Fire and rescue services
Call 112.
Medical emergencies
Call 112 or go to a hospital.
Police
Call 112 or visit the nearest police station
We advise:
Exercise a high degree of caution in Kuwait due to the possibility of terrorist attacks.
Call 112.
Call 112 or go to a hospital.
Call 112 or visit the nearest police station
We advise:
Exercise a high degree of caution in Kuwait due to the possibility of terrorist attacks.
Exercise a high degree of caution in Kuwait.
Exercise a high degree of caution in Kuwait due to the possibility of terrorist attacks.
Full travel advice: Safety
Full travel advice: Health
Full travel advice: Local laws
Full travel advice: Travel
Full travel advice: Local contacts
Terrorism is a threat worldwide.
There have been several terrorist attacks in the Gulf region in recent years. These have occurred at places visited by foreigners. Take official warnings seriously. In case of an attack, follow the advice of local authorities.
Attacks could occur at any time and could target:
More information:
Conflicts in the Middle East and Gulf region could affect Kuwait. Monitor local and international media.
The security situation in the region remains unpredictable and could deteriorate with little or no warning.
If there's a security incident, follow the advice of local authorities.
Public protests are rare in Kuwait but can occur. Events that draw large groups of people can turn violent. Protesters and security forces have clashed previously.
Security forces have used water cannons and tear gas to break up protests.
Avoid all protests, demonstrations and large public gatherings.
Take extra care during the time of Friday prayers when protests are more likely to occur.
Be especially alert in:
During a period of unrest:
Contact your airline, travel agent or insurer if your travel is disrupted.
More information:
The overall crime rate in Kuwait is low but it is higher in some areas.
Some travellers have reported being physically and verbally harassed. Some foreigners have reported being followed at night.
Take care if you intend to travel to Jahra, where attackers have used firearms in confrontations. Robberies have occurred in Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh.
To protect yourself from crime:
You may be at risk of cyber-based threats during overseas travel to any country. Digital identity theft is a growing concern. Your devices and personal data can be compromised, especially if you’re connecting to Wi-Fi, using or connecting to shared or public computers, or to Bluetooth.
Social media can also be risky in destinations where there are social or political tensions, or laws that may seem unreasonable by Australian standards. Travellers have been arrested for things they have said on social media. Don't comment on local or political events on your social media.
More information:
Sand and dust storms occur regularly.
It's often very hot and dry in Kuwait, where the hottest months are June, July and August. Temperatures are often above 50°C and rarely drop below 30°C, even at night. High humidity can be expected in August.
Flooding can happen, usually between December and January.
If there's a natural disaster or severe weather:
Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave.
Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay these costs.
If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.
If you're not insured, you may have to pay many thousands of dollars up-front for medical care.
Confirm:
Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition.
See your doctor or travel clinic to:
Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.
If you have immediate concerns for your welfare, or the welfare of another Australian, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or contact your nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate to discuss counselling hotlines and services available in your location.
More information:
Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.
If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in Kuwait. Take enough legal medicine for your trip.
Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating:
More information:
Cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) are reported in:
Avoid contact with camels. Don't consume raw camel milk, undercooked camel meat, or anything contaminated with camel secretions.
Get medical advice if you have a fever, cough, breathing difficulties or diarrhoea.
More information:
Air pollution levels in Kuwait can spike to dangerous levels in the winter months, October to February. It can increase the risk of breathing problems.
Dust and sandstorms can be severe and occur throughout the year.
Poor air quality can cause:
People who have pre-existing medical conditions, particularly heart and lung conditions, may be especially affected. If you're concerned:
More information:
The standard of medical facilities in Kuwait varies in government-run and private institutions. You'll be expected to pay in advance for all services. Healthcare facilities provide most services for foreigners. Some hospitals only accept citizens, and some treatments may not be available to foreigners. Government facilities offer more specialty care services, though wait times are often long and can be difficult to access for non-nationals.
Psychological and psychiatric services are limited, with hospital-based care only available through government institutions.
If you need a complex procedure or become seriously ill, you may need to be evacuated. Medical evacuation can be very expensive.
You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.
If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter. But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
Kuwaiti authorities don't normally notify the Australian Embassy if they detain or arrest Australians.
If you are detained, ask the authorities, your family, friend or colleague to inform the Embassy as soon as possible.
More information:
Possession of illicit drugs and alcohol is illegal. Penalties are severe.
Convictions for possession and trafficking of drugs may result in heavy fines, lengthy jail sentences, deportation or the death penalty.
It is illegal to bring alcohol into Kuwait and possess or consume it in the country.
Public intoxication or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is punishable by fines, imprisonment, deportation and confiscation of your driving licence.
More information:
Australian and Kuwaiti laws are very different. This includes laws about:
Seemingly minor incidents can result in lengthy legal proceedings. If you have an open case, you may be prevented from leaving the country until it’s resolved.
Some offences that aren't serious in Australia are extremely serious in Kuwait. This includes:
We can't interfere in commercial and family disputes.
If you're involved in local legal matters:
This is particularly the case for family law matters, including:
Kuwaiti authorities require that documents issued in Australia are both:
Types of documents you'll need to authenticate include:
More information:
Always carry ID, such as your passport or a Kuwaiti civil identity card.
Authorities conduct regular checks for illegal workers.
It's illegal to:
Sex and intimacy laws
It's illegal to:
Same-sex relationships and impersonating the opposite sex are illegal. Kuwait doesn't recognise or allow same-sex marriages and rights. Punishments can include fines, imprisonment and deportation.
More information:
Victims of sexual assault
Depending on the situation, victims of sexual assault in Kuwait may face arrest, detention or criminal prosecution for having sex outside of marriage and/or adultery.
If you are sexually assaulted in Kuwait, contact the Australian Embassy in Kuwait or the Consular Emergency Centre in Canberra immediately.
While consular officers can’t provide legal or medical advice, they can give you a list of English-speaking service providers such as lawyers and translators who may be able to help you.
More information:
Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.
More information:
Kuwait doesn't recognise dual nationality.
If you're a dual citizen, this limits the consular services we can give if you're arrested or detained.
Kuwaiti authorities have confiscated the Australian passports of dual citizens. This doesn't deprive you of your Australian citizenship.
If this happens, contact the Australian Embassy. See Local contacts
More information:
Kuwait is a Muslim country. Respect local traditions, customs and religious beliefs. Dress and behave modestly in public.
The Islamic holiday month of Ramadan is strictly observed in Kuwait. Take care not to offend others.
Avoid eating, drinking and smoking in public and in front of people who are fasting.
Every country or territory decides who can enter or leave through its borders. For specific information about the evidence you'll need to enter a foreign destination, check with the nearest embassy, consulate or immigration department of the destination you're entering.
You'll need a visa to enter Kuwait.
Visas on arrival and e-visas are available for Australian citizens. To obtain a visa on arrival, you need to:
Information and applications for e-visas are available through the Ministry of Interior website.
To apply for employment or residency visas, contact your nearest Embassy of Kuwait.
Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact your nearest Embassy of Kuwait for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.
If you overstay your visa, you'll face a large fine or travel ban. Check the expiry date on your visa.
You may be refused entry into Kuwait if you have an Israeli stamp in your passport.
Contact your airline, travel provider or Kuwaiti diplomatic mission for the latest information on travel restrictions. Follow the Australian Embassy on social media for the latest announcements and updates (see Local contacts). For latest updates, also follow social media messages from:
The northern border between Iraq and Kuwait is closed, and other countries may monitor travellers from Kuwait. Further measures may be introduced at short notice. Follow the instructions of local authorities.
Authorities may prevent you from departing Kuwait if:
Authorities enforce travel bans. They can take months to resolve. Seek the advice of a local lawyer.
If you're applying for an employment or residency visa, you'll need to get supporting documents verified before you arrive. See Local laws
Customs officials use strict screening procedures to detect illegal imports. See Local laws
You may have trouble entering Kuwait if your passport has evidence of travel to Israel. This includes entry or exit stamps.
Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over.
Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.
You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.
The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport.
Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.
Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.
If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:
Kuwait won't issue entry, transit or other visas in Australian emergency passports.
Emergency passports can only be used to exit Kuwait.
Passport with ‘X’ gender identifier
Although Australian passports comply with international standards for sex and gender, we can’t guarantee that a passport showing 'X' in the sex field will be accepted for entry or transit by another country. Contact the nearest embassy, high commission or consulate of your destination before you arrive at the border to confirm if authorities will accept passports with 'X' gender markers.
More information:
The local currency is the Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD).
Declare all local and foreign currency equivalent over KWD3000 when you arrive. This covers all forms of currency, not only cash.
ATMs are widely available. Credit cards are widely accepted.
Some banks and shops won't accept foreign cards. Ask your bank if your cards will work in Kuwait.
Kuwait has unexploded remnants of war, including landmines, in desert areas and on some beaches.
People have been injured after picking up strange metal or plastic objects.
Don't stray from well-travelled roads.
It's illegal and dangerous to travel near the borders with Iraq and Saudi Arabia without authorisation.
Armed guards patrol border areas.
All travel to Iraq is dangerous. Don't go there.
If you travel to Iraq despite our advice, make sure you have correct documents authorising your movements.
Only use authorised road border crossing points into Iraq and Saudi Arabia.
More information:
Kuwait has strict requirements for driver's licences.
If you drive without a valid licence, you could be jailed or deported.
If you're a visitor, you can use a valid International Driving Permit (IDP) instead of a local driver's licence.
Get your IDP before leaving Australia.
If you're a resident in Kuwait, you need to apply for a Kuwaiti licence.
If you plan to drive, get advice from an embassy or consulate-general of Kuwait.
Driving in Kuwait is dangerous.
Road conditions vary.
Driving speeds are very fast in Kuwait compared to Australia. Most drivers pay little attention to other road users. Drivers generally ignore road safety rules.
It's illegal to leave the scene of an accident before police arrive. If you have an accident:
If you don't pay traffic or parking fines on time, authorities may:
Pay any traffic or parking fines as soon as possible.
If you must drive in Kuwait:
More information:
Check if your travel insurance covers you when using a motorbike, quad bike or similar vehicle.
Always wear a helmet.
Only use official taxis and limousines. Book transport from a reliable company. Rideshare apps are common.
Some taxis don't use meters, which can result in disputes over the fare. Some taxis don't accept credit cards.
Agree on the fare and form of payment before setting off.
Public transport exists in Kuwait but is limited to residential areas rather than tourist destinations.
More information:
Many sea areas in the Gulf region are under territorial dispute.
There are reports of vessel inspections, detentions and arrest.
Piracy happens in the Gulf. Read the International Maritime Bureau's piracy reports.
More information:
DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.
Check Kuwait's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.
More information:
Depending on what you need, contact your:
Call 112.
Call 112 or go to a hospital.
Call 112 or visit the nearest police station.
Always get a police report when you report a crime.
Few police officers speak English. If you don't speak Arabic, you may need to find an Arabic speaker to help.
Your insurer should have a 24 hour emergency number.
Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.
For consular assistance, contact the Australian Embassy in Kuwait City.
Dar Al-Awadi Building (12th floor)
Ahmed Al-Jaber Street,
Sharq, Kuwait
Phone: (+965) 2232 2422
Email: consular.kuwaitcity@dfat.gov.au
Fax: (+965) 2232 2430
Website: kuwait.embassy.gov.au
Twitter: @AusAmbKuwait
Facebook: Australian Embassy, Kuwait
Instagram: @AusEmbKuwait
The working week is from Sunday to Thursday.
Check the Embassy website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.
In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:
Be the first to know official government advice when travelling.