Costa Rican citizens, the beautiful beaches and sleek towers of Kuwait are within reach. Whether your Costa Rican travels take you to Kuwait City on business or to the Tareq Rajab Museum for a cultural adventure, knowing how to apply for Kuwait e-visa from Costa Rica Citizens is the start of your journey.
In this travel guide, we walk you through everything from requirements to costs, so applying for a Kuwait tourist visa is as easy as a Gulf Coast Breeze.
Do Costa Rican Citizens Require a Visa for Kuwait?
Yes. Costa Rican citizens will need to apply for a visa to enter the State of Kuwait. However, the good news is that Costa Rican citizens are among the countries that are eligible to apply for Kuwait Tourist Visa online. This means that you will no longer have to travel to the embassy for a visa; instead, you will be able to apply from the comfort of your home in San José or anywhere else in the world.
What are the Kuwait Tourist eVisa Conditions?
Kuwait Tourist eVisa is specifically intended for short stays in Kuwait. It is important to remember that you must be out of Kuwait when applying for the eVisa.
Feature
Details
Visa Type
Tourist eVisa
Number of Entries
Single Entry
Max. Stay
30 Days
Validity
30 Days from Issuance
What are the Kuwait eVisa Requirements for Costa Rica?
In order to ensure that your application is successful, you will need to have the following documents ready to be uploaded in a clear digital format:
Passport Bio Page: A scanned copy of the page that has your photo and details.
Passport Validity: Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry into Kuwait.
Recent Photo: A digital passport photo with a white background.
Proof of Stay: A hotel booking or an invitation letter from a Kuwait resident.
GCC Residence Permit (If Applicable): If you are a Costa Rican citizen living in the GCC, this permit may facilitate some procedures.
Applicant Birth Certificate: Sometimes required for minors or certain verification purposes.
How Do I Apply for a Kuwait Visa Online from Costa Rica?
The procedure for applying for Kuwait e-visa from Costa Rica Citizens is simplified into four easy steps:
Fill the Online Form: Go to the Kuwait e-visa website at kuwait-evisa.org and fill the online form with your personal, passport, and travel information.
Upload Documents: Scan and upload your passport scan and photo in the required format (PDF, JPG, or PNG).
Pay the Fee: Pay the government and service fee using a secure credit or debit card.
Receive eVisa: After approval, your eVisa will be delivered to your email address in PDF format. Print it out to show immigration officers when you arrive.
Is a Confirmed Flight Ticket Required to Apply?
For a normal Kuwait tourist visa, you are not always required to attach a flight ticket at the time of application. However, it is highly advisable that you have a confirmed return or onward flight ticket, as this is what the airline check-in staff and immigration officers in Kuwait may require to confirm that you do not overstay.
How Much is the Kuwait Visa Fee for Costa Rican Citizens?
Total Fee = Government Visa Cost + Service Fee + (Optional Rush/Super Rush add-on)
Government Fee: About 8 KWD (~25 USD).
Service Fee: This includes expert review and 24/7 support.
Transparency: You will be able to see the total amount before payment.
What Should I Do if My eVisa Payment Failed but Money Was Deducted?
If you find yourself in a situation where the payment has been deducted from your account but you still see the “Failed” status:
Wait for the Transaction Sync: There might be a delay of up to 24 hours for the transaction to sync with the bank.
Check Your Email: There might be a confirmation receipt that was sent after the delay.
Contact Support: Do not make another payment. Get in touch with the support team with your transaction ID or a screenshot of the deduction to check if your application can be manually processed.
Can I Obtain an Emergency eVisa for Kuwait?
If you have an unexpected flight or an emergency in your family, you can take advantage of our Urgent Kuwait eVisa Service. By choosing the Super Rush Processing level, the processing period will be shortened to 3-6 working days (instead of 9-12 days).
How Long Does the Processing Take?
Standard Processing: 9–12 Working Days.
Rush Processing: 6–9 Working Days.
Super Rush Processing: 3–6 Working Days.
Which Kuwaiti Airports Have Biometric Boarding?
Kuwait International Airport (KWI) is currently undergoing massive technological upgrades, especially with the new Terminal 2. Biometric boarding (facial recognition and digital fingerprinting) is being incorporated to enable passengers to proceed through security and gates without the need for physical documents. As of 2025, passengers are encouraged to undergo “Pre-travel Biometric Registration” to skip the immigration lines.
Do I Need a Permit to Bring a Drone on a Tourist Visa?
Yes. Kuwait has very strict rules and regulations when it comes to Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS).
Registration of Drone: Registration of all drones with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is mandatory.
Security Clearance: If you plan to record footage, you will need a permit from the Ministry of Interior.
Prohibited Areas: Flying your drone near airports or oil fields is considered a crime. Customs can confiscate your drone if you don’t have a permit.
What is the Visa Agent’s Role in the Kuwait eVisa?
Having a visa agent is a safety net. Their services include:
Application Scrubbing: Correcting discrepancies in passport numbers or names that lead to application rejections.
Document Resizing: Ensuring your images are exactly the KB/pixel size required by the MOI portal.
Liaison: Offering an Urgent Kuwait eVisa Service to address payment problems or “pending” statuses with the authorities.
Is it better to get an eSIM or physical SIM when travelling?
For today’s tourists, staying connected is a necessity.
eSIM: The most convenient option. You can purchase digital SIM cards from Airalo or Zain, which you can activate through a QR code even before you arrive.
Physical SIM: You can purchase them at the airport (KWI) from STC, Ooredoo, or Zain. These will cost you about 5-10 KWD ($16-$33 USD).
What are the Key Entry Requirements and Customs in Kuwait?
Prohibited Items: Liquor and pork products are strictly prohibited.
Currency: The Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD) is the strongest currency in the world.
Dress Code: It is required to dress modestly in public places; the shoulders and knees should be covered.
What are the Penalties for Overstaying a Kuwait Visa?
Fines: About 10 KWD per day (~$33 USD).
Blacklisting: Severe cases of overstaying may lead to deportation and a lifetime ban on entering all GCC states.
Can I Extend My Kuwait Tourist eVisa?
In general, Kuwait tourist visas are non-extensible. You need to leave the country within 30 days. You can try a visa run to Bahrain, but you need to apply for a new visa to re-enter Kuwait.
Conclusion
Getting your Kuwait eVisa for Costa Rica citizens is the beginning of a journey to discover the “Pearl of the Gulf.” Whether you require a standard process or an Urgent Kuwait eVisa Service, being updated will make your journey as memorable as it is hassle-free.
