Vietnam Makes It Easier for Spouses and Family of Vietnamese Citizens to Gain Citizenship

Great news for foreigners with close ties to Vietnam!

The Vietnamese government has just passed new amendments to its Law on Nationality that significantly simplifies the process for those married to Vietnamese citizens or with Vietnamese family members to gain Vietnamese citizenship.

Previously, many foreigners faced hurdles like needing to live in Vietnam for at least five years, demonstrating proficiency in the Vietnamese language, and proving they were financially independent. These requirements have now been removed for applicants who have a Vietnamese spouse, child, parent, or grandparent.

This change also applies to foreigners who have made significant contributions to Vietnam.

While the path to citizenship is now smoother, applicants will still need to respect Vietnamese laws and customs and demonstrate they have full legal capacity. This last requirement is waived for children applying with a Vietnamese parent.

The Vietnamese government hopes these reforms will attract more talented individuals, investors, and experts to contribute to the country’s growth. According to Vietnam’s Minister of Justice Nguyen Hai Ninh, the aim is to encourage integration and support national development.

Another important update is that some individuals with Vietnamese relatives can now potentially hold dual citizenship, subject to presidential approval. If you live outside of Vietnam, you can submit your application through Vietnamese embassies or consulates in your country.

Finally, the new law also offers more flexibility in naming. While those who become citizens through naturalization are expected to adopt a Vietnamese name, individuals with dual citizenship can now combine a Vietnamese name with their original name on official documents. This move reflects Vietnam’s growing international connections.

Summary:

Vietnam has made it easier for foreigners married to Vietnamese citizens or who have Vietnamese family ties (child, parent, grandparent) to obtain citizenship. The new amendments to the Law on Vietnamese Nationality remove previous requirements such as a minimum residency period, Vietnamese language proficiency, and proof of financial self-sufficiency. This change also benefits foreigners who have made special contributions to Vietnam. While applicants still need to abide by Vietnamese laws and respect local culture, the reforms aim to attract more foreign talent and investment. In addition, the law now allows for dual citizenship in some cases with Vietnamese relatives and provides more flexibility in naming conventions.

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Source: Vietnam Insider