Kuwait Offers One-Year Grace Period For Revoked Citizens To Adjust Legal Status

Gulf Insider

2 days ago

The Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior has announced that individuals whose citizenship has been revoked will be granted a one-year grace period to adjust their legal status.
The policy, effective as of July 20, 2025, lays out a structured framework of rights, responsibilities, and limitations for those affected, allowing them to retain select benefits while mandating compliance with administrative procedures.
According to the Ministry, the measure is part of efforts to ensure legal and social stability and uphold the principles of justice and transparency, particularly for individuals whose nationality was withdrawn under the 'Grand Acts of Worship' clause, typically awarded for moral or religious contributions.
One of the most significant provisions permits affected individuals to continue using their Kuwaiti passports for four months following the issuance of the citizenship withdrawal decree.
This applies retroactively to all revocations before July 20 and prospectively to new cases, giving individuals time to secure residency permits or travel documentation from their country of origin.
The Ministry urged individuals to immediately begin coordinating with their respective embassies to retrieve passports or obtain alternative legal residency documentation.
Failure to initiate this process within the first three months may result in the cancellation of benefits, unless sufficient proof is provided showing serious efforts to rectify the individual's status.
Despite the revocation of citizenship, the Ministry affirmed that individuals may continue working in government or government-affiliated sectors under existing contracts, though they will no longer be eligible for senior or supervisory roles.
Educational continuity is also preserved, with students allowed to complete their current diploma, university, or postgraduate programs and retain any previously granted scholarships.
In terms of housing, individuals are permitted to retain one private residence in Kuwait. Those with multiple spouses may retain more than one home.
Individuals who received land and full housing loan disbursements from the Credit Bank must repay the loans within one year, while those who received land but have not yet built must complete construction and occupancy within two years at their own expense.
The new regulations also maintain the right to sponsor domestic workers and own private vehicles, provided all relevant conditions are met. However, individuals lose the right to own state public property such as chalets, farms, or commercial and industrial plots.
These must be transferred within five years to a first-degree Kuwaiti relative, without incurring fees. Personally-owned commercial or investment properties must also be transferred, through sale, gift, or assignment, within the same timeframe.
However, all benefits will be suspended immediately if an individual is convicted of a felony, a crime involving honor or trust, or any offense related to state security or deemed offensive to religion, prophets, or national symbols.
Additionally, if a person fails to secure either their original nationality or a legal residency document within one year from the publication of the decree, all entitlements will be terminated.
The Ministry reaffirmed that individuals may submit grievances to the Citizenship Withdrawal Grievance Committee, established under Cabinet Resolution No. 207 of 2025 and amended by Resolution No. 493 of the same year.