The Department of State renewed its Travel Advisory  for Kuwait on August 28, 2026.  There were no changes to the Travel Advisory Level or the risk indicators. Advisory summary was updated to reflect changes that family members 18 years of age or older may travel to Kuwait.

TRAVEL ADVISORY: Kuwait

Level 3: Reconsider Travel 

C – Crime

O – Other

Reconsider Travel to Kuwait due to armed conflict, landmines, and crime.

Advisory summary

The U.S. government has limited ability to offer services to U.S. citizens in Kuwait due to safety risks.

U.S. government employee travel restrictions 

Due to safety risks, U.S. government employees need special authorization to travel to Kuwait. Only family members 18 years of age or older may join U.S. government employees working in Kuwait.

Armed conflict

Following the onset of hostilities between the United States and Iran on February 28, 2026, there has been an ongoing threat of drone and missile attacks from Iran. Commercial aviation has also been seriously disrupted.

Aviation safety

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) or a Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR). This is due to risks to civil aviation operating within or nearby the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman region, including Kuwait. Consult the Federal Aviation Administration  for the most up to date information on current FAA warnings.

Crime

• Exercise increased caution in the Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh area in Kuwait City because of crime.
• The Kuwaiti police report that the neighborhood of Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh near the Kuwait International Airport is a high-crime area.

Landmines

• Landmines and unexploded ordnance exist in the desert area and some beaches north of the Mutla’a Ridge and near the border with Iraq.
• The locations of landmines and unexploded ordnance are not marked, so it can be hard to know where they are.
• There may be unexploded bombs, shells, and landmines left over from the 1990 Gulf War.
• Do not travel to areas that are “off the beaten path.” Do not touch or move objects in those areas as they could explode.

For U.S. citizens in Kuwait:

• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive important updates and alerts from the U.S. embassy or consulate. Enrolling helps the U.S. embassy or consulate contact you or your emergency contact in an emergency.
• Review the Country Security Report  for Kuwait.
• Visit our website for information on travel to High-Risk Areas .
• Monitor local media for breaking events and be prepared to adjust your plans.
• Develop a communication plan with family, your employer, or host organization. Plan together how and when you’ll confirm you are safe (text or call).
• Keep travel documents up to date and easy to access.
• Review local laws and conditions  before traveling. Kuwait has strict laws prohibiting the possession or trafficking of drugs (including marijuana) and alcohol. Do not bring drugs or alcohol in your luggage and do not attempt to purchase them in Kuwait.
• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Stay alert especially in places visited by large groups of people and travelers or tourists.
• Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for the latest Travel Health Information  before you travel.
• We highly recommend that you buy insurance before you travel. Check with your travel insurance provider  about evacuation assistance, medical insurance, and trip cancelation coverage.
• Have a plan to leave in an emergency that does not depend on U.S. government help. Review our information on Crisis and Evacuations .
• Whether you’re a first time or frequent traveler, use the International Travel Checklist .

For State Department and Embassy information:

See the State Department’s travel website  for the Worldwide Caution , Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Kuwait Country Specific Information .

We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Kuwait enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program  (STEP). STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates, and makes it easier for the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate to contact you in an emergency. If you don’t have Internet access, enroll directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

Regularly monitor the State Department’s travel website  for the Worldwide Caution , Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Kuwait Country Specific Information . For additional information, refer to the “Traveler’s Checklist ” on the State Department’s website.

Contact the U.S. embassy or consulate for up-to-date information on travel restrictions. You can also call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Follow us on Twitter  and Facebook . to have travel information at your fingertips.

The U.S. Embassy in Kuwait is located at Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa Street, Block 6, Plot 14, Bayan, Kuwait, at +965-2259-1001. After-hours emergency number for U.S. citizens is +965-2259-1001

Note: The timestamp on this e-mail message may reflect Washington, D.C., time, which may differ from local time.