Visa Denied by Kuwait for Unclear HIV Test Results
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Roshan Amiri
- . May 16, 2025
- . Update: May 16, 2025 7:54 pm
The Kuwaiti Ministry of Health announced a policy update for residency visas for expatriate applicants. According to the ministry’s new policies, applicants without a confirmed HIV seropositivity result will not qualify as medically fit for entry into the country and be denied a residency visa. The authorities also specified that a PCR test will not suffice by itself to conclude HIV status with an indeterminate result.
Two PCR tests for both types of HIV. This more stringent process is part of Kuwait’s larger effort to tighten health screening of incoming workers. There is already a similar system in place for those with indeterminate Hepatitis C test results.
The ministry noted that these actions are for protection of the public health, and to ensure that all medical screening is done according to approved protocols.
For many years, Kuwait has mandated health screening for expatriates, particularly for am inbound infectious disease screening as part of the residency visa application process, making this policy the latest step in Kuwait’s commitment to maintaining strict public health standards.
