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| Foreign nationals carry out immigration procedures using e-visas at the Mong Cai International Border Gate__Photo: VNA |
The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) has released a draft Law Revising the 2008 Law on Vietnamese Nationality, proposing more relaxed policies regarding naturalization in Vietnam and the restoration of Vietnamese citizenship.
The proposed amendments aim to create more favorable conditions for overseas Vietnamese residing in over 130 countries and territories to return to Vietnam and contribute to national development.
Under the draft, minors with at least one parent who is a Vietnamese citizen would no longer be required to have full civil act capacity in order to be naturalized, as currently stipulated under the 2008 Law.
Notably, applicants for naturalization in Vietnam would be exempt from several conditions if both their parents or their paternal and maternal grandparents are Vietnamese citizens; if they have made meritorious contributions to national construction and defense; or if their naturalization is considered beneficial to the country. In such cases, applicants would no longer be required to demonstrate proficiency in Vietnamese sufficient for community integration; to have resided in Vietnam for at least five years at the time of application; or to prove their ability to earn a living in the country.
With regard to the restoration of Vietnamese citizenship, the draft law stipulates that any person who previously held Vietnamese nationality may apply to have it restored based solely on personal request.
As for dual citizenship, the MOJ proposes abolishing the current requirement that individuals seeking to restore Vietnamese citizenship must renounce their foreign nationality. However, the holding of dual citizenship must still comply with the law of the relevant foreign country and must not infringe upon Vietnam’s national security, social order and safety, or the lawful rights and interests of organizations and individuals in Vietnam.- (VNA/VLLF)
