Kuwait changes nationality law: foreign spouses no longer automatically obtain citizenship

Under the revised provisions, the first and second paragraphs of Article 7 now clarify that a foreigner acquiring Kuwaiti nationality will not automatically confer citizenship on his spouse.

Additionally, foreign children of naturalized Kuwaiti citizens will be considered Kuwaiti, but they will have the right to choose their original nationality within one year of coming of age.

If they choose to retain Kuwaiti nationality, they will be subject to the relevant provisions of the law.

Article 8 was also amended to clarify that marriage to a Kuwaiti citizen does not automatically confer nationality on a foreign woman.

Furthermore, Article 13 outlines the circumstances under which Kuwaiti nationality may be revoked, such as if it was obtained through fraud, forgery or misrepresentation, or if the individual is convicted of serious crimes, including criminal offenses against the State or defamation of religious figures or the Emir.

The new law also introduces an important provision in Article 7 Bis (A), which allows minors born to Kuwaiti mothers, whose foreign fathers have died, imprisoned or irrevocably divorced, to be treated as Kuwaiti citizens until they reach adulthood. This aims to ensure the stability of Kuwaiti families and allow children born to Kuwaiti mothers to access the country’s services, including education and healthcare.

In addition, the law allows the use of modern scientific methods to grant, revoke or lose citizenship, with the Ministry of the Interior empowered to issue regulations in this regard. This reflects the government’s efforts to keep pace with technological advancements in identity verification and citizenship management.

The decree also repeals several outdated provisions, including parts of Articles 5 and 9 of the original law, which have proven impractical in the current context, particularly for tracking residents from 1965 and earlier.

The law will come into force upon its publication in the Official Journal.