Repatriation from Kuwait City, Kuwait

Kuwait City is the country’s capital and only major urban centre. Kuwait is a small Gulf state but it has a disproportionately significant British presence shaped by the 1990-1991 Gulf War and the defence and energy relationships established in its aftermath. British professionals work in oil and gas (Kuwait Petroleum Corporation and its subsidiaries), in defence and military advisory roles, in finance, and in healthcare. The British community is smaller than those in the UAE or Saudi Arabia but is well established and tends to comprise senior professionals on long-term contracts rather than transient workers.

Kuwait is a conservative Islamic society. British nationals working here are generally aware of local norms. The administrative process for repatriation follows similar principles to other Gulf states but has specific features shaped by Kuwaiti law and the structure of Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior.

Consular coverage

British Embassy Kuwait City: Arabian Gulf Street, Safat 13001, Kuwait City. Tel: +965 2259 4320. FCDO 24-hour: +44 (0)20 7008 5000.

The Embassy is the sole consular point of contact for British nationals throughout Kuwait. Its consular team is experienced with deaths involving British nationals and has established working relationships with the relevant Kuwaiti authorities.

What Kuwaiti law requires

Code of Criminal Procedure, Law No. 17 of 1960 and subsequent amendments: All sudden, violent, suspicious, or unexplained deaths are reported to the Kuwait Police. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID — جهاز التحقيقات الجنائية) takes the initial report and supervises the investigation.

Public Prosecution (النيابة العامة): The Public Prosecutor must authorise the post-mortem examination and must issue a release order before the body can be prepared for repatriation. This process cannot be circumvented.

Death registration: Registered at the General Directorate of Civil Affairs (الإدارة العامة للأحوال المدنية) under the Ministry of Interior. For foreign nationals, the death certificate is issued in Arabic by the relevant district authority.

Ministry of Health export permit: The Ministry of Health (وزارة الصحة) issues the permit to transport human remains out of Kuwait. This is required in addition to the Public Prosecution release order.

Cremation: Cremation is not permitted under Kuwaiti law. The body must be repatriated intact.

Forensic facilities

The Kuwait Forensic Medicine Centre (مركز الطب الشرعي) operates under the Ministry of Justice. It conducts court-ordered post-mortem examinations for Kuwait City and the surrounding governorates. The Centre is well resourced by regional standards. Post-mortem examinations for foreign nationals are typically completed within five to ten working days.

The Ministry of Health hospital mortuaries — particularly Kuwait New Maidan Hospital and Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital — hold bodies prior to and following forensic examination.

Documentation for repatriation

All documents are in Arabic. Certified English translation is required for UK purposes. Documents typically required:

Arabic death certificate with certified translation
Public Prosecution release order
Post-mortem report (if autopsy conducted) with certified translation
Ministry of Health international transport permit
Embalming certificate
Zinc-lined coffin certificate
British Embassy Kuwait City consular death registration

Arabic translation services are available in Kuwait City. The Embassy can advise on reliable accredited providers.

Flight routing

Kuwait International Airport (KWI): Kuwait Airways operates direct KWI-LHR services. British Airways also operates on this route. Both carriers have cargo divisions with experience in human remains transport.

Allow 14 to 21 days for straightforward cases. Cases involving investigation delays or document authentication complications take longer.

Specific Kuwait City factors

Oil sector workplace deaths: Deaths involving British nationals working at oil facilities — refineries, platforms, or support operations — may involve additional investigation by the Kuwait Oil Company or the relevant operating company, which runs parallel to the police investigation. Employers at these facilities typically have established emergency response protocols.

Medical deaths: Kuwait has a strong private hospital sector (Al-Salam Hospital, American Mission Hospital, and others) treating British residents. Deaths in hospital that are not sudden or suspicious move more quickly through the certification process, though the Ministry of Health permit remains a requirement.

Anglo-Kuwaiti ties: The UK and Kuwait have close defence and diplomatic ties dating to the Gulf War liberation. This relationship is broadly facilitative of consular cooperation.

Practical points for families

If the deceased was employed in Kuwait, contact their employer or employer’s emergency contact immediately. Oil and gas companies and defence contractors working in Kuwait invariably have incident response protocols for deaths of their personnel.

For deaths unconnected to employment — medical emergencies, accidents, or deaths among British visitors — the British Embassy is the first call. Register the death with the Embassy as soon as possible.

Contact Repatriate Service as soon as you can. We coordinate with the British Embassy Kuwait City, manage the Arabic documentation chain, and arrange cargo with Kuwait Airways or British Airways.

Source: British Embassy Kuwait City official website, accessed 2025. Kuwait Code of Criminal Procedure, Law No. 17 of 1960, as amended. Kuwait Forensic Medicine Centre, Ministry of Justice, institutional profile, 2024. FCDO Travel Advice: Kuwait, updated 2025.