Biometric Scanning when Entering Kuwait

  Every person entering Kuwait now has to get their iris, face and finger prints scanned. This applies at every entry port including the airport.

Previously it was just finger prints, now it’s the face, iris and finger prints. Applies to everyone not just expats.

In a press statement, the ministry clarified that all arrivals, nationals or expatriates, who are over 18 years of age would subject to biometric scanning before entering the country.

This includes fingerprints, face recognition and eye scanning, it pointed out, adding that the new technology would be applied on entrants only.

The ministry said it opened four centers in Al-Jahra, Ali Sabah Al-Salem, Gharb Mishref and Farwaniya for travelers who want to register their biometric data before traveling. 14 devices have been set up in the Umm Al-Hayman and Jahra centers, which will operate 24 hours a day to receive citizens.”

Bio metric system installed at land, airports

 the ministry has installed 49 devices at the land, sea and air ports, in addition to two centers in Umm Al-Hayman and Jahra.

The sources explained that this step does not cause any obstacle for citizens or residents in terms of traveling or renewing residency. Requesting for fingerprint does not prevent travelers from leaving or entering the country. The ministry is currently creating a security database for those coming into the country, irrespective of whether they are citizens, residents or Gulf nationals, and even visitors. The next step will include residents of the country by taking their ten fingerprints and linking it to the process of the renewal of their residency.

he Department of Land and Air Ports has registered the largest number of travelers coming into the country, including citizens, residents and visitors, by taking their fingerprint, which in normal cases takes not more than three minutes. Whoever faces the problem of the fingerprint not being recognized either due to an injury or other reason, it is recorded in the system, and then the eye and the face is scanned, which takes about five minutes. However, in the event that the port witnesses a large congestion of travelers, only Kuwaitis will be allowed to enter.

They will be informed of the need to go to one of the two centers in the areas of Umm Al-Haiman and Jahra to take the fingerprint. These centers will work 24 hours a day to support the border crossings and reduce congestion, especially with the large travel movement expected during the summer period. The fingerprint system is applied to anyone who is 21 years old and above.

the Ministry of Interior’s announcement to designate four centers in addition to the border crossings to implement the biometric system, the Department of Public Relations and Security Media of the Ministry of Interior stated that, as part of the security authority’s keenness to secure the border crossings with the latest security means and technologies, and in accordance with the national project to protect the country’s security, the Ports and Borders Security Sector has activated the biometric system, which includes taking scans of the face and eyes and fingerprints of those entering the country through the Kuwaiti ports