Kuwait Grants One-Year Grace Period for Individuals with Revoked Citizenship to Adjust Legal Status

Dubai ∙ The Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior has announced a new policy granting a one-year grace period to individuals whose citizenship has been revoked, giving them time to regularize their legal status. The decision, which takes effect from July 20, 2025, provides a structured set of rights and responsibilities designed to uphold legal clarity and social stability.

The move primarily applies to those whose Kuwaiti citizenship was rescinded under the “Grand Acts of Worship” clause—a category typically awarded for exceptional moral or religious service. The Ministry emphasized that the policy reflects Kuwait’s commitment to justice, transparency, and orderly governance.

Key Provisions of the Policy

• Continued Use of Passport: Affected individuals may continue using their Kuwaiti passports for four months from the date of citizenship withdrawal. This provision applies retroactively to all prior cases and prospectively to future ones, giving individuals time to secure documentation from their country of origin.
• Residency and Travel Documents: The Ministry urges affected individuals to immediately coordinate with their embassies to obtain foreign passports or legal residency papers. Those who fail to initiate this process within three months risk losing remaining benefits—unless they can show active attempts to resolve their status.
• Employment Rights: Individuals may continue working in existing government or affiliated jobs, but are no longer eligible for senior or supervisory roles.
• Education: Current diploma, university, and postgraduate students are permitted to continue their education and retain any previously awarded scholarships.
• Housing:
  • Individuals may retain one private residence in Kuwait.
  • Those with multiple spouses may keep more than one home.
  • Beneficiaries of land and full housing loans must repay their Credit Bank loan within one year.
  • Those who received land but haven’t built homes must complete construction and occupancy within two years, at their own expense.
• Property and Assets:
  • Individuals may still own private vehicles and sponsor domestic workers, subject to existing regulations.
  • They lose the right to own state assets such as chalets, farms, or commercial/industrial plots, which must be transferred within five years to a first-degree Kuwaiti relative without incurring transfer fees.
  • Privately-owned commercial or investment properties must also be transferred through sale, gift, or legal assignment within five years.

Termination of Benefits

All rights and entitlements under this policy will be immediately revoked if the individual:

• Is convicted of a felony, or crimes involving honor, trust, national security, or religious offenses.
• Fails to secure legal residency or reclaim original nationality within one year of the decree’s publication.

Grievance Process

Individuals have the right to file appeals with the Citizenship Withdrawal Grievance Committee, formed under Cabinet Resolution No. 207 of 2025, and amended by Resolution No. 493 of the same year.

The Ministry described the move as a balanced approach that ensures affected individuals have time and guidance to resolve their legal status, while also protecting national interests and legal consistency.