I really hate flying out of Kuwait on weekends and I hate it, even more, coming back at the end of the weekend. The airport is usually packed with travelers and immigration on arrival is usually total chaos for us expats. But, I think I’ve found a good solution, Hala Meet & Assist Service.
I’ve know about the Hala Meet & Assist Service for some time now but didn’t consider using it until recently. The way it works is fairly simple, first, you need to book the service before you arrive to Kuwait. When you land one of their employees waits for you outside the plane and then takes your passport and fast-tracks you through immigration by taking you through the VIP line. This allows you to skip the long endless immigration queues and the chaos associated with it.
The service isn’t cheap costing KD10, but on more than one occasion I would have been willing to pay double that just to get through the airport as stress-free as possible. The biggest downside to this service is the fact that sometimes you get to immigration and there isn’t a queue or anything, so the KD10 goes to waste. So its a gamble, you pluck the KD10 down in hopes that there is a huge chaotic scene at immigration (which is the case 80% of the time). If you’re interested in finding out more about this service, then click [Here]
14 replies on “Fast Tracking Through the Airport”
Is it per person or with this can i take my whole family and pass through 🙂
Oops … just noticed that its per person.
You’re just discovering this now??!!
I ALWAYS advise all visitors to Kuwait to sign up for this service before flying in
Do they use the line for GCC citizens, or is it a completely different line?
I always use them when we expect a visiting professor at KU. I think it costs us 12KD. Did they lower their price?
Perhaps if things were better organised and some people actually did their jobs instead of playing on their phones, this kind of expense would not be necessary.
This is a service that is available in a lot of airports all over the world.
The same service they offer while going out also; they will assist you with the check-in and immigration..
I frequently go through the VIP lines without paying for anything extra….I just find a grumpy looking male security guard, put on my “innocent lady” eyes and rub my tummy a little bit (they assume I am pregnant), and ask, “Sir, I am traveling alone with my small son – do we have to wait in line with all the men??”
BAM!! “No no Madam, let me get you through!!” – straight to VIP/first class check-in/out!
😉 Probably won’t work for you, Mark.
Another probable downside could be, you pass the immigration in a jiffy and have to wait for your baggage. It never turns up until most of them in the Queue joins the wait.
I use the Marhaba service when visiting Dubai and they are absolutely fabulous, your baggage gets bumped up the queue as well never had to wait for my bags there, they come out with business class.
Over here it’s not as efficient, you save time standing in the passport queue only to get screwed at baggage claim. Last time I was coming in from a 24-hour flight, I booked the whole package – passports, porter and limo. Whizzed through empty passport control, waited an hour and a half for the bags (including half an hour for the belt to start), even the porter got bored and gave the job to another porter and once we were out we had to wait for 20 minutes for the “limo” (a shitty Kia) in 40 degree heat. Not a good experience.
Oh just as a follow-up on the Marhaba service, you need to book these guys at least 24 hours in advance, if you forget to book you can use another service called Ahlan just before the flight.
just wanted to mention that you don’t need to book 24 hours in advance. I booked just before i got onto the plane and then when i got onto the plane i realized i booked for departure not arrival, so i emailed them as well as called them up to change it to arrival and i was able to do that before the plane took off.
Maraheb is 7KD if you don’t need to pay a fee for a visa
$34 is around KD10