Kuwait Moves to Enact Sweeping New Citizenship Law This Month

Kuwait is preparing to introduce a comprehensive new Citizenship Law expected to be finalised in February, as authorities move to resolve longstanding nationality files and tighten oversight of naturalisation procedures.

 

First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah said the proposed legislation is part of a broader national strategy addressing citizenship, development, corruption and drug trafficking. He stressed the government’s commitment to the rule of law, reiterating that “no one is above the law in Kuwait.”

 

The minister confirmed that the authorities have already closed the citizenship files related to Article Eight — which mainly covered wives of Kuwaiti citizens — and the “distinguished service” category. According to him, more than 60 per cent of those naturalised under Article Eight have reverted to their original nationalities while continuing to enjoy full rights and permanent residency in Kuwait.

 

He said the distinguished service category has been formally concluded through a recent Amiri decree and will be eliminated under the new Citizenship Law, with special naturalisation provisions to be reserved only for martyrs.

 

However, investigations into citizenship forgery remain ongoing, with the Higher Committee for Citizenship continuing to uncover new cases. Sheikh Fahad said the probe has no fixed deadline and described the scale of document fraud as unprecedented, noting that some suspects have already fled the country.

 

Clarifying the scope of the upcoming law, the minister stated that it will not grant Kuwaiti citizenship to the current population of illegal residents, commonly referred to as stateless persons. He said the government is instead working with several countries to secure alternative nationalities for them while allowing continued residence and work in Kuwait.

 

Beyond citizenship matters, Sheikh Fahad highlighted renewed momentum in development projects, including a three-year nationwide road resurfacing plan and intensified monitoring of delayed infrastructure works. He also pointed to ongoing anti-corruption and anti-money laundering drives, revealing that two major corruption cases involving government officials are currently under investigation.

 

On narcotics, the minister said Kuwait has enacted what he described as one of the world’s toughest anti-drug laws, supported by enhanced border controls and near-daily enforcement raids.

 

The new Citizenship Law, now in its final stages of review, is expected to redefine Kuwait’s naturalisation framework and formally close several contentious nationality categories.

 

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