Kuwaiti: Pre travel biometric registration made mandatory as Kuwait ends fingerprinting at borders

Kuwait suspends border fingerprinting; citizens and expatriates must complete biometric registration at designated centres before travel/Representative Image

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):

Governorate	Location	Timing
Capital & Hawalli	Hawalli Security Directorate	08:00 – 14:30
Mubarak Al-Kabeer	Mubarak Al-Kabeer Security Directorate	08:00 – 14:30
Ahmadi	Ahmadi Governorate Security Directorate	08:00 – 14:30
Farwaniya	Farwaniya Governorate Security Directorate	08:00 – 14:30
Jahra	Jahra Governorate Security Directorate	08:00 – 14:30
Umm Al-Hayman Area	Ali Sabah Al-Salem Companies	08:00 – 14:30
Jahra Companies	Old Jahra Traffic Building	08:00 – 14:30

National Identity Centres (for Kuwaiti citizens only):

Governorate	Location	Timing
Capital (Al-Shamiya Area)	08:00 – 13:30 / 15:00 – 19:30
Hawalli	Mubarak Al-Abdullah Area	08:00 – 13:30 / 15:00 – 19:30
Ahmadi	Jaber Al-Ali Area	08:00 – 13:30 / 15:00 – 19:30
Farwaniya	Ishbiliya Area	08:00 – 13:30 / 15:00 – 19:30
Mubarak Al-Kabeer	Al-Masayel Area	08:00 – 13:30 / 15:00 – 19:30