Sipu Jha
Kuwait is taking decisive steps to unclog its border crossings and make travel smoother for citizens and residents. By shifting biometric fingerprinting away from airports, land borders, and sea ports, the Ministry of Interior aims to reduce congestion, minimise delays, and ensure that departures proceed efficiently. Travellers are now required to complete biometric registration at designated centres before leaving the country.
Biometric fingerprinting now pre travel
The Ministry of Interior has suspended biometric fingerprinting at all entry and exit points, including airports, land borders, and sea ports. This decision follows repeated instances of long queues and delays, particularly at Kuwait International Airport, caused by travellers who had not completed registration beforehand.
Who Must Register and Where
- Kuwaiti citizens: Must complete fingerprinting before travel at:
- Personal Identification Centres of the General Department of Criminal Evidence
- National Identity Centres across governorates
- Expatriates: Must complete fingerprinting exclusively at Personal Identification Centres of the General Department of Criminal Evidence in their governorate.
The Ministry stressed that completing registration in advance is crucial to avoiding travel disruptions.
Biometric registration centres and timings
General Department of Criminal Evidence (for citizens and expatriates):
National Identity Centres (for Kuwaiti citizens only):
How to check biometric registration status
Travellers can verify their registration via the Sahel App:
- Log in and select Services.
- Choose Ministry of Interior > Security Services.
- Click Verifying the necessity of performing a biometric enrollment.
- Your civil ID number will appear; press Next.
- Your biometric registration status will be displayed.
Note: All residents aged 18 and above must register. Those already enrolled are exempt from further action.
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