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The Embassy of India in Kuwait officially launched the e-visa service for Kuwaiti nationals on Sunday, July 13, marking a significant step toward simplifying visa procedures and strengthening bilateral relations.
During a press conference, the Indian Ambassador to Kuwait, Dr Adarsh Swaika, called the initiative a “crucial development” aimed at streamlining travel and boosting people-to-people ties between India and Kuwait, a Kuwait News Agency report said.
Read-Kuwait launches new e-visa platform to boost travel, digital efficiency
Fully online visa process
The e-visa application is entirely digital and can be completed on the official Indian visa portal.
Applicants no longer need to visit the embassy in person. The service covers five main categories: tourism, business, medical, ayush-yoga, and conference visas.
“This initiative aligns with India’s vision of expanding access and enhancing digital service delivery,” said Ambassador Swaika.
The tourist visa is valid for up to five years, the business visa for up to one year, and the medical visa for up to 60 days. Processing time typically takes three to four business days, and the fees range from $40 to $80, depending on visa type and duration.
Required documentation must be uploaded via the online portal.
Paper visas still accepted
Ambassador Swaika confirmed that the Indian Consulate in Kuwait will continue to accept paper visa applications for those preferring traditional processing methods.
Additionally, biometric fingerprints will be collected at Indian airports from arriving Kuwaiti travelers who use the e-visa system.
Activities allowed under e-visa
India’s e-visa accommodates a wide range of short-term, non-formal activities, such as:
- Tourism and sightseeing
- Visiting friends or relatives
- Attending short-term yoga programs
- Enrolling in informal courses (language, music, art, cooking, etc.) of less than six months
- Volunteering for non-paid work (up to one month)
- Medical treatment under general or Indian systems of medicine
- Business engagements
- Attending government or private conferences, seminars, or workshops
- Acting as an attendant for an e-Medical visa holder
Conditions for eligibility
To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Passport valid for at least six months at the time of application
- Must possess a return or onward journey ticket
- Should have sufficient funds for the duration of the stay
- Not applicable to holders of Pakistani passports or of Pakistani origin
- Not valid for diplomatic or official passport holders, or those with laissez-passer travel documents
- Each applicant must hold a separate passport
- Not valid for individuals with international travel documents other than a passport
More details and application forms are available.
Citizens from over 170 countries, including Kuwait, are eligible to apply for an Indian e-visa. The complete list is as follows:
A–C
Albania, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burundi, Canada, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Cayman Islands, Chile, Colombia, Comoros, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic
D–G
Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Eswatini, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guernsey, Guinea, Guyana
H–L
Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Isle of Man, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jersey, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg
M–N
Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Montserrat, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Niue Island, Norway
O–S
Oman, Palau, Palestine, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland
T–Z
Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos Islands, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vatican City (Holy See), Venezuela, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Boosting bilateral mobility
This initiative is part of India’s broader digital diplomacy efforts to modernize consular services and encourage tourism, investment, and cultural exchange.
Ambassador Swaika expressed hope that more Kuwaiti citizens will take advantage of this simplified system to explore India’s tourism, medical, and educational offerings.
