Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior has announced a four-month grace period for individuals whose Kuwaiti citizenships were recently revoked. This decision follows a major crackdown on illegal naturalizations and fraudulent citizenship claims under the “Outstanding Services” clause. The grace period provides affected individuals with time to regularize their residency status while continuing to access essential services such as education, housing, and employment.
The initiative aims to address the growing number of cases involving falsified citizenship records. In a historic move, Kuwait revoked the citizenship of more than 1,060 individuals in July 2025 — the largest such action in the country’s history. Many of these cases involved forged identities, including instances where the identities of deceased individuals were misused to grant Kuwaiti nationality.
During the grace period, individuals who were naturalized through family ties must obtain valid passports or official travel documents from their respective embassies. These documents are a critical requirement for initiating the legal residency process in Kuwait. Proof of starting this process must be presented in order to maintain legal presence in the country during the extension period.
Authorities emphasized that while the affected individuals may continue to work, study, and live in Kuwait during this period, the process of rectifying their legal status must begin immediately. The official government journal Kuwait Al Youm is set to begin publishing the names of those impacted starting from July 19, 2025.
The ongoing investigations, some dating back two decades, have exposed widespread fraud in the citizenship system. Officials are currently reviewing hundreds of additional cases that may involve forged documents or illegal naturalization practices.
This grace period not only provides a structured opportunity for individuals to resolve their legal status, but also helps prevent sudden displacements amid the revocation of citizenships.
