KUWAIT CITY: First Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Saud Al-Sabah confirmed on Sunday that an amendment to the Kuwaiti citizenship law ensures a decent standard of living for foreign wives of Kuwaiti citizens whose citizenship has been revoked. The amendment, part of Decree Law (158/2024), modifies Article 16 of Amiri Decree (15/1959) and aligns with Article 8 of the Kuwaiti Citizenship Law.
According to Kuwait News Agency, this statement was made during a meeting chaired by Sheikh Fahad Al-Yusuf at Al-Sief Palace. The meeting included representatives from various government agencies to review the measures implemented to address the concerns raised by the amended law. Sheikh Fahad, who also serves as Defense Minister and Interior Minister, emphasized that the amendment preserves the rights and privileges previously enjoyed by foreign wives before the decree was enacted, in line with public interest considerations.
Acting Deputy Director General for Insurance Affairs at the Public Institution for Social Security, Salama bin Salama, affirmed that the institution would continue disbursing retirement pensions and shares to the affected foreign wives retroactively from January 9. This move ensures financial security for those whose citizenships were revoked.
Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Ziad Al-Najem, stated that food ration disbursements would continue uninterrupted for the affected group. He added that their commercial licenses and company ownership rights would remain intact, with a stipulation that new business ventures cannot exceed 49 percent ownership by this category.
Acting Director General of the Public Authority for Civil Information, Jaber Al-Kandari, announced plans to activate the (My Identity) application for this group, with new civil IDs expected to be issued by the end of the month. This step aims to facilitate their integration and identification within the Kuwaiti system.