Kuwait scraps visas for 34 nations

The new decision became effective immediately and applies to nationals from North America, most of Western Europe, Southeast Asia, New Zealand and Australia.

"Entry visas will be provided to citizens of these nations upon arrival at various terminals without the need of a Kuwaiti sponsor," Major General Thabet al-Muhanna, interior ministry assistant undersecretary, said in the decision.

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The new measure is "consistent with the openness policy," being adopted by the oil-rich emirate, and is aimed at "promoting the domestic economy," he added.

The new facility applies to citizens of the United States, Canada, France and Britain, in addition to Italy, Germany, Portugal and several other European nations, besides Japan, Malaysia, South Korea and Singapore.

All of eastern Europe, Arab countries and south Asian nations are excluded from the new measure, which also provides for multiple entry visas upon request.

Previously, all visitors to the emirate were required to obtain visas valid for one month from the immigration department through a sponsor in Kuwait before being allowed to board the plane.

A majority of foreigners visited the emirate in the past either on business visas issued through companies in Kuwait or on family visas issued by relatives who are legal residents.

Kuwait, which was invaded and occupied for seven months by Iraqi troops in 1990 under Saddam Hussein, breathed a sigh of relief at the overthrow of the former Iraqi dictator.