Call to impose same fees on Egyptians as Kuwaitis

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KUWAIT CITY, May 7: In view of the decision of Egyptian authorities to impose $25 visa fee on the citizens of Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC) including Kuwait, MP Bader Al-Humaidi submitted a proposal to impose the same fee on Egyptians entering Kuwait as part of the reciprocity agreement between the two countries. However, some Kuwaiti bloggers pointed out that once the proposal is implemented, Kuwaitis must have Egyptian sponsors when visiting Egypt.

Meanwhile, in a report from the local Arabic daily Al-Anba, quoting sources from the diplomatic sector, the concerned Egyptian authorities have not imposed new entry visa fee for Kuwaitis who intend to travel to Egypt.

This came after the spread of rumors that the Egyptian authorities issued a decision on the new visa fee for Kuwaitis only. Sources pointed out that the schedule of fees was released more than a year ago and it is applicable to citizens of all Arab countries.

Sources explained this is a common procedure among all countries, especially for tourism-related fees, which usually change based on circumstances and other variables. Sources said many countries, particularly those in the West, impose fees which are much higher than that of Egypt; citing as an example the KD7.5 visa fee that Egypt collects from the citizens of various countries.

Sources added the Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Kuwaiti Embassy in Cairo published an official announcement on March 18, 2021 as follows: “We would like to inform Kuwaitis planning to travel to the sisterly Arab Republic of Egypt that the Egyptian authorities imposed entry visa fee of $25 for the citizens of Arab countries. This decision took effect on March 13, 2021.” Al-Humaidi also responded to the attack of an Iraqi MP on the Kuwaiti Coast Guard by proposing closure of the Abdally land border between the two countries and limit travel to Iraq by air only. He called for expediting the opening of Abdullah Mubarak Port regardless of the Iraqi threats. By Saeed Mahmoud Saleh Arab Times Staff and Agencies

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