Last updated: 24 Oct 2025
Kuwait
About
| The capital, Kuwait City, is a bustling metropolis full of high-rise buildings and luxury hotels. Yet the country is also host to elaborate and opulent mosques and palaces, and its religion is an integral part of its affairs. The Kuwait National Museum was also stripped of many artefacts – part of it has been renovated and is now open to the public. The Sadu House, near the museum, is made of coral and gypsum and is used as a cultural museum to protect the arts and crafts of Bedouin society. A port with many old dhows, Failakai Island can be reached by regular ferry services. There are also some Bronze Age and Greek archaeological sites well worth viewing, including the island’s Greek temple. Sailing and scuba-diving are available. Powerboating is a Kuwaiti passion. Horse riding clubs flourish in the winter. |
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| Capital: | Kuwait City (KWI) |
| Currency: | Kuwait Dinar (KWD) |
| Language: | Arabic. English is widely spoken. |
| Dialling code from SA: | + 965 |
| Time Zones: | UTC / GMT +3 (1 hour ahead of South Africa) |
| Side of the Road: | Right. |
| Best Time to go: | Spring (February to April) is cool and pleasant |
| Best For: | Archaeological Sites |
| Plugs: | 240 volts AC, 50Hz. European-style round two-pin and British-style square three-pin plugs are both used. |
| Drinking Water: | Mains water in hotels and towns is safe to drink, however travellers usually prefer bottled water. |
| Health: | There are adequate and well-equipped medical facilities, however visitors are required to pay for these services. Comprehensive health insurance is recommended and it should include emergency air evacuation coverage. |
| Customs: | As a predominately Islamic country, dress should always be conservative: women should keep their upper arms, shoulders and legs covered and avoid tight fitting clothing. Swimwear should be reserved for the beach / poolside. Weekends are Thursday and Fridays, although this may change to Fridays and Saturdays in the near future. Religious customs should be respected at all times, and care should be taken not to offend. During the month of Ramadan, eating, drinking and smoking during daylight hours should be discreet as it is forbidden by the Muslim culture. |
| Local Offences / Laws: | Taking pictures of government and public buildings, economic infrastructure and military installations, particularly those related to oil industry, is against law and can lead to arrest, investigation and prosecution. It is illegal to import alcohol into Kuwait. Penalties for trafficking drugs and alcohol can be severe, including death sentence. Possession of drugs can also lead to heavy prison sentences. Drunken behaviour is a prisonable offence and can lead to deportation. Unmarried couples are not allowed to cohabitate. Public displays of affection between heterosexual and homosexual couples is illegal. Homosexuality is illegal. Identification should be carried at all times. Humiliating and insulting people is a punishable crime. Proselytizing is only legal for Muslims. |
| Travel Tips / Warnings: | Women travelling alone may have problems entering and leaving the country, staying in hotels and getting around – check with the Kuwait embassy before finalising travelling plans. There is a low threat of terrorist attacks. Check the local political situation before travelling. Avoid political protests. If photographing public scenes or persons, visitors should seek permission beforehand, so as to not cause offense, else, it could lead to an official complaint to the authorities. Driving in Kuwait is hazardous. |
| Duty Free: | The following goods may be imported into Kuwait without incurring customs duty: • 500 cigarettes or 900g of tobacco |
| Prohibited Imports: | Alcohol, drugs, certain animal products (such as pork, bacon and pig skin), unsealed milk products, unsealed salty fish, unsealed olives and pickles, food prepared abroad, fresh vegetables, shellfish and its products, fresh figs and mineral water. Videos, DVDs and books are subject to censorship depending on the content. Penalties for attempting to smuggle restricted items are severe. |
Issuing Authorities
Embassy of Kuwait,
890 Arcadia Street, Pretoria 0083
Tel: (012) 342-0877
Fax: (012) 3420876
E-mail:info@kuwaitembassy.co.za
Web: www.kuwaitembassy.co.za
Public Holidays 2025: Jan 1, 27; Feb 25-26; Mar 31; Apr 1-2; Jun 6-9, 27; Sep 5
Public Holidays 2026: Jan 1, 16; Feb 25-26; Mar 20-22; May 26-29; Jun 17; Aug 26
Visa Requirements
Visas are required by SA passport holders.
Tourist Visas:
- A Visit Visa be obtained through different hotels / tour operators in Kuwait. The traveller must provide the required documents as requested.
Business Visas:
- The host Company should have a copy of the visitor’s passport and they should send their representative to the Kuwait emigration department following the procedures of the department to request a visa. Once obtained (this is an electronic version), the visa can be sent by the host to the client either by email or a couriered hard copy. The traveller can travel with this copy.
SA Representative
SA Embassy, Salwa Block 10, Street 1, House 91,
Villa 3 & 4, Kuwait City, Kuwait
Tel: (00965) 2561 7988 Fax: (00965) 2561 7917
E-mail: kekaem@dirco.gov.za
Travel Health
| Compulsory: | None |
| Recommended Travel Vaccines: | Hepatitis A & B, Tetanus, Polio |
