18/08/2026
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18/08/2026
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KUWAIT CITY, Aug 18: The Kuwaiti Cabinet on Tuesday approved a draft decree-law amending certain provisions of Amiri Decree No. 15 of 1959 on the Kuwaiti Nationality Law, introducing stricter citizenship fraud penalties, electronic nationality certificates, and political restrictions on naturalized citizens.
The approval came during the Cabinet's weekly meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmed Abdullah Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah.
Article One: Amendments to Existing Provisions
The article replaces Clause 4 of Article 14 and Article 19 of the 1959 decree with the following:
Article 14, Clause 4: If an individual intentionally adds to their nationality file — or the file of another person — any individual who is not among their children or descendants, and this is proven through an investigation by the Supreme Committee for Investigating Kuwaiti Nationality or a final judicial ruling, nationality may be revoked from any of their children or descendants if it is proven they were aware of the fraud.
Article 19: The Minister of Interior shall grant every Kuwaiti a certificate of nationality after verifying its validity in accordance with the law. The certificate will be issued in digital form. The Minister will issue a decision on the technical and technological controls and conditions for issuing, preserving, using, verifying the authenticity of, and canceling or suspending the electronic certificate.
Article Two: Political Restrictions on Naturalized Citizens
A person who has acquired Kuwaiti nationality through naturalization shall not have the right to vote, run for office, or be appointed to any legislative body.
Article Three: Legal Validity of Electronic Certificates
The digital certificate referred to in this decree-law shall have the same validity and legal effects as the traditional nationality certificate and shall replace the paper certificate in the application of all laws, decrees, and regulations in force.
The draft decree-law now proceeds through the legislative process before taking effect.
by John C Fernandes
Online Media Manager - Arab Times
