Last updated: 06/12/2022
Effective February 23, the mobile applications Mosafer and BilSalamah will cease to operate. Effective May 1, the Shlonik application will only be used to follow up on positive cases.
Effective June 12, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) order requiring all persons to show a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before boarding a flight to the United States, is rescinded. Starting at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time on June 12, 2022, the CDC will no longer require air travelers to show a negative COVID-19 test result, or documentation of recovery from COVID-19, prior to boarding a flight to the United States. CDC’s order requiring proof of vaccination for non-U.S. citizen nonimmigrants to travel to the United States is still in effect. For more information see Requirement for Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination for Air Passengers.
Effective May 1, normal pre-pandemic procedures apply and all COVID-19 health or travel restrictions will be lifted. The Government’s April 27 announcement addresses the following:
Concerning masks:
- Wearing masks is now optional in all indoor and outdoor places. Symptomatic individuals are encouraged to still wear a mask around others.
- Masks are required for a period of 14 days for individuals infected with COVID-19 or who have come into close contact with positive cases.
Concerning tests:
- Testing is no longer required for entry into public spaces, including workplaces and education institutions. Sports facilities are fully open to the public.
- Persons traveling to Kuwait do not need to take any form of test prior to arrival, regardless of vaccination status, and are no longer required to be fully immunized for entry into Kuwait. The Shlonik application will apply only as follow up on positive cases. Travelers should still follow the Kuwaiti Government’s guidelines for obtaining relevant entry visas.
Concerning persons infected with or exposed to COVID-19:
- Quarantine is required for five days for infected persons.
- If symptoms display during the 14-day period after contracting or being in contact with a positive case, individuals must take a PCR test.
Country-Specific Information:
- Effective October 24, 2021, airport operations have resumed at full capacity.
- Electronic visas (eVisas) applications are available for U.S. citizens on the MOI website.
- The airport is open for departures for all travelers provided proof of vaccination as required, if at all, by the airline, transit locations, and/or destination.
- Travelers coming to Kuwait may register with the Shlonik application prior to boarding the aircraft, but as of May 1 the application will only be used on a limited basis for follow up on positive cases.
- Commercial businesses are open at full capacity operating at normal business hours.
- Restaurants and cafes have re-opened for in-person dining to all customers regardless of vaccination status.
- Face masks are not required in public or private places. Infected or exposed persons should wear a face mask for 14 days after the date of infection or exposure.
- The Government of Kuwait does not allow the repatriation of remains of foreign nationals who die of COVID-19. Instead, foreign nationals will be buried here in Kuwait. For more information, see Death of a U.S. Citizen.
Note: The information on this page reflects the U.S. Embassy’s understanding of the rules currently in place. The Kuwaiti authorities are responsible for setting and enforcing all regulations.
COVID-19 Testing:
Are PCR and/or antigen tests available for U.S. citizens in Kuwait? Yes
If so, are test results reliably available within one calendar day? Yes
PCR tests are widely and readily available. Antigen tests are available locally, but difficult to find due to shortages. Labs will generally return PCR test results within 24 hours. The method of result notification varies by laboratory but is generally via text message or email.
If you have a medical emergency and are experiencing non-COVID symptoms, please call 112. Please call the Ministry of Health at 151 or 2497-0967 if you are experiencing a fever, cough, or difficulty breathing.
U.S. citizens may obtain a COVID-19 PCR test from the below facilities. Note, some options may no longer apply given the Government of Kuwait’s May 1 lifting of all COVID-19 restrictions. Additional charges may apply for home testing or expedited results:
- Central United Medical Laboratory
- Location: Shaab Albahri, Block 8, Alkindi Street
- Drive-up Testing – Al Seef Hospital drive through (beside Alfa petrol Station) +965-2225-2265
- Contact: +965-2225-2256
- Website: http://ulckuwaitpcr.com
- Price: 6 KD
- Special Instructions: Results can be released within 8-12 hours.
- Global Med (Branch at Jabriya is at the Mazaya Clinic)
- Locations: Bneid Al Gar / Jabriya
- Contact: +965-2531-3081, www.gmcvl.com
- Price: 6 KD
- Special Instructions: Results are within 2-3 days. Results can be rushed. Appointment is required and testing is only at the Jabriya Center clinic location.
- I’m Negative
- Location: 9 branches
- Contact: +965-180-0280 (Home Service: +965-9736-3624)
- Price: 6 KD
- Special instructions: Appointment required. Results within 8-12 hours. Drive-thru services are also offered.
- Mazaya Clinic
- Locations: Bneid Al Gar / Jabriya / Hawally
- Contact: +965 2227 3333
- Website: https://covid19.mazayaclinics.com
- Price: 6 KD
- Results can be released within 6-9 hours
- Special instructions: 24-hour drive-through in Jabriya and Hawally branches.
- Dar Al Shifa Hospital
- Location: Hawally – Beirut Street, Opposite to Hawally’s Fire Station
- Contact: +965-1 802-555
- Price: 6 KD
- Special Instructions: Results can be released within 8-12 hours. Drive-up testing is in their parking structure. No appointment needed, but patients need to go first thing at 7:30am.
Note: The U.S. Embassy in Kuwait assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability, or reputation of, or quality of services provided by the above hospitals or clinics. Inclusion on this list is in no way an endorsement by the Department of State or the Embassy. Names are listed alphabetically, and the order in which they appear has no other significance. Prices may also vary.
COVID-19 Vaccine Information:
Has the government of Kuwait approved a COVID-19 vaccine for use? Yes
Are vaccines available in Kuwait for U.S. citizens to receive? Yes
Which vaccines are available in Kuwait? Pfizer and AstraZeneca are offered in Kuwait. The Ministry of Health also recognizes Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines.
The Kuwaiti Ministry of Health webpage allows residents of Kuwait, including U.S. citizen residents, to register to receive the COVID-19 vaccine by clicking on “COVID-19 Vaccination Pre-Registration.”
There are two permanent walk-in vaccination clinics for those still not vaccinated, regardless of residency status. One is at the Al Shabab sports center in Jeleeb Al-Shuyoukh and the other at the Al Tadamon sports club in Farwaniya from Sunday to Thursday, 4pm to 8pm.
Visit the FDA’s website to learn more about FDA-approved vaccines in the United States. The United States Government does not plan to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to private U.S. citizens overseas. Please follow host country developments and guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination.
Entry and Exit Requirements:
Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter? Yes
- Proof of vaccination is no longer required for entry into Kuwait. Visas on arrival for U.S. citizens have resumed.
Is a negative COVID-19 test (PCR) required for entry? No
Are health screening procedures in place at airports and other ports of entry? No
- Land and sea borders are open from 9 AM to 3 PM daily.
- The Ministry of Interior has announced that residents with Article 22 (dependent) and Article 24 (self-employed) permits can renew their resident permits online.
- Those seeking to depart Kuwait must pay any immigration fines at Residency Affairs to obtain an exit letter. Individuals who did not amend their legal status before May 15 may be deported and banned from entering Kuwait in the future.
- The Government of Kuwait has extended the amount of time foreign nationals with valid Kuwaiti residencies can remain outside of Kuwait to one year.
- As of October 4, 2021, the Government of Kuwait has resumed commercial air travel for U.S. service-members and DoD civilians utilizing CAC/military orders/vaccination cards. S personnel should review the Foreign Clearance Guide for additional details.
- Department of Defense contractors without valid visas or residencies are currently not authorized to enter Kuwait. This restriction is in place until further notice, per the Foreign Clearance Guide.
- Masks are optional in all spaces.
Movement Restrictions:
Is a curfew in place? No.
Are there restrictions on intercity or interstate travel? No.
Quarantine Information:
Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine? No
Quarantine is not required under any circumstances. Individuals who are infected with or have been exposed to COVID-19 must wear masks for a 14 days period. If symptoms develop during the 14 days, individuals must take a PCR test.
Transportation Options:
Are commercial flights operating? Yes
- Kuwait International Airport is operating at full capacity.
- The Kuwait Directorate General of Civil Aviation provides updates on COVID-19 related flight restrictions in Arabic and English on its Twitter feed.
Is public transportation operating? Yes
Consular Operations:
Unless otherwise announced, the Consular Section is open 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM. To reach the after-hours duty officer, call the main Embassy line at 2259-1001.
Appointments for routine American Citizen Services, including notarials, passports, and Consular Reports of Birth Abroad (CRBAs) are available on our website.
The United States Embassy in Kuwait has resumed all visa services.
Local Resources:
View Embassy Kuwait’s latest Alerts and Messages.
The Government of Kuwait has a website dedicated to COVID-19 information in Kuwait.
The Kuwait Directorate General of Civil Aviation provides updates on COVID-19 related flight restrictions in Arabic and English on its Twitter
The Kuwait Ministry of Health has a hotline if people have questions related to COVID-19: +965-2497-0967. There is also a hotline number if you are in Kuwait: 151
Other links:
COVID-19 Traveler Information page on travel.state.gov
Kuwait country information and travel advisory page from the State Department.
