Dual citizenship in Antigua and Barbuda

Dual citizenship is one of the most attractive features of the Antigua and Barbuda passport — clearly recognised and protected by the 1981 Constitution and the Citizenship Act 1982. Unlike some countries that allow only a single nationality, Antigua and Barbuda does not require people who acquire citizenship — including through the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programme — to renounce their existing nationality. This makes it easier for Vietnamese people interested in a second citizenship to keep their Vietnamese passport.

Of particular importance isVietnam’s Law on Nationality 2025 (amended)— officially in effect from 01/07/2025 — which fundamentally changed dual citizenship policy. The new law removes the requirement to renounce foreign nationality for people naturalising in or restoring Vietnamese nationality in certain cases, opening up wider opportunities for Vietnamese people to hold both nationalities. This article analyses in detail the dual citizenship rules in both countries, the benefits and the key points Vietnamese people should note.

Detailed article onthe country of Antigua and Barbuda.

The legal framework for dual citizenship in Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda recognises dual or multiple citizenship under the main legal instruments summarised onWikipedia’s article on Antigua and Barbuda nationality law:

• The 1981 Constitution (Chapter VIII): guarantees the right to hold another nationality alongside citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda
• The Citizenship Act 1982 (CAP. 22): details the rules recognising dual citizenship
• The Citizenship by Investment Act 2013: confirms that people naturalised through CBI do not have to renounce their existing nationality
• The Millennium Naturalisation Act 2004: supplements and updates the related provisions

Under these provisions, people who become citizens of Antigua and Barbuda by any route — birth in the territory, descent, marriage, naturalisation or investment — have the right to keep their existing nationality.The Antigua and Barbuda passportis also not refused or denied renewal to citizens simply because they hold another nationality.

However, there are some conditions to note:

• The country of origin must allow dual citizenship: Antigua and Barbuda recognises it, but the new citizen’s country of origin may have different rules
• Oath of Allegiance: new citizens must take the Oath of Allegiance — a commitment to abide by the laws of Antigua and Barbuda
• Some public offices require sole citizenship: for example Governor-General, Prime Minister and some senior military positions

The right to voluntary renunciation remains guaranteed. Citizens can apply to renounce with the condition that they already hold another nationality (to avoid statelessness). Renunciation can be refused only if it would harm the national interest or if Antigua and Barbuda is at war with the country whose nationality the person would take.

The legal framework for dual citizenship in Vietnam

Vietnam’s dual citizenship rules changed significantly in 2025. Vietnam’s Law on Nationality 2025 (amended) — officially in effect from 01/07/2025 — made fundamental changes compared with previous versions.

Before the 2025 Law

Under Vietnam’s Law on Nationality 2008 (amended 2014), Vietnam applied the principle of single nationality (Article 4): “The Socialist Republic of Vietnam recognises that Vietnamese citizens have one nationality, which is Vietnamese nationality, unless otherwise provided by this Law”. This meant that, in principle, Vietnamese citizens held only Vietnamese nationality.

However, there were some exceptions in practice:

• Vietnamese people born with two nationalities: because their parents held different nationalities, allowed to keep both
• Vietnamese people granted foreign citizenship under the birthplace principle (jus soli): as in the United States
• Special cases approved by the President of Vietnam: allowed to keep a foreign nationality
• Vietnamese people with outstanding contributions to the country: may be allowed to keep another nationality

The 2025 Law

Vietnam’s Law on Nationality 2025 significantly expands the opportunities for dual citizenship:

• Removes the requirement to renounce foreign nationality: for people naturalising in or restoring Vietnamese nationality
• Simplifies procedures: reducing residence and language requirements in some cases
• Expands naturalisation rights: for people of Vietnamese origin living abroad

However, there are still two conditions for dual citizenship under the 2025 Law:

• Holding the foreign nationality is consistent with that country’s law (Antigua and Barbuda meets this condition)
• The person does not use the foreign nationality to harm the lawful interests of Vietnam

The Law also provides that people working in state agencies, the military and certain security fields must renounce foreign nationality to ensure national loyalty.

What this means for Vietnamese people with Antiguan and Barbudan citizenship

The combination of Antigua and Barbuda’s recognition of dual citizenship and Vietnam’s Law on Nationality 2025 opens up new opportunities:

• Vietnamese people acquiring Antiguan and Barbudan citizenship through CBI: can keep both nationalities
• Vietnamese people restoring Vietnamese nationality after acquiring Antiguan citizenship: are allowed to keep their Antiguan citizenship
• Children born abroad to parents who are Antiguan-Vietnamese citizens: can acquire both nationalities under the jus sanguinis principle of both countries

However, Vietnamese people should note that holding dual citizenship does not exempt them from tax obligations, military service (unless exempted) or other legal obligations in Vietnam.

Benefits of Antiguan and Barbudan dual citizenship for Vietnamese people

Holding both Vietnamese and Antiguan and Barbudan passports brings many significant benefits from Antigua and Barbuda’s dual citizenship policy:

International entry rights

The Antigua and Barbuda passport expands visa-free entry rights:

• 27 European Schengen countries: 90 days visa-free (compared with the Vietnamese passport: 0 countries)
• United Kingdom: 6 months visa-free with an ETA
• Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea: 90 days visa-free
• China: 30 days visa-free (a privilege owing to close diplomatic relations)
• OECS and CARICOM countries: freedom of movement and work

The Vietnamese passport ranks about 84th–92nd globally, with 50–55 visa-free destinations. The Antigua and Barbuda passport ranks 22nd, with 154 countries. Holding both gives a combined total of almost 200 countries that can be entered without a visa when used flexibly.

Tax optimisation

• Antigua and Barbuda: no personal income tax, no capital gains tax, no inheritance tax
• Tax Residency Programme: a flat tax of $20,000 USD a year on worldwide income
• Vietnam: progressive personal income tax of 5–35%

Vietnamese people can choose to become tax residents of Antigua and Barbuda through the Tax Residency Programme if they meet the 30-days-a-year residence requirement and a minimum income of $100,000 USD a year. This can significantly reduce their global tax obligations.

Asset protection and diversification

• Backup citizenship: in the event of an economic or political crisis in the country of origin
• Diversified residence rights: the flexibility to change where you live
• Asset protection: structuring asset ownership across multiple legal systems
• Inheritance: children and grandchildren can continue to hold citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda

International business opportunities

The Antigua and Barbuda passport is recognised in major financial centres (London, Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai), making it easier to:

• Open international bank accounts
• Invest in real estate in the United States, Europe and Asia
• Set up offshore companies in financial centres
• Expand business into international markets

Updating citizenship records when circumstances change

Legally maintaining dual Antiguan and Barbudan citizenship requires keeping both countries updated when circumstances change. Vietnamese citizens with Antiguan and Barbudan citizenship should take the following steps:

In Antigua and Barbuda

• Update your address: with the CIU and the Passport Office when it changes
• Renew your passport: before it expires; this can be done through an authorised agent
• Comply with the residence requirement: 5 days in the first 5 years after receiving citizenship
• Report changes in family status: especially when adding new members

In Vietnam

• Declare to the police: when re-entering Vietnam on an Antiguan passport
• Register as a Vietnamese citizen living abroad: at an Embassy or Consulate
• Comply with tax obligations: under Vietnamese rules for tax residents
• Do not use the other citizenship to harm Vietnam: under the 2025 Law

Special notes for Vietnamese people

Although the 2025 Law has expanded dual citizenship opportunities, there are still some important points for Vietnamese people to note:

Tax

Becoming a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda does not automatically end your tax obligations in Vietnam. Under Vietnam’s Personal Income Tax Law, an individual is considered a Vietnamese tax resident if they:

• Are present in Vietnam for a total of 183 days or more within 12 months
• Have a regular place of residence in Vietnam (a permanent residence registration or a rented home with a lease of 90+ days)

Vietnamese tax residents must pay personal income tax on their worldwide income. To become Antiguan tax residents instead, Vietnamese people must meet the criteria for non-residence in Vietnam.

Military service

For Vietnamese men of military service age (18–25, extendable to 27 for students), military service obligations still apply. Holding Antiguan and Barbudan citizenship does not exempt them from this obligation if they remain Vietnamese citizens and live in Vietnam.

Administrative procedures

Some administrative procedures in Vietnam may require a single nationality:

• Registering a marriage with a Vietnamese citizen: usually requires a translation of the Antiguan passport
• Buying real estate in Vietnam: rights are limited for foreigners, including Vietnamese people holding another nationality
• Some public positions: require Vietnamese nationality only

Vietnamese people should consult a specialist lawyer to understand their specific situation before deciding to apply for CBI or restore Vietnamese nationality.

Dual citizenship in Antigua and Barbuda — a summary

Dual citizenship with Antigua and Barbuda brings significant benefits for Vietnamese people interested in a second citizenship. The combination of Antigua and Barbuda’s broad recognition of dual citizenship and Vietnam’s Law on Nationality 2025 (amended) creates an unprecedentedly favourable environment for lawful dual citizenship between the two countries.

The practical benefits include visa-free entry to 154 countries, tax optimisation through preferential programmes, diversification of residence rights and assets, and protection in times of crisis. However, Vietnamese people should bear in mind that tax, military and administrative obligations still apply in Vietnam.

For investors with a suitable budget, Antigua and Barbuda’s CBI programme combined with Vietnam’s dual citizenship policy offers the most flexible legal structure available today. Working through an authorised agent with expertise in both legal systems is the best way to maximise the benefits. Details of the programme are set out in the articleAntigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment.