Kuwait resumes visa services for Pakistanis after 19 years
Visa applications to be processed online within 24 hours
DUBAI: In a significant diplomatic and workforce development, Kuwait has officially lifted its 19-year-long visa ban on Pakistani citizens.
This landmark move marks the resumption of work, family, visit, tourist, and commercial visas for Pakistani nationals.
Authorities confirmed on Monday that all categories of visas will now be issued through Kuwait’s streamlined online visa platform.
According to the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis, the announcement ushers in a new chapter of bilateral cooperation. The online visa portal promises rapid processing – ranging from one minute to a maximum of 24 hours, depending on the category – eliminating previous hurdles and paperwork delays. The development is seen as a turning point for thousands of Pakistanis seeking opportunities abroad.
Visa categories restored
The ban, which originated in 2011 due to administrative and security concerns, restricted citizens from Pakistan, Iran, Syria, and Afghanistan from obtaining Kuwaiti visas. With the lifting of the ban, Pakistani applicants can now apply for:
- Work visas
- Family and dependent visit visas
- Tourist visas
- Business and commercial visas
The newly launched e-portal is expected to fast-track applications and reduce embassy wait times significantly.
Jobs in healthcare sector
Kuwait’s demand for skilled labour is already taking shape, with plans underway to recruit 1,200 nurses from Pakistan. Pakistan’s Ambassador to Kuwait, Dr Zafar Iqbal, confirmed the initiative, saying the first batch of 125 nurses had faced a brief delay due to housing arrangements. The matter is being addressed, and arrivals are expected shortly.
السفير الباكستاني لـ الجريدة•: الكويتيون طيبون... الكويت بلد السلام والمحبة.
— Pakistan Embassy Kuwait (@PakinKuwait) May 23, 2025
وفي باكستان، كل من يسمع اسم الكويت يعبّر فورا عن حبه لهذا البلد وقيادته، وخاصة أسرة الصباح الكريمة.
الكويت أدت دوراً محورياً في تعزيز السلام والحوار إقليمياً ودولياً-https://t.co/du47zItsh8@aljarida
The Kuwaiti Dinar remains the world’s strongest currency, currently valued at Rs914 to 1 Dinar, making overseas work especially attractive for Pakistanis hoping to send back high-value remittances.
Wider economic impact
Mustafa Malik, the focal person at the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis, termed the lifting of the ban as a major breakthrough. “This is a historic moment,” he stated, praising both governments for their sustained diplomatic efforts. Malik added that skilled workers would now have a direct avenue to contribute to the national economy through foreign exchange earnings.
Beyond Kuwait, the Ministry revealed future employment pathways are also being developed in countries like Italy and other Gulf nations, with formal agreements in progress to allocate annual job quotas for Pakistani workers abroad.