Kuwait Halts Airport And Border Biometric Fingerprinting, Introducing New Pre-Travel Registration Process To Alleviate Airport Queues

Published on November 5, 2025

Kuwait has halted biometric fingerprinting at airports and borders, shifting the registration process to designated pre-travel centres in a bid to reduce airport congestion and improve the efficiency of international departures. The decision comes after months of increasing delays and long queues at Kuwait International Airport, caused by travellers who had not completed their biometric registration in advance. By moving this process to dedicated centres across the country, the Ministry of Interior aims to streamline travel, cut wait times, and ensure smoother departures for both citizens and expatriates.

Kuwait has introduced a significant shift in the way it manages biometric fingerprinting for international travellers. In a move designed to reduce congestion at airports and improve the overall travel experience, the Ministry of Interior has suspended the practice of collecting biometric data directly at airports and border points. Instead, all travellers, both citizens and residents, will now need to complete their biometric registration at designated centres before their departure.

This change aims to streamline the travel process, enhance border control efficiency, and, most importantly, reduce long queues and delays that have plagued Kuwait International Airport and other entry points. Let’s delve deeper into this change and explore why it matters for both citizens and expatriates.

Why Kuwait Changed the Rule

The decision to shift biometric fingerprinting to dedicated centres across Kuwait comes after months of increasing congestion at key travel hubs like Kuwait International Airport. Travellers who had not registered for biometric fingerprinting in advance were contributing to long queues and causing delays, which severely impacted flight schedules.

The Ministry of Interior has worked to alleviate these issues by relocating the biometric registration process to pre-departure centres. By doing so, the Ministry hopes to reduce wait times at the airport, making the departure process smoother for both locals and visitors. The new process is expected to not only cut down the time spent at airports but also enhance overall travel security.

Who Needs to Register?

According to the new rules, biometric registration is mandatory for all Kuwaiti citizens and expatriates aged 18 and older. For citizens, there are two options for completing the registration: they can choose either Personal Identification Centres under the General Department of Criminal Evidence or National Identity Centres. Expatriates, however, are required to register only at the Personal Identification Centres of the General Department of Criminal Evidence located in their respective governorates.

Importantly, those who fail to complete the registration process in advance risk being delayed or even denied departure at the airport. This underscores the importance of getting the biometric registration done well before their scheduled travel dates.

Where to Register

For both citizens and expatriates, the biometric registration process will take place at specific centres across Kuwait. The General Department of Criminal Evidence, which handles registrations for both groups, operates in several locations across the country, while Kuwaiti citizens also have the option to register at National Identity Centres in different governorates. Below are the details on where to enrol:

General Department of Criminal Evidence (for both citizens and expatriates):

National Identity Centres (for Kuwaiti citizens only):

These registration centres are open daily from 08:00 AM to 14:30 PM, with some offering extended hours for Kuwaiti citizens. The Ministry of Interior has stressed that the new procedure will ensure that travellers are able to complete their biometric fingerprinting without the hassle of waiting in long airport lines.

How to Check if You’re Registered

For those unsure of their registration status, the Ministry of Interior has made it easy for all travellers to verify their biometric status before heading to the airport. This can be done through the official Sahel App, which provides a simple, step-by-step process for checking if biometric enrollment is required.

Here’s how you can verify your biometric status:

1. Open the Sahel App on your mobile device.
2. Log in and select Services.
3. Tap Ministry of Interior → Security Services.
4. Choose Verifying the necessity of performing a biometric enrollment.
5. Enter your civil ID number and press Next.
6. The app will display your registration status instantly, allowing you to know whether you need to register before travelling.

It is strongly advised that all travellers aged 18 and above confirm their biometric registration status well in advance to avoid any last-minute complications or delays at the airport.

Who Is Required to Register?

The biometric fingerprinting process is mandatory for all Kuwaiti residents aged 18 and over, including expatriates. Once you’ve completed the registration, there is no need to repeat it unless explicitly stated by the authorities.

For those who have already completed their registration, it’s crucial to confirm the status to ensure everything is up to date before embarking on an international journey. Those who have not yet registered must ensure they do so well ahead of their planned departure to avoid last-minute stress at the airport.

Why This Policy Change Matters

Kuwait’s decision to shift the biometric fingerprinting process to pre-departure centres is more than just a bureaucratic adjustment. It represents a much-needed solution to the long-standing problem of congestion at Kuwait International Airport. By completing this step in advance, travellers can enjoy smoother, quicker, and more efficient travel experiences.

This change also reflects Kuwait’s growing efforts to modernise its travel and border security processes, making them more streamlined and less burdensome for passengers. Additionally, the Ministry of Interior’s proactive approach demonstrates a clear intent to improve the overall airport experience for both citizens and expatriates.

For frequent flyers and expatriates, the pre-travel registration is a crucial step in ensuring a stress-free departure. No longer will travellers be caught off guard by the need to complete their biometric data collection at the airport. Instead, they can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with having this process sorted before they even arrive at the airport.

The Practical Impact of the Change

This change will have a wide-ranging impact on the travel experience for Kuwait’s residents. By cutting down the waiting times for biometric processing, the authorities hope to not only ease congestion at the airport but also reduce flight delays. The simple act of getting registered before departure will go a long way in ensuring that travellers move through the airport quickly, without unnecessary holdups.

For expatriates, particularly those who travel frequently, this change will remove one of the major hurdles in international travel. The new process simplifies what was previously a frustrating and time-consuming task, making travel a smoother, more predictable process.

Kuwait’s move to halt biometric fingerprinting at airports and borders, shifting the process to pre-departure centres, is a step toward streamlining the travel experience for both residents and tourists. With clear guidelines on where to register and how to check if they are already enrolled, travellers are encouraged to complete this process well in advance of their flight. This will not only ensure a smoother departure but also help alleviate long queues and delays at Kuwait International Airport.

Kuwait has suspended biometric fingerprinting at airports and borders, shifting the registration process to pre-travel centres to reduce congestion and speed up departures. This change aims to streamline travel and prevent delays caused by unregistered travellers.

The new policy demonstrates Kuwait’s commitment to improving travel infrastructure and creating a more efficient, user-friendly system for its citizens and expatriates alike. It’s an initiative that will undoubtedly make international departures easier, quicker, and more predictable for everyone involved.