KUWAIT: The Cabinet has approved an Amiri decree which almost entirely scraps the right of foreign women to acquire Kuwaiti citizenship after marrying a Kuwaiti citizen. Under the existing law, which was amended a few years ago, if a foreign woman is married to a Kuwaiti citizen, she has the right to apply for citizenship after several years, provided she has children from her Kuwaiti husband.

Previously, the waiting period was around five years, but the period was extended. The new decree makes it extremely difficult for foreign wives to get citizenship. It states that “the acquisition of Kuwaiti citizenship by a foreigner does not result in his wife becoming a Kuwaiti citizen”. It also states “the marriage of a foreign woman to a Kuwaiti does not result in her becoming a citizen”.

The new measure comes as part of a move to tighten the screws for naturalization. During the past five months, Kuwait has revoked the citizenship of hun dreds of Kuwaitis for several reasons, mainly

acquiring it on false grounds and cheating. The Council of Ministers also approved the revoking of Kuwaiti citizenship from about 200 people, mainly for obtaining it on false grounds and having dual citizenship.

Meanwhile, the government has remained silent on reports that it was studying a plan to raise the price of fuel for expats. Under the move, reported by local media, the price of fuel will be raised on par with international prices, but Kuwaiti nationals will be compensated by the government, while expats will pay the full price, copying a model being implemented by the United Arab Emirates. Raising fuel prices in Kuwait would mean at least doubling the existing rates.