For some reason, there is a blatant lack of knowledge regarding this visa on the Internet. And, even recruiters seem befuddled about the process. So I am sharing my experience here in the hopes that it will ease the anxiety of the next person off to Kuwait from South Africa.
Step 1: Document Collection
Your school should tell you exactly what they want from you. It will differ from school to school. I had to apply for and get:
- Police Clearance
- Medical Report
- All relevant degree/s
For more information on how to get those things and the process for obtaining &attesting them, please click here.
Step 2: The NOC
As soon as you accept an offer from a company/school, they will apply to Ministry of Education in Kuwait for a certificate that states that you are fit to enter and work in Kuwait. You don’t need to do anything for this certificate to be issued to you but note- it can take a few months to be issued. Mine took 8 weeks exactly and I received it just before school was about to start! Keep in contact with the company about when they will have it and how they will send it to you. You must have the original in your hands before step 3.
Step 3:
The Kuwaiti embassy will need to do two things namely:
-Attest your documents (after they have already been attesting by DIRCO).
-Stick the visa sticker in your passport.
You will send all the above documents/what is required by your company including the original NOC and passport to the embassy. Please note: The embassy requires in person presentation meaning that either you or an agent will have to go in person. The embassy charges fees to attest each document. My bill came to R1250 so budget for that. Please remember to send your blood results and chest X Ray report with your medical report.
The man in charge of granting visas at the embassy in Pretoria is: Mr. Niaz Khan. I cannot stress the importance of getting in touch with him while you are still collecting your documents as he will tell you exactly what you need and how the embassy can assist you in your visa process. His email address: niazalikhan64@gmail.com
The Kuwaiti embassy is situated at: 890 Arcadia Street, Arcadia, Pretoria, 0083
The embassy can take a day to issue your visa or a week depending on the urgency of your need. Phone them to discuss everything.
Good luck with your visa and remember that it can take a few months to be issued…so be patient!
