Kuwait Tightens Nationality Law: Fraudulent Additions Could Put Descendants’ Citizenship at Risk

23/08/2026

Kuwait Tightens Nationality Law: Fraudulent Additions Could Put Descendants’ Citizenship at Risk

KUWAIT CITY, Aug 23, : A decree-law was issued on Sunday, amending certain provisions of Amiri Decree No. (15) of 1959 regarding the Kuwaiti Nationality Law. As per the decree law, if a person purposely adds to his own nationality file - or to the file of another - any individual who is not among their children or descendants, as proved by the Supreme Committee for Investigating Kuwaiti Nationality or by a final court ruling, then the nationality of any of their children or descendants may be rescinded.

It also states that the Minister of Interior shall grant every Kuwaiti a Kuwaiti nationality certificate after verification pursuant to the provisions of this Law. This certificate shall be issued in electronic form. The Minister shall issue a decision involving relevant technical and technological controls and requirements for the issuance, saving and use of the electronic certificate, as well as the procedures for verifying, revoking or suspending it. Furthermore, a person who has acquired Kuwaiti nationality by naturalization shall not have the right to vote, stand for election, or be appointed to any representative body.(KUNA)