Embassy of the United States Kuwait City, Kuwait

All tourists/visitors, excluding citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries with machine-readable passports or those who are otherwise exempt, must obtain a nonimmigrant visa (category B-1/B-2) prior to arrival in the United States. Minor children included in a parent’s passport require their own application and fee. Note: Travelers born in the United States and those with U.S. citizenship must enter and defpart the United States with a U.S. passport and do not require a visa.

Personal interview: Visa applicants ages 14 through 79 must appear in person before a Consular Officer for an interview and to scan their fingerprints for biometric identification.

Applicants should request an interview at the Embassy or Consulate with jurisdiction over their area of permanent residence. For example, those applying in Kuwait City should be Kuwaiti citizens or hold legal Kuwaiti residency and be able to demonstrate strong economic, familial and/or social ties to the country.

Domestic employees seeking to obtain visas to work for their employers, diplomatic staff, or representatives of international organizations are encouraged to review this pamphlet (PDF 253 KB) concerning the rights of temporary workers in the United States.

Getting Started

Step 1: Fill out the form online: To begin filling out the application form (DS-160), click here

Step 2: Schedule an appointment

To schedule your visa appointment online, you will need the barcode from your completed application.  To access our appointment schedule click here.  When scheduling your appointment, please include your phone number and email address so that we may contact you if necessary.

Step 3: Application requirements

Photograph: Take a digital photo meeting the requirements below and bring one (1) copy of it with you for your visa interview:

• 5cm x 5cm in size
• Taken within last six (6) months
• In color or black and white
• White background
• Displays full face (looking directly at the camera)
• Wearing sunglasses is not acceptable
• Head coverings: Women: acceptable for religious reasons but may not cover any portion of the face including the forehead, jaw line, eyebrows and cheeks. Men: not acceptable.
• Military, airline or other personnel may not wear hats or uniforms

Application: Prepare the following application in its entirety and bring it with you to your interview at the Embassy:

Passport: 1 copy of your passport photo page. Your name and date of birth must be written in English by the issuing country (even for minor children included in a parent’s passport). The passport must have a minimum validity of six (6) months.

Visa application fee: A Burgan Bank receipt, valid one (1) year from the date of issuance, for the $160 fee is required.  Have your passport with you when paying the fee. This fee is nonrefundable even if a visa is not granted. This fee is waived for those traveling on diplomatic passports or on official government business.

Recommended documents: U.S. immigration law requires that nonimmigrant visa applicants present evidence of strong economic, familial and/or social ties to a residence outside of the United States to which they are compelled to return. Applications unable to demonstrate such ties will be refused. The Consular Section recommends providing the following documents that can demonstrate such ties:

• Proof of employment

• Salary certificate

• Bank statement(s) demonstrating sufficient funds for travel

• Previous passport showing prior international travel

For additional visa information, please visit the Department of State website

After reviewing the frequently asked questions, contact us if you still have an inquiry regarding consular services.

Information regarding the day of your interview