Kuwaiti Citizens Can Now Apply for 5-Year Schengen Visas

The European Commission has made it easier for Kuwaiti citizens to obtain Schengen visas. Starting on September 8, 2023, all eligible Kuwaiti citizens, including first-time applicants, will be issued with a 5-year multiple-entry Schengen visa, if their passport is valid for at least 5 years. If the passport validity is less than 5 years, the visa will be issued with a validity ending three months before the expiry date of the passport.

Holders of these visas will enjoy the same travel rights as visa-free nationals, meaning they can travel to any of the 27 Schengen countries for a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period.

The new visa regime is a significant improvement over the previous rules, which only allowed for a 1-year multiple-entry visa. It is expected to boost tourism and economic cooperation between Kuwait and the European Union.

The European Union's decision to make it easier for Kuwaiti citizens to obtain Schengen visas is a sign of the EU's strong belief that Kuwait is an important partner. This decision is also in line with the EU's Joint Communication on a "Strategic Partnership with the Gulf", which aims to strengthen relations between the EU and the Gulf countries, including Kuwait.