Kuwait
Safety and security
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There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.鈥��犅犅�
UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.听
Terrorism in Kuwait聽
Terrorist attacks in Kuwait cannot be ruled out.
Terrorists have threatened to carry out attacks in the Gulf region, including on:聽聽
- residential compounds聽
- restaurants and hotels聽
- 产别补肠丑别蝉听
- shopping centres聽
- 尘辞蝉辩耻别蝉听
- military, oil, transport and aviation interests聽
Stay aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of local authorities.听
Examples of recent significant incidents include:聽
- in 2020, 6 minors were arrested in Kuwait on suspicion of links with ISIS聽
- in 2024, 3 individuals were arrested on suspicion of an alleged ISIS plot against a place of worship聽
- Red Sea military activity聽
Regional escalation
Ongoing hostilities in the region and between Israel and Lebanon could escalate quickly and pose risks for the wider region.
On 1 October, Iran launched around 200 ballistic missiles at Israel. On 26 October Israel carried out military action against Iran.听
Monitor this travel advice and other media as the situation is changing fast. Follow and contact FCDO travel on , and . You can also get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
Read FCDO advice if you鈥檙e affected by a crisis abroad.
Political situation聽聽
Recent developments in the Middle East have heightened tensions in the region. Planned and pre-approved peaceful protests are legal, however these are for Kuwaiti citizens only. 聽
There have also been minor, isolated cases of vandalism aimed at some international companies, or calls for them to be boycotted.听聽
Be mindful of local sensitivities on these issues, stay away from demonstrations or developing crowds and follow the advice of the local authorities.
颁谤颈尘别听
Violent crime against foreigners is rare. However, take care if you plan to travel to Jahra or Jleeb Al Shuyoukh, where there have been incidents of robberies, petty theft and road rage.听
Border crossings聽聽
It is illegal and dangerous to go near Kuwait鈥檚 borders without authorisation. Armed guards regularly patrol these areas.听聽
Kuwait-Saudi Arabia border聽
It is easy to miss the border posts between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. You must only use an authorised land border crossing and make sure to get an exit or entry stamp before you continue your journey.听
Kuwait-Iraq border聽
If you plan to cross the border from Kuwait into Iraq, make sure you have the correct paperwork. See the website for more information.听
Landmines and unexploded weapons聽
There are landmines and other unexploded weapons in Kuwait.听聽
You should:聽
- avoid off-road driving聽
- stay on clearly marked identifiable tracks if you travel off-road聽
- take great care even if an area has been officially cleared聽
- not pick up metal, plastic or other objects聽
Laws and cultural differences聽聽
Kuwait is a Muslim country. Always respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions. Make sure your actions do not offend other cultures or religious beliefs, especially during the holy month of Ramadan or if you visit religious areas.听聽
Personal ID聽
As a visiting foreign national, you must always carry your passport. If you are resident in Kuwait, you must always carry your Kuwaiti civil identification card.听聽
Keep copies of your passport photo page and your visa or entry stamp in a separate place.听
Ramadan 聽
Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims. The dates vary by year and country. During this time, do not:聽聽
- eat, drink, smoke or chew gum in public in the daytime, including in your car聽聽
- play loud music or dance聽聽
- swear in public聽聽
Get more advice when you arrive from your tour guide, hotel or business contacts.听聽
You should also:聽聽
- check opening hours of shops and restaurants聽聽
- be aware that if hotels and restaurants are providing food or drink in fasting hours, they may separate you from Islamic guests, for example with screens聽聽
- follow local dress codes 鈥� clothing that does not meet local dress codes may cause more offence at this time聽聽
- be aware that driving may be erratic, particularly when people are trying to get home at dusk聽聽
- be patient and show tolerance聽
Dress code聽
Dress and behave modestly in public, particularly in downtown or conservative areas. Women should avoid wearing shorts or tight-fitting or revealing clothing.
Do not expose body piercings or tattoos that may be perceived as extreme or offensive 鈥� for example, you could be accused of violating religious sanctity for a tattoo of verse from the holy Quran in Arabic.
Relationships outside of marriage聽
It is illegal for an unmarried couple to live together in the same house or stay in the same hotel room. You will 聽be asked to provide a marriage certificate if sharing a hotel room. 聽
Public behaviour聽聽
It鈥檚 illegal to insult or humiliate any person verbally or through obscene gestures in a public place, including a police officer, public official or private individual. Police may arrest you and conviction may lead to prosecution, imprisonment, or immediate deportation.听
It is frowned on for men and women to show affection in public.听
Alcohol laws聽
Buying, selling or carrying alcohol and drunken behaviour in public is punishable by a fine or imprisonment and can result in deportation.听
Illegal drugs penalties聽聽
Penalties for drug trafficking include the death sentence. Possession or use of illegal drugs can lead to a prison sentence of between 5 and 10 years, and a heavy fine. Bail is not usually given and even if found not guilty, you can expect to spend several months in detention while the case progresses through the judicial system.听
Using cameras in secure areas聽
It is illegal to photograph or take videos of:聽
- government buildings聽聽
- military buildings聽
- industrial buildings or oil-related infrastructure 聽
- other restricted areas such as borders and oil fields聽
- record people without their knowledge or consent聽
Unpaid fines and bills聽聽
All foreign nationals must pay traffic fines, phone bills and utility bills before they leave Kuwait. The Kuwaiti authorities may:聽聽
- stop you from leaving the country聽
- arrest you, or send you to prison聽
- fine you聽
- deport you, and not allow you to return to Kuwait聽
- refuse renewal of your residency card or re-entry visa聽聽
Financial crimes聽
Bouncing cheques is illegal and the law does not provide for offenders to be released from custody on bail. 聽
Commercial disputes聽
If you鈥檙e involved in a commercial dispute with a Kuwaiti company or individual, the Kuwaiti authorities may prevent you from leaving the country until it is resolved.听聽
LGBT+ travellers聽
Same-sex activity is illegal.听
Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.听
Transport risks聽聽
Road travel聽聽
If you are planning to drive in Kuwait, see information on driving abroad. 聽
If you have a visit visa, you can drive in Kuwait using a UK photocard driving licence. If you still have a paper driving licence, you may need to update it to a photocard licence or get the correct version of the international driving permit (IDP) as well.听聽
There is also guidance on driving if you live in Kuwait.听
Car insurance聽
You must get third-party insurance in Kuwait before you drive.听聽
If you hire a car, you can usually get insurance through the hire company. If you drive a relative or friend鈥檚 car, you鈥檙e responsible for getting insurance. You must always keep the insurance document with you while driving.听
Car accidents聽聽
If you have a major accident, where there are serious injuries or a vehicle is not drivable: 聽
- stay with your vehicle if it is safe to do so聽
- call the police on 112聽
- do not move the vehicle before the police arrive聽
If you have a minor accident, where there are no serious injuries:聽
- take pictures of vehicle damage if it is safe to do so聽
- record licence plate numbers of vehicles involved聽
- move your vehicle to avoid blocking traffic if it is drivable - you can get a fine if you do not do this聽
- call the police on 112 and follow their instructions聽
Drink-driving 聽聽
Drink-driving is a serious offence in Kuwait. If you are tested and found to have any alcohol in your system, you may get a fine, imprisonment, or deportation and the withdrawal of your driving licence.听
Driving conditions聽
Driving conditions are hazardous. Many drivers pay little attention to other road users and may:聽聽
- drive faster than speed limits聽
- switch lanes without warning聽
- ignore traffic lights聽
- use mobile phones while driving聽
Sea travel聽
Many areas of the Gulf are highly sensitive, including near:聽聽
- maritime boundaries聽
- Bubiyan and Warbah, northern Gulf islands聽
- Abu Musa and the Tunbs, southern Gulf islands聽
The area of the northern Gulf between Iran, Iraq and Kuwait has not been demarcated, and vessels entering this area have been detained and inspected. There have been occasional arrests. Make careful enquiries before entering these waters or visiting ports.听
Take extra care when sailing in Kuwaiti waters 鈥� regional tensions may affect your planned route. There may be an increased risk of attack on vessels in the Gulf of Oman, North Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden and Bab El Mandeb regions.听
Take care when travelling by dhow, as the safety of these sailing vessels may not be up to UK standards. Make sure life jackets are available.听