The explanatory memorandum of Decree-Law No. 52 of 2026 amending Kuwait’s Nationality Law confirms that the reform is designed to cleanse the citizenship file from past irregularities and improper practices, ensuring the preservation of national identity and strengthening loyalty while reinforcing the country’s legal sovereignty over all nationality matters. The amendments reflect a decisive governmental approach to tighten legal controls and eliminate ambiguity.

The new provisions introduce clearer and stricter interpretations, particularly concerning dual nationality, withdrawal and revocation mechanisms, and legal safeguards aimed at protecting national identity. The memorandum emphasizes that the updated legal framework eliminates vague interpretations and establishes firm regulatory standards aligned with national interests.

Article 11 explicitly states that a Kuwaiti national loses citizenship if they voluntarily acquire a foreign nationality, while clearly distinguishing between two scenarios, one involving individuals who intentionally seek another citizenship, and another involving those compelled into it without choice. This distinction ensures fairness in legal application based on individual circumstances.

Individuals who obtained foreign nationality by birth, such as those born to a foreign mother, are not categorized as voluntary applicants, yet they are required upon reaching the age of 21 to completely cease using any foreign passport and formally initiate renunciation procedures through the relevant embassy, completing all legal steps until a final decision is issued.

The amendments stress that previous practices, such as merely submitting a foreign passport to an embassy, are no longer sufficient, as individuals must now fully complete official renunciation procedures while being strictly prohibited from using the foreign passport during the process, highlighting a significantly stricter enforcement framework.