Article

Monday, July 14, 2025
search-icon
search-icon
close-icon

Now Kuwaiti Citizens Can Apply for E-Visas To India

publish time

13/07/2025

publish time

13/07/2025

Now Kuwaiti Citizens Can Apply for E-Visas To India
The Ambassador of India to Kuwait, Dr. Adarsh Swaika

KUWAIT CITY, July 13: Indian Ambassador to Kuwait Dr. Adarsh Swaika announced that the e-visa service for Kuwaitis starts on Monday. In a press conference on Sunday, Swaika stressed that this step “is a qualitative shift in facilitating travel procedures and strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.” He confirmed that the service is available entirely online, eliminating the need to visit Indian visa application centers.

said it includes five visa categories: tourism, business, medical, conference, and AYUSH (for alternative medicine purposes such as yoga and Ayurveda). He revealed that the new tourist visa is valid for up to five years with a fee of only $80; while fees for other categories range from $40 to $80, depending on the duration of the visa. He stated that “the procedures are very simple, as Kuwaitis can fill out applications, upload documents, and pay electronically. Biometric fingerprints are taken upon arrival at an Indian airport.” He said the processing time typically takes only three to four days, with the possibility of “some minor technical challenges at the beginning due to the recent launch of the system.” He affirmed this move is in response to a long-standing request from Kuwaiti citizens and reflects the deep historical ties between the two countries.

He added, “There are several reasons behind this step, including the strong relations between India and Kuwait, our desire to promote tourism, growing trade relations, increased Kuwaiti investments in India, growing presence of Indian companies in Kuwait, and enhancing people-to-people and cultural exchanges.” He also disclosed that around 8,000 to 9,000 Kuwaitis visited India last year on tourist visas, indicating that the numbers are expected to rise after easing the visa procedures. He explained that 12,000 weekly seats are allocated for each side under the civil aviation agreement between the two countries.

“Flights to and from nine direct destinations are operated by Kuwaiti airlines like Kuwait Airways and Jazeera Airways, and Indian airlines such as IndiGo, Air India Express, and Akasa Air. Regarding the types of visas excluded from the electronic platform, he pointed out that “student visas are still part of the paper system, but they can be obtained from the usual visa centers.” He expressed hope that this initiative will contribute to deepening friendly relations and encouraging more Kuwaiti citizens to visit India for tourism, medical treatment or business.

By Fares Ghaleb
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff