Kuwait Grants Temporary Travel Rights to Women Affected by Citizenship Revocation

Kuwait: The Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior has announced a new measure allowing women who lost their citizenship under Article 8 of the Nationality Law to temporarily travel using their former Kuwaiti passports. The policy will be in effect from June 1 to September 30, 2025, and is aimed at easing the legal transition process for this affected group.

This decision comes as part of broader efforts to regularize the legal status of individuals caught in a bureaucratic and humanitarian limbo. The Ministry emphasized that while the measure is meant to facilitate the transition, it includes strict conditions and deadlines, with no exceptions for individuals whose citizenship has been officially revoked.

Under the new directive, affected women must begin obtaining valid travel documents from either their country of original nationality or secure a recognized passport that allows legal residency in Kuwait. The use of former Kuwaiti passports for international travel will be limited to a four-month window, though the entire legal adjustment process will remain open until May 31, 2026.

To remain eligible for state benefits and support, individuals must initiate the process within the first three months—by submitting proof of intent, such as a passport application or embassy request. Delays or failure to act may lead to the loss of eligibility for government assistance.

The Ministry also clarified that pursuing legal status adjustments does not disqualify individuals from filing grievances. Appeals may be submitted to the Grievance Committee for Withdrawal, Forfeiture, and Loss of Kuwaiti Citizenship, established under Cabinet Resolutions No. 207 and 493 of 2025.

Once a person’s legal status is regularized, they will receive a new civil ID reflecting their updated nationality, along with a notation specifying “Kuwaiti individual treatment in accordance with established regulations.”

This transitional policy is intended to simplify legal compliance while offering a clear and humane pathway for affected women to maintain access to rights and services during the adjustment period.