Wayzata World Factbook 1994/World Factbook - 1994 Edition - Wayzata Technology (1994).iso/pc/text/txtfiles/kuwait.tvl

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#CARD:Kuwait:Travel\Consular Information
Kuwait - Consular Information Sheet
September 1, 1993

Country Description:  Kuwait is a constitutional monarchy with a modern
economy.  Day-to-day life has returned to normal after the 1990 Iraqi
occupation, although some services may not be up to pre-invasion standards.
Facilities for travelers are widely available.  The workweek in Kuwait is
Saturday through Wednesday.

Entry Requirements:  Passports and visas are required for U.S. citizens
traveling to Kuwait, and airport visas are not available.  For more
information concerning entry requirements, travelers may contact the Embassy
of Kuwait at 2940 Tilden St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, telephone (202)
966-0702, or the Kuwaiti Consulate in New York City, telephone [phone].

Areas of Instability:  Travel to and near the Iraq-Kuwait border is
extremely hazardous, as continuing incidents of long-term detention of
foreigners by Iraqi authorities make clear.  Travelers to that area, even
while still in Kuwaiti territory, are in immediate jeopardy of detention by
Iraqi security personnel.  The border area is marked but the boundary is
very difficult to see, and Kuwaiti border posts, where they exist, may not
warn travelers that they are nearing Iraq.  Most foreigners, regardless of
nationality, who have been detained by Iraqi forces during the last year
have been convicted of illegally crossing the Iraq border and have been
sentenced to jail terms of seven to ten years.  Many were held incommunicado
during the initial days of their detention.  Occasional exchanges of fire in
the DMZ near Iraq pose an additional hazard.  For U.S. citizens having
legitimate, urgent, work-related business near the border, timely and useful
information is available from the U.S. Embassy.  Such persons may also wish
to consult their employer's security personnel.

Unexploded bombs, mines, booby traps, and other items remain in open areas
and beaches throughout Kuwait.  U.S. Embassy personnel have been forbidden
to travel off paved surfaces outside Kuwait City.  There have also been
sporadic bombings in the residential and commercial areas of Kuwait City.

Medical Facilities:  The health care delivery system continues to rebuild
after the Iraqi occupation, but still remains marginal.  There are many
medical facilities, both government and private, available in Kuwait.
Medical care at government-run clinics and hospitals is provided free of
charge to residents of Kuwait, while private physicians and hospitals charge
a fee for services.  Non-residents have found that private doctors,
hospitals and clinics expect immediate cash payment for their services.
U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States.
Supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage has proved
useful.  Specific health questions can be addressed to the Centers for
Disease Control's international travelers hotline, telephone [phone].

Crime Information:  The crime rate in Kuwait is moderate.  Many weapons left
over from the 1991 Gulf War remain in the hands of the populace, and
shooting incidents have occurred.  Both physical and verbal harassment of
women is a continuing problem.  The loss or theft of a U.S. passport abroad
should be reported immediately to local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy
or Consulate.  Useful information on safeguarding valuables, protecting
personal security, and other matters while traveling abroad is provided in
the Department of State pamphlets, "A Safe Trip Abroad" and "Tips for
Travelers to the Middle East and North Africa."  They are available from the
Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington,
D.C. 20402.

Currency Regulations:  Travelers checks and credit cards are widely
acceptable.  Kuwaiti currency is readily convertible to U.S. dollars.

Drug and Other Penalties:  U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the
country in which they are traveling.  Penalties for possession, use, or
dealing in illegal drugs, alcohol, or pornography are severe, and convicted
offenders can expect jail sentences and fines.  Religious proselytizing is
not permitted.

Terrorist Activities:  Violent incidents occur sporadically and are usually
directed against Kuwaiti targets.  The U.S. Embassy can supply more detailed
information to Americans in Kuwait on reducing the risk of becoming a target
of a terrorist attack.

Registration:  U.S. citizens who register at the Consular Section of the
U.S. Embassy may be enrolled in the Embassy's emergency alert network, and
can obtain updated information on travel and security in Kuwait.

Embassy Location:  The U.S. Embassy in Kuwait is located on Gulf Road near
the Kuwait International Hotel in Kuwait City, P.O. Box 77 Safat, 13001
SAFAT, Kuwait, phone [phone] through 9.

No. 93-241

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet for Kuwait dated January 8,
1993, to update information on the danger of travel near the Iraq-Kuwait
border and to add information about reporting the loss or theft of a U.S.
passport.

#ENDCARD