Kuwait Approves DNA Use in Citizenship Checks

Kuwait has just approved a new law that allows the use of DNA and biometric testing to help decide who gets Kuwaiti citizenship and who might lose it.

Under Ministerial Resolution No. 678 of 2025, issued by Sheikh Fahad Al Yousef, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, the government plans to modernize how it confirms, revokes, or grants nationality by relying on advanced scientific methods.

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What the New Resolution Includes

According to local reports, here’s what the resolution lays out:

• DNA and biometrics will be used: That includes fingerprints, facial recognition, and iris scans. These tools will help verify someone’s eligibility for Kuwaiti nationality.
• Mandatory testing: Anyone under review must go through DNA and biometric tests. These will only be done at Ministry of Interior-certified centers.
• Strict data privacy rules: All personal and genetic information must be handled confidentially. Every step of the testing process must also be clearly documented.
• Legal protections built in: Only qualified professionals with no personal ties to the individual can conduct the tests. Final decisions will be made by the General Department of Criminal Evidence, the Nationality Department, and then submitted to the Supreme Committee for Nationality.
• Various sample types allowed: DNA can be collected from blood, saliva, hair, bone, or even urine.
• Oversight from top ministries: The Ministry of Interior will work closely with the Ministry of Health and other agencies to ensure everything follows strict scientific and ethical guidelines.

The resolution takes effect once it’s officially published in Kuwait’s government gazette.

Why This Matters

Officials say this move is all about accuracy, transparency, and fairness. By using science-backed tools, Kuwait hopes to bring more integrity to the process of determining national identity, a sensitive and critical issue in the region.