Kuwait has officially lifted a 19-year ban on visas for Pakistani citizens, resuming the issuance of work, family, visit, tourist, and business visas, according to a statement by the Government of Pakistan on X.

 

 

The restrictions were originally imposed in 2011, when Kuwait stopped issuing visas to nationals of Pakistan, Iran, Syria, and Afghanistan, citing security concerns in those countries. Over the years, Pakistan made several attempts to lift the ban, including an appeal by then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during his 2017 visit to Kuwait.

 

 

In a post shared on Tuesday, the Government of Pakistan called the development a “significant diplomatic success” and stated that it would strengthen bilateral cooperation. The statement also noted that the policy shift would encourage people-to-people connections, create job opportunities, and deepen economic ties.

 

 

Pakistan’s Ambassador to Kuwait, Dr. Zaffar Iqbal, confirmed the development, stating that members of the Pakistani community in Kuwait had started receiving visa approvals. He also mentioned that both countries were nearing finalising a new labour memorandum of understanding to aid workforce mobility and formal collaboration on labour-related matters.

 

 

This is not the first time Kuwait has eased restrictions. In 2021, it partially resumed visa issuance, allowing Pakistani businessmen and their families to enter. At that time, it was also agreed that skilled professionals, particularly in the medical and oil sectors, could obtain specialised work permits.

 

 

Diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Kuwait were officially established in 1963. Since then, the two countries have engaged through various regional and international platforms, including the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. According to Kuwaiti government estimates, approximately 95,000 Pakistanis currently reside in the Gulf state.