Kuwaiti females enabled with temporary passage privileges amidst annulment of citizenship status
Kuwait Introduces Time-Limited Passport Measure for Women Stripped of Citizenship
Dubai: The Kuwaiti government announced a new measure aimed at granting temporary travel documents to women who lost their citizenship under Article 8 of the nationality law. The Ministry of Interior revealed the initiative, effective from June 1 to September 30, 2025, intends to streamline the legal status adjustment process for a long-standing, affected group.
As part of the measure, women affected by citizenship revocation can temporarily travel utilizing their former Kuwaiti passports. It is crucial to note that this policy is part of an ongoing effort to facilitate travel and potentially offer some form of legal recognition despite nationality revocation.
According to Ministry guidelines, individuals will need to initiate the process of obtaining valid travel documents, whether from their nation of origin or a passport permitting legal residency in Kuwait. The overall legal adjustment period extends for one year, ending on May 31, 2026. To remain eligible for state benefits and support, individuals must initiate the process within the first three months of the timeframe.
Submitting proof of intent, such as an official passport application or embassy request, is necessary to receive approval from the authorities. Inconsistent or delayed action may result in the cancellation of benefits.
It is important to clarify that pursuing a legal status adjustment does not preclude filing a formal grievance. Appeals can be made to the Grievance Committee for Withdrawal, Forfeiture, and Loss of Kuwaiti Citizenship, established under Cabinet Resolutions No. 207 and 493 of 2025.
Upon the completion of the legal status adjustment process, a new civil ID will be issued. This document will reflect the individual's updated nationality, with a note indicating "Kuwaiti individual treatment in accordance with established regulations."
Although this measure offers a temporary travel solution amid citizenship disputes, it does not fully restore citizenship rights under Article 8. The government's approach places limits on citizenship reclamation, primarily focusing on travel rights rather than full nationality reinstatement.
In 2025, restrictions on citizenship rights for Kuwaiti women who had lost their citizenship under Article 8 significantly increased due to government decrees and laws. The government has faced criticism for these measures, which some argue violate the rule of law and human rights.
Huda Ata is an independent writer based in the UAE.
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Sources: [1], [2], [3], [4]
- Huda Ata, an independent writer based in the UAE, reports that the Kuwaiti government has introduced a temporary measure allowing women who lost their citizenship due to Article 8 of the nationality law to travel using their former Kuwaiti passports.
- This initiative, valid from June 1 to September 30, 2025, is part of a broader effort to facilitate travel and potentially offer some form of legal recognition to those affected.
- To remain eligible for state benefits and support during the one-year legal adjustment period, which ends on May 31, 2026, individuals must initiate the process within the first three months.
- It is essential to note that while this measure allows for temporary travel, it does not fully restore citizenship rights under Article 8, as the government's approach focuses on travel rights rather than full nationality reinstatement.
