Kuwait has announced the end of special extensions for visit visas and absence permits that were introduced due to regional security concerns and airspace closures.
The Ministry of Interior said the temporary measures will end on September 1, 2026, after which the country will restore the original regulations governing the legal duration of entry visas and absence permits.
The special extensions were introduced after Iranian attacks and regional airspace closures disrupted travel across the Gulf. In March, Kuwait granted automatic extensions to visitors who were unable to leave the country because of the exceptional circumstances.
Kuwait also provided three-month absence permits to residents who were outside the country and unable to return. The permits were processed without requiring applicants to appear in person and were exempt from fees.
An absence permit allows expatriate residents to remain outside Kuwait for more than six months without automatically losing their residency status. It can typically be arranged through the Sahel app or the relevant Residency Affairs departments.
However, the Ministry of Interior clarified that the additional absence period will continue to apply to residents who left Kuwait on or before August 31, 2026.
The ministry said the residency permit certificate issued through the Sahel app will serve as the official reference for determining the expiry date of an absence permit.
Kuwait has advised residents to follow the specified validity period and return to the country before their permitted absence period expires.
