24/08/2026
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24/08/2026
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KUWAIT CITY, Aug 24: The explanatory memorandum for Decree-Law No. 79/2026, amending certain provisions of Amiri Decree No. 15/1959 concerning the Kuwaiti Nationality Law, was published on Monday in the supplement to the official gazette “Kuwait Al- Youm”, reports Al-Seyassah daily. The explanatory memorandum explained that the amendment complements Decree-Law No. 52/2026 and aims to affirm the national identity of original Kuwaitis and strengthen their sense of belonging to the State of Kuwait. It also seeks to rectify irregularities in the Kuwaiti nationality issue resulting from intentional or unintentional errors in its handling. Article 1 of the Decree-Law stipulates replacing Clause 4 of Article 14 of the Nationality Law.
The clause mandates the revocation of Kuwaiti nationality from anyone whom the Higher Committee for Kuwaiti Nationality Investigation determines, through an investigation it conducted or a final judicial ruling, to have intentionally added to their own or another person’s nationality file an individual who is not a descendant of their children or offspring, to falsely grant them Kuwaiti nationality. The amended clause permits the revocation of Kuwaiti citizenship from any children or descendants of the person who committed the forgery, provided that they were aware of the forgery and failed to report it to the competent authorities. Article 1 stipulates amending Article 19 of the Nationality Law.
Under the amended provision, the certificate issued by the Minister of Interior to anyone whose Kuwaiti citizenship is proven will be issued electronically instead of in traditional paper form, in line with the state’s move towards comprehensive digital transformation. The second paragraph of the same article refers to a decision by the Minister of Interior specifying the technical and technological controls and requirements for issuing the electronic citizenship certificate, as well as how it will be stored and used, procedures for verifying its validity, and the circumstances under which it may be revoked or suspended.
In light of Article 82 of the Kuwaiti Constitution, which stipulates that a member of the National Assembly must be a Kuwaiti citizen by birth in accordance with the law, Article Two of the Decree-Law adds a new paragraph to Article 7 of the Nationality Law. The amendment explicitly prohibits those who acquired Kuwaiti citizenship through naturalization from voting, running for election, or being appointed to any parliamentary body.
Article Three of the Decree-Law grants electronic certificates the same legal validity and effect as paper certificates. It also stipulates that electronic certificates will replace paper certificates in the application of all legislation requiring their submission to obtain a service or benefit. Article Four of the Decree-Law repeals any provision that conflicts with its provisions. Article Five requires the Prime Minister and the Ministers, each within their respective jurisdictions, to implement the Decree-Law from the date of its publication in the official gazette.
