Kuwait Reopens Visa Access For Pakistan

• Kuwait resumes visa services for Pakistanis after more than 12 years.

• Pakistani citizens can now apply for family, business, work, and visit visas.

• The move was hailed as a major step towards enhanced diplomatic and economic cooperation.

• Expected to create thousands of job opportunities for Pakistani workers.

• Celebrated as a diplomatic success for Pakistan’s Foreign Office and the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis.

Kuwait had placed a ban on most visa categories for Pakistani citizens in 2011, citing security and verification concerns. Over the years, multiple efforts were made by successive Pakistani governments to convince Kuwaiti authorities to lift the suspension.

• Security and document verification concerns

• Lack of bilateral labor agreements

• Minimal diplomatic follow-up in earlier years

Despite occasional exceptions for diplomats and high-level officials, most Pakistanis were unable to travel to Kuwait for work or family reunification.

The decision comes as a result of months of diplomatic engagement, including recent visits by Pakistani officials and Kuwaiti envoys.

• Pakistan’s Foreign Minister:

  “A historic development that will greatly benefit Pakistani citizens and deepen our ties with Kuwait.”

• Kuwaiti Embassy in Islamabad:

  “Kuwait values its longstanding friendship with Pakistan and welcomes its citizens.”

                   

Kuwait is home to over 110,000 Pakistani expatriates, contributing to sectors like healthcare, construction, IT, and services. With visa access restored, recruitment agencies are expected to ramp up hiring, especially for skilled workers.

The reopening is likely to boost remittances from Kuwait to Pakistan, which already stood at approximately $300 million annually. With more workers gaining access, remittance figures are expected to grow by 15–20% in the next fiscal year.

Private manpower companies and government departments such as the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment are preparing to manage the expected influx of visa applications.

• Registration drives for skilled laborers

• Helplines for guidance and documentation

• Orientation programs for overseas job seekers

“I’ve been waiting for over a decade to visit my brother in Kuwait. This is a dream come true.” – Arif Mehmood, Lahore

“We can finally restart our work visa applications. This means food on the table for thousands.” – Sajid Khan, Recruitment Agent, Rawalpindi

“Pakistani labor is among the most reliable. This will fill our workforce gaps, especially in construction.” – Kuwaiti Contractor Group

Kuwait’s reopening of visa access to Pakistani citizens is more than just a policy shift — it’s a diplomatic victory, an economic boost, and a lifeline for thousands of families. The move is expected to strengthen Gulf-South Asia relations and empower Pakistan’s overseas workforce, which plays a vital role in stabilizing the national economy.