Kuwait published six decrees in its official gazette on October 4, 2026, stripping 415 people of their citizenship as part of an ongoing nationality review. The largest single decree, Decree No. 156, targeted 286 individuals along with dependants who acquired nationality through them.
The decrees form part of Kuwait's continued scrutiny of how citizenship has been obtained, with the measures applying not only to named individuals but also to dependants who acquired Kuwaiti nationality through their association with the principal cases. The revocations extend beyond the 415 principal cases, as several decrees also apply to family members who obtained Kuwaiti nationality through dependency.
Breakdown of the six Kuwait decrees shows that Decree No. 155 revoked citizenship certificates for six people and their dependants, while Decree No. 157 specifically named 14 women whose nationality was cancelled. Decree No. 158 affected 25 people, Decree No. 159 covered 41 individuals, and Decree No. 160 applied to 43 people, with all three also extending to dependants who acquired nationality through the principal cases.
Under Kuwaiti law, nationality can be withdrawn on grounds including fraud, false declarations, or concealment of material information during the naturalisation process. Losing citizenship carries significant consequences, among them the loss of residency rights, restricted access to public services, and the possibility of deportation. For dependants whose Kuwaiti status was tied to a spouse or parent, the revocations mean their legal standing in the country may also collapse.
The current round of revocations follows similar action taken in 2025, when Kuwait stripped thousands of individuals of nationality under comparable decrees targeting those accused of obtaining citizenship through fraudulent means. This move indicates Kuwait's ongoing efforts to review and regulate its citizenship and immigration policies.
The citizenship review is taking place alongside a wider clampdown on immigration compliance in Kuwait. In September 2026, authorities removed automatic extensions for entry visas and leave permits and stepped up enforcement against residency violations and illegal employment.
Kuwait's approach mirrors a regional trend, with Gulf states including Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates similarly reviewing naturalisation records and revoking citizenship obtained through unlawful means.
Key points
- The Kuwaiti government has revoked the citizenship of 415 individuals and their dependants as part of an ongoing review of nationality cases.
- The revocations are based on grounds including fraud, false declarations, or concealment of material information during the naturalisation process.
- The move is part of a broader clampdown on immigration compliance in Kuwait, with the government stepping up enforcement against residency violations and illegal employment.
