smartraveller.gov.au - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
It's a must see destination.
It's a must see destination.
Kuwait
| Kuwait overall | This Advice is current for Friday, 12 March 2010. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Be alert to own security | Exercise caution | High degree of caution | Reconsider your need to travel | Do not travel |
This advice has been reviewed and reissued. It contains new information under Local Travel (taxis), Local Laws (child custody, carry identification) and Entry and Exit Requirements (fines for overstaying visas). The overall level of the advice has not changed.
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Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers.
We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Kuwait because of the high threat of terrorist attack. Terrorists may seek to conduct attacks in Kuwait against a range of targets, including US military and identifiably Western targets such as hotels, restaurants and symbols and buildings associated with the Kuwaiti government. However, we emphasise that attacks could occur at any time, anywhere in Kuwait.
In August 2009, security forces arrested members of a terrorist cell planning to attack a number of targets in Kuwait, including an oil refinery, a US military base and government buildings. A US warden message issued after the arrests warned that terrorists may be conducting surveillance on Westerners, particularly at hotels, housing areas and rental car facilities, and that contractors, especially those with links to the military, may be targeted.
Terrorists continue to issue statements threatening to carry out attacks on the Arabian Peninsula. These include references to attacks on Western interests, including residential compounds, military, oil, transport and aviation interests.
In planning your activities, consider the kind of places known to be terrorist targets and the level of security provided. In addition to the places mentioned above possible targets include clubs, theatres, schools, public transport, outdoor recreation events, markets and shopping areas. Tourist areas, hotels, religious sites as well as other places frequented by foreigners, including international schools, are also potential terrorist targets.
There have been a number of protests by expatriate labourers over their employment conditions. You should avoid all protests and demonstrations as they may turn violent.
There is a possibility that troublemakers may infiltrate Kuwait from Iraq intent on causing harm to Kuwaiti interests.
International events and political developments (including elections) may prompt demonstrations in Kuwait. You should also avoid these demonstrations.
The crime rate in Kuwait is not high.
Physical and verbal abuse of women is an on-going problem. Women should avoid walking alone and travel with a companion if possible. Since the beginning of 2007, at least three attempted sexual assaults against Australian women in Kuwait City have been reported. On two occasions, Western women were reportedly sexually assaulted by a person posing as a police officer. There have been two reports of Western women being assaulted at shopping centres.
Driving can be hazardous. While Kuwait's roads are well maintained, speeding, reckless driving, road rage and ignoring traffic lights are common. For further advice, see our bulletin on Overseas Road Safety.
You should book taxis in advance from a well-known, reputable company. Fares should be agreed before setting off.
Travellers entering the Gulf area by sea should be aware that many areas are sensitive in relation to security and territory. There are reports of vessel inspections, detentions and arrest.
There are still unexploded munitions from the Gulf War remaining in rural areas, at beaches and at picnic sites. People have been injured after picking up strange metal or plastic objects. You should not stray from well-travelled roads.
Piracy occurs in the Gulf. See our travel advice on travelling by sea for more information. The International Maritime Bureau issues weekly piracy reports on its website.
Passengers on international flights to and from Australia are only allowed to carry a small amount of liquids (including aerosols and gels) in their carry-on baggage. You can find out more information at the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government website. Similar restrictions apply to flights in an increasing number of countries. Contact your airline for further information.
If you have concerns about the safety standards of a particular airline or aircraft, we recommend you research the airline or aircraft through organisations such as Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government has published fact sheets on security for air travellers. When staff at Australia's overseas missions are advised not to use particular airlines due to safety concerns, this will be included in the travel advisory.
The European Union (EU) has published a list of airlines that are subject to operating bans or restrictions within the EU. The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through its foreign assessment program focuses on a country's ability, not the individual airline, to adhere to international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance established by ICAO.
Sand and dust storms occur regularly.
Kuwait often experiences extremely high temperatures. During the hottest months of the year, the temperature regularly exceeds 50˚C.
Flooding can occur during December and January.
Information on natural disasters can be obtained from the Humanitarian Early Warning Service. If a natural disaster occurs, follow the advice of local authorities.
Australians are advised to respect wildlife laws and to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife, including marine animals and birds. You should only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and wardens' advice.
Before you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Australian currency and travellers' cheques are not accepted in many countries. Consult with your bank to find out which is the most appropriate currency to carry and whether your ATM card will work overseas.
Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.
While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.
As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.
You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.
For general information and tips on travelling with children see our Travelling Parents brochure.
If you are planning on placing your children in schools or childcare facilities overseas we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments. You should exercise the same precautions you would take before placing children into schools or childcare facilities in Australia.
Ideas on how to select childcare providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council.
When you are in Kuwait, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
Information on what Australian consular officers can and cannot do to help Australians in trouble overseas is available from the Consular Services Charter.
Penalties for drug offences (including possession) are severe and include the death penalty.
Australians who might engage in activities that involve local legal matters, particularly with regard to family law (divorce, child custody and child support), are strongly advised to seek professional advice and ensure they are aware of their rights and responsibilities. Child custody decisions are based on Islamic law and it is difficult for a woman to be granted custody of her children in local courts.
Homosexual acts are illegal in Kuwait. It is also illegal for unmarried heterosexual couples to live together. Public displays of affection can lead to arrest.
The importation and use of alcohol, pork products and pornography is illegal in Kuwait. Customs officials use strict screening procedures to detect illicit imports.
Driving under the influence of alcohol is a serious offence and offenders may be fined, imprisoned and/or deported.
Anyone involved in a commercial or any other dispute with a Kuwaiti company or individual may be prevented from leaving the country or placed in custody, pending resolution of the dispute.
You should carry identification (passport or civil identification) at all times as authorities conduct regular checks for illegal workers.
Taking photographs of or near government buildings or other infrastructure, including oil fields, can lead to detention. It is forbidden to take photographs at some shopping centres.
Prison terms of up to seven years can be imposed for challenging the authority of the Emir or insulting him – whether by speech, writing, drawing or any other means of expression.
Kuwait authorities will often insist that documents issued in Australia must be authenticated in Australia before being further authenticated by the embassy in Kuwait. If you intend to use Australian documents such as academic records, marriage certificates or drivers licences to obtain residency/employment permits and/or driving licenses for use in Kuwait, you should have all such documents authenticated by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade at the relevant state and territory offices before leaving Australia.
Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism and child sex tourism, apply to Australians overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia.
Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism laws. These laws provide severe penalties of up to 17 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in sexual activity with children under 16 while outside of Australia.
There are conservative standards of dress and behaviour in Kuwait and you should take care not to offend. If in doubt, seek local advice.
Dual nationality is not recognised in Kuwait. This may limit our ability to provide consular assistance to Australian/Kuwaiti dual nationals who are arrested or detained.
Our Travel Information for Dual Nationals brochure provides further information.
Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. You may experience difficulties as you enter Kuwait if your passport has evidence of travel to Israel, such as entry or exit stamps. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Kuwait for the most up-to-date information.
Visitors who overstay their visas face significant fines.
Make sure your passport has at least six months' validity from your planned date of return to Australia. You should carry copies of a recent passport photo with you in case you need a replacement passport while overseas.
Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 has spread throughout the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides useful information for individuals and travellers on its website. For further information and advice to Australians, including on possible quarantine measures overseas, see our travel bulletin on Pandemic (H1N1) 2009.
We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. The Australian Government will not pay for a traveller's medical expenses overseas or medical evacuation costs.
Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations (including booster doses of childhood vaccinations) and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our 'Travelling Well' brochure also provides useful tips for travelling with medicines and staying healthy while overseas.
The standard of medical facilities in Kuwait varies: some facilities offer high quality services while others are adequate for routine procedures only. Private health care facilities generally require payment at the time of treatment. In the event of a serious illness or accident, or for complex procedures, medical evacuation to a destination with appropriate facilities could be necessary. Medical evacuation costs would be considerable.
The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world, including Kuwait. For a list of these countries, visit the OIE website. For information on our advice to Australians on how to reduce the risk of infection and on Australian Government precautions see our travel bulletin on avian influenza.
In Kuwait, you can obtain consular assistance from the:
Australian Embassy
Dar Al-Awadi Building (12th Floor)
Ahmed Al-Jaber Street
Sharq KUWAIT
Tel: (965) 232 2422 (outside Kuwait) or 2232 2422 (within Kuwait)
Fax: (965) 232 2430 (outside Kuwait) or 2232 2430 (within Kuwait)
Website: www.kuwait.embassy.gov.au
The working week is from Sunday to Thursday, in accordance with local practice.
If you are travelling to Kuwait, whatever the reason and however long you'll be there, we encourage you to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You can register online or in person at any Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. The information you provide will help us to contact you in an emergency - whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue.
In a consular emergency if you are unable to contact the above mission, you can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia.
In Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may be contacted on (02) 6261 3305.
While every care has been taken in preparing this travel information for travellers, neither the Australian Government nor its agents or employees including any member of Australia's consular staff abroad, can accept liability for injury, loss or damage arising in respect of any statement contained therein.
