3 days ago
Kuwaiti Women Granted Temporary Travel Rights Amid Citizenship Revocation
The Kuwaiti government will allow women who lost their citizenship under Article 8 of the nationality law to travel temporarily using their former Kuwaiti passports, the Ministry of Interior has announced.
The measure, which takes effect from June 1 through September 30, 2025, aims to ease the legal status adjustment process for a group that has long existed in a bureaucratic and humanitarian limbo.
According to the Ministry, the initiative supports 'the regularization of legal status' for affected women, but comes with strict conditions and deadlines. All individuals must comply fully with the outlined procedures, with no exceptions granted for those whose Kuwaiti citizenship has been revoked.
Under the new policy, impacted individuals must begin the process of obtaining valid travel documents—either from their country of original nationality or another internationally recognized passport that permits legal residency in Kuwait.
While international travel using the old Kuwaiti passport will be permitted for only four months, the overall legal adjustment period extends for one year, ending on May 31, 2026. However, to retain eligibility for state benefits and support, individuals must initiate the process within the first three months of the period.
Proof of intent, such as an official passport application or embassy request, must be submitted to the authorities. Failure to demonstrate serious intent or delays in action will result in the loss of benefits.
The Ministry also clarified that filing for legal status adjustment does not preclude an individual from submitting a formal grievance. Appeals may be filed with the Grievance Committee for Withdrawal, Forfeiture, and Loss of Kuwaiti Citizenship, formed under Cabinet Resolutions No. 207 and 493 of 2025.
Once a person's legal status is regularised, a new civil ID will be issued. This document will reflect the individual's updated nationality and include a note specifying 'Kuwaiti individual treatment in accordance with established regulations.'
The policy is designed to 'simplify the transition process' while ensuring fair access to any benefits individuals may still be eligible for under the law.
