Travellers to Kuwait Still Advised to Reconsider Trip as Houthi Risk Rises

The U.S. Embassy in Kuwait updated the country's travel advisory on 23 October 2026 to reflect what it describes as an increased threat of armed attacks by Iranian-supported Houthis and Iranian efforts to target U.S. government officials in the region. The advisory level itself is unchanged: the United States continues to advise Reconsider Travel to Kuwait because of armed conflict, landmines and crime.

Key facts

• Advisory updated: 23 October 2026; published by the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait on 24 October 2026.
• Level: Level 3 — Reconsider Travel, unchanged, with no changes to the risk indicators.
• Reasons cited: armed conflict, landmines and crime.
• Highest-crime area named: Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh, near Kuwait International Airport.
• Landmine risk areas: desert and some beaches north of the Mutla'a Ridge and near the border with Iraq.

What changed in the advisory?

Only the advisory summary was rewritten. The U.S. Embassy said there were no changes to the advisory level or the risk indicators. The summary now highlights a rise in potential armed attacks by the Iranian-supported Houthis and Iranian efforts to target U.S. government officials in the region.

The advisory also notes that the U.S. government has limited ability to offer services to U.S. citizens in Kuwait because of safety risks. U.S. government employees need special authorization to travel to Kuwait, and further staffing adjustments may be imposed on U.S. personnel.

Why is this warning being raised?

The advisory points to hostilities by Iranian-supported Houthis against Saudi Arabia, including attacks on civilian airports and other critical infrastructure that have caused civilian casualties and severe travel disruptions. It warns that these hostilities could escalate rapidly beyond that immediate area.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) or a Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) covering risks to civil aviation operating within or near the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman region, including Kuwait. Travellers are told to consult the FAA for the most up-to-date information on current warnings.

What are the main safety risks on the ground?

Crime: the advisory urges increased caution in the Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh area of Kuwait City. Kuwaiti police report that the neighbourhood near Kuwait International Airport is a high-crime area.

Landmines: landmines and unexploded ordnance exist in the desert and on some beaches north of the Mutla'a Ridge and near the border with Iraq. Their locations are not marked, and items left over from the 1990 Gulf War — bombs, shells and landmines — may still be present. Travellers are told not to go "off the beaten path" in those areas and not to touch or move objects, as they could explode.

What does the embassy advise travellers to do?

For those who decide to travel to Kuwait, the advisory recommends enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for updates and alerts, monitoring local media and being ready to change plans, and setting up a communication plan with family, an employer or a host organisation.

It also advises keeping travel documents up to date and accessible, reviewing local laws and conditions, staying aware of surroundings — especially in places visited by large groups — and checking travel health information before departure. Buying insurance covering evacuation assistance, medical care and trip cancellation is highly recommended, as is having an emergency exit plan that does not depend on U.S. government help.

Kuwait has strict laws prohibiting the possession or trafficking of drugs, including marijuana, and alcohol. The advisory tells travellers not to bring drugs or alcohol in their luggage and not to attempt to purchase them in Kuwait.

The advisory does not set out any new entry requirements, visa rules or document changes for travellers. Those planning a trip should review the current advisory text and the FAA warnings before departure.