The Embassy of India, Kuwait has issued a circular saying from September 1, 2025, only ICAO compliant photographs will be accepted for submission of passport applications.
The following are the guidelines as per ICAO standards to be adhered while capturing the photograph or uploading for passport services.
The Ministry of Education has approved the allocation of three schools to launch the Safe Healthy Schools project at the beginning of the new academic year.
The initiative, carried out in partnership with Kuwait Flour Mills and Bakeries Company, will provide students with healthy food products approved by the Public Authority for Food and Nutrition, fostering a supportive environment for both mental and physical development.
Minister of Commerce and Industry Khalifa Al-Ajeel described the partnership as a “key pillar in supporting Kuwait’s food security strategy,” highlighting the ministry’s central role in coordinating with relevant agencies to ensure the availability of essential food commodities, reports Al-Rai daily.
In his letter to Minister of Education Eng. Jalal Al-Tabtabaei, Al-Ajeel emphasized the vital contribution of Kuwait Flour Mills and Bakeries Company in delivering high-quality, strategic food products to citizens and residents, in line with the state’s broader food security agenda.
Acting Assistant Undersecretary for Educational Development and Activities, Maryam Al-Enezi, stressed the importance of this cooperation in improving student health and providing a better educational environment. She noted that the three schools were selected based on Minister Al-Tabtabaei’s directives and his strong commitment to student well-being.
In a major step toward digital transformation, Kuwait’s Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy has launched an automated “Right to Access” service on its official website, enabling the public to request information and documents electronically.
Spokesperson Fatima Hayat said the initiative is based on Law No. 12 of 2020 and its executive regulations, reinforcing transparency and public access to information. She noted that applications can be submitted via an online form, with responses provided within a legally defined timeframe.
The new system, linked to the “My Identity” app and KNET payment gateway, ensures confidentiality and security. A step-by-step guide has also been uploaded to assist applicants.
Hayat praised the ministry’s internal sectors for facilitating the shift from paper-based processes, adding that workshops will soon be held to train staff on the new system.
As part of its intensified campaign to safeguard Kuwait’s marine environment, the Environment Public Authority (EPA) has toughened penalties for anyone caught deliberately polluting seawater.
The EPA reminds violators citing Article 68 of the Environmental Protection Law which imposes punishment of up to six months in prison and fines of up to 200,000 dinars — or any one of the punishments — for individuals or entities responsible for contaminating marine areas with hazardous substances.
These include — oil and its various waste products; toxic or harmful liquids and solid waste; untreated sewage water; chemicals and radioactive materials and harmful energy emissions, Al-Rai daily reports.
The law applies across Kuwait’s internal waters, territorial sea, and adjacent maritime zones, underscoring the state’s commitment to protecting marine ecosystems from harmful pollutants.
With extreme heat in Kuwait and all over the world this summer, a celestial event soon taking place in our southern skies is cause for celebration. Since ancient times the sighting of the star Canopus has been regarded as a sign that summer is coming to an end, and even today the star’s appearance is a highly anticipated event.
Known in Arabic as ‘Suhail’, it’s the brightest star in the southern constellation of Alpha Carina, and the second brightest star in the sky after Sirius. According to Senior Meteorologist and Researcher Essa Ramadan, there has always been excitement in this part of the world when Suhail is spotted in the heavens over southern Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Oman around the 24th of August.
“It always appears first over the southern Arabian Peninsula before it’s seen here and this is simply due to the rotation of the earth,” he says. He notes that it’s not until after the fifth of September that the star can be seen in the southern skies of Kuwait, thirteen degrees above the horizon, about an hour or two before dawn.
Around this time of year, the inhabitants of Kuwait used to eagerly watch for the star in the night sky before sunrise, from their rooftops and out in the desert, believing that the appearance of Suhail was the cause for the change in weather. But Ramadan explains that Suhail is 310 light years distant from the Earth, and therefore actually has no effect on our temperatures.
“The reason for the slightly cooler weather around the time the star is sighted is the beginning of the movement of low pressure from the Mediterranean. It is officially the start of autumn,” he says.
One can certainly understand how in the days before electricity and air conditioning, a portent of cooler weather was a tremendously welcome sight. Just how much excitement the appearance of Suhail caused in old Kuwait is vividly described in ‘The Arab of the Desert’, an account of traditional bedouin life by British Political Agent Colonel H.R.P. Dickson.
First he describes the extreme August heat that comes with humidity, bringing the local population “to the end of their tether, incapable of standing much more… The Badawin in particular feel this damp heat which seems to penetrate their very bones, and brings out ailments of every description.
“The whole world now longs and prays for the rise of Suhail, that tantalizing twinkling star known to the West as Canopus, whose coming always brings relief. So powerful is this longing that after the 25th of August men get up hours before dawn to see if they can get a glimpse of that blessed constellation. At long last comes hope, usually in the shape of a camel courier from Najd. He brings the news that ten days previously Suhail was seen in high Qasim. It must therefore be seen any moment now in Kuwait.”
Expectation was elevated to a fever pitch as Dickson recalled. “Watch is redoubled and the keenest-eyed Rashaida hunters are set to search the southern skies about 3 a.m. at Jahra and Subaihiyah, for there it is less misty than at Kuwait. At long last the star appears. Like wild fire the news is rushed into Kuwait, and spread abroad among the Badawin. The cry is raised: ‘Suhail has been seen, Suhail has been seen by so-and-so, thanks be to Allah the Merciful. Summer is at an end…’”
The meteorologist predicts this winter’s rainfall will be moderate, with a chance for unexpected weather systems that could bring isolated cold spells or heavy rain. “During the past few years the problem has been with very intense, heavy rain within a short period of time, and this is a trend that’s expected to continue,” says Ramadan.
In the meantime, despite professional meteorologists and scientific methods of predicting the weather, the sighting of Suhail is still a topic of conversation in diwannias and among the older generation of Kuwait. A trusted sign that better days are ahead, we can take comfort in the appearance of a bright star that twinkles enticingly in the southern skies before dawn.
The Kuwaiti national skydiving team claimed first place at the 5th World Winged Parachuting Championships 2025, held in the Czech Republic today.
The Kuwait Olympic Committee announced that Kuwait is the first Arab nation to take part in the tournament and secure a podium finish, marking a historic milestone.
Team members Ali Askar, Farhan Al-Muhaisen, and Faisal Al-Sharqawi won first place in the ‘national teams’ category, showcasing Kuwait’s growing strength in international skydiving, Al-Jarida reports.
Ali Askar secured second place overall and bronze medals in both the speed and distance categories. Farhan Al-Muhaisen won silver in the time category, further adding to Kuwait’s medal tally.
Minister of Health, Dr. Ahmed Al-Awadhi, has issued a decision which says visitors to Kuwait cannot access healthcare services at public hospitals, specialist centers, and primary healthcare clinics.
The Ministry explained that the move is part of its strategy to safeguard the sustainability of the healthcare system, focusing resources on citizens and residents covered by health insurance.
The decision seeks to preserve service quality, prevent system overload, and ensure that available capacities are directed to those most entitled to healthcare.
According to the Ministry, this measure aligns with its broader healthcare vision aimed at achieving a balance between operational efficiency, rationalized service delivery, and patient satisfaction.
By concentrating efforts on insured residents and citizens, the Ministry aims to maintain high-quality services and strengthen trust in Kuwait’s healthcare network.
The General Traffic Department has announced a complete closure of Arabian Gulf Street in Kuwait City, starting from the National Assembly intersection and extending to the Seif Palace Roundabout.
The closure will take effect today, Thursday, at 4:00 p.m., and will remain in effect until 6:00 a.m. on Sunday.
Authorities called on motorists to use alternative routes during this period and urged drivers to follow traffic instructions to ensure smooth flow keeping in mind public safety.
The department emphasized that the temporary closure is necessary to facilitate ongoing works and asked the public for cooperation.
The Ministry of Information has underscored the necessity for all artistic and media production companies to strictly comply with Kuwait’s regulations, particularly those governing the use of military and security symbols and uniforms.
In a statement, the ministry clarified that such symbols or attire may only be used after securing official permission and approvals from the concerned authorities.
Any violation of these rules, the ministry stressed, undermines the sanctity of state institutions and will be dealt with according to the law, reports Al-Rai daily.
While reaffirming its full support for national artistic production, the ministry emphasized that creative works must be carried out with a sense of national and professional responsibility.
The ministry highlighted the vital role of the media and arts sector in enriching Kuwait’s cultural and creative landscape, but cautioned that this should never come at the expense of state regulations or respect for official institutions.
The Environment Public Authority has warned the public that throwing food or waste in public areas, even for the purpose of feeding animals such as cats and dogs or even birds, is strictly prohibited by law.
The authority emphasized that such actions violate Environmental Protection Law No. 42 of 2014, as amended by Law No. 99 of 2015.
According to Article 33 of the law, it is forbidden to dispose of garbage or waste anywhere other than designated containers, with violators subject to fines of up to 500 dinars.
The Authority issued the statement on its “X” account, responding to social media reports showing people feeding animals with discarded food in public spaces.
The Authority urged citizens and residents to comply with the law, highlighting that proper waste disposal is essential for maintaining public cleanliness, community health, and environmental protection.
The Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Cultural Center announced that Kuwait will witness a total lunar eclipse on Sunday, September 7.
In a statement to KUNA, the center said the eclipse will occur during the full moon, when the Earth’s shadow completely covers the lunar disk. The phenomenon will also be visible across the Gulf region, as well as parts of Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia.
The center explained that the eclipse will pass through three phases: partial, when part of the moon enters Earth’s shadow; total, when the entire moon is obscured and turns reddishorange due to atmospheric light refraction; and penumbral, when the moon only passes through the Earth’s outer shadow, dimming its brightness without full obscuration.
According to the center’s calculations, the eclipse will begin in Kuwait at 6:28 pm, reach its peak at 11:09 pm, and end at 11:55 pm local time. -KUNA
The Kuwait Municipality has issued a firm warning to vehicle owners against leaving or abandoning their cars in public spaces.
The authority emphasized that such actions are considered clear violations of municipal regulations and will not be tolerated, according to news reports.
According to the Municipality, offenders will face a financial penalty of KD 100. In addition to this fine, vehicle owners will also be required to cover the cost of transporting the abandoned vehicle to the Municipality garage, in addition to the towing charges and daily storage fees until the car is retrieved.
The Municipality urged all motorists to adhere to regulations and avoid obstructing or misusing public spaces, stressing that strict enforcement measures will continue in order to preserve the cleanliness, order, and overall aesthetic view of the city.
A security source said all expatriates admitted to hospitals and health centers for treatment after consuming the contaminated alcohol will be deported to their home countries and will be blacklisted, with no possibility of returning back to Kuwait.
The source noted 71 persons (all expatriates), including the four main suspects, have so far been reported to the Public Prosecution. in connection with the contaminated alcohol case, which has caused the death of 23 people.
The source noted that the Public Prosecution will determine the classification of charges, with murder charges likely to be slapped against several of the primary suspects.
The source added that The Ministry of Interior had earlier announced the dismantling of a criminal network specialized in manufacturing and distributing toxic methanol, which led to the recent deaths of expatriates.
During interrogation the suspects had admitted to the charges filed against them — involvement in the production and distribution of methanol, a toxic substance.
Kuwaiti banks have updated the “Wamd” instant money transfer service, extending the refund period for erroneously transferred funds from one day to seven days. The move reflects ongoing efforts to safeguard customers and boost trust in digital banking.
Under the new system, recipients of mistakenly transferred funds — or customers who wish to return them — can now complete the process conveniently and securely through online banking apps and digital channels, in line with existing terms and conditions, reports Al-Anba daily.
The update provides greater flexibility in managing financial transactions and reduces stress on customers at a time when reliance on instant transfers is rapidly increasing.
This initiative aligns with the Central Bank of Kuwait’s drive to strengthen the digital infrastructure of the banking sector, while ensuring the highest levels of security, transparency, and customer protection.
By giving customers more time to correct transfer errors, banks hope to reinforce confidence in e-banking services and encourage broader adoption of digital transactions as a safe and reliable option for everyday financial needs.
The government gazette Kuwait Al-Youm has published the decision issued by the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef (Decision No. 1398 of 2025), which amends certain provisions of the executive regulations of the Traffic Law.
Under the new rules, vehicles are now permitted to have factory-specified tinted windows, and the use of colored foils is allowed as long as the tint does not exceed 50%.
All windows may be tinted except the front windshield opposite the driver, which must remain clear and compliant with Gulf safety standards. The decision also strictly prohibits the installation of reflective glass or foils.
This amendment aims to standardize vehicle tinting while ensuring driver visibility and road safety.
The Embassy of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh in Kuwait has strongly refuted a recent news report published by The Times on August 17, 2025, which alleged that a Bangladeshi national was the ringleader behind a criminal network producing and distributing toxic liquor.
In its official rejoinder, the Embassy expressed “deep concern” over the report titled “BANGLADESHI, NEPALI and INDIAN ARRESTED IN TOXIC LIQUOR CASE.” The article claimed that the ringleader of the operation was one “Delora Barkash Daraji,” identified as a Bangladeshi citizen.
According to the Embassy, the name cited in the report appeared “highly unusual” within Bangladeshi naming conventions, prompting immediate steps to verify the accuracy of the claims. On August 17, a representative of the Embassy visited Wafra Police Station and held discussions with the Chief of the Ahmadi District Investigation Office.
The Embassy confirmed that Kuwaiti authorities clearly stated no Bangladeshi nationals were involved in the incident. Out of the 67 individuals arrested, none were Bangladeshi citizens, and no Bangladeshis were among the deceased or injured.
“The official confirmation leaves no doubt that no Bangladeshi national was found involved in the production or distribution of toxic liquor,” the rejoinder stressed.
The Embassy also condemned the “factual inaccuracies and prejudicial framing” in the report, warning that such mischaracterization not only damages the reputation of the Bangladeshi community but also fuels harmful stereotypes and xenophobia.
“It is deeply irresponsible to attribute the role of the ringleader to a Bangladeshi national without proper verification on the ground,” the statement added.
The Embassy clarifies no Bangladeshi citizens were linked to the toxic liquor case.
By seeking a public correction, the Embassy reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the dignity of Bangladeshi expatriates in Kuwait and ensuring that reporting on sensitive issues remains fair, factual, and free from bias.
The Central Bank of Kuwait has instructed banks, investment companies, and financing firms to expand their audit scope on all personal financing transactions.
The new measures aim to identify modified loan terms, ensure compliance with installment regulations, and track restructuring arrangements for employees and retirees seeking new loans. This data will now form part of quarterly audits on consumer and housing loan portfolios.
Under the directive, banks and financing firms must assign external auditors to review consumer and installment loan portfolios—worth nearly 20 billion dinars. Audit reports will include a dedicated section outlining compliance with rules for granting loans to individuals. The move is part of the Central Bank’s broader regulatory push to improve loan book quality and minimize violations.
Sources revealed that financing entities must subject all consumer and housing loans to quarterly independent reviews. The inspections cover adherence to regulations on personal loans, housing finance, and credit card issuance. Personal loans typically range from 25,000 dinars for consumer needs to 70,000 dinars for housing, with repayment terms spanning 5–15 years.
From the second quarter of 2025, financing entities must include compliance data in their reports, listing the number of loans and adherence to re-granting and restructuring terms. Regulators expect this will raise transparency and strengthen Kuwait’s banking sector.
Bankers emphasized that personal loans have been a primary avenue for credit growth since the 2008 global crisis, making them a natural target for closer scrutiny. Anticipated growth in personal—especially housing—loans has further motivated the Central Bank to ensure early detection of violations, which helps reduce costs tied to corrective provisions.
A recent Moody’s report projected non-performing loans in Kuwaiti banks’ portfolios to remain between 1.2% and 2% by 2025—the second-lowest rate in the Gulf. This underscores the resilience of Kuwait’s banking system, though regulators remain cautious.
Central Bank figures show domestic consumer loans fell by 0.9% (19 million dinars) in the first five months of 2025, reducing the portfolio to 2.05 billion dinars. Housing loans, however, climbed 1.6% (265.6 million dinars) to 16.8 billion dinars. Conversely, private housing loans dropped 7.07% to 227.4 million dinars.
By May 2025, personal facilities totaled 19.557 billion dinars —up 235.9 million dinars since December—making up 33% of Kuwait’s overall loan portfolio. Total credit across residents and non-residents reached 59.06 billion dinars, up 3.3% since year-end 2024, supported by broad lending growth across economic sectors.
Prices in Kuwait continue to inch up while many expatriates report no salary increase for more than five years. This article shows how inflation affects day‑to‑day costs—housing, groceries (including imported vegetables), and transport—then compares expat pay trends with Kuwaiti wages, using recent data and referenced sources.
Official data show annual inflation around the 2.3% range in mid‑2025, up slightly from May. Over five years, cumulative inflation exceeds roughly 12%, so the same KD 1,000 in 2020 needs ~KD 1,120 today just to hold purchasing power. Source.
Based on local spending patterns, a single person typically needs about KD 295/month for basics, a couple around KD 590/month, and a family of four about KD 925/month. See the full breakdown at Kuwait Local – Cost of Living in Kuwait.
Petrol was extremely cheap a decade ago. In 2010, premium fuel hovered near KD 0.060/litre. After the 2016 subsidy reform, official rates rose to roughly KD 0.105/litre (premium) and KD 0.085/litre (regular), a level that broadly persists in 2025. Kuwait Times.
Source: Arab Times report on salaries.
Average Kuwaiti monthly wage around KD 1,576 (2024).
Five‑year growth ~6.3% overall; private‑sector males +11.46%, females +13.64%.
While not fully matching cumulative inflation, the higher baseline and benefits (housing, healthcare, public services) give Kuwaitis more buffer than expats during price rises.
No. Average increases have been below inflation, and many expats have had no raise for 5+ years, meaning real income declines.
Housing, imported food (notably vegetables), education fees, and transport (post‑2016 fuel pricing) are the biggest contributors.
Trading Economics – Kuwait CPI & Inflation
Arab Times – Salaries of Kuwaitis & Expats
Kuwait Times – 2016 Fuel Price Hike
Kuwait Local – Cost of Living in Kuwait
The “Kuwait Visa” platform that has been launched recently by the Ministry of Interior is a fully electronic system designed to streamline entry visa procedures and enhance the country’s appeal as a tourist destination. While the process is now digital, visa fees remain unchanged until new regulations are approved.
Colonel Abdulaziz Al-Kandari, Director of the Electronic Services Department at the General Administration of Residency Affairs, unveiled the platform during a briefing at the Government Communication Center.
He explained the system has been introduced after years of work to unify rules, eliminate paper documents, and develop a simplified digital process in cooperation with the General Administration of Information Systems. Once a passport is uploaded, the system automatically extracts the data, allowing the visa to be issued electronically via email or the app.
The platform offers four main visa types — tourist, family, business, and government visits. The tourist visa, initiated under the directives of the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, is intended to support the tourism sector.
It has four categories — citizens of approved countries with no conditions; residents of GCC states, the US, EU, and UK, or holders of tourist visas from these countries who work in mid- or high-level professions; a third category under development is for other applicants; and a fourth category for special events such as major sports tournaments and exhibitions.
Family visit visas now allow citizens and residents to bring relatives up to the fourth degree, and up to the third degree by marriage, without salary requirements or the need to use a national carrier.
The kinship proof must be in Arabic or a translation from a certified translation bureau. Business visas are for individuals invited by companies or institutions for non-employment purposes, available as single-entry (one month) or multiple-entry (three months, six months, or one year). Government visit visas are for state-invited guests, available in six options from one month to one year.
Visa fees remain unchanged for now, but Decree-Law No. 114 of 2024 — amending the Foreigners’ Residence Law — will introduce new fees and conditions once the executive regulations are approved.
Future developments include a mobile app version of the platform and artificial intelligence features such as NFC technology to automatically read passport data. The system offers 24/7 technical support, with most inquiries answered within minutes and complex cases resolved within 48 hours.
Al-Kandari emphasized that Kuwait welcomes all nationalities, with the exception of holders of Israeli citizenship, who are barred under an Amiri decree. Holders of certain travel documents require personal approval from the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior due to security and deportation considerations.
Security restrictions may also apply for individuals subject to international or regional bans, while deportees from Kuwait are permanently barred from re-entering the country.
For second-category tourist attracts visitors who contribute to the local economy, they must provide proof that they can pay for the trip and duration of stay and that includes accommodation, and spending needs.
Overstaying a visa is a legal violation under Decree No. 114 of 2024, which allows for penalties including imprisonment, deportation, or fines, depending on the case and whether it is a repeat offense. Minor overstays may be resolved by paying a fine at the airport, but longer overstays —especially beyond six months—are subject to stricter measures.
The application process is designed for speed and convenience. Applicants can create a personal profile, add family members, and submit applications in under a minute. Some visas are processed instantly, while others which require additional checks take longer.
A list of approved professions for second-category tourist visas includes senior government officials, diplomats, academics, investors, business owners, medical professionals, engineers, IT specialists, media workers, sports coaches, and other skilled occupations. Holders of golden or distinguished residency in GCC states also qualify.
The Ministry confirmed that identical procedures apply to both online and in-person applications at General Directorate of Residency Affairs offices in all governorates. The platform is monitored by a quality control department to ensure compliance, and the Ministry welcomes public feedback to improve services, with the goal of positioning Kuwait as a leading destination for tourism, business, and cultural engagement.
Tens of thousands of tourists’ identity documents were stolen electronically from hotel servers in Italy and put up for sale on the dark web, according to the Italian Digital Authority.
A statement seen by Agence France-Presse, said the authority had been monitoring “an illegal sale of identity documents believed to have been stolen from hotels operating in Italy.” The stolen files included high-resolution copies of passports, ID cards, and other registration documents used by guests.
The total number of compromised documents is estimated at around 100,000. The perpetrator, known as “MyDox,” claimed to have obtained the data through unauthorized access to information systems between June and August 2025.
Authorities confirmed that ten hotels in Italy were affected, though they did not rule out further cases emerging in the coming days.
The agency warned that victims could face serious financial and legal consequences, as the stolen data could be misused for fraud, including forging documents, opening bank accounts, or impersonating digital identities.
The Italian Digital Authority continues to investigate the breach and has urged affected individuals to take precautions to protect their personal information.
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