Smart Civil ID Cards

Kuwait has announced new regulations for issuing advanced civil ID cards to certain categories of non-Kuwaiti residents, following Ministerial Decision No. (10) of 2025 issued by the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Fahd Al-Yousef.

According to the decision, eligible non-Kuwaitis registered under the Civil Information System will be issued a new civil ID card embedded with an electronic chip, in line with Article Two of Law No. 82/32 related to the Civil Information System.

Who Is Eligible?

The regulation applies to two main groups:

Non-Kuwaiti property owners in Kuwait, who will receive civil ID cards valid for 10 years
Foreign investors covered under Law No. 116 of 2013 on the Promotion of Direct Investment, whose civil ID cards will be valid for 15 years

Expanded Authority for PACI

Under the new rules, the Director General of the Public Authority for Civil Information (PACI) is authorized to:

Modify or update information printed on the civil ID card
Add, change, or remove data stored on the electronic chip and machine-readable zone
Define and revise procedures, required documents, and conditions for issuing, renewing, or updating the card, based on public interest needs

Existing Rules Remain Valid

The decision confirms that all previously issued regulations concerning civil ID cards will continue to apply, provided they do not conflict with the new provisions.

Effective Date

The new decision will take effect from the date of publication in the Official Gazette, and PACI, along with relevant authorities, will oversee its implementation within their respective jurisdictions.