Kuwait Lifts 19-Year Visa Ban on Pakistanis
Revival of Visa Services Marks a New Chapter in Kuwait-Pakistan Relations
- Publish date: Wednesday، 28 May 2025
In a significant diplomatic development, Kuwait has officially lifted its 19-year visa ban on Pakistani citizens, reinstating the issuance of various visa categories including work, family, visit, tourist, and business visas.
This move is anticipated to strengthen bilateral relations and provide new avenues for employment and collaboration between the two nations.
The visa ban, initially imposed in 2011 due to security concerns, had restricted the entry of Pakistani nationals into Kuwait. Over the years, Pakistan made several attempts to have the ban lifted, with former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif advocating for its removal during a 2017 visit to Kuwait.
In May 2021, Kuwait decided to resume granting visas to Pakistani businessmen and families.
According to Pakistan’s ambassador to Kuwait, Dr. Zaffar Iqbal, community members have already begun receiving visa approvals, marking a positive step forward.
He also revealed that Pakistan and Kuwait are in the advanced stages of finalizing a new labor memorandum of understanding (MoU), which is expected to further facilitate workforce mobility between the two countries.
The resumption of visa services is expected to benefit thousands of Pakistanis seeking employment opportunities in Kuwait, particularly in sectors like healthcare. Plans are underway to bring 1,200 Pakistani nurses to Kuwait to support its medical sector, with the first group anticipated to arrive soon.