BeforeGetting youhelp gowith living in Kuwait

Help from the Kuwaiti government

SeeFor any questions about moving to or living in Kuwait, you may be able to get help from the:

• Kuwait government
• Kuwaiti Embassy in London – see our list of foreign embassies in the UK for contact details

The UK government and the British Embassy in Kuwait cannot give personalised advice on moving to, living or retiring in Kuwait.

Professional help in Kuwait

You can also get help from English-speaking professionals in Kuwait, including:

• lawyers
• translators
• funeral directors

Help from the UK government

Read the travel advice for Kuwait forto up-to-dateunderstand the risks you may face if you live in or visit Kuwait. This includes the latest information onon:

• visas localand entry requirements
• laws and customs,cultural differences
• safety and emergencies.
  security

SeeRead movingour guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad.

Emergencies

KuwaitGet useshelp from the emergencyUK numbergovernment 112.abroad, including in an emergency.

If

Visas, youresidency needand urgentcitizenship 

Make help,sure contactyou meet the Britishentry Embassyrequirements for Kuwait. before you travel.

Local

Visas laws and customs

KuwaitiCheck lawswhich andvisa customsor areresidence verypermit differentyou fromneed theto UKlive –in breakingKuwait. theThe lawKuwait cangovernment’s resultimmigration inand severetravel punishment,information includingexplains the deathdifferent penalty.options available to you.

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• work
• study
• live ourwith travelfamily advicein forKuwait
• invest Kuwait.

  Visasor anddo residency

  business in Kuwait

StartingIf 10thyou Marchwant 2019,to theextend Kuwaitiyour Ministryvisa, ofvisit Interiorthe implementedKuwait ae-visa newwebsite systemor ofcontact residencesthe regardingKuwaiti theGeneral cancellationAdministration of theResidence residenceAffairs.

For permitmore printedinformation on applying for a visa or residence permit, read the passportentry requirements for allKuwait categories/types.or Thecontact the Kuwaiti portsEmbassy willin allowLondon. You can find contact details for the civilembassy IDin cardour holderlist toof enterforeign Kuwait,embassies in the normalUK.

Criminal residencerecords datachecks willfor beresidency confirmedvisa byapplications

To theapply civilfor identityresidency, card.you’ll usually need a UK criminal records check.

AsTo peruse Articleyour 22criminal (Family/Dependentrecords visa):

• check in Kuwait, theyou fathermust isget typicallyit thenotarised primaryby sponsora forUK hisnotary. spouseYou andalso children.must Toget qualifyit aslegalised aby sponsor, the fatherUK mustLegalisation earnOffice aand minimumattested ofat 800the Kuwaiti dinarsEmbassy perin month,London.

  For holdmore ainformation, universityread degree,the sections on legalising and workcertifying UK documents in our guidance on documents for British people abroad.

  Registering as a professionresident

  Once thatyou alignshave withyour hisresidency qualifications

• sponsorshipvisa, byyou mothers:need mothersto canregister sponsoryour theirresidency childrenin Kuwait.

  Read the Kuwait government’s guidance on dependentfirst-time orregistration familyof visasexpatriates if theiryou salaryhave meetsan theArticle KD17 800or capArticle as18 mentionedwork onresidency thevisa.

  If workyou permit.have Thisany provisionproblems appliesor inquestions casesabout whereregistering your residency, contact:

  • the husbandKuwait isPublic deceased,Authority divorced,for orCivil hasInformation permanently(in leftArabic theand country,English)
  • an leavingEnglish-speaking hislawyer familyin behindKuwait

  Help with visa, residency and citizenship applications

  SeeThe entryBritish requirementsEmbassy forin Kuwait incannot ourhelp travelwith advice.Kuwaiti visa, residency or citizenship applications.

  UsuallyFor whenany applyingquestions foror residency,issues, youcontact:

  • the willKuwait needgovernment
  • the aKuwait UKEmbassy criminalin recordsLondon check— (knownsee asour alist DBSof check).foreign Toembassies usein yourthe criminalUK recordsfor checkcontact details
  • an English-speaking lawyer in Kuwait,Kuwait

  Passports itand shouldtravel

  Read beour notarisedguidance inon UK,moving, legalisedliving ator FCDOretiring UKabroad. andThis attestedcovers athow Kuwaitto:

  • apply embassyfor ina London,British beforepassport itfrom reachesabroad
  • travel Kuwait.urgently Findwithout moreyour informationBritish onpassport

  Dual howcitizens travelling to legalisethe UK

  When travelling to the UK, British citizens must carry a documentvalid British passport or certificate of entitlement.

  Healthcare

  See ourRead travelguidance adviceon fordual Kuwaitcitizenship.

  Resident children travelling without a parent or legal guardian

  KuwaitChildren and theyoung UKpeople doaged not20 haveand reciprocalunder healthcaremust agreements.carry Youwritten shouldapproval buyfrom comprehensivetheir travelfather andto medicalleave insuranceKuwait, beforeeven youif enterthey’re thetravelling country.with their mother or another legal guardian.

  YouFor shouldmore alsoinformation, makecontact:

  • the sureKuwait you’regovernment
  • the coveredKuwaiti byEmbassy healthin insuranceLondon for– UKsee treatmentour orlist you’llof beforeign chargedembassies byin the NHSUK for anycontact caredetails

  Healthcare youin receiveKuwait

  Read inour theguidance UK.on Themoving, NHSliving hasor informationretiring forabroad. peopleThis movingcovers abroad.how to:

  See

  • plan Kuwaityour governmenthealthcare
  • take hospitals.medicine Ifabroad

  Kuwait youdoes usenot have a privatereciprocal hospital,health makeagreement with the UK.

  Make sure you have comprehensiveappropriate medicalhealth insurance.insurance to cover any healthcare costs. You can get insurance from Kuwaiti and international providers.

  YouTo willaccess healthcare, you’ll need your Kuwaiti civil IDID, (oror your passport if you’re on a visitor visa)visa. toThe accessKuwait healthcare.government publishes a list of Kuwait government hospitals.

  YouTo shouldfind checkout how to get medical treatment:

  • contact your prescriptionsinsurance areprovider
  • read legalguidance on health in Kuwait
  • find English-speaking medical facilities and doctors for British nationals in Kuwait

  Working –in youKuwait

  Read mayour needguidance toon getmoving, permissionliving fromor Kuwaitiretiring authoritiesabroad. toThis bringcovers yourworking medicineabroad, intoincluding documents you may need from the country.UK government.

  YouTo shouldwork alsoin carryKuwait, ayou doctor’smust noteapply for anya prescriptionwork medicine.

  Workingentrance invisa Kuwait

  before you travel. Your employer needsmust toalso apply for a work visapermit (iqama)(‘iqama’) –on your behalf. If you work without the correct visa, the Kuwaiti authorities can bedeport jailedyou ifand ban you workfrom withoutall Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) countries for at least 5 years. 

  You can find more information on the propermain visa.Kuwait Government Online website.

  SomeTo jobsapply for a job, you may requireneed to provide a UK criminal records check. (known as a DBS check). To use your criminal records check in Kuwait, ityou’ll shouldneed beto get it notarised inby UK,a UK notary. You’ll also need to get it legalised atby FCDO,the UK Legalisation Office and attested at Kuwaitthe embassyKuwaiti Embassy in London,London.

  For beforemore itinformation, reachesread Kuwait.the Findsections moreon informationlegalising and certifying UK documents in our guidance on howdocuments for British people abroad.

  Recognition of qualifications

  If you want to legalisework ain documentKuwait, you’ll need to get your foreign qualifications attested and legalised. For more information, read our guidance on documents for British people abroad.

  TaxDriving in Kuwait

  SeeRead taxour guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:

  • drive abroad legally
  • take your UK vehicle abroad
  • get driving licence letters

  If you live in Kuwait and have a residence permit (Civil ID), you must apply for a Kuwaiti driving licence. You cannot use your UK driving licence or an international driving licence.

  You can only apply for a Kuwaiti licence if you leavemeet the UKeligibility tocriteria. liveYour abroadeligibility may be affected by your:

  • residency or employment category
  • annual salary
  • degree certificate
  • length of time spent in Kuwait

  For more information and taxto check if you’re eligible:

  • read the Kuwait General Department of Traffic’s guidance on Kuwaiti driving licences
  • contact your local Department of Traffic (in Arabic and English)
  • contact the Kuwait Embassy in London — see our list of foreign embassies in the UK incomefor contact details

  You can also read our guidance on road travel in Kuwait, in safety and security in the travel advice for Kuwait.

  Disabled drivers

  You may be able to apply for a Kuwaiti disabled parking permit. For more information and to find out if you’re eligible, contact the Kuwaiti Public Authority for Disability Affairs (PADA).

  If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Kuwait, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.

  Tax

  Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers tax, including paying UK tax and National Insurance.

  There is no income tax on salaries or wages paid in KuwaitKuwait.

  Consider –getting we recommend you get professional advice on paying tax in Kuwait. To do this, find an English-speaking lawyer in Kuwait.

  You

  Pensions

  Claiming mayyour beUK ablepension

  Read toour payguidance Nationalon Insurancemoving, whileliving or retiring abroad. inThis ordercovers:

  • how to protectclaim your UK State Pension
  • where the UK government pays an annual increase in the State Pension

  Claiming a Kuwaiti pension

  Generally, only Kuwaiti citizens can claim a Kuwaiti state pension. You can find more information on services for citizens and entitlementresidents on the Kuwait Government Online website.

  Benefits

  Claiming UK benefits

  Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to otherclaim UK benefits abroad, including Child Benefit.

  Claiming Kuwaiti benefits

  Generally, only Kuwaiti citizens can claim Kuwaiti social security benefits. You can find more information on services for citizens and allowances.residents on the Kuwait Government Online website.

  PensionsBuying and renting property in Kuwait

  SeeRead Stateour Pensionguidance ifon youmoving, retireliving or retiring abroad. This covers buying and newrenting Stateproperty Pensionabroad.

  Generally, foreign nationals cannot own land in Kuwait. However, they can buy commercial or residential apartments. Contact an English-speaking lawyer in Kuwait. if you’re considering buying property.

  Voting in Kuwait

  LifeUK certificateselections

  Read forour guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:

  • vote in UK stateelections pensionsfrom abroad
  • register as an overseas voter

  Kuwaiti elections

  You cannot vote in Kuwaiti elections unless you hold Kuwaiti citizenship.

  Studying in Kuwait

  If you getplan ato ‘lifestudy certificate’in fromKuwait, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel. Contact the Kuwaiti Embassy in London for more information. You can find contact details for the embassy in our list of foreign embassies in the UK.

  For Pensionmore Serviceinformation:

  • read guidance on travel grants for students studying abroad or on placements (England),
  • contact youyour needhigher toeducation respondprovider asin soonthe asUK possibleor –Kuwait
  • contact the Kuwaiti Ministry of Higher Education

  Children

  Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers moving abroad with children, including:

  • getting permission to take your paymentschild mayabroad
  • claiming beUK suspendedChild Benefit abroad
  • child maintenance payments if youa don’t.parent lives abroad

  Schools and education

  The Kuwait government provides information about education in Kuwait.

  All children aged 6 to 14 must attend school or home school in Kuwait. Only Kuwaiti citizens are eligible to attend Kuwaiti public schools. Children of foreign nationals must attend private schools unless they hold Kuwaiti citizenship.

  BenefitsBirths, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships

  Births

  SeeIf claimingyour benefitschild ifis youborn live,in moveKuwait, register the birth with the Kuwaiti authorities. 

  Read our guidance on moving, living or travelretiring abroad. This covers how to:

  Find

  • register outthe whichbirth with the UK benefitsauthorities youto mightget bea ableUK birth certificate
  • apply for your child’s first British passport

  Deaths

  Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:

  • what to getdo whileafter you’resomeone dies abroad
  • how to register the death with the UK authorities

  If someone dies in Kuwait, read guidance on:

  • what to when someone dies in Kuwait
  • English-speaking funeral directors in Kuwait

  Marriages and civil partnerships

  Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to claimget them.married or form a civil partnership abroad.

  ManySame income-relatedsex benefitsmarriages suchand ascivil Pensionpartnerships Creditare not legally recognised in Kuwait. For information about LGBT+ rights in Kuwait, read guidance on safety and Housingsecurity Benefitin can’tthe betravel paidadvice iffor you’reKuwait.

  Divorce and separation

  Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. forThis morecovers thanhow 4to weeks.get a divorce or end a civil partnership.

  The Kuwait Ministry of Justice provides information on the process of proving a revocable divorce. 

  If you plan to divorce in Kuwait, consider taking legal advice from an English-speaking lawyer in Kuwait.

  DrivingDocuments for British people in Kuwait

  IfRead you’reour applyingguidance toon livedocuments for British people abroad. This covers:

  • legalising and certifying UK documents
  • marriage and civil partnership documents
  • affirmations and affidavits
  • witnessing signatures

  You can also read the consular information note about legalising documents for use in Kuwait (thator isother youcountries.

  Lawyers, havetranslators aand residencenotaries

  To permitfind –an CivilEnglish-speaking ID),lawyer, youtranslator shouldor notnotary drivein unlessKuwait, youread haveguidance aon Kuwaitiprofessional drivingservices licence.if Inyou’re thisabroad.

  Pets

  Read case,our youguidance shouldon applytaking foryour apet Kuwaitidog, drivingcat licenceor afterferret to a non-EU country.

  If you receivewant yourto residencybring permit.your Youpet maywith likeyou to confirmKuwait, eligibilityyou requirementsmust forget a Kuwaitipet drivingimport licencecertificate withfrom the nearestPublic KuwaitiAuthority Embassyof beforeAgriculture youAffairs arrive.and YourFish eligibilityResources.

  Returning to obtainthe aUK

  Read Kuwaitireturning licenceto maythe beUK affectedpermanently. byThis yourincludes residencyinformation oron employmentbringing category,family annualmembers salary,back degreeto certificatethe UK, tax and timeaccess spentto inservices.

  Disclaimer

  We Kuwait.provide this information as a guide only. For definitive information, contact the Kuwaiti authorities.

  Read our consular information disclaimer.