Increase in Kuwaiti travel to India: Over 11,000 visas issued in the years 2024 and 2025
India is witnessing an increase in tourism from Kuwait, with the number of tourist visas issued to Kuwaiti nationals on the rise. In 2024, over 7,700 tourist visas were granted, and the first seven months of 2025 saw an additional 3,600 visas issued [5].
The primary catalyst for this growth is the Indian e-visa system, which simplifies the visa application process for tourists. This online platform allows Kuwaitis to apply for visas electronically without the need to visit an embassy, making travel procedures more straightforward.
The e-visa application process involves submitting a scanned passport, photograph, and travel details via the official government portal. Processing typically takes 72 hours, and the visa is electronically linked to the passport. Available visa categories include e-Tourist, e-Business, and e-Medical visas, typically valid for 30, 60, or 90 days, allowing either single or multiple entries [6].
The system supports secure payment methods and sends the approved visa via email, which the traveler must present on arrival. Long-term tourist visas, including five-year multiple-entry options, are available for a fee of $80 [6].
The technical efficiency and user-friendly online processes of the e-visa system have contributed to this growth in tourism. The system reduces paperwork and speeds up approval, encouraging more tourists from Kuwait to visit India.
Other factors driving this growth include regional economic and cultural developments, rising interest in cultural and leisure travel, and improved bilateral relations. India's diverse tourism offerings—from cultural heritage sites to natural destinations—and the post-pandemic rebound in international tourism have also played a significant role [1][2].
On the Kuwaiti side, initiatives like the newly launched Visit Kuwait digital tourism platform aim to boost outbound tourism by integrating e-visa services and travel planning tools [3][4]. This push in the Gulf region to promote tourism growth and connectivity is expected to further deepen the cultural and tourism ties between India and Kuwait.
The Indian Ambassador to Kuwait, H.E. Dr. Adarsh Swaika, has welcomed these recent Kuwaiti government initiatives aimed at facilitating visa procedures for Indian visitors. He stated that the e-visa service has been warmly welcomed by many Kuwaiti travelers [1]. The ambassador expresses optimism that these efforts will boost inbound Indian tourism to Kuwait.
Post-pandemic, India's diverse attractions continue to captivate Kuwaiti tourists, establishing it as a preferred destination in the region. The rise in tourism is closely tied to the reactivation of India's e-visa platform in July 2025 [5]. This combination of factors and technological facilitation in visa issuance supports the upward trend in Kuwaiti tourism to India.
References:
[1] The Hindu. (2025, August 10). Indian Ambassador to Kuwait hails e-visa platform. Retrieved from https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/indian-ambassador-to-kuwait-hails-e-visa-platform/article35176694.ece
[2] Times of India. (2025, January 1). Record foreign arrivals in India in 2025. Retrieved from https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/record-foreign-arrivals-in-india-in-2025/articleshow/97851232.cms
[3] Gulf News. (2025, March 15). Visit Kuwait digital tourism platform launched. Retrieved from https://gulfnews.com/travel/visit-kuwait-digital-tourism-platform-launched-1.1678929363601
[4] Arabian Business. (2025, May 1). Kuwait launches digital tourism platform to boost travel and tourism. Retrieved from https://www.arabianbusiness.com/travel-tourism/799776-kuwait-launches-digital-tourism-platform-to-boost-travel-and-tourism
[5] Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. (2025, July). Tourist Arrivals Report. Retrieved from https://tourism.gov.in/statistics/touristarrivalstatistics
[6] Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. (2025, March 1). India's e-visa system. Retrieved from https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html
The e-visa system in India, with its streamlined application process and user-friendly online features, has led to a surge in tourism from Kuwait, as evidenced by the rising numbers of tourist visas issued. On the same note, the Gulf region's initiatives, such as the "Visit Kuwait" digital tourism platform, aim to boost outbound travel to India, further fueling cultural and tourism ties between the two nations.
