Tourists and business travelers from the U.S. are required to have an approved visa and valid passport to enter Kuwait. The passport must be valid for at least six months from the day of entry into Kuwait. Americans can obtain a 30-day tourism visa by applying to the Kuwaiti Embassy prior to arrival. Business visitors must also apply for a visa. At least 10 working days are required to process a visa application. Americans can also be approved for a visa at the entry port (airport, shipping port, border crossing) for a fee.
Depending on the length of visit a conflict sometimes arises between having a valid visa and an expired passport. This situation is not common but it does occur. Kuwait will allow the valid visa to transfer to a newly-issued passport once it's certified as valid by the holder's embassy.
Individuals who violate Kuwaiti entry and exit laws can be arrested and punished. Lack of a passport and/or a valid visa results in significant fines. The same monetary penalties are often applied to parties who overstay their visa deadline or leave without proper approval. If the individual leaves the country, Kuwaiti authorities will wait until he returns to enforce the fines.
Even with a valid passport, people with a criminal record or who have recently been charged with a crime can be banned from entering Kuwait. Alternatively, those with legal or financial problems or in-country are frequently prevented from leaving. The U.S. Embassy can help and advise, but is unable to overturn a travel ban.
Kuwaiti authorities are often extra wary of visitors whose passports show a history of traveling through certain countries, such as Iraq. In some cases, visitors have been detained either because their plans include Iraq as a destination or they are returning from the area.
