Kuwait & Italy Discuss Visa-Free Access to Schengen Zone for Kuwaitis

According to a report of SchengenVisaInfo, in a recent meeting between Kuwait’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, the possibility of granting Kuwaiti nationals visa-free access to the Schengen Zone was discussed.

This would allow Kuwaiti citizens to travel to any of the 26 countries in the Schengen Area without having to apply for a visa.

The meeting also focused on exploring new opportunities to strengthen the collaborative relationship between the two countries.

Italy’s Support for Abolishing Visa Requirements

Italian Foreign Minister reiterated Italy’s support for the abolishment of Schengen visa requirements for citizens of Kuwait, emphasizing Rome’s ongoing efforts on the matter in the European Union and European Parliament.

At the same time, Sheikh Salem Abdullah affirmed keenness regarding boosting the friendly relationship between both states.

Intensified Efforts for Visa-Free Travel

Kuwait’s Minister of Foreign Affairs has intensified the efforts so citizens of the Asian country can travel without additional requirements such as visas to the Schengen Area.

Talks with Hungarian Counterpart

Sheikh Salem Al-Jaber Al-Sabah recently held talks with Hungarian counterpart, Peter Szijjarto, during the Kuwait delegation’s official visit to Hungary’s capital. Among the main topics discussed in the meeting was the exemption of Kuwaiti citizens from visa requirements and also rallying European support for such a move.

Kuwait’s Request to the European Union

Last month, authorities in Kuwait also called on the European Union to abolish visa requirements for their citizens in a bid to facilitate the travel process, especially during the peak summer season.

The request came in a meeting that Kuwait’s Minister of Foreign Affairs held with European Union ambassadors, during which he stressed that the country should no longer be subject to Schengen visa requirements.

Commission Proposal for Visa-Free Travel

On April 27 last year, the Commission proposed to abolish visa requirements for nationals of Kuwait and Qatar.

The proposal among others noted that nationals of Kuwaiti holding biometric passports would not be required to apply for a visa when travelling to EU states for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period, for tourism, business, or family purposes.

However, nationals of Kuwait are still subject to visa requirements.

Current Visa Requirements

At present, holders of Kuwaiti passports are obliged to apply for a visa in order to reach the EU’s borderless area.

• The application process can take several weeks or even months.
• The application fee is €60.
• Applicants must provide a number of documents, including a passport, a visa application form, and proof of financial support.
• The visa is valid for up to 90 days.

Nonetheless, there are some exemptions applied in this regard for nationals of Kuwait living in Schengen Zone countries and those from states that have established visa-free regimes with the EU, among others.