Citizenship for the ‘Good Boy’!
article 5 of the kuwaiti nationality law states that citizenship may be granted by decree, upon the recommendation of the minister of interior, to individuals who have rendered distinguished services to kuwait. however, the law does not define what qualifies as “distinguished services,” leaving the provision open to interpretation, and in some cases, misuse.
over the years, thousands have been granted citizenship under this article, including around 2,200 individuals after the liberation of kuwait. yet, many of these recipients were far from deserving, with some of their deeds being far from being described as “distinguished”. in fact, some of these individuals were barely over twenty years of age and had little to no knowledge of where kuwait even was.
countries around the world adopt different policies when it comes to granting citizenship to foreigners. in most cases, there are few barriers, particularly in western countries, where citizenship is often encouraged due to the growing demand for labor that supports development and contributes by paying taxes. countries such as the united states, canada, and australia have achieved high economic growth, due to the efforts of immigrants.
notably, a few years ago, the german chancellor granted permanent residency, and in many cases, citizenship, to over a million syrians.
china is one of the countries that rarely grants citizenship to foreigners, as it seeks to preserve its national identity. japan follows a similar approach, requiring applicants to fully integrate into japanese society, demonstrate proficiency in the language, and possess a deep understanding of the culture, which makes the process long and challenging.
in europe, liechtenstein (with a population of just 40,000) is known for having some of the most stringent citizenship policies, alongside countries like bhutan, north korea, and qatar. these countries prioritize preserving their national identity, controlling population numbers, and limiting foreign influence.
most countries around the world establish specific criteria for granting citizenship to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to fields such as science, arts, sports, or culture, or who have financially invested significantly in major projects and created job opportunities. this practice is common in countries like malta, cyprus, and portugal.
also, some countries offer citizenship to those who have rendered distinguished national services, such as military service, diplomatic work, or contributions to national security.
