Kuwait has amended its 1959 citizenship law through Amiri Decree No. (15), published in the official Al-Kuwait Al-Youm gazette, and thousands of people have already lost their nationality under the new rules.

The decree took effect with publication in the gazette, and local media reported in mid-April 2026 that 2,182 people had lost their Kuwaiti nationality in the week following the amendments.

What the new rules require

The core procedural change affects every newly naturalized citizen: anyone granted Kuwaiti citizenship must now renounce any other citizenship within three months. Dual nationality, previously tolerated in many naturalization cases, is no longer an option for new citizens under this timeline.

Authorities have also broadened the grounds for revoking citizenship. Kuwait can now withdraw nationality in three types of cases:

• where an applicant submitted false or forged information during the naturalization process;
• following certain criminal convictions, particularly those related to national security;
• where an individual's actions are deemed harmful to public order or the national interest.

The consequences extend beyond the individual. Family members of a person stripped of citizenship may also lose their Kuwaiti passports, although a limited window for appeals remains open.

Status of children changes

The decree also redefines how the children of naturalized citizens acquire status. They are now considered naturalized citizens themselves rather than citizens by origin, which means they may choose their status upon reaching adulthood.

Previously, children of naturalized Kuwaitis derived their position more directly from their parent's grant. The new distinction creates a formal decision point later in life for this group.

Part of a wider campaign since 2024

These amendments form part of a broader citizenship overhaul that began in 2024. Since then, at least 70,000 people have reportedly been stripped of Kuwaiti citizenship, according to New Lines Magazine.

Kuwait's First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister, Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef, has also raised concerns about reports of public officials, including members of the judiciary, being involved in citizenship forgery or violations, according to The Times Kuwait.

Why the stakes are high

Kuwaiti citizenship carries substantial state entitlements. Citizens receive free healthcare, unemployment allowances, guaranteed employment, subsidized housing, and exemptions from various fees, according to The Media Line.

The loss of nationality also has consequences beyond Kuwait's borders. Member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council grant GCC citizens comparable rights and benefits across the bloc, so revocation of Kuwaiti citizenship removes privileges throughout the Gulf region.

Who should watch this change

The amendments matter most to three groups: newly naturalized citizens who hold another passport and now face the three-month renunciation deadline; naturalized citizens whose original applications could be reassessed under the expanded fraud and national security grounds; and family members, including adult children whose status as naturalized citizens, rather than citizens by origin, gives them a future citizenship choice.

Anyone affected should consult the official text of Amiri Decree No. (15) as published in Al-Kuwait Al-Youm and follow instructions from Kuwaiti authorities, since appeal windows are limited. This article summarizes the reported changes and does not constitute legal advice on individual cases.