Kuwait grants 10-year residency to people stripped of citizenship

Kuwait has changed its Foreigners’ Residence Law to grant 10-year residency permits without fees to people whose Kuwaiti citizenship has been revoked, as well as their dependents, provided they have restored their original nationality or obtained another citizenship. The amendment, published on Sunday in the official gazette, authorises the director-general of the General Department of Residency Affairs to set the conditions for issuing and renewing the permits. The eligible residents will also be allowed to work in Kuwait under regulations set by the department. The changes establish a legal framework for the residency, employment and renewal of permits for people affected by citizenship revocations. The amended regulations also revise rules governing residents who remain outside Kuwait, generally limiting their absence to six months while allowing exemptions for certain categories. These include children of Kuwaiti women who did not acquire citizenship through their mothers, property owners, investors covered under Law No. 116 of 2013 and holders of certain other residency permits. The General Department of Residency Affairs may approve absences exceeding six months under specified conditions, provided the resident’s permit remains valid. Domestic workers will generally be allowed to remain outside Kuwait for up to four months, unless they obtain prior approval for a longer absence. The amendments are aimed at clarifying the residency status of affected groups while setting out rules for their stay, employment and periods spent outside Kuwait.

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