Job Discussion Forums

Thomasmc89 · Joined: 26 Sep 2017 Posts: 22

Hi all,

I am going to take a SAPTCO bus to Kuwait in the near future. Dammam - Kuwait.

Just wondering what's the visa situation on the border there between KSA and Kuwait? Is it simply a case of giving your passport and some money to get a short visit visa (as per Bahrain)?

I have an EU passport so shouldn't be too much hassle in theory, just the only info I can find online refers to getting your visa in Kuwait airport after you've landed in an airplane.

Many thanks,

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

We travelled regularly by land from Hafr Al Batin in Northern Saudi Arabia to Kuwait, but we were always heading to Kuwait Airport. Transit visas were available but i am not sure about visas for a visit.

I would not risk it. Get a visa in advance. There are lots of travel agencies in Dammam and Khobar who will get them for you.

currentaffairs · Joined: 22 Aug 2012 Posts: 828

You just show up at the Kuwaiti border and you get a transit visa which is valid for one month as I recall. I have travelled a lot to Kuwait in the last few years. There is no big hassle. It usually takes about one hour to get through the border checks. I have a British passport. The visa is free for the overland crossings.

Thomasmc89 · Joined: 26 Sep 2017 Posts: 22

Well, I applied online for an eVisa to Kuwait and they responded within a few hours with the following:

"We are pleased to inform you that your eVisa tourist application to Kuwait has been approved. Please print and keep this number as your reference which you will provide to an evisa employee at Kuwait International Airport..."

It didn't specify whether I would be able to use it at a land border however.

Just to be sure I asked my Director today if he could speak with the Embassy of Kuwait in Riyadh which he very kindly did. They told him there will be no problem. So... fingers crossed.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

That border post is a bleak place - and I write as one who was posted to Fort Zinderneuf for two years.

dragonpiwo · Joined: 04 Mar 2013 Posts: 1650 Location: Berlin

There's nothing to do in Kuwait.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

There is even less to do in the towns in Northern Saudi Arabia ! I spent two academic years in Hafr Al Batin and wonder how I survived that.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g294002-i4278-k8507812-Visa_on_Arrival_at_Saudi_Kuwait_Border_for_3_days-Kuwait.html

In the heat of the moment · Joined: 22 May 2015 Posts: 393 Location: Italy

Kuwait, for me, was Saudi-lite (except Al Jahra which seemed very conservative when I visited), where people smiled and held hands in public. The restaurants were generally better than I've experienced in Saudi, although more expensive. Some of my students in Al Khobar said they'd drive there regularly for weekends, it certainly had less of a contradictory atmosphere than the eastern region back then.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

I found Kuwaitis a lot more arrogant than their Saudi neighbours.

siologen · Joined: 25 Oct 2016 Posts: 336

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Kuwaiti Dinars are quite desirable.

ginger123 · Joined: 25 Jun 2016 Posts: 33 Location: By the beach

Hi all,
I wonder why people go to countries that are not different from where they live/ work.
Arabic countries are mostly the same expect for Morocco and Tunisia.
I don't know about your situation but I won't waste my money to see malls and meet arrogant ppl.

Enjoy.

PS. Explore Africa, " safe countries" of course! There's a lot to see and enjoy!

sicklyman · Joined: 02 Feb 2013 Posts: 930

currentaffairs · Joined: 22 Aug 2012 Posts: 828

A lot depends on where you are based. If you live in a small Saudi town then going to Kuwait is a big deal. I can go to Avenues mall, go to a proper hypermarket like Carrefour, and go to the beach.There are actually a few nice beaches not far from the centre of Kuwait. The coffee shops in Kuwait are also pretty good.