Kuwait Lifts 19-Year Visa Ban on Pakistan

Introduction Of Kuwait

In a major diplomatic development, Kuwait has officially lifted its 19-year visa ban on Pakistani nationals, resuming the issuance of various visa categories, including work, family, tourist, business, and visit visas.

The original restrictions were put in place in 2011, citing regional security concerns that also affected visa access for citizens of Iran, Syria, and Afghanistan. Over the years, Pakistan made several diplomatic efforts to have the ban reversed. In 2017, then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif personally raised the issue during an official visit to Kuwait, advocating for the restoration of visas.

Progress was first seen in 2021, when It began issuing visas once again for Pakistani families and businesspeople. Technical visas were also granted for professionals in sectors like healthcare and the oil industry.

Now, in 2025, the full resumption of visas marks a new chapter in Kuwait–Pakistan relations. The government of Pakistan shared the news via a post on X, calling it a “major diplomatic achievement and a step towards deeper bilateral cooperation.”

Pakistan’s Ambassador to Kuwait, Dr. Zaffar Iqbal, confirmed that visa approvals have already begun rolling in for members of the Pakistani community. He also revealed that both countries are in the final stages of signing a new labor agreement that could further expand employment opportunities for Pakistanis in It.

Diplomatic ties between the two nations go back to 1963. Since then, It and Pakistan have enjoyed a strong and friendly relationship, often collaborating at global platforms like the United Nations, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

According to Kuwaiti government estimates, around 95,000 Pakistani nationals currently live and work in the country—a number that’s likely to grow with the lifting of the visa restrictions.

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