Entry regulations		Residence regulations		Additional information
No HIV testing is required for visitors or business travellers.		Visa applications for long-term stays require an HIV test.		If an HIV infection or HIV-related illness becomes known, the residence permit is withdrawn. The affected person has to leave Kuwait, or else is deported. Health checks at the border are not yet in effect, but the implementation of these is currently being discussed by Kuwaiti officials.

HIV-specific entry and residence regulations for Kuwait

No HIV testing is required for short-term visitors or business travellers staying for up to three months. This means that entry is possible for people with HIV.

Work permit applicants, however, have to undergo a health check, including HIV testing. No permit is granted in the case of an HIV infection and entering Kuwait will not be possible.

If it becomes known after a residence permit has been granted that a person has HIV, the permit will be withdrawn. The HIV-positive person has to leave Kuwait or else will be deported. 

Importing antiretroviral medication for personal use is generally possible. Customs authorities could ask questions about the condition the drugs are required for. We have no information on whether this would have any consequences.

(Source: 1)

Medical examinations are required for all individuals seeking residency in Kuwait. Any applicant testing positive for HIV or hepatitis will have to leave the country immediately and be permanently barred from re-entry. Verify this information with the Embassy of Kuwait before travelling. 

(Source: 2)

The following visa types require an HIV test:

• Work visa
• Student visa
• Accompany family visa

(Source: 3)

A number of countries in the MENA region have restrictions on entry, stay or residence for people living with HIV. These laws, and the ways they are implemented, often impinge upon the human rights of people living with HIV.

These restrictions based on HIV status have been adopted by all Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates), which are major destinations for migrant workers, particularly from Asia.

(Source: 4)

 

HIV treatment information for Kuwait

No information available

 

HIV information / HIV NGOs in Kuwait

Updated information is available through the aidsmap search engine at http://www.aidsmap.com/e-atlas

 

Global Criminalisation of HIV Transmission Scan

The Global Criminalisation Scan is an initiative of GNP+. It aims to collect and keep up to date information on national and state level laws criminalising the transmission of or exposure to HIV. It also aims to provide an easily accessible ‘clearing-house’ of resources, research, and initiatives on the subject and to provide a platform for advocacy initiatives.

Find out more about the scan and the criminalisation of HIV transmission legislation at http://criminalisation.gnpplus.net/.

 

Sources

1. Embassy of Germany, Kuwait, February 20 and April 28, 2008
2. U.S. Department Of State; Bureau of Consular Affairs; https://travel.state.gov / January 10, 2018; consulted July 9, 2018
3. Permanent Mission of the State of Kuwait to the United Nations website, www.kuwaitmissionun.org, ; consulted July 9, 2018
4. AVERT Global information and education on HIV and AIDS, www.avert.org, consulted July 9, 2018

 

updated: 7/9/2018
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