Kuwait revokes citizenship of 415 in national crackdown

Quick Answer: Kuwait has revoked the citizenship of 415 individuals, including billionaire Mahmoud Haidar, across six new decrees published in the official gazette Kuwait Al Youm. The move is part of an ongoing national review targeting nationality fraud, unauthorized dual citizenship, and actions against state interests.

Details of the Latest Citizenship Revocation Decrees

The government of Kuwait has issued six official decrees stripping 415 individuals of their Kuwaiti citizenship. Published in the official state gazette, Kuwait Al Youm, the measures also apply to dependents who acquired nationality through the primary status holders. While the official gazette did not publish the names of all 415 individuals, the largest single group was targeted under Decree No. 156, which revoked the citizenship of 286 people.

Billionaire Mahmoud Haidar Among Those Affected

Among the prominent figures targeted in this latest round of revocations is billionaire businessman Mahmoud Haidar. Haidar is a major economic figure in Kuwait, having established a diverse business empire spanning the country's private investment and real estate sectors.

The Scale of Kuwait's National Nationality Review

This latest executive action is part of a broader, multi-year national review of Kuwaiti nationality files. Over the past two years, the campaign has resulted in thousands of citizenship revocations. In June, the government revoked the citizenship of more than 2,000 people across eight separate decrees, following a cabinet-approved draft amendment to the national citizenship law earlier in the year. In 2025, the sweeping review culminated in the revocation of almost 50,000 citizenships, with state officials emphasizing that "no one is exempt" from the audits.

Legal Grounds for Citizenship Revocation in Kuwait

Under Kuwaiti national law, the government holds the authority to withdraw or revoke citizenship under specific legal conditions. The primary grounds for these revocations include:

• Obtaining Kuwaiti nationality through fraud, forgery, or false statements.
• Holding unauthorized dual nationality.
• Committing actions deemed contrary to the supreme security and strategic interests of the state.

Kuwait's National Demographic Context

The ongoing citizenship review occurs against a unique demographic backdrop, where native Kuwaiti citizens represent a minority within their own country. Out of a total national population of approximately 4.5 million people, only about 1.5 million are registered Kuwaiti citizens.