School Psychologist- EPG , Kuwait

Help from the Kuwaiti government

For any questions about moving to or living in Kuwait, you may be able to get help from the:

• Kuwait government
• Kuwaiti Embassy in London – see our list of foreign embassies in the UK for contact details

The UK government and the British Embassy in Kuwait cannot give personalised advice on moving to, living or retiring in Kuwait.

Professional help in Kuwait

You can also get help from English-speaking professionals in Kuwait, including:

• lawyers
• translators
• funeral directors

Help from the UK government

Read the travel advice for Kuwait to understand the risks you may face if you live in or visit Kuwait. This includes the latest information on:

• visas and entry requirements
• laws and cultural differences
• safety and security

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad.

Get help from the UK government abroad, including in an emergency.

Make sure you meet the entry requirements for Kuwait before you travel.

Visas and residence permits

Check which visa or residence permit you need to live in Kuwait. The Kuwait government’s immigration and travel information explains the different options available to you.

You can get a visa to:

• work
• study
• live with family in Kuwait
• invest or do business in Kuwait

If you want to extend your visa, visit the Kuwait e-visa website or contact the Kuwaiti General Administration of Residence Affairs.

For more information on applying for a visa or residence permit, read the entry requirements for Kuwait or contact the Kuwaiti Embassy in London. You can find contact details for the embassy in our list of foreign embassies in the UK.

Criminal records checks for residency visa applications

To apply for residency, you’ll usually need a UK criminal records check.

To use your criminal records check in Kuwait, you must get it notarised by a UK notary. You also must get it legalised by the UK Legalisation Office and attested at the Kuwaiti Embassy in London.

For more information, read the sections on legalising and certifying UK documents in our guidance on documents for British people abroad.

Registering as a resident

Once you have your residency visa, you need to register your residency in Kuwait.

Read the Kuwait government’s guidance on first-time registration of expatriates if you have an Article 17 or Article 18 work residency visa.

If you have any problems or questions about registering your residency, contact:

• the Kuwait Public Authority for Civil Information (in Arabic and English)
• an English-speaking lawyer in Kuwait

Help with visa, residency and citizenship applications

The British Embassy in Kuwait cannot help with Kuwaiti visa, residency or citizenship applications.

For any questions or issues, contact:

• the Kuwait government
• the Kuwait Embassy in London — see our list of foreign embassies in the UK for contact details
• an English-speaking lawyer in Kuwait

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:

• apply for a British passport from abroad
• travel urgently without your British passport

Dual citizens travelling to the UK

When travelling to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. Read guidance on dual citizenship.

Resident children travelling without a parent or legal guardian

Children and young people aged 20 and under must carry written approval from their father to leave Kuwait, even if they’re travelling with their mother or another legal guardian.

For more information, contact:

• the Kuwait government
• the Kuwaiti Embassy in London – see our list of foreign embassies in the UK for contact details

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:

• plan your healthcare
• take medicine abroad

Kuwait does not have a reciprocal health agreement with the UK.

Make sure you have appropriate health insurance to cover any healthcare costs. You can get insurance from Kuwaiti and international providers.

To access healthcare, you’ll need your Kuwaiti civil ID, or your passport if you’re on a visitor visa. The Kuwait government publishes a list of Kuwait government hospitals.

To find out how to get medical treatment:

• contact your insurance provider
• read guidance on health in Kuwait
• find English-speaking medical facilities and doctors for British nationals in Kuwait

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers working abroad, including documents you may need from the UK government.

To work in Kuwait, you must apply for a work entrance visa before you travel. Your employer must also apply for a work permit (‘iqama’) on your behalf. If you work without the correct visa, the Kuwaiti authorities can deport you and ban you from all Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) countries for at least 5 years. 

You can find more information on the main Kuwait Government Online website.

To apply for a job, you may need to provide a UK criminal records check. To use your criminal records check in Kuwait, you’ll need to get it notarised by a UK notary. You’ll also need to get it legalised by the UK Legalisation Office and attested at the Kuwaiti Embassy in London.

For more information, read the sections on legalising and certifying UK documents in our guidance on documents for British people abroad.

Recognition of qualifications

If you want to work in Kuwait, you’ll need to get your foreign qualifications attested and legalised. For more information, read our guidance on documents for British people abroad.

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:

• drive abroad legally
• take your UK vehicle abroad
• get driving licence letters

If you live in Kuwait and have a residence permit (Civil ID), you must apply for a Kuwaiti driving licence. You cannot use your UK driving licence or an international driving licence.

You can only apply for a Kuwaiti licence if you meet the eligibility criteria. Your eligibility may be affected by your:

• residency or employment category
• annual salary
• degree certificate
• length of time spent in Kuwait

For more information and to check if you’re eligible:

• read the Kuwait General Department of Traffic’s guidance on Kuwaiti driving licences
• contact your local Department of Traffic (in Arabic and English)
• contact the Kuwait Embassy in London — see our list of foreign embassies in the UK for contact details

You can also read our guidance on road travel in Kuwait, in safety and security in the travel advice for Kuwait.

Disabled drivers

You may be able to apply for a Kuwaiti disabled parking permit. For more information and to find out if you’re eligible, contact the Kuwaiti Public Authority for Disability Affairs (PADA).

If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Kuwait, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers tax, including paying UK tax and National Insurance.

There is no income tax on salaries or wages in Kuwait.

Consider getting professional advice on paying tax in Kuwait. To do this, find an English-speaking lawyer in Kuwait.

Claiming your UK pension

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:

• how to claim your UK State Pension
• where the UK government pays an annual increase in the State Pension

Claiming a Kuwaiti pension

Generally, only Kuwaiti citizens can claim a Kuwaiti state pension. You can find more information on services for citizens and residents on the Kuwait Government Online website.

Claiming UK benefits

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to claim UK benefits abroad, including Child Benefit.

Claiming Kuwaiti benefits

Generally, only Kuwaiti citizens can claim Kuwaiti social security benefits. You can find more information on services for citizens and residents on the Kuwait Government Online website.

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers buying and renting property abroad.

Generally, foreign nationals cannot own land in Kuwait. However, they can buy commercial or residential apartments. Contact an English-speaking lawyer in Kuwait if you’re considering buying property.

If you plan to study in Kuwait, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel. Contact the Kuwaiti Embassy in London for more information. You can find contact details for the embassy in our list of foreign embassies in the UK.

For more information:

• read guidance on travel grants for students studying abroad or on placements (England)
• contact your higher education provider in the UK or Kuwait
• contact the Kuwaiti Ministry of Higher Education

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers moving abroad with children, including:

• getting permission to take your child abroad
• claiming UK Child Benefit abroad
• child maintenance payments if a parent lives abroad

Schools and education

The Kuwait government provides information about education in Kuwait.

All children aged 6 to 14 must attend school or home school in Kuwait. Only Kuwaiti citizens are eligible to attend Kuwaiti public schools. Children of foreign nationals must attend private schools unless they hold Kuwaiti citizenship.

Births

If your child is born in Kuwait, register the birth with the Kuwaiti authorities. 

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:

• register the birth with the UK authorities to get a UK birth certificate
• apply for your child’s first British passport

Deaths

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:

• what to do after someone dies abroad
• how to register the death with the UK authorities

If someone dies in Kuwait, read guidance on:

• what to when someone dies in Kuwait
• English-speaking funeral directors in Kuwait

Marriages and civil partnerships

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get married or form a civil partnership abroad.

Same sex marriages and civil partnerships are not legally recognised in Kuwait. For information about LGBT+ rights in Kuwait, read guidance on safety and security in the travel advice for Kuwait.

Divorce and separation

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get a divorce or end a civil partnership.

The Kuwait Ministry of Justice provides information on the process of proving a revocable divorce. 

If you plan to divorce in Kuwait, consider taking legal advice from an English-speaking lawyer in Kuwait.

Read our guidance on documents for British people abroad. This covers:

• legalising and certifying UK documents
• marriage and civil partnership documents
• affirmations and affidavits
• witnessing signatures

You can also read the consular information note about legalising documents for use in Kuwait or other countries.

To find an English-speaking lawyer, translator or notary in Kuwait, read guidance on professional services if you’re abroad.