When can foreigners get Vietnamese citizenship?

Foreigners who are granted Vietnamese citizenship will bring many practical benefits, from participating in economic and political activities to enjoying social and health benefits. In Vietnam, this process not only reflects the attachment between individuals and the country but also represents specific legal regulations. To better understand this regulation, in the article below, Long Phan will analyze in detail the conditions, procedures and support services regarding Vietnamese citizenship.

Conditions for foreigners to gain Vietnamese citizenship

According to Article 19 of the Law on  Vietnamese Nationality 2008, in order for foreigners to gain Vietnamese nationality, they must meet the following conditions:

• Full civil capacity: Must be 18 years of age or older and not have limited capacity due to legal or medical reasons.
• Comply with the Constitution and laws of Vietnam: Need to respect the legal values, traditions and customs of the Vietnamese people.
• Know Vietnamese: Must be able to use Vietnamese enough to integrate into the community.
• Permanent residence in Vietnam for 5 years or more: Need to prove living time and understanding of Vietnamese culture, customs and laws.
• Ability to ensure living: Must have enough finances to live and work in Vietnam.

Conditions for foreigners to acquire Vietnamese nationality and retain foreign nationality

Normally, foreigners who want to acquire Vietnamese citizenship must renounce their foreign citizenship. However, according to Clause 2, Article 19 of the Law on  Vietnamese Nationality 2008 and Article 9 of Decree 16/2020/ND-CP, there are some special cases that allow retaining foreign nationality, including:

• Having a family relationship with a Vietnamese citizen: The wife, husband, father, mother or biological children of a Vietnamese citizen can naturalize without having to renounce their foreign nationality.
• With special merits: Foreigners who have made important contributions to the cause of building and defending the Fatherland can be considered for naturalization without renouncing their foreign nationality.
• Benefits for Vietnam: If applicants for naturalization have special expertise or skills that are beneficial to the Vietnamese State, they can also retain foreign citizenship.

However, foreigners who can be considered for naturalization in Vietnam without having to renounce their foreign nationality must submit it to the President for consideration and meet the following conditions:

• Eligibility for naturalization: Must satisfy the requirements under the Law on Vietnamese Nationality.
• Have special merits: Contributing to the cause of building and protecting the Fatherland, and holding foreign citizenship is beneficial to Vietnam.
• Comply with foreign laws: Applying for foreign nationality must be in accordance with that country’s regulations.
• Rights are not affected: Renunciation of foreign citizenship does not harm the individual’s rights in that country.
• Do not cause harm: Do not use foreign nationality to harm the legal rights or national security of Vietnam.

Application for Vietnamese citizenship

To apply for Vietnamese nationality, foreigners need to prepare a complete application according to the provisions of Article 20 of the Law on  Vietnamese Nationality 2008. The application includes the following documents:

• Application for Vietnamese citizenship.
• Copy of birth certificate, passport or other valid document.
• Background statement.
• Judicial record card: criminal record card issued by a competent Vietnamese agency for the period of residence in Vietnam and a card issued by a foreign competent agency for the period of residence abroad, Both vouchers must be issued no more than 90 days from the date of application.
• Documents proving Vietnamese language proficiency.
• Documents proving residence and permanent residence in Vietnam for 5 years or more.
• Documents proving the ability to insure life.

Order and procedures for applying for Vietnamese nationality

The process of applying for Vietnamese nationality follows Article 21 of the Law on  Vietnamese Nationality 2008, with the following steps:

Step 1: Submit documents to the Department of Justice

Citizenship applicants submit applications at the Department of Justice where they reside. After receiving the dossier, the Department of Justice will review and request additional information if necessary.

Step 2: Verify information and verify

• Within 5 working days after of receiving complete documents, the Department of Justice will send a written request to the Provincial Police to verify the identity of the person applying for naturalization.
• Within 30 days, the Police will conduct verification and send the results to the Department of Justice.

Step 3: Submit documents to competent authorities

• The Department of Justice will verify the file and submit it to the Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee for consideration within 10 days.
• The Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee shall consider, conclude and propose opinions to the Ministry of Justice within 10 working days from the date of receiving the request from the Department of Justice.
• The Ministry of Justice will review the dossier and send a notice to the person applying for naturalization to carry out the procedures for renouncing foreign nationality (if necessary) within 10 working days from the date of receiving the President’s proposal to the Provincial People’s Committee.

Step 4: Decision of the President

After completing the procedures and inspection, the Ministry of Justice will submit to the Prime Minister to propose the President to issue a decision on naturalization, within 10 working days from the date of receiving the certificate of renunciation of nationality foreign.

Consulting services and detailed instructions to apply for Vietnamese citizenship at Long Phan

Long Phan is a reputable unit providing consulting services and detailed guidance on legal procedures for foreigners in Vietnam. We help customers carry out legal processes quickly and according to regulations, including:

• Consulting on regulations and legal procedures on the naturalization process for foreigners.
• Support customers in drafting and preparing legal documents and applications.
• Representing customers to submit documents and work with competent authorities.
• Monitor application status, and ensure verification and approval steps are performed on time.
• Support in resolving problems that arise during the naturalization application process.
• Consulting and providing information about your rights and obligations after becoming a Vietnamese citizen.

Applying for Vietnamese citizenship is a process with many important steps, requiring careful preparation and a clear understanding of legal regulations. Using professional consulting services not only helps customers save time but also ensures that documents are prepared fully and accurately. If you need detailed support or advice, please contact Long Phan via hotline 0906735386 for timely advice and guidance.