Indian Embassy in Kuwait simplified visa procedure

Indian Embassy in Kuwait on 12 October 2014 simplified the visa procedure for Kuwaiti nationals as well as for emigrants living in Kuwait.

The aim behind the decision is to enhance travel to India for business, tourism, medical treatment and study purposes.

The Embassy will continue to accept visa applications directly in cases of emergency and for all diplomats or Special Passport holders.

The Embassy has already been issuing five-year and one-year business visa (multiple entry), one-year medical visa (multiple entry) and six-month tourist visas (multiple entry) for Kuwaiti nationals and expatriates resident in Kuwait so that they can visit India for business, tourism, medical treatment as per their convenience.

It issued 10000 visas in 2014 against 7600 visas issued during the same period in 2013 registering a jump of 30 percent.

Kuwait-India relations
India and Kuwait enjoy traditionally friendly relations which are rooted in shared history and have stood the test of time. Geographic proximity, historical trade links, cultural affinities and presence of a large number of Indian expatriates continue to sustain and nurture this long standing relationship.

India has been a natural trading partner and a destination for higher learning. Until 1961, the Indian Rupee was the legal tender in Kuwait.

Major items exported from India to Kuwait cover a broad range including food items, cereals, textiles, garments, electrical and engineering equipment, cars, trucks, buses, tires, chemicals, jewellery, handicrafts, metal products, articles of iron or steel, etc.

Meanwhile, Kuwait has been a reliable and third largest supplier of crude oil to India after Saudi Arabia and Iraq.