Nationality of Kuwait: all obtaining pathways
Kuwait requires twenty years of residence for ordinary naturalization — fifteen for Arab citizens —, with a marriage route of fifteen years of union, reduced to five with children. Nationality is transmitted by descent — ius sanguinis — in a restrictive regime.
1Naturalization by residence (extremely restrictive)
Naturalization by residence (extremely restrictive)
Requirements
- Continuous legal residence in Kuwait for at least 20 years (15 years for Arabs)
- Knowledge of Arabic
- Good conduct and no criminal record
- Legitimate income and means of subsistence
- Being a Muslim (conversion accepted if genuine)
- Renouncing the previous citizenship
- Government approval (an annual quota of 2,000 naturalizations)
- Kuwait does not allow dual citizenship
Documentation
- Foreign passport with Kuwaiti residency (civil ID)
- Criminal record certificate
- Arabic-knowledge certificate
- Proof of income and employment
- Declaration of renunciation of the previous citizenship
- Certificate of Muslim faith
- Formal application to the Ministry of the Interior
2By descent (ius sanguinis)
By descent (ius sanguinis)
Requirements
- The child of a Kuwaiti father obtains citizenship automatically
- The child of a Kuwaiti mother and a foreign father does not obtain citizenship automatically (discretionary)
- Registration in the Kuwaiti civil register
Documentation
- Birth certificate
- Father's Kuwaiti civil ID
- Kuwaiti father's passport
3By marriage
By marriage
Requirements
- A foreign woman married to a Kuwaiti may apply for citizenship after 15 years of marriage (term counted from the DECLARATION, waivable; or 5 years if she has children with him — see the following route)
- A foreign man married to a Kuwaiti woman has no right to citizenship through marriage
- The grant is discretionary
Documentation
- Marriage certificate registered in Kuwait
- Spouse's Kuwaiti civil ID
- Residence certificate
- Proof of Kuwaiti-born children (where applicable)
4Naturalisation of a foreign wife (Law 15/1959, art. 8)
Naturalisation of a foreign wife (Law 15/1959, art. 8)
Requirements
- Foreign woman married to a Kuwaiti national who DECLARES her wish to acquire Kuwaiti nationality
- The marriage must have lasted at least 15 years FROM THE DATE OF THE DECLARATION (term waivable in whole or part on the Interior Minister’s recommendation)
- On divorce or widowhood with a common child, she may obtain it by maintaining lawful and normal residence in Kuwait until the 15 years elapse
- Grant by Emiri Decree on the Interior Minister’s recommendation (discretionary)
- No dual citizenship in practice
Documentation
Frequently asked questions about the nationality of Kuwait
How many years of residence does Kuwait require to naturalize?
According to the main pathway of Kuwait (Naturalization by residence (extremely restrictive)), the term is 20 years (15 years for Arabs). The complete details of requirements and exceptions appear in the fact sheet.
Does Kuwait allow dual nationality?
Renouncing the previous citizenship
Can the nationality of Kuwait be obtained by marriage?
Yes, through the By marriage pathway (15 years of marriage (5 years with children)). The complete requirements appear in the fact sheet of that pathway.
What documentation does naturalization in Kuwait require?
The Naturalization by residence pathway requires: Foreign passport with Kuwaiti residency (civil ID); Criminal record certificate; Arabic-knowledge certificate; Proof of income and employment; Declaration of renunciation of the previous citizenship; among 2 more documents.
What pathways exist to obtain the nationality of Kuwait?
Kuwait provides 4 pathways: Naturalization by residence, By descent, By marriage, Naturalisation of a foreign wife.
Residence and nationality updates
Subscribe to know when a country changes its residence or nationality routes. One email, only when there is news.
Anything to correct or add about Kuwait?
If you have spotted incorrect or outdated information, or want to suggest additional details about nationality pathways in Kuwait, leave us your comment. We review every one personally.