Kuwait strips citizenship of over 5,800 people

KUWAIT CITY,— The Supreme Committee for the Implementation of Kuwaiti Citizenship has approved the revocation of citizenship for 5,838 individuals, a move that will soon be presented to the Council of Ministers.

The decision was made after a meeting chaired by Sheikh Fahd Al-Youssef, the First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, and Minister of Interior, according to a statement from the Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior.

The citizenship revocations, which affect individuals from various countries, were carried out under the Kuwaiti Citizenship Law No. 15 of 1959 and its amendments.

A total of 5,706 cases were revoked under Article 8, which pertains to individuals from 54 different nations. This is part of an ongoing effort to maintain the integrity of Kuwaiti citizenship laws.

Further revocations were made under Articles 10 and 11 of the same law, addressing cases of dual nationality. Four individuals lost their Kuwaiti citizenship as a result of holding foreign citizenship.

In addition, the Ministry of Interior’s decision included the cancellation of citizenship certificates for 128 people who were involved in fraudulent activities, including providing false information or acquiring citizenship through deceptive means, as per Article 21, Repeated (A) of the law.

The Public Authority for Civil Information’s Director General, Jaber Al-Kandari, confirmed that the “Hawiyati” smartphone application has been activated for those impacted by the citizenship revocations.

The application allows affected individuals to access electronic services, sign documents digitally, and complete electronic transactions. The initiative aims to streamline the process and reduce in-person visits.

Al-Kandari also announced that new civil ID cards will be issued to those affected by the decision, starting in February. These cards will be distributed gradually, ensuring that individuals do not have to visit the authority in person to complete the process.

The changes are part of a broader effort to modernize Kuwait’s administrative systems and make services more accessible to the public.

The decision marks a significant step in Kuwait’s ongoing efforts to enforce its citizenship laws and ensure that only those eligible retain their citizenship.

The move is expected to have widespread implications for individuals impacted by the revocation of their nationality. The Kuwaiti government has yet to release further details on the affected individuals or the specific countries involved.

In related news, Kuwait’s passport has ranked 50th among 199 countries in the latest global rankings. According to the 2025 Henley Passport Index, the Kuwaiti passport provides visa-free access to 99 destinations, reflecting its relatively strong international mobility.

(Agencies)