# Kuwait — payment codes and schemes

> Source: https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/KW
> extracted at 2026-10-03
> Publisher: Barcoder — encyclopedia of QR, barcode and payment-code standards

## Summary

- **WAMD** is the new instant payment system (2025)
- **K-Net** operates as national payment gateway
- **CBK** supervises payment infrastructure
- **QR code payments** being developed with K-Net
- **Extended KASSIP hours** to 11:15 PM (2025)

## Banking landscape

### Central Bank
- **Name:** Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK)
- **Website:** https://www.cbk.gov.kw/
- **Role:** Monetary policy, payment systems supervision

### Major Banks (2024)

| Rank | Bank Name | Type | Digital Platform |
|------|-----------|------|------------------|
| 1 | National Bank of Kuwait | Private | NBK Mobile |
| 2 | Kuwait Finance House | Islamic | KFH Online |
| 3 | Burgan Bank | Private | Burgan App |
| 4 | Gulf Bank | Private | Gulf Bank App |
| 5 | Commercial Bank | Private | Al-Tijari App |

### Market Structure
- **NBK:** Largest conventional bank
- **KFH:** Largest Islamic bank
- **K-Net:** National payment gateway
- **Weyay Bank:** First digital bank

---

## Payment infrastructure

### National Payment Systems

| System | Operator | Type | Status |
|--------|----------|------|--------|
| WAMD | K-Net/CBK | Instant payment | Active (2025) |
| KASSIP | CBK | Settlement | Active |
| K-Net | K-Net | Card switch | Active |
| RTGS | CBK | Large value | Active |

### WAMD Instant Payment System (2025)
- Account-to-account transfers
- Phone number identification
- K-Net facilitated
- CBK supervised

### WAMD Early Adopters
- National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) - June 30
- Kuwait Finance House (KFH)
- Weyay Bank (first digital bank)

### KASSIP Operating Hours (2025)
- Extended to 11:15 PM (regular days)
- Weekends and holidays included
- Previous: 7:15 PM
- Improved customer service

---

## QR code standards

### Current State

| Attribute | Value |
|-----------|-------|
| **Status** | Under development |
| **Lead** | CBK with K-Net |
| **Goal** | All POS terminals |
| **Timeline** | Ongoing |

### CBK QR Development
- Cooperation with banks
- K-Net partnership
- All POS availability target
- In development phase

### Bank-Specific QR Services

| Bank | Service | Features |
|------|---------|----------|
| Al-Tijari | T-Pay | QR pay/collect |
| NBK | QR Cash Withdrawal | ATM QR |
| NBK | VIBANs + APIs | Fintech services |

### T-Pay (Al-Tijari Bank)
- QR code technology
- Pay to Al-Tijari customers
- Collect from customers
- First mover in Kuwait

### NBK Fintech Services
- Virtual IBANs (VIBANs)
- Secure APIs
- QR Code Cash Withdrawal
- Bin Sponsorship
- For licensed e-wallet providers

---

## Mobile payment apps

| App | Provider | WAMD | QR |
|-----|----------|------|-------|
| NBK Mobile | NBK | Yes | ATM QR |
| KFH Online | KFH | Yes | Limited |
| Al-Tijari | Commercial Bank | - | T-Pay |
| Weyay | Weyay Bank | Yes | Growing |
| Gulf Bank | Gulf Bank | Yes | Limited |

### NBK Mobile Features
- WAMD instant transfers
- QR Code Cash Withdrawal
- Fintech API integration
- Digital services

### Weyay Bank
- Kuwait's first digital bank
- WAMD integrated
- Mobile-first approach
- Innovative services

---

## Schemes

| Scheme | Type | Symbology | Adoption | Technical standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [WAMD](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/KW/wamd) | Instant payment | K-Net | New (2025) | [`wamd`](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/standards/wamd) |
| [T-Pay QR](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/KW/t-pay-qr) | Bank QR | Al-Tijari | Bank-specific | — |
| [K-Net](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/KW/k-net) | Card switch | National | Universal | — |

## Sources

- [CBK - Digital Services](https://www.cbk.com/Personal-Banking/Digital-Services)
- [CBK - Payment Systems Development](https://www.cbk.gov.kw/en/payment-systems/development-of-payment-systems)
- [CBK - Payment Systems Intro](https://www.cbk.gov.kw/en/payment-systems/payment-systems-intro)
- [CBK - E-Payment Services](https://www.cbk.gov.kw/en/supervision/e-payment-services)
- [Fintech Futures - WAMD Launch](https://www.fintechfutures.com/instant-real-time-payments/kuwait-s-central-bank-approves-launch-of-new-wamd-instant-payments-system)
- [TechAfrica - NBK Fintech](https://techafricanews.com/2025/11/17/national-bank-of-kuwait-expands-digital-banking-portfolio-with-advanced-fintech-services/)
- [CBK - Stability Event](https://www.cbk.gov.kw/en/cbk-news/Stability_Enablement_Event)
- [CBK - Ways of Payment](https://www.cbk.com/Personal-Banking/Digital-Services/Ways-of-Payment)
- [Google Play - CBK Mobile](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cbk.mobilebanking&hl=en)
- [Commercial Bank Kuwait - T-Pay](https://www.cbk.com/)

## Full country report

[KW-kuwait.md](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/KW)