In a sweeping move that has drawn both national and international attention, the government of Kuwait has revoked the citizenship of nearly 50,000 individuals, citing fraudulent acquisition of nationality as the primary reason. The action, confirmed by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Shaikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al Sabah, forms part of a wider crackdown on what authorities describe as illegal claims to Kuwaiti identity.
According to official statements, the operation targets foreigners who unlawfully secured Kuwaiti nationality, often through forged documents or manipulated genealogical records. The Ministry of Interior, working in tandem with the Supreme Committee for Kuwaiti Nationality, has spent over a year meticulously reviewing individual cases to establish the authenticity of each citizenship claim.
The Supreme Committee was specifically established to conduct thorough investigations into long-standing suspicions of nationality fraud—an issue that has, over the years, sparked debates within the Gulf state about identity, entitlement, and national resources. The committee’s findings have already led to multiple revocations, and in several cases, the names of affected individuals have been made public, highlighting the government’s zero-tolerance approach.
Kuwait’s laws do not recognise dual nationality. Therefore, once a person is granted Kuwaiti citizenship, they are required to officially renounce any previous nationality. This stipulation has made the issue particularly complex, as some individuals who have now been stripped of Kuwaiti nationality may find themselves stateless or face legal uncertainties regarding their status in other jurisdictions.
Shaikh Fahad reaffirmed the government’s commitment to preserving the integrity of the Kuwaiti identity, stating that only those who meet the lawful criteria will retain citizenship rights. He noted that the nationality law is clear, and the country will not tolerate any abuse of its provisions, especially where national security and social stability are at stake.
Authorities have also hinted that the review process is ongoing and that more names could be added to the list in the coming months. As part of the enforcement process, those found to have obtained nationality illegally may also face criminal investigations or be subject to deportation, depending on their individual circumstances.
This unprecedented mass revocation marks one of the most aggressive nationality verification exercises in Kuwait’s recent history and signals a broader regional trend among Gulf states tightening the criteria for citizenship amidst rising pressure on social services, population demographics, and national security.
