23 March 2021
There's a ban on overseas travel from Australia. You can’t leave Australia unless you have an exemption from the Department of Home Affairs, or are travelling to a destination that is exempt from the ban.
Our global travel advice remains at 'Do not travel' due to the health risks from the COVID-19 pandemic and the significant disruptions to global travel. Some destinations were already set at Do Not Travel prior to COVID-19 due to the extreme risk to your safety.
If you’re overseas and wish to return to Australia, be prepared for delays and read our advice on trying to get home.
When you arrive in Australia you must quarantine for 14 days at designated facilities in your port of arrival, unless you have an exemption or are travelling on a quarantine-free flight from a green zone destination. At this time, vaccination against COVID-19 does not change this quarantine requirement. You may be required to pay for the costs of your quarantine. View State and Territory Government COVID-19 information for information about quarantine and domestic borders.
If you're staying overseas, make plans to stay for an extended period. Follow the advice of local authorities and minimise your risk of exposure to COVID-19. Stay in touch with family and friends so they know you're safe.
Our network of embassies and consular posts around the world will provide you with up-to-date local advice and support throughout this difficult period. Be aware consular services may be limited due to local measures.
For the latest information, read and subscribe to our news and travel advice. Also see our COVID-19 information pages.
Call 112.
Call 112 or go to a hospital.
Call 112 or visit the nearest police station
Do not travel to Kuwait.
Do not travel overseas due to the health risks from the COVID-19 pandemic and the significant disruptions to global travel.
Full travel advice: Safety
Full travel advice: Health
Full travel advice: Local laws
Full travel advice: Travel
Full travel advice: Local contacts
Terrorist attacks are possible.
Terrorist groups have called for attacks against Western interests in the Gulf region. These include:
Regional extremist groups in the region can carry out trans-national attacks.
Places where Westerners gather are possible targets.
Targets may include:
When visiting Kuwait:
If there's an attack, leave the area as soon as it's safe. Avoid the affected area in case of secondary attacks.
Terrorism is a threat worldwide.
More information:
The security situation in the region remains unpredictable and could deteriorate with little or no warning.
Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.
Demonstrations sometimes happen. Protesters and security forces have clashed.
The situation is currently stable. However, political events may lead to future protests.
In the past, stateless people known as 'Bidoons' have protested to demand Kuwaiti citizenship.
Protests generally take place on Fridays. They are usually in the Jahra area outside of Kuwait City.
Security forces have used water cannons and tear gas to break up the protests.
Avoid all protests, demonstrations and large public gatherings.
Take extra care during the period around Friday prayers.
Be especially alert in:
During period of unrest:
Contact your airline, travel agent or insurer for help if it disrupts transport.
More information:
The crime rate is low but on the rise.
Women have reported being physically and verbally harassed.
Take care if you intend to travel to conservative areas. In Jahra, attackers use firearms in confrontations. There have been robberies in Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh.
To protect yourself from crime:
Sand and dust storms occur regularly.
It's often extremely hot. In the hottest months, June, July and August, the temperature is often above 50°C.
Flooding can happen, usually between December and January.
If there's a natural disaster or severe weather:
Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave. A ban on overseas travel from Australia remains in place. You can’t leave Australia unless you get an exemption from the Department of Home Affairs.
Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for 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 1000s 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. Consider whether you may be in a vulnerable category for COVID-19.
See your doctor or travel clinic to:
Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.
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:
COVID-19 remains a risk in Kuwait. See Travel for details.
For information on Kuwait's COVID−19 vaccination program, refer to the Kuwait Ministry of Health website (only accessible within Kuwait). You should consult your local health professional for advice on vaccine options, including assistance that may be available locally. The Australian Government cannot provide advice on the safety, quality and efficacy of vaccines that have been approved for use outside of Australia's regulatory process.
More information:
Cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) are reported in:
Other countries outside the Middle East have also reported new cases from returned travellers.
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 spoke to hazardous levels in the winter months, October to February. It can increase the risk of breathing problems.
Severe pollution can cause:
People who have pre-existing medical conditions, particularly heart and lung conditions, may be especially affected. If you are concerned:
More information:
The standard of medical facilities in Kuwait varies. Some offer high-quality services. Others are only suitable for routine procedures.
Some hospitals don't accept foreigners.
Private healthcare facilities generally require payment before treatment. Some treatments may not be available for foreigners.
If you need a complex procedure or become seriously ill, you'll 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.
Ask your family, friend or colleague to inform the Embassy as soon as possible.
Penalties for drug offences, including possession, are severe. They can include the death penalty.
More information:
Australian and Kuwaiti laws are very different. This includes laws about:
Some offences that aren't serious in Australia are extremely serious in Kuwait. This includes:
writing a cheque without enough funds in your account
not paying your bills
We can't interfere in commercial and family disputes.
If you're involved in local legal matters:
seek professional advice
understand your rights and what you must do under Kuwaiti law
This is particularly the case for family law matters, including:
Kuwaiti authorities require that documents issued in Australia are both:
authenticated by DFAT before you leave Australia
authenticated by officials at the Australian Embassy in Kuwait
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:
It's also illegal to take photos of:
If you're part of a couple, it's illegal to stay in a hotel room unless you're married. If you stay at a hotel together, hotel staff will ask you for a marriage certificate.
Public displays of affection are illegal.
Same-sex relationships are also illegal.
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:
Dual nationality isn't recognised by Kuwait.
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:
Dress and behave modestly in public.
Women wearing shorts or tight-fitting clothing may attract unwanted attention. Take care in conservative areas like Jahra and Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh.
The Islamic holiday month of Ramadan will be from late April to late May in 2020. Respect religious and cultural customs and laws at this time.
Avoid eating, drinking and smoking in public and in front of people who are fasting.
You'll need a visa to enter Kuwait.
You can get a visitor visa on arrival. It will be valid for three months from the date of entry. Pay for your visa in cash using Kuwaiti dinars.
Get tourist, business and work visas online through the Kuwait e-Visa website. You'll need to pay in cash when you arrive at Kuwait International Airport.
For employment or residency visas, contact an embassy of Kuwait.
Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact an 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.
Due to COVID-19, enhanced health screening, quarantine and other social restrictions are in place in Kuwait.
Visit visas remain suspended.
Foreigners with a valid residency visa can enter Kuwait from 1 August 2021. Strict conditions apply.
There's limited commercial flights from Kuwait to Australia via Doha, Dubai and other transit hubs. 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, follow social media messages from:
Land and sea borders are open between 9am and 3pm.
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.
Non-Kuwaiti residents who exited Kuwait on or before 31 August 2019 aren't permitted to enter Kuwait. Even if in possession of a valid residency visa.
Additional restrictions on public gatherings and commercial activity are in place.
If, despite our advice, you choose to stay in Kuwait:
Authorities could issue you with a travel ban if:
Authorities strongly enforce travel bans. They may take months to resolve.
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.
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.
Kuwait has plenty of ATMs. 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 is dangerous.
You're 3 times more likely to die in a car accident in Kuwait than in Australia.
Road conditions vary.
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.
Some taxis don't use meters, which can result in disputes over the fare.
Agree on the fare before setting off.
Kuwait has a good network of public and private buses.
These routes cover 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.
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.
Contact your provider with any complaints about a tourist service or product.
Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.
For consular help, contact the Australian Embassy in Kuwait City.
Dar Al-Awadi Building (12th floor)
Ahmed Al-Jaber Street,
Sharq, Kuwait
Phone: (+965) 2232 2422
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.