Kuwait must make sure that they have their original marriage certificates legalised by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK or by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the country in which they got married. The same procedure applies to their children’s original birth certificates. These documents are a must for processing a residence visa in Kuwait.

Travelling with children

Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact the Kuwaiti Embassy in London.

Health

There is a state medical service with local clinics and several good hospitals. There are also a number of doctors and dentists in private practice/hospitals. Fees are controlled by the State and are expensive.

You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Kuwait and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up to date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general diseases protection and prevention you should visit the websites of NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct 0845 46 47.

For more general information see travel health.

Avian influenza (bird flu)

Early in 2007 the Kuwaiti authorities reported outbreaks of avian influenza (bird flu) in the Wafra area (60km south-west of Kuwait city) and in Kuwait zoo. There have been no human infections or deaths reported.

The risk to humans from Avian Influenza is believed to be very low. As a precaution, you should avoid visiting live animal markets, poultry farms and other places where you may come into close contact with domestic, caged or wild birds; and ensure poultry and egg dishes are thoroughly cooked.

H1N1 influenza (swine flu)

There have been confirmed human cases of the A (H1N1) virus (Swine Flu) in Kuwait, including a death (source: the Kuwait Government). The Kuwaiti authorities are screening visitors and transiting passengers for A (H1N1). This may result in the request for payment for medical procedures. The World Health Organisation (WHO) pandemic threat alert phase has been raised to Level 6. The WHO website has further details. There is a dedicated swine flu page on this website. Guidance on Pandemic Flu is available on the UK Department of Health website.

Any person arriving from a country diagnosed with Swine Flu, eg UK, will be screened in arrival in Kuwait. The previous three-part health surveillance cards are no longer being given out. Passengers are now provided with an information card, instructing them to report to a clinic if they are experiencing influenza-like symptoms. If you are diagnosed with H1N1 Influenza you can expect to be quarantined in the infectious diseases hospital until cleared.

General

Insurance

We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake.

If things go wrong when you are overseas, this is how we can help.

Commercial dispute

Anyone involved in a commercial dispute with a Kuwaiti company or individual may be prevented from leaving the country pending resolution of the dispute.

Retention of passports

It is common practice for the passports of foreign nationals resident in Kuwait to be retained by sponsors. You should keep a copy of your passport.

Registration

Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.

Kuwait Airways

Kuwait Airways require flights to be reconfirmed at least 48 hours before departure.

Money

ATMs are widespread and credit cards are accepted almost everywhere.