Kuwait Visa for Pakistan: 19-Year Ban Lifted
The lifting of the visa ban is a significant step forward in promoting people-to-people ties and economic cooperation between Kuwait and Pakistan, with opportunities for Pakistani workers, families, and businesses to engage with Kuwait, and vice versa, expected to increase in the coming months.
Kuwait has lifted its 19-year visa ban on Pakistani citizens, allowing access to various types of visas, including work, family, tourist, and commercial visas, in a move expected to boost mutual growth and economic benefits.
The ban, imposed in 2011 due to security concerns, also affected citizens of Iran, Syria, and Afghanistan. However, with the relaxation of the restriction, skilled Pakistani workers, such as nurses, are being prioritized, with Pakistan's ambassador to Kuwait planning to bring 1,200 nurses to support Kuwait's healthcare sector.
The adoption of an online visa platform by Kuwait has improved efficiency and transparency, enabling most applicants to secure visas within 24 hours. This development is expected to open up employment, trade, and tourism opportunities for thousands of Pakistanis, strengthening the economy and benefiting Pakistani families.
The move may also reflect closer diplomatic ties between Kuwait and Pakistan, with a new memorandum of understanding aimed at streamlining worker mobility and safeguarding rights. The decision could have significant economic benefits for Kuwait, which has been lagging behind other Gulf countries in terms of non-oil economic activity.
With the Kuwaiti Dinar being the strongest currency in the world, this development is expected to have a positive impact on the economy, and the online visa platform will make it easier for Pakistani citizens to obtain visas, with processing times ranging from 1 minute to 24 hours depending on the category.