Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TELEPHONE
Some useful telephone information:
Country code for Kuwait: 965 plus local eight-digit number.
No area codes.
International access code (to call abroad from Kuwait): 00.
Local calls are free.
International calls cost (per minute) to Australia 200 fils, Canada 150 fils, Japan 190 fils,
Netherlands 170 fils, New Zealand 210 fils, UK 170 fils and USA 120 fils.
Dwindling cardphones take cards in units of KD3, KD5 and KD10.
Mobile Phones
According to the British Ambassador in Kuwait, Kuwaitis are committed users of smart-
phone and have one of the highest incidences of Tweat use in the world.
Users of mobile phones can link into the GSM services of Wataniya or Zain. Prepaid
SIM cards are widely available in malls and from Zain (there's a booth at the airport).
Fax
Fax services are available from government communications centres, though there are
usually long queues. The best bet is the business centres in the larger hotels, which charge
according to their IDD rates.
VISAS
Visas on arrival
Available at Kuwait International Airport for nationals of 34 countries
including Australia, Canada, the EU, New Zealand and the USA (KD3, valid for 90 days,
30 days maximum stay). Take a number from the Fast Service Desk and buy stamps worth
KD3 from the neighbouring machine (free for British passport holders). There's no need
to wait again at the immigration desk downstairs.
Israeli Connection
Anyone holding a passport containing an Israeli or Iraqi stamp may
be refused entry to Kuwait.
Multiple-entry visas
Only available for business requirements (valid for 12 months, ap-
ply in advance).
Transit Visas
A transit visa can be obtained from any Kuwaiti consulate or from the Kuwait Port
Authority if you arrive by sea; it is valid for a maximum of seven days and costs KD2. To
be eligible, applicants must have a valid visa for their next destination and a confirmed
onward ticket.
Visa Extensions
