Student Visa in Kuwait – Cost, Popular Courses, Requirements

Are you looking to receive a student visa in Kuwait? Kuwait is a Middle Eastern country that borders Saudi Arabia. Kuwait has a strong higher education system with 11 universities which include public, private, and international institutions.

Kuwait is becoming a more popular choice for overseas students due to the high placement rate and broad acceptance of its degrees. In the field of healthcare, it is a location that is becoming more and more significant. 

Kuwait is home to a large population of foreign nationals, and foreign students can study there thanks to several scholarships.

With a population of less than 5 million and a high percentage of foreign residents, Kuwait boasts a hot temperature. The majority of its citizens reside in Kuwait City, the country’s capital and largest urban center. 

It is one of the richest nations in the world despite being reliant on the petroleum industry. The government has made healthcare, research, and technology its top priorities. 

As a result, foreign students studying in Kuwait have excellent career prospects thanks to the increasing investment in these fields.

Key Takeaways:

• Kuwait is a popular choice for most students who wish to pursue higher education. 
• There are various benefits of studying in Kuwait which range from safety to low cost of living.
• There are 11 higher education institutions in Kuwait. They could be public universities, private universities, or technical and vocational colleges. 
• There are various types of studies in Kuwait which are certificate programs, undergraduate programs, and more. 
• Some of the most popular courses in Kuwait are dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, computer science, and education among others. 
• The cost of living in Kuwait is quite affordable when compared to other universities across the globe for most international students. 
• The student visa requirements for Kuwait include submitting an international passport, photographs, etc. 
• The duration of a Kuwait visa depends on what type of visa it is. 

Benefits of studying in Kuwait:

Kuwait is highly ranked for both inhabitants and students on several significant indices. Among the highlights are:

• According to the Globe Population Review, the nation is placed #39 in the globe among the “Safest Countries in the World.”
• Based on GDP per capita (PPP), the nation is ranked #34 in the world.
• In the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business report, the nation is placed #83 in the world.

What is the higher education framework in Kuwait?

There are 11 higher education institutions on the list of Universities in Kuwait. There are three types:

1. Public University: 

With around 20,000 students, Kuwait University (KU) is the biggest HEI in the nation. With multiple scientific innovation centers located on the new KU City campus, it is supported by a sizable educational ecosystem. However, these universities have mandated the submission of IELTS scores for International students as a part of eligibility requirements.

2. Private University: 

There are nine private university branches of foreign higher education institutions in the nation. These include local branches of some of the most renowned law and business schools in the world, which award degrees identical to those awarded in their home countries. 

Among the most prestigious of these are the Australian College of Kuwait, Kuwait Maastricht Business School, and an Algonquin College branch.

3. Technical and vocational college: 

Professionals hoping to enter the industrial sector of the nation’s economy can choose from a variety of short- and long-term qualifications offered by Kuwait Technical College.

Types of studies in Kuwait:

1. Certificate programs:

In Kuwaiti HEIs, there are two kinds of certificate programs. For courses lasting three to six months, short-term certificates are given out. For instance, non-native speakers of Arabic can enroll in certificate programs offered by Kuwait University. 

For residents who want to start working as soon as they graduate from high school, the Technical College provides long-term (1-3 years) professional certificate programs in industrial and mechanical engineering.

2. Undergraduate programs:

In Kuwait, the majority of undergraduate bachelor’s degree programs require four years to finish. The majority of students use the exchange program to finish one or more semesters at the parent university because the majority of Kuwaiti universities are local branches of outside universities. 

There is no set time frame; students can graduate and become eligible for the Bachelor’s degree after completing the required amount of credit hours.

3. Postgraduate programs:

Kuwait is a popular choice for overseas students because of the many graduate programs offered by its universities, many of which use English as the primary language of instruction. 

STEM degrees in computer science and engineering, as well as business-related degree programs like the MBA and Master of Economics and Accounting, are examples of popular specializations. 

Certain courses, like the MBA, are available both full-time and part-time.

4. Doctoral programs:

Kuwaiti universities have strict guidelines that must be followed before they may offer their prestigious PhD degrees. 

For instance, each student at Kuwait University is assigned an academic supervisor during their first semester, and a comprehensive study plan covering coursework in the first 2-3 semesters and research is established. 

Most students publish one or more journal papers summarizing their research effort at the end of their degree program. To be awarded a doctorate, one must complete the PhD defense.

What are the popular courses in Kuwait?

This country has various universities which offer approximately all the disciplines of study. Some of the most popular courses taken up by international students in Kuwait are:

Dentistry	Nursing	Pharmacy
Computer Science	Education	Marketing
Business Management	Information Technology	Sociology
Petroleum Engineering	Chemical Engineering	Arabic Language
Graphic Design	Public Relations	English Literature

What are the average monthly expenses in Kuwait for international students?

The cost of tuition at Kuwaiti universities varies depending on the institution and degree level. Undergraduate science and technology studies, for instance, cost between 3,500 and 7,000 Kuwaiti Dinars (KD) a year, or more than INR 1,000,000. The significantly higher MBA tuition costs are a reflection of the high national average cost of living.

The monthly cost of housing might vary from 100 to 500 KD, or INR 27,000 to 135,000, based on the student’s preference for private homes or the university’s assigned dorms. 

A few hundred KD should also be set aside by students each month for personal expenses, transportation, and food. As a result, monthly costs for international students in Kuwait are comparable to those in any city in Europe.

What are the types of visas in Kuwait?

There are various types of Kuwait visas, they are:

• Kuwait Work Visa
• Kuwait Business Visa
• Kuwait Study Visa
• Kuwait Visitor Visa
• Kuwait Family Visa
• Kuwait Settlement Visa
• Kuwait Transit Visa
• Kuwait Permanent Residence Visa
• Kuwait Temporary Residence Visa

There are plenty of work prospects in Kuwait, particularly in the oil exploration industry. In addition to job opportunities, you can travel to Kuwait for tourism. 

Therefore, you must be certain of your purpose for visiting Kuwait before applying. The procedures you follow to apply for a visa to Kuwait will depend on the type of visa you need.

What are the student visa requirements for Kuwait?

Applicants for long-term Kuwait Student Visas should submit the following documents at the nearest Embassy or High Consulate to achieve a Kuwait student visa. The required documents are:

1. An international passport that is valid for at least two years from the date of application. 
2. A filled-up application form should be obtained from the nearest Kuwaiti Embassy. 
3. One passport-size photograph
4. A proof of clean bill of health against infectious diseases especially HIV.
5. Applicants should submit a health certificate issued by a registered medical practitioner. 
6. Applicants should also submit a clean criminal record guarantee which should be issued by the local police or security authorities.
7. The visa fees should be paid by cash at the Embassy or money order. 

Types of Work Visa for Kuwait:

1. Kuwaiti Contract Work Visa:

For people looking for work in Kuwait, the Kuwaiti Contract Work Visa is a crucial choice because of its three-year maximum validity. 

This particular sort of visa is intended for people who have obtained a contract job in Kuwait; to be eligible, the applicant must provide the Kuwaiti immigration authorities with a legitimate contract of employment.

2. General work visa for Kuwait:

In addition to having a one-year validity period, the General Work Visa for Kuwait requires applicants to apply for a residence visa. Throughout the job, this permit is required to live legally in Kuwait.

3. Kuwaiti residence visa:

The Kuwaiti Residence Visa is necessary for both extended visits to Kuwait and employment-related travel, and it is intended for people who wish to live permanently in Kuwait. 

The normal validity of this Kuwaiti visa is one year, however it is renewable. Applicants must show proof of consistent income, health insurance, and a legitimate purpose for remaining in the nation such as job or family reunification to be considered.​

4. Work visas for students in Kuwait:

Foreign students who want to continue their studies in Kuwaiti universities or colleges are the target audience for the student visa. This visa’s duration corresponds with the length of the academic program in which the student is enrolled. 

Applicants must have been accepted into a Kuwaiti educational institution to be eligible. As part of the paperwork needed to apply for a visa, students must also provide academic transcripts, proof of income to maintain their stay, and a health clearance.​

Eligibility criteria for Kuwait visa:

The eligibility criteria for a Kuwait visa depend on the type of visa. However, the general eligibility criteria for obtaining a Kuwait visa are:

1. Determine the type of visa needed: Kuwait offers various types of visas which include tourist visas, business visas, family visit visas, and student visas. 

2. Check your passport: Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry into Kuwait. Additionally, your passport must have at least one blank page for the visa stamp.

3. Complete the application: The visa application form, which you can get online or from the Kuwaiti Embassy or Consulate in your nation, must be filled out.

4. Collect the necessary paperwork: Depending on the kind of visa you are applying for, the paperwork you must provide with your application may include a passport-sized photo, a copy of your passport, a travel itinerary, evidence of lodging, proof of income, and other supporting documents.

5. Pay the visa fee: When submitting your application, you will be required to pay the visa fee. Depending on the kind of visa you’re seeking, the cost may change.

6. Applying in person: You can apply in person for a visa at the Kuwaiti Embassy or Consulate in your nation, or you can apply online via the e-Visa system.

7. Await processing: The length of time it takes to complete a Kuwaiti visa application depends on the kind of visa you are requesting. A Kuwait visa normally takes five to seven business days to process.

8. Obtain your visa: Should your application be granted, you will either be issued an electronic visa that you may print off and bring with you to Kuwait or a stamp placed on your passport.

9. Applying in person: You can apply in person for a visa at the Kuwaiti Embassy or Consulate in your nation, or you can apply online via the e-Visa system.

10. Await processing: The length of time it takes to complete a Kuwaiti visa application depends on the kind of visa you are requesting. A Kuwait visa normally takes five to seven business days to process.

11. Obtain your visa: Should your application be granted, you will either be issued an electronic visa that you may print off and bring with you to Kuwait or a stamp placed on your passport.

Kuwait visa processing fees:

Type of visas	Visa fee in KWD
Student Visa (S) Valid for the duration of the course or 5 years, whichever is less/Multiple Entry	25
Medical (Med) and Medical Attendant (Med X) Visa up to 6 months/Single/Multiple	25
Medical (Med) and Medical Attendant (Med X) Visa up to 1 year/Single/Multiple	37
Student Visa Up to 5 years (Multiple entry)	69
Medical visa Up to 1 year (Multiple/Entry)	39
Student Visa (1 year) (For institutions covered by bilateral arrangement)	13.000
Student Visa (more than 1 year) (For institutions covered by bilateral arrangement)	25.000
Student Visa (For institutions not covered by bilateral arrangement)	25.000

What is the duration of a Kuwait visa?

You can enter Kuwait and remain for a maximum of three months if you have a valid visa. The validity period is thirty days from the date of issuance. You may enter Kuwait once and stay for up to 90 days during those 30 days using the visa.

Even if your 90 days are still left, you cannot return with the same visa after you go. You must submit a new visa application.

There will be a fee of KD 10 or about USD 30 every day if you overstay. Until you pay the whole amount, you won’t be permitted to exit the nation.

What should you do if your student Kuwait visa gets denied?

You have the choice to reapply if your initial visa application was denied. Many students who had their first visa application rejected are now granted a student visa in Kuwait a second time. You need to determine the possible causes of the rejection and address them.

You can inquire about the reason for denial from the visa officer if you have an interview. You will receive a paper explaining the reason for rejection if you were not needed to show up for the interview. Try to eliminate the cause after that, then reapply for your student visa.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Conclusion:

Fortunately, the Kuwait visa application process is quite straightforward. As a prospective student in Kuwait, you will require a student visa in Kuwait to enter the nation without difficulty. The school administration should accept and approve the visa application.

In order to go to a certain location, you must demonstrate that you have the financial means to cover your living expenses as well as the tuition for any family members traveling with you. has a strong academic background and track record.