Kuwait has officially resumed issuing visas to Pakistani citizens after more than a decade. The visa categories now open include work visas, visit visas, family reunion visas, tourist visas, and commercial visas. This major development restores a vital travel and employment route for thousands of Pakistanis and signals a strengthening of Kuwait-Pakistan bilateral ties.
The Gulf state had imposed a visa ban on Pakistan, Iran, Syria, and Afghanistan in 2011 due to security concerns. The decision to lift the ban, confirmed by Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior and reported in Gulf media on Monday, is expected to create significant economic and employment opportunities for Pakistani nationals.
Visa Approvals Already Underway for Pakistani Citizens
According to Pakistan’s Ambassador to Kuwait, Dr. Zaffar Iqbal, visa approvals for Pakistani nationals have already started this month. As part of the renewed cooperation, 125 Pakistani nurses recently arrived in Kuwait. This is part of a broader recruitment initiative to bring in 1,200 healthcare professionals from Pakistan, reflecting Kuwait’s increasing demand for skilled medical staff.
Work Visas and Job Opportunities in Kuwait for Pakistanis
The reopening of work visa issuance for Pakistanis is particularly significant for the country’s labour market. Thousands of skilled and semi-skilled workers from Pakistan are expected to benefit from new job openings in sectors like healthcare, construction, hospitality, and retail in Kuwait.
Kuwaiti employers are actively recruiting from Pakistan to fill labour gaps, and Pakistani workers are again able to apply for employment visas through official recruitment channels.
New Labour Agreement Between Pakistan and Kuwait
Ambassador Dr. Iqbal also confirmed that Pakistan and Kuwait are in the process of finalizing a new labour memorandum of understanding (MoU). This agreement will make it easier for Pakistani workers to secure jobs in Kuwait through a transparent and coordinated framework. Key provisions of the MoU have already been implemented ahead of its formal signing.
This agreement is expected to improve labour mobility, protect workers’ rights, and boost cooperation in manpower exports between the two countries.
Economic Benefits for Pakistan
A spokesperson from Pakistan’s Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis welcomed Kuwait’s decision, highlighting its potential to boost employment and foreign remittances. Increased access to Gulf jobs means more Pakistani workers will be sending remittances home, which is a critical source of foreign exchange for the national economy.
The reopening of visit, tourist, and family visas is also expected to support people-to-people ties and increase travel between the two nations.
How to Apply for a Kuwait Visa from Pakistan
Pakistani citizens can now apply for Kuwaiti visas through authorized channels. Applicants are advised to use verified recruitment agencies and consult the Embassy of Kuwait in Islamabad or the Embassy of Pakistan in Kuwait for up-to-date guidelines on the visa application process.
Kuwait’s decision to lift its visa ban on Pakistanis is a key turning point for bilateral relations and labour cooperation. It opens the door for thousands of Pakistani workers, tourists, and families to travel to Kuwait legally and safely. With visa processing already underway and a new labour MoU on the horizon, both countries are moving toward deeper economic and diplomatic engagement.
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