Kuwait Tightens Naturalization Rules

Kuwait has enacted amendments to its 1959 Nationality Law, published in the official gazette on Monday, introducing significant changes to the naturalization process.

The revised law eliminates the automatic right of a foreign spouse of a Kuwaiti citizen to acquire Kuwaiti nationality.

While children of naturalized citizens will be considered Kuwaiti minors, they retain the option to choose their original nationality upon reaching adulthood.

The amendments also grant the government authority to revoke Kuwaiti citizenship under specific circumstances.

Citizenship may be withdrawn in cases of fraud, forgery, or false statements used to obtain nationality, as well as for dependents who gained citizenship as a result.

Revocation is also possible for individuals convicted of crimes involving dishonor, breaches of trust, offenses against state security, or blasphemy, including insults to God, prophets, or the Emir.

Previously, Kuwaiti law allowed for the naturalization of a foreign spouse, particularly when children were born from the marriage, by Article 8 of the Kuwaiti Constitution.

The government has intensified its efforts to address issues of nationality misuse, reportedly revoking over 12,000 citizenships since August.