Have you ever seen a missed call from a number starting with the 965 country code and wondered, “965 which country is that?” You’re not alone. The international telephone code +965 is the unique prefix assigned exclusively to the State of Kuwait. This code is your essential starting point for any call to a person or business within its borders.
While many people search for the 965 phone code to make a legitimate call, a growing number of queries come from a place of confusion and concern. Users often ask, “What is the area code of Kuwait?” or, more urgently, “Why am I getting strange calls from a 965 phone number?”
This comprehensive guide will answer all your questions about the country code 965. We’ll cover exactly what this code means, explain Kuwait’s unique phone numbering system, debunk common myths (like a supposed link to the 965 area code USA), provide clear step-by-step dialing instructions, and most importantly, show you how to identify and avoid the phone scams frequently associated with this prefix.
The Core Explanation: What is Country Code 965?
The telephone code 965 serves as the international gateway to the State of Kuwait. In the global telecommunications network, this three-digit prefix acts as a national identifier, ensuring that any call from outside the country is correctly routed to a landline or mobile phone within Kuwait. It is a mandatory part of any international call placed to the nation.
To understand the context of the +965 country code, it helps to know a little about the country itself. The State of Kuwait is a small but strategically important country in Western Asia, located at the top of the Persian Gulf and sharing borders with Iraq and Saudi Arabia. Its capital, Kuwait City, is a bustling urban hub where most of the population resides. The official language is Arabic, though English is widely used, and its currency, the Kuwaiti dinar (KWD), is one of the highest-valued in the world. The country’s economy is a major player in the global energy market, driven by vast oil reserves.
All international country codes, including Kuwait’s 965 calling code, are managed by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a specialized agency of the United Nations. This organization ensures a standardized global system, giving every country a unique identifier for seamless connectivity.
A Deep Dive: Understanding Kuwait’s Telephone Numbering System
Once your call passes the international gateway using the 965 prefix, it enters Kuwait’s national phone network. This system is modern and straightforward, but it has one key difference from countries like the United States.
A Key Distinction: There is No Area Code in Kuwait
One of the most common points of confusion is the search for an area code for Kuwait. The simple answer is that there isn’t one. Kuwait uses a “closed numbering plan,” which means the entire country operates under the single country code 965. Unlike the US, where you need area codes to dial different cities or states, you do not need a separate area code in Kuwait. Whether you’re calling Kuwait City or a remote area, the process is the same. All phone numbers are eight digits long and are treated as national numbers.
Decoding the 8-Digit Kuwait Phone Number
Since 2008, all standard Kuwaiti telephone numbers have consisted of eight digits. This change was implemented to accommodate the massive growth in mobile phone usage. The first digit of this 8-digit number is the most important local identifier, as it tells you what type of service it is.
- Landline Numbers: Fixed-line numbers for homes and businesses always begin with the digit 2.
- Mobile Numbers: The Kuwait mobile code system is divided among different operators. Numbers starting with 9, 6, 5, or 4 are all mobile numbers assigned to carriers like Zain, Ooredoo, STC, and Virgin Mobile.
- Special Numbers: Numbers that start with the digit 1 are typically for corporate hotlines, toll-free services, or short codes for emergencies (like 112).
Clearing Up Confusion: Debunking Myths About the 965 Code
The primary source of confusion around the area code 965 comes from unsolicited calls and its similarity to North American phone numbers. Let’s clear up the biggest myths.
Myth 1: “Is 965 an Area Code in the USA?”
This is a frequently asked question, and the answer is a definitive no. The code 965 is not an active area code within the United States or Canada. The North American Numbering Plan (NANP) currently lists the 965 code as unassigned and reserved for future use. The confusion arises almost entirely when people in the US receive scam calls that display the +965 area code (which is actually a country code) and mistake it for a domestic call. If you are trying to find the area code 965 location, you will find it is not in the US, but in Kuwait.
The +965 Scam Call Phenomenon: Why You’re Getting Unwanted Calls
So, if you don’t know anyone in Kuwait, why did you get a call with the kuwait code phone prefix? The reason is its widespread use in telephone scams. The most common is the “one-ring” or “Wangiri” scam.
Criminals use automated systems to dial thousands of numbers and hang up after just one ring. This leaves a missed call on your phone from the +965 code. Their goal is to spark your curiosity, hoping you’ll call back. The number they use is an international premium-rate line. When you call back, you are hit with a high connection fee and expensive per-minute charges, which generates profit for the scammers.
The best defense is simple: Do not answer or call back numbers you do not recognize, especially if they have an international prefix you’re not expecting. If the call is legitimate, the person will leave a voicemail or contact you another way.
Practical Advice: How to Call Kuwait Correctly
Placing a legitimate call to Kuwait is easy when you know the correct dialing format.
Calling Kuwait from the USA or Canada
- From a Landline: Dial the U.S. international exit code (011), followed by the Kuwait dialing code (965), and then the full 8-digit Kuwaiti phone number.
- Format: 011 + 965 + XXXXXXXX
- From a Mobile Phone: A simpler, universal method is to use the + symbol. Press and hold 0 until + appears. Then dial 965 followed by the 8-digit number. This works from anywhere in the world.
- Format: +965 XXXXXXXX
Calling Kuwait from the UK or Europe
- From a Landline: Dial the European international exit code (00), then the 00965 country code, and finally the 8-digit local number.
- Format: 00 + 965 + XXXXXXXX
- From a Mobile Phone: The universal + method is the most reliable way to dial.
- Format: +965 XXXXXXXX
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What country is country code 965? A: The 965 is which country code question has one answer: the State of Kuwait in the Middle East.
Q: Is 965 an area code in the USA? A: No, 965 is not a US area code. It is the international country code for Kuwait.
Q: What is the area code for Kuwait City? A: Kuwait does not use regional area codes. The entire country, including Kuwait City, is covered by the single country code 965.
Q: Why did I get a call from +965? A: You received a call from a number in Kuwait. If you don’t know the caller, it was most likely a “one-ring” scam attempt. Do not call the number back.
Q: How do I call a Kuwait mobile number from the US? A: From a mobile phone, dial +965 followed by the 8-digit mobile number (starting with 4, 5, 6, or 9). From a landline, dial 011, then 965, and then the 8-digit mobile number.
Conclusion
The 965 international code is the exclusive identifier for the State of Kuwait. While its primary purpose is to enable global communication, its association with phone scams requires caution. The key takeaways are clear: the country code 965 belongs to Kuwait, a nation that uses a modern 8-digit numbering plan with no local area codes.
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