Living in Kuwait
Source: gov.uk (2025-02-11)

Official information British people moving to and living in Kuwait need to know, including residency, healthcare and driving.

Before you go

See our travel advice for Kuwait (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/kuwait) for up-to-date information on local laws and customs, safety and emergencies.

See moving or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/moving-or-retiring-abroad).

Emergencies

Kuwait uses the emergency number 112.

If you need urgent help, contact the British Embassy Kuwait (https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-kuwait).

Local laws and customs

Kuwaiti laws and customs are very different from the UK – breaking the law can result in severe punishment, including the death penalty.

See local laws and customs (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/kuwait/local-laws-and-customs) in our travel advice for Kuwait.

Visas and residency

Starting 10th March 2019, the Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior implemented a new system of residences regarding the cancellation of the residence permit printed on the passport for all categories/types. The Kuwaiti ports will allow the civil ID card holder to enter Kuwait, the normal residence data will be confirmed by the civil identity card.

As per Article 22 (Family/Dependent visa):
- in Kuwait, the father is typically the primary sponsor for his spouse and children. To qualify as a sponsor, the father must earn a minimum of 800 Kuwaiti dinars per month, hold a university degree, and work in a profession that aligns with his qualifications
- sponsorship by mothers: mothers can sponsor their children on dependent or family visas if their salary meets the KD 800 cap as mentioned on the work permit. This provision applies in cases where the husband is deceased, divorced, or has permanently left the country, leaving his family behind
See entry requirements for Kuwait (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/kuwait/entry-requirements) in our travel advice.

Usually when applying for residency, you will need a UK criminal records check (https://www.gov.uk/dbs-check-applicant-criminal-record) (known as a DBS check). To use your criminal records check in Kuwait, it should be notarised in UK, legalised at FCDO UK and attested at Kuwait embassy in London, before it reaches Kuwait. Find more information on how to legalise a document (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/documents-for-british-people-abroad).

Healthcare

See our travel advice for Kuwait (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/kuwait/health).

Kuwait and the UK do not have reciprocal healthcare agreements. You should buy comprehensive travel and medical insurance (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/foreign-travel-insurance) before you enter the country.

You should also make sure you’re covered by health insurance for UK treatment or you’ll be charged by the NHS for any care you receive in the UK. The NHS (https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/apply-for-a-free-uk-global-health-insurance-card-ghic/) has information for people moving abroad.

See Kuwait government hospitals (https://www.e.gov.kw/sites/kgoenglish/Pages/Visitors/TourismInKuwait/EssintialServicesHospitals.aspx). If you use a private hospital, make sure you have comprehensive medical insurance.

You will need your Kuwaiti civil ID (or your passport if you’re on a visitor visa) to access healthcare.

You should check your prescriptions are legal (https://www.gov.uk/travelling-controlled-drugs) in Kuwait – you may need to get permission from Kuwaiti authorities to bring your medicine into the country.

You should also carry a doctor’s note for any prescription medicine.

Working in Kuwait

Your employer needs to apply for a work visa (iqama) (https://kuwaitvisa.com/visa-types/#work) – you can be jailed if you work without the proper visa.

Some jobs may require a UK criminal records check (https://www.gov.uk/dbs-check-applicant-criminal-record) (known as a DBS check). To use your criminal records check in Kuwait, it should be notarised in UK, legalised at FCDO, UK and attested at Kuwait embassy in London, before it reaches Kuwait. Find more information on how to legalise a document (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/documents-for-british-people-abroad).

Tax

See tax if you leave the UK to live abroad (https://www.gov.uk/tax-right-retire-abroad-return-to-uk) and tax on your UK income if you live abroad (https://www.gov.uk/tax-uk-income-live-abroad/taxed-twice).

There is no income tax on salaries or wages paid in Kuwait – we recommend you get professional advice on paying tax in Kuwait.

You may be able to pay National Insurance while abroad (https://www.gov.uk/national-insurance-if-you-go-abroad) in order to protect your State Pension and entitlement to other benefits and allowances.

Pensions

See State Pension if you retire abroad (https://www.gov.uk/state-pension-if-you-retire-abroad) and new State Pension (https://www.gov.uk/new-state-pension).

Life certificates for UK state pensions

If you get a ‘life certificate’ from the UK Pension Service (https://www.gov.uk/state-pension-if-you-retire-abroad/report-a-change-in-your-circumstances), you need to respond as soon as possible – your payments may be suspended if you don’t.

Benefits

See claiming benefits if you live, move or travel abroad (https://www.gov.uk/claim-benefits-abroad).

Find out which UK benefits you might be able to get while you’re abroad (https://www.gov.uk/uk-benefits-abroad) and how to claim them.

Many income-related benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit can’t be paid if you’re abroad for more than 4 weeks.

Driving in Kuwait

If you’re applying to live in Kuwait (that is you have a residence permit – Civil ID), you should not drive unless you have a Kuwaiti driving licence. In this case, you should apply for a Kuwaiti driving licence after you receive your residency permit. You may like to confirm eligibility requirements for a Kuwaiti driving licence with the nearest Kuwaiti Embassy before you arrive. Your eligibility to obtain a Kuwaiti licence may be affected by your residency or employment category, annual salary, degree certificate and time spent in Kuwait.