Five-Year Schengen Visa Encourages More Kuwaitis to Visit France, Ambassador Notes

France remains the top Schengen destination for Kuwaiti travellers, supported by strong and sustained demand and the introduction of five-year multiple-entry visas. Officials are urging applicants to submit requests early as travel volumes increase and seasonal pressure affects appointment availability.

French authorities encouraged travellers to follow official application procedures and plan well in advance to ensure smooth visa processing, reaffirming France’s popularity among Kuwaitis travelling for tourism, education and medical treatment.

Five applicant categories are exempt from appointment requirements: emergency medical cases, military personnel on official assignments, diplomatic passport holders, students, and spouses of French citizens.

French Ambassador to Kuwait H.E. Olivier Gauvin said France continues to rank as the leading Schengen destination for Kuwaiti citizens and residents, reflecting steady demand despite evolving European visa regulations.

Speaking at a press conference at the French Embassy, attended by representatives of visa service provider Capago International and the embassy’s consular team, the ambassador outlined recent updates to Schengen visa procedures and upcoming European travel systems.

Strong demand despite regulatory changes

According to Ambassador Gauvin, the embassy received around 41,000 visa applications in 2022, rising to 42,000 in 2023, before stabilising at approximately 36,000 applications annually during 2024 and 2025.

He explained that the slight decline does not signal reduced interest in travel but instead reflects the implementation of the European “Cascade” regulation introduced in 2023. The system allows Kuwaiti citizens to obtain a five-year multiple-entry Schengen visa directly, provided their passports remain valid for the required period plus three additional months, eliminating the need for gradual visa renewals previously required.

The embassy currently processes about 150 applications daily, with numbers increasing to nearly 300 per day during peak summer travel seasons. High demand can extend appointment waiting times to four weeks or more, while processing may take up to one month.

Very low rejection rate

The ambassador highlighted the high approval rate for Kuwaiti applicants, noting that visa refusals stand at only 0.2 percent, compared with an overall rejection rate of roughly 2.6 percent across all nationalities in 2025.

He also reminded travellers that short-stay Schengen visas allow stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period and that overstaying is strictly prohibited.

France continues to attract Kuwaiti students pursuing higher education, with long-stay visa applications beginning through the Campus France office at the French Institute in Jabriya before proceeding to the visa stage.

Apply only through official channels

Ambassador Gauvin stressed that visa applications must be submitted exclusively through the authorised Capago centre operating in coordination with the embassy.

He warned applicants against intermediaries claiming to speed up procedures for additional fees, emphasising that such services cannot influence processing times or visa decisions.

Applicants must complete their forms online through the France-Visas platform before booking an appointment to submit documents in person and provide biometric data, including fingerprints and photographs.

Children under 12 and applicants whose fingerprints were registered within the past 59 months are exempt from biometric collection for short-stay visas, although fingerprint validity may expire before a five-year visa ends, requiring renewal during future applications.

Early applications advised

Travellers are encouraged to apply up to six months before their intended departure dates to avoid seasonal congestion. Improvements such as online prepayment have helped reduce missed appointments and improve scheduling efficiency.

Applicants must also submit their visa request to the embassy representing their main destination or longest stay within the Schengen area, as failure to do so may lead to questioning at border control.

Requirements for each trip

For every visit, travellers must carry proof of accommodation, valid travel insurance, evidence of sufficient financial resources, and a return ticket. The five-year Cascade visa applies exclusively to Kuwaiti citizens, while other nationalities must apply separately for each journey.

A valid visa remains usable even if the passport expires, provided travellers carry both their old passport containing the visa and their new passport.

Special procedures

Visas for accompanying domestic workers depend on the worker’s nationality and require additional documentation, including employment contracts, insurance coverage and compliance with French labour regulations.

Medical travel to France is permitted under specific procedures when treatment costs are officially covered by the Kuwaiti government. France remains a leading destination for Kuwaiti patients seeking specialised healthcare.

Appointment rules and exemptions

Arun Yamani, Director of Operations at Capago International, said access to visa centres is strictly by appointment, with applicants allowed entry only 15 to 20 minutes before their scheduled time. Intermediaries are not permitted inside, except for premium appointment holders.

However, emergency medical cases, military personnel on official missions, diplomatic passport holders, students, and spouses of French citizens remain exempt from appointment requirements.

New European travel systems

The ambassador also highlighted two new European travel frameworks affecting international travellers:

• The Entry/Exit System (EES), introduced in October 2025, digitally records the entry and departure of non-EU travellers using biometric data.

• The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), expected to launch by the end of 2026, will require advance electronic authorisation for visa-exempt visitors.

As travel demand continues to rise, French officials reiterated the importance of early applications and adherence to official procedures, reinforcing France’s position as one of the most popular destinations for Kuwaiti travellers across tourism, education and medical sectors.