What is a naturalized player, and what are the requirements for obtaining Vietnamese citizenship?

Naturalized players are individuals who have foreign citizenship but have been granted Vietnamese citizenship.

Nguyen Xuan Son is a naturalized player from Brazil who officially signed with Nam Dinh FC in 2020. Xuan Son has been successful in establishing himself as one of the most dangerous strikers in V-League history and has won the top scorer title with 16 goals.

On January 2nd, Xuan Son set an AFF Cup record by scoring in four consecutive opening matches. He also ended the Vietnamese national team's 27-year "curse" of not being able to beat Thailand at home.

Xuan Son's success upon his debut with the Vietnamese national team provides a basis for Vietnamese football to believe in giving opportunities to naturalized players in the near future.

I would like to ask what a naturalized player is? What conditions and procedures are required for a foreign player to become a Vietnamese citizen?

Reader Quoc Cuong

Legal advice

Lawyer Do Ngoc Thanh, from the Ho Chi Minh City Bar Association, stated that naturalized players are those who have foreign citizenship but have been recognized as Vietnamese citizens. They enjoy all the rights and obligations of any other citizen, including the right to play for the national team.

According to lawyer Thanh, naturalization not only has legal significance but also demonstrates a player's commitment to the country they wish to contribute to. The naturalization process is carried out in accordance with the Vietnamese Nationality Law of 2008 and its implementing regulations.

Lawyer Do Ngoc Thanh, Ho Chi Minh City Bar Association

PHOTO: PROVIDED BY THE SUBJECT

Conditions for acquiring Vietnamese citizenship

Specifically, Article 19 of the 2008 Vietnamese Nationality Law stipulates that applicants for Vietnamese citizenship must meet the following conditions:

• Having full legal capacity
• Comply with the Constitution and laws of Vietnam.
• Knowing enough Vietnamese to integrate into the community.
• Must have legally resided in Vietnam for 5 years or more since the date of issuance of the permanent residence card.
• Capable of supporting oneself financially in Vietnam.
• Renouncing one's original nationality, except in cases where the President of Vietnam permits the retention of original nationality in accordance with Clause 3, Article 19 of the Vietnamese Nationality Law.

Furthermore, Government Decree No. 16/2020/ND-CP, which details and guides the implementation of the 2008 Vietnamese Nationality Law, clarifies the criteria in Article 7, such as:

• Knowing Vietnamese requires sufficient listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills appropriate for one's living and working environment.
• The ability to support oneself is demonstrated through assets, legitimate income, or guarantees.
• The period of legal residence in Vietnam is determined from the date the Permanent Residence Card is issued.

For special cases, Article 19, Clause 3 of the 2008 Vietnamese Nationality Law allows for exemptions from certain conditions. Article 8 of Decree No. 16/2020/ND-CP clarifies that individuals with exceptional merit or whose naturalization would benefit the Vietnamese State may be exempted from conditions such as a 5-year residency period, proficiency in the Vietnamese language, or renunciation of their original nationality.

This often applies to foreign players who have made significant contributions to the development of football or those with exceptional talent in other fields.

Football player Nguyen Xuan Son and his wife on the day he received Vietnamese citizenship.

PHOTO: PROVIDED BY THE SUBJECT

Citizenship application

Article 20 of the 2008 Vietnamese Nationality Law and Article 10 of Decree No. 16/2020/ND-CP clearly stipulate that applicants for Vietnamese citizenship must submit their applications to the Department of Justice in their place of residence. The citizenship application dossier includes:

• Application for citizenship
• Copy of birth certificate
• Criminal record
• Permanent residence card
• Proof of income or guarantee and a document renouncing original citizenship (if applicable).

These documents, if issued by a foreign authority, must be legalized by the consular office and translated into Vietnamese.

Lawyer Thanh stated that the application review process will be carried out by the Department of Justice and forwarded to the Ministry of Justice for consideration. The Ministry of Justice will then submit the application to the Prime Minister, after which the President will sign the decision to grant citizenship if the application is valid.

According to Article 12 of Decree 16/2020/ND-CP, the provincial People's Committee will organize the ceremony to present the Citizenship Decision, ensuring solemnity and significance.

"Foreign players who complete the naturalization process not only bring diversity to the national team's personnel but also contribute to the development of Vietnamese sports," lawyer Thanh assessed, adding that this process needs to be carried out correctly, ensuring transparency, fairness, and alignment with the country's overall interests.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/cau-thu-nhap-tich-la-gi-dieu-kien-nhap-quoc-tich-viet-nam-185250103164728336.htm