Passport Potpourri: Kuwait Revocations, Cyprus Citizenship Backlog, “Lost Canadians,” and More

In the realm of investment migration news, not every story makes headlines, but many deserve attention.

We’ve assembled a collection of passport puzzles and citizenship situations, from Kuwait’s ongoing citizenship purge, naturalization backlogs reaching 16 years, a citizenship bill with considerable potential impact, new residency requirements in France, and more, offering a bird’s-eye view of the latest twists and turns in this evolving industry.

Kuwait Intensifies Mass Citizenship Revocations

Kuwait’s citizenship review campaign has escalated dramatically, stripping over 9,400 individuals of their nationality in February 2025. This wave follows the cancellation of 12,000 citizenships since August 2024, marking an unprecedented scope in the Gulf nation’s naturalization review.

The Supreme Committee for Citizenship Investigation identified 13 cases of illegal dual nationality in its latest round of revocations.

Kuwait’s strict stance on dual citizenship reflects broader regional policies, as most Gulf nations prohibit holding multiple nationalities.

Of the total cases reviewed, 9,418 women lost citizenship acquired through marriage and dependency. The committee also revoked 443 citizenships obtained through forgery and fraud.

Acting Prime Minister Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah leads the initiative examining 32,000 naturalized wives of Kuwaiti citizens. The committee “will scrutinize all citizenship-related materials thoroughly” as it approaches its final review phase.

A striking case exemplifies the investigation’s reach. Authorities uncovered a Kuwaiti citizen who sold false citizenship credentials twice – first to three Iraqis in 1986, then to three Gulf nationals in 1993. His scheme ultimately created 234 fraudulent citizens, all now facing nationality revocation.

The government maintains protective measures for affected individuals. Women losing citizenship retain their employment and salaries, while retirees continue receiving pensions.

The committee plans to complete its review of Article 8 naturalizations by month’s end. This final phase represents Kuwait’s most extensive citizenship audit in recent history, fundamentally reshaping its naturalized population.

Cyprus Golden Passport Trial Postponed Again

Cyprus’s high-profile golden passport trial encountered another setback as prosecutors struggle with witness testimony arrangements. The delay marks the latest twist in a saga involving 86 citizenship revocations since 2013.

The Nicosia Criminal Court rescheduled proceedings to February 24 after complications arose with a UK-based witness’s remote testimony.

Prosecutors plan to present 10 to 12 witnesses in the case against former House Speaker Demetris Syllouris and other defendants.

Investigations into the program revealed that 51% of 6,779 citizenships granted between 2007 and 2020 went to unqualified applicants. The scandal exposed systemic abuse, including conflicts of interest and fraudulent property agreements.

Cyprus Citizenship Backlog Extends to 16 Years

Cyprus’s citizenship backlog has reached 11,891 pending cases, as applications date back to 2007, according to Phile News.

Residency-based requests constitute 57% of cases, while marriage-based applications comprise 19%.

The state audit report has shown that Cyprus processed 22,740 successful citizenship applications between 2020 and July 2023. Approval numbers reached their highest point in 2022 when the government naturalized 7,071 individuals. Officials approved 6,109 applications in the first seven months of 2023.

Beyond citizenship requests, the backlog has extended to 23,646 entry permit applications and 37,782 temporary residence applications. Most of these cases have remained unresolved for over five years.

Current processing times for citizenship applications average 38 months. A Population Registry Department audit has identified several procedural variations, including instances of waived residency requirements.

The department’s records indicate that the government rejected 2,650 applications during the same period. The audit office has committed to monitoring application processing procedures and timeframes.

Canadian Parliament Prorogation Stalls Bill to Naturalize “Lost Canadians”

Canada faces an impending citizenship dilemma as parliamentary gridlock threatens to create an unexpected legal vacuum. A stalled bill meant to restrict citizenship claims abroad could instead trigger widened access to Canadian passports.

The legislative deadlock stems from a 2009 restriction that blocks citizenship for children born abroad to Canadian parents who themselves were born outside Canada.

Bill C-71 aimed to restore these rights selectively, requiring parents to demonstrate substantial ties to Canada through a three-year residency requirement.

“The legislation would have not only ended the second-generation cutoff but implemented a substantial connection test,” Sujit Choudhry, who led the successful court challenge, told The Globe and Mail. His victory in challenging the 2009 law created the current predicament.

The Parliamentary Budget Office projects that 115,000 new citizens could qualify within five years under controlled conditions. Without new legislation, that number could multiply as citizenship claims face no residency restrictions after March 2025.

“The substantial connections test outlined in the bill offers a fair way to ensure Lost Canadian families maintain ties to Canada,” Jenny Kwan, NDP immigration critic, told The Globe and Mail. The political impasse leaves officials scrambling for solutions.

“The current citizenship system requires urgent reform to establish clear guidelines,” Preet Gill told the Asian Pacific Post. The March deadline looms as Immigration Minister Marc Miller promises fresh legislation, but Parliament’s suspension casts doubt on timely resolution.

France Mandates Language Tests for Residency Applicants

France has introduced mandatory language testing for carte de séjour applicants – temporary residence permits valid for up to one year. The new law replaces the previous system where applicants only needed to sign an integration contract and commit to learning French.

The reform extends language requirements beyond long-term residence and citizenship applications. Foreign nationals must now demonstrate French skills equivalent to those of secondary school students aged 11 to 15.

A government impact assessment suggests the new requirements could prevent 60,000 people from remaining in France. The law demands even higher fluency levels from those seeking long-term residence or citizenship.

FranceInfo tested the nationality exam requirements on ten French citizens. Five participants passed the oral section but failed the written test, while two could not meet the overall standards.

The standards form part of broader immigration reforms, including enhanced border controls and deportation measures. Government officials maintain these changes to promote greater integration of foreigners into French society.