A lot of European countries, particularly the United Kingdom have a long tradition of their Citizens becoming expats. What is an expat? Well, it is somebody like me, a person who goes and lives in a country other than that of which they are a citizen of. Americans, like me, don’t do this with nearly the frequency that our British cousins do. Because of this, there is a lot of misunderstanding among Americans about how to do it, whether it is legal and such. I get questions about this from Americans very often.
One of the most misunderstood things in this realm is whether or not you will lose your American Citizenship if you go live abroad. A lot, lot, lot of Americans tell me regularly that if you leave the USA and remain outside the country for more than 6 months, your US Citizenship will be revoked. My friends, nothing could be further from the truth!
Can I lose my US Citizenship if I remain outside the USA too long?
The answer is simple. NO. You cannot lose your US Citizenship no matter how long you remain outside the USA. I have been residing in the Philippines for ten years (almost), and I remain a US Citizen. In the past 10 years I have not stepped foot inside the USA, yet I remain a Citizen.
The truth is that it is actually very, very difficult to shed your US Citizenship, if you should be inclined to do that. If you were to decide that you no longer wanted to be a US Citizenship, it is a hard process to complete. In fact, you would have to report, in person, to a US Embassy, or to the Department of State in Washington D.C. and renounce your Citizenship, in writing. Upon your submission of the renunciation, the US Government would require you to go through a number of hoops before they would grant you your wish. The fact is that the US Government does not want you to give up your Citizenship. Why? Because they want to keep collecting taxes from you, and if you are no longer a Citizen, and do not live in the USA, they cannot collect taxes from you any longer. Because of this, they will do all they can to make sure that you remain as a Citizen of the United States.
Is it illegal for a US Citizen to live outside the USA?
Over the years, I have gotten a number of e-mails from people telling me that I am breaking the law by living outside the USA. It always gives me a good chuckle, because that is simply untrue. No matter your citizenship, a person can live anywhere in the world that they wish, provided that the host country has given them permission to live there. For example, in my case, so long as the Philippine Government has given me permission to live here, I can live here. In 2000, the Philippine Government granted me a 13(g) Resident Visa, which allows me to live here as long as I like, or until the Government of the Philippines should revoke that Visa. To date, my Visa is in good standing, and thus I can continue to live here legally as long as I wish. The US Government has no problem with me living here, and there is no law disallowing me from doing so.
Do I have to get permission from the Government to live abroad?
A number of people, over the years, have asked me who they should go to in the US Government to get permission to live abroad. My friends, you don’t have to ask anybody for permission. The United States is not a dictatorship that limits your travel (except to a very few places such as Cuba, which is outside the scope of this article). You do not need to do anything at all or talk to anybody in advance to be able to go live abroad. What do you need to do? You need to get the proper Visa from the country where you want to live, then buy an airplane ticket and get on the airplane to take you to your new home. It is that simple.
But, won’t I lose my US Citizenship?
Stop being so nervous and read the beginning of this article. No, you will not lose your US Citizenship, no matter where you choose to live. No matter how long you remain outside the USA, you will always be a US Citizen unless you actively take steps to abandon that Citizenship, and that is not easy as I said above.
But, how can I do it?
As I’ve already said, get a Visa from the country where you want to live, and hop on a plane. It is that easy. In the case of the Philippines, you have a number of options. You can come and stay here for up to 16 months on a tourist Visa. After 16 months you take a trip back home, or go to Hong Kong or Thailand (anywhere you want to go, really) and come back to start a new 16 month stay. Secondly, you can get a Balikbayan Visa if you qualify, which will allow you up to 1 year of stay here. Thirdly, you can get a resident visa, 13(a) or 13(g) as long as you have a spouse who is a Philippine Citizen or former Philippine Citizen. Fourth option is that you can get a Special Retiree’s Resident Visa (SRRV). There are still other options, but for the vast majority of us, these are the choices available to you.
So, quit worrying. If you want to live in the Philippines, or anywhere else in the world, your Citizenship is secure and you have nothing to be sleepless about. Just do it!
Bob
I cant imagine people living with their tail between their legs in fear of something like that. I dont get it!!
Hi Neal – You’d be surprised…..
Hi bob,
If I have a US passport and a passport card, but not the certificate of naturalization. Can I study in the philipines for 4 years ? If I i over stay in the philipines for 4 years, can I still go back to the U.S. after my course ?
Hi Rafael – You did not really give enough information for me to be able to answer your question. The most important thing is this… are you a Philippine Citizen in addition to being a US Citizen? In other words, are you a dual citizen?
If you have a US Passport, you do not need the US Certificate of Citizenship, the passport is fine.
If you are a former Philippine Citizen, you really should just apply for Dual Citizenship, that will eliminate any problems or snags along the way for your studying.
If you do not have dual citizenship and cannot get it then you will need to get a Student Visa in order to study in the Philippines.
If you stay 4 years in the Philippines on a tourist visa you will need to pay a lot of fines before you are allowed to go back to the US.
Hi Mr. Bob,
I have a situation here, I don’t know what to do, I am a Filipino, I’m just an immigrant or a green card holder in USA, and I don’t have a US citizenship yet. May 2011, I decided to go back here in the Philippines to study, for 4 year course. I didn’t even get a chance to go to US embassy to report about it because I’m not aware about it. I just realize now, it is too late for me to realize because a lot of people asking me if how my paper works done? Or something. So now I wanted to go back in US on october 2015 after my graduation. What should I do? Am I going to pay a huge penalty, is there a chance for me to come back in USA? Pls. help.
Hello Jaimie – It is actually pretty simple… not good, but simple. You can no longer go back to the USA, because a green card holder cannot leave the country for 4 years. At this point, there is only one thing you can do and that is to start the process all over again of getting a visa to go to the States.
Good luck.
Thank you for you answer. I just have a last question. My nationality is Filipino, is it illegal for me to work here in the Philippines?
If by nationality you mean citizenship then yes! You, as a Filipino, can work in the Philippines. If you mean that your bloodline or heritage is Filipino, but your citizenship is not Filipino then you would have to get the proper permits and visas in order to work.
Okay Bob, I get it now, just I thought that I cannot work here on my own country because I’m greencard holder in the U.S, so it’s just gonna base on my citizenship. Okay I feel relieved. Thank you so much! have a great day.
My wife left in June 2012 to go back to the Philippines to take care of a family emergency that became very serious. The whole time hoping things would improve so she could come home.Things have finally got to point of stability and can return home here in the US. Her passport is valid as well as her green card. What needs to be done so my wife can come home. I need all the help I can get. Please
I am sorry, but this is going to be really bad news for you. If your wife has been out of the country since 2012, her green card will no longer be good. If a person on a greencard leaves the US for a year (sometimes 6 months) they cancel the green card.
You wil have to go through the entire visa process again for her to return to the USA.
Bob;
My brother asked me how I could live in Puerto Rico without losing my citizenship. I explained it was kinda’ like moving to Florida, its America little brother!
It’s amazing the lack of knowledge of our fellow countrymen. It would make me wonder just how many times the Department of State is asked that question. If the e-mails to you are any indication, maybe they have an office just to deal with that subject? Or maybe it’s just easier to ask Bob? (lol)
Hi Paul – It really is amazing how little most Americans know about the rest of the world. You mean that the earth doesn’t drop off to an end when you leave US borders? It’s as if they think that, in many cases. There actually is a “rest of the world” out there! Most Americans seem not to know that.
Maybe I can get the State Dept to put me on the payroll for answering all of these questions for them! 😉
Bob, forget the rest of the world, most Americans have trouble with their own country. Maybe they just feel geography is not an important subject. Ask the average American if New Mexico is a foreign country, and you will be surprised at the answers.
Hi Lloyd – I’m not really talking about geography, mostly Americans are not very knowledgeable about their own laws, it seems! 😉
Well there’s so many of them and congess keeps making more lol. I really begin to wonder how the whole health care thing is going to affect expats.
The program is going to affect expats in the pocketbook! 😆
Bob, remember the sign that used to say:
Questions Answered – .25cents
Stupid Questions Answered – $5.00
Now if the government ever got smart, they could cut the deficit in half in just a few short days! 😆
I need that sign, Randy! Can you send me a copy so I can hang it on my wall! 😆 Just joking…
Hi Bob: Only two ways to lose your citizenship: 1. Renounce it. 2. Be convicted of treason.
Salamat sa imong tabang:
Robert.
Hi Roberto – Yep, and renouncing it isn’t easy! These days, getting convicted of treason is not easy either, because they won’t hardly charge anybody with treason regardless of what they do! 😀
Hi fellers – I wouldn’t recommend choice #2 while there’s a war going on (War on Terrorism). Treason during time of war is a capital offense, punishable by death if so ordered.
btw, the American Al-Qaeda mouthpiece – formerly of California – has been charged (in absentia) with treason and is a “marked man” for all intensive purposes.
Hi Paul – Speaking of that American al Qaeda, Adam Gadahn, the rumors were swirling just a week or two ago that he had been apprehended in Pakistan. All of the news agencies said he was caught, until CBS later said it wasn’t him. I never heard what the resolution was, but since it’s been quiet, I suspect that it really was not him.
Hi Bob – He’s been a target for drone-based rocketry for quite some time. There had been a report a few months earlier than the capture report wherein Mr. Gadahn had been killed by rocket attack. Upon second look, however, the rocket with his name on it was still stacked on the pile back at the base. 😆
Hi Paul – I see a need for a new technology. Why can’t they have something that if you write somebody name on one of those rockets, the thing automatically hones in on the person and takes him out? Ha ha….. might be the next million dollar contract!
hahahahahh Maybe these folks should lose their citizenship for lowering the overall IQ of the US Citizen. It always amazes me how ignorant people are beacause they are mostly too lazy to do a little home work. I have a question for you Bob and perhap this is off the topic but I think goes to the heart of this todays topic a little. Most of the people I have met here over five years that are retirees and living here (not visitors) are generally in the following demographic: Conservative in Politics, White, Bigots, Antisemetics, Uneducated, Blue Collar and likely to think they will lose their US Citizenship if they leave the USA for more than 6 months LOL.
Hi richard – Ha ha… yeah, you are right, maybe these ignorant people are watering down the gene pool, and should lose their citizenship to keep the gene pool of US citizens a little bit higher in knowledge!
I don’t know, richard… I think in my experience, the expats that I come across here tend to represent nearly ever aspect of society. I’ll have to think about that a bit more, perhaps.
Hi Bob – Perhaps it’s just time to add a little chlorine to the gene pool to begin with! The questions you cite are some of the signs of fungal infestation. 😆
Hi Paul – Chlorine is a good thing, or can be!
Bob, you might want to check out the following situations/problems. At one time (but NOW???)if you became a citizen of another country, the U.S. government would take away your American citizenship. Don’t know if this is still the case or not. Anyone know for sure, as in cite a website for the U.S. gov. that is on this issue. (Many other countries allow dual citizenship (such as England).)
Second point, and again I am not sure of the current status of this problem: if a child is born abroad (e.g., my three in the Philippines) the child can have dual citizenship (since did not APPLY for foreign citizenship). BUT, in the past, at the age of 21, the child must choose one citizenship or the other. I do not know the situation now. Anyone? My 24 year old daughter, born and raised in Canada, still has two passports. But I do not know what would happen if Immigration and Citizenship were informed or when she applies for a new US passport.
Finally, again in the past, an American citizen could not automatically transmit his/her citizenship to his/her children if the child were born outside the US. (ALL children born in the US are automatically US citizens.) I have forgotten the exact details, but the “transferring parent” had to have lived for X years in the US before the age of 18 and Y years in the US after the age of 18.(Kids of military and US diplomats were exempt from this problem.)I know this for a fact since 23 years ago I had to go to the US Consulate in Toronto with documentation showing that I had met these criteria (school records mostly) in order for my daughter to be an American citizen. When we had gone through all my documentation, the American staff member stated that my daughter was an American citizen and could have a US passport. I thanked her for “giving” Theressa her American citizenship. She corrected me: Your daughter was and is an American citizen. I simply documented it. Anyone know if this situation still pertains. I has great relevance to many of us with children born here.
Hi ProfDon – The US Govt will not take your citizenship away if you become a citizen of another country. The US Supreme Court decided a long time ago that US Citizens are allowed dual citizenship. I don’t have a website to cite, although I know this for a fact. I could search it… but, hey, Google is your friend as well as mine, so go knock yourself out, and you can find out if you do some looking around.
Here’s a couple of helpful citations:
dual nationality(citizenship): http://travel.state.gov/pdf/dual_nationality.pdf
renunciation: http://travel.state.gov/law/citizenship/citizenship_776.html
http://travel.state.gov/law/info/info_609.html
Acquisition of U.S. Citizenship By a Child Born Abroad
Birth Abroad to One Citizen and One Alien Parent in Wedlock: A child born abroad to one U.S. citizen parent and one alien parent acquires U.S. citizenship at birth under Section 301(g) INA provided the citizen parent was physically present in the U.S. for the time period required by the law applicable at the time of the child’s birth. (For birth on or after November 14, 1986, a period of five years physical presence, two after the age of fourteen is required. For birth between December 24, 1952 and November 13, 1986, a period of ten years, five after the age of fourteen are required for physical presence in the U.S. to transmit U.S. citizenship to the child.
One of my relatives has dual citizenship, USA / UK . I have seen both passports and they are both current and valid ( not outdated or cancelled etc. )
Hi Bob – Yep! It’s absolutely legal and possible!
Bob you didn’t mention (if you did I missed it and apologize) that expats (Americans) still pay taxes on money earned in the U.S. and if I recall a conversation with you there is a level you pay based on what you earn outside the realm of the U.S.. Your statement and that of others about Americans being less aware of life overseas is so accurate. I tell people of my intentions of one day living outside the U.S. and they are stunned. I get questions like what will you eat? (answer is food). What if you get sick? (see a Doctor) What will you do? (play golf) Where will you watch the NFL? They got me on that one. Ron
Hi Ron – Yep, taxes… actually, as an American citizen you must pay taxes on any income you earn no matter where in the world it is earned. That is one of the big reasons why they make it very hard to get rid of your citizenship… they don’t want to lose your “contribution” every year!
I’ve got an answer for you on the NFL…. tell them that you will watch over live streaming on the Internet! All problems now solved!
Or you’ll watch the NFL via your satellite-tv set up, just like ol’ Jake who lives out in the sticks. 😆
As to taxes, Bob is right though you may be thinking of the “exclusion” available to those living outside of the USA who qualify for it. That’s the biggie – qualifying for the exclusion.
Actually, it’s very difficult to watch NFL on “your satellite-tv setup”. Problem is that here, you can get the Asian satellites, which have very little NFL action on them. We are on the opposite side of the globe, and thus we cannot see the footprint of the satellites in the USA, the ones that actually have lots of NFL games on them – generally every NFL game played in most cases.
I am going to visit other parts of the country soon and I will keep a log on the demographics of Americans living here full time which I run into in these various locales. I will report my findings back to you in a couple of months. I must be really bored LOL
Hi richard – You can actually statistics from the US State Department of how many Americans live in the Philippines. It is not 100% accurate (how could you count them all, people here on tourist visas and such). Last time I looked, if memory serves me, they had listed about 41,000 Americans living in the Philippines.
Most likely I will do as I always do. Strike up a conversation with Americans I meet in various venues and engage in general conversation except this time around I may direct the converstion into more revealing areas such as: Politics, Religion, Money, Job History, etc… to come up with a demographic sampling. Of course this is far from accurate but could provide some insight to the typical retiree here. Most likely I will visit Cebu, Dumaguete and then I have to go back to Manila. In some instances I will ask them specific questions with permission and not ask their name. One Thing that may cloud this study is I run into Missionaries and Ministry people all the time and they are about the most conservative backward thinking people imaginable and I am not just saying this. It is so apparent just after spendng just a little time with them to see their hatred for Obama (they make a socialist/communist argument masking their real racism) and anything liberal.
Hi richard – Good luck with your survey, and enjoy your trip!
so if you disagree with obamas policys or your a republican you assume they must be a racist because they are white well why are they married to a brown skinned filipina if there racist answer that so they are only racist with certain shades of brown ! your stupid
Hi mike – I consider myself conservative. I have a problem with some, not all, of Obama’s policies, but I certainly am not racist. It’s funny, though, I have met people here who are married to Filipinas, yet are certainly racist against African people. They are very open about it. It seems very strange to me.
i am prejudice vs individual morons doesn’t matter what race they are religious back round or political belief. every person has merit as a human being and i believe its a mistake to stereo type people like richard did in his very un scientific survey or observation on ex pats. and i would remind richard of people who are liberals like majority leader harry reed who mentioned obama is a black man who doesnt speak in regular negro dialect.and joe biden himself who ran against obama also said he was clean and articulate for but wasnt qualified for being president.and i guess when bush was president it was ok for people to burn his likeness in public and call him a white devil(you could make a observation that there is a lot of black racists towards bush if you lumped everyone together.) well come november richard a lot of those senators and congressman who voted for healthcare against 62% of the american peoples wishes not to be a law.will soon see there job taken away from them on election day.
I wonder where they were getting that 41,000 figure – people who had actually registered with the embassy or some other method?
Hi Gary – I’m not really sure how they accumulate the figures, but on their website I once found a list of the number of Americans living in every country around the world, it was pretty interesting.
Hi Bob,I’ve been coming here to Leyte for the past 7 winters.It still amazes me about what people say when I go home in April every year! Where have you been?….What is it like? aren’t you scared?…OF WHAT,I ask them!! I used to winter on Saipan,until 2006.Then I met the LOVE of my life! But,coming home every spring from Saipan,people would ask if that was Indonesia….you know,all the terrorists!! They did not have a clue that Saipan was a U.S Commonwealth!! Great island I might add! A lot of World war II history that still stands today! I love Leyte & its people….But,good things must end for now….back home to rural Maine next week! I’ll still follow what’s happening here! All the Best to you,Bob!
Hi Joe (Hey Joe?? 😆 ) – Ha ha… I love it. I’m glad that you had a great time on Saipan, and the fact that it confused the heck out of your friends and such in the States only made it that much better! 😉
I wonder if expats will have to buy health insurance like U.S. citizens living stateside will be forced to do. Will you be able to use it in a foreign country?
Hi Rob – It’s still early with the new bill, but under the Senate bill that passed last November, we expats would be required to buy insurance, and it would not be usable here. So, we would have to spend money on something that is worthless to us. I assume it is still in the final bill that is the law, but have not heard a final analysis of that law yet.
What about repatriation for Americans, Bob? When I returned to Canada the first time, from Asia, as I passed through immigration, I was told that I must be repatriated, due to the length of time I’d been away. (As I’ve already shown examples of what a brash young person I was, my response should come as no surprise). “Repatriated?”, I responded, “I was born here, for (expletive)’s sake! Repatriate this!”(solitary finger salute). These days, if I was foolish enough to attempt that kind of a stunt, I’d probably spend the next few hours being strip-searched & interrogated. Is it the same in other countries? Repatriation, I mean, as I know there are hooligans from around the globe, travelling Asia.
Mike
Hi Mike – Repatriation in the States only consists of walking through Immigration/Customs upon your return, no different than if you had been out of the country for a few days.
If the system that they are bringing in to the U.S. is anything like the Canadian system, it will probably end up being administered by each state. Our provincial governments administer ours, so if I am out of my province for more than 183 days, I can inform them of this upon my return & they don’t make me pay for the time I was away. When I consider the cost of premiums in my province, in comparison to premiums for private coverage, it is much cheaper to pay for the government coverage and hold private travel insurance – to patch me up & get me home – while abroad. Example: two friends of mine in Texas are paying approx. $10,000/year for private health insurance(family coverage). I pay less than $650/year. When I needed a very quick MRI, however, I bypassed the slower public system & paid for it privately(MRI$895, consultation $495).
Though I appreciate that, for some of you, this health plan smacks of socialism, as it is soon to be a fact of life, why not take a “wait & see” approach? Worst case scenario, it’ll be a dud of an idea & the U.S. will revert back to the status quo. Hey, politicians have been wasting our hard-earned money for hundreds of years, if it isn’t for this, it’ll be spent on some other “vision”.
Just a thought…
Mike
Hi Mike – The new US system is a Federal system, not a State thing. Even if you live outside the USA, and will never set foot in the USA you will be required to pay for health insurance, and it will not cover you outside the USA.
Hey Bob,
Just curious, how do you renew your US passport? Do you have to go to the embassy in Manila?
Hi hudson – Passports can be renewed through the US Embassy in Manila, or at Embassy outreach sessions throughout the country.
Isn’t it good to now that we can pack our bags and go live anywhere in the world we want too this day an age ..good article Bob …Phil n Jess
Hi Phil – I love it! 😉
Oh P.S. you need a passport too ..
Oh yes… you are right on that, Phil!
hi bob
I just want to throw thisone into the ring for some debate lol,as we are on about dual citizenship etc and i noticed a few comments about children being born and automatically becoming dual citizens.
it got me thinking if the baby became a phils/ british or phils /american etc and the mother was a philipina would this give the mother any leverage whatsoever on becoming a dual citizen also?I know the law of each country would probably say not, but as the child would be a citizen of the said country and the mother was a direct relative could she not be accepted through this status ?
yeah i know you aint a legal rep lol but it would be interesting to catch the views of others.
on another note has the heatwave ended yet? i arrived home 2 weeks back after being there 6 weeks i think i saw about a total of an hours rain phew! it was warm hehehe.
One more thing anyone staying in the phils more than the 21 days check your passport thoroughly as you sometimes get a stamp that saves you the price of a visa extension, guess who paid for a visa extension when he didnt need too? doh!
Hi Dave – I do not believe that having a US Citizen child would help. The child could petition for the mother, but only after turning 18 years old.
We aren’t really having a heat wave here, aside from it being summer here. It’s hot, but not really unusually hot. We are having a drought, though… not enough rain! We have gotten a little rain lately, but it doesn’t help much.
Greetings;
having been born in Manila in 46 and having a birth cert…….can I avail myself to the
balikbayan program (visa for one year) in the islands? I have no filipino passport since I was born in Manila to an american father…….filipina mother…
also, is there an expedited version of the retirement program…..or someone in the islands who can handle the necessary paperwork for me if I am here in the states…?
salamat po..
Hi bill – if you can prove that your mother was a Philippine citizen at the time of your birth, then you qualify to become a dual citizen yourself. Check with the Philippine Consulate or Embassy near you in the States and they should be able to handle this for you.
Sir, I am a Retired Marine who is 100% disabled by the VA and I also collect Social Security Disablility along with my military pension. My wife lives in the Philipines and I would like to live there with her. My question is will any of income be effected.
Second what kind of Visa should I apply for?
Thank you in advance.
HI Steven – Your income should not be affected in any way if you move to the Philippines.
If your wife is a Philippine citizen you can get a 13(a) Resident Visa to live here.
Sir, Thank you so much for your response.
God Bless you and your family.
Steven and Melissa
Hi: I am married to a Filipina living now in the USA. I already lived in Cebu for a year. Before I left, I went to some honorary embassy in Ft. Lauderdale and paid for a one year visa which needed to be renewed every 2 months, (6X total). Based upon your info, the 13 a or g sounds like the right move so I do not need to leave the Philippines every year.
My key questions have to deal more with a basic check list of things I need to prepare in advance before making a final move to the Philippines.
Just to name a few: 1) making sure I get my mail, 2) Can a forwarding service that uses a street address be sufficient to give to my US bank accounts and also use as my address for a driver’s license? My SS checks go to a bank and I have to provide a legal address..3) I was told that I need a U.S. street address that I must reside in to get driver license renewals, etc.. Yet, I know there got to be a lot of folks who do NOT have permanent home addresses, (recreational vehicles) etc., 4) Assuming I leave my investments/money market accounts in the U.S. what steps do I need to make to have money sent to me in the Philippines for large expenses, (buying a condo, etc..)
If there is some kind of instructional book that covers all of these kinds of questions and has some kind of check list so I won’t overlook some things. When I last lived in Cebu, my dad was still alive and was able to wire me funds.
5) Paying U. S. taxes; getting all the proper 1099’s, K-1’s, etc.. Since I have never used a mail forwarding service, would that satisfy my getting the important mail I require?
I own a home which I do not intend to sell until I am certain that I am ready to buy a new home there and am able to sell the one I have now. So, I will still have a legal address initially, but, I don’t think that will do me any good since no one will be here to collect it.
Any thoughts? Any advice/ideas regarding the above will be appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Rich S.
Answers to your questions, Rich:
1. Yes. I use MyUS.com and have used them for years.
2. See #1
3. If you are going to live in the Philippines, I see no reason why you would need US driver’s license renewals. I have lived here in the Philippines for 11 years. I have a Philippine driver’s license, not a US driver’s license.
4. I personally use ATM to obtain needed money from my US accounts. Others write a check on their US account and deposit it into their Philippine account.
5. Yes.
My daughter just got the American citizenship, but she is planning to go back to Mexico to work for a few years (about 3). Can she lose her American citizenship?
Thanks
Unless your daughter goes to an American embassy, or the US State department and specifically renounces her US Citizenship, which is very difficult to accomplish, no, she cannot lose her US Citizenship no matter how long she stays in Mexico.
Hi Bob,
I just read your notes about how to get a visa in the Philippines. Well, my husband is American and he is planning to come back to Philippines and wanted to live longer at least one year. What visa would probably he would apply? and can he apply to the nearest Philippine Embassy/Consulate there in US before coming here in Philippines, so he would not buy a ticket and pay for re-booking later? Please help us. Thanks.
Hi Lyvia – Well, if your husband wants to get a visa that will allow him to come to the Philippines without purchasing an onward ticket, his only choices would be to get a 13 series resident visa or an SRRV retirement visa. Since I really don’t know anything about your husband, I do not really know what visas he is qualified to get.
Hi Bob.. I just wanted understand some things.. I was born in the US.. I came here in the Philippines when I was 3y/o until now (I’m 21 y/o now).. I used US passport in entering Phils., in my passport, BALIKBAYAN was stamped.. My parents are both Filipinos.. Since then, I haven’t renewed my passport.. To make the story short, I want to go back to US right now.. What are the things i’m going to do since I lived here for long?.. is there some kind of penalty I have to settle?.. What are the needed documents in going back to US?.. Thanks Bob for the reply..
Hi chester – You are going to have some serious fines to pay, because you have been overstaying for 17 years here. The Balikbayan visa was only good for 1 year. You can be a Philippine Citizen if you file a late report of birth abroad with the Philippine Consulate or Embassy that serves the area where you were born.
To go back to the US, you are going to need to get a current passport, contact the US embassy in Manila to arrange for that. You will also need to pay some hefty fines for overstaying here.
I am going to pay the fine in the US embassy or in the Phil. Bureau of Immigration?.. Do you have any idea how much will be the fine.. Thanks anyway for your kindness..
Hi Chester – You will pay the US Embassy for your new passport. You will pay the Philippine Bureau of Immigration for overstaying. I don’t have any idea how much it will be, but given the length of time you have overstayed, I would expect it to be at least hundreds of dollars, perhaps thousands.
what if i file a late report of birth abroad, will i still pay for the fine of 17 years overstaying?..
I believe you will still have to pay, but check for sure with the BI. Problem is, you will have to go abroad to file it, because it must be filed at the Consulate that serves the area where you were born.
Do I really go abroad to file the report?.. Can I do it in DFA?..
Hi Chester – as I said previously, the report must be filed at the Philippine consulate or embassy that serves the area where you were born. The DFA is neither a consulate nor an embassy.
Hi there Bob,
Since your on the subject of living in other countries, how does a U.S. citizen live in Israel, if one I’m not Jewish or can make Aliyah or married to one? Thanks!
I am sorry, I know nothing about living in Israel.
Okay cool! Thank you, though! Appreciate it.
Hi Bob! I would like to share my case with you. I am hoping you could atleast have any knowledge about it. I am 20 year old. I was petitioned by my US citizen father. I went to the US when I was 16 and immediately got my green card. I have read on some articles that a child of a US citizen parent/s is automatically a US citizen also if the child becomes a permanent resident of the United States before turning 18. Please correct me if I am wrong. The thing is, I went back to the states a few months after getting my green card and I’ve over stayed here in the Philippines for more than 3 years. Is there any possibilities I could go back to the states. If so, how?
Hi Donna – I think you have been misinformed. There is no “automatic” citizenship for the children of US citizens. If a man fathers a child here in the Philippines, for the child to become a US citizen, the father must go to the US Embassy and give his recognition of the child. It is certainly not automatic.
Yes, if you get a US Green Card, you should not stay out of the USA for more than 6 months in most cases, sometimes it can be extended to a year with the proper permission. Best thing you can do at this point is to visit the US Embassy in Manila and seek their advice, and possibly a new Visa.
Hi Bob! I would like to share my case with you. I am hoping you could atleast have any knowledge about it. I am 20 year old. I was petitioned by my US citizen father. I went to the US when I was 16 and immediately got my green card. I have read on some articles that a child of a US citizen parent/s is automatically a US citizen also if the child becomes a permanent resident of the United States before turning 18. Please correct me if I am wrong. The thing is, I went back to the states a few months after getting my green card and I’ve over stayed here in the Philippines for more than 3 years. Is there any possibilities I could go back to the states. If so, how? Thank you.
hi bob,
i am an american citizen and overstayed here in the philippines for 15 years. I want to go back to US but im afraid if I go to the embassy they might put me behind the bars and I dont want that to happen but I want to go back in US.. what should I do im so scared but I want to go home
Hi Benito – If you want to go back to the States, you really don’t have much choice but to clean up your issues with overstaying here. You will need to go to the Bureau of Immigration and there will be fines to pay. It is doubtful that you will be put in jail, but you will have to pay fines for all the years of overstaying.
What I would recommend is to perhaps send an intermediary there first to explain your situation and ask what you are facing, or perhaps call them on the phone, so that you have some anonymity.
Good luck to you, Benito, I hope it all works out for you.
hi bob. im wondering if you could help me, coz it seems that you are a very smart person. im ben american citizen, im over staying here in the philippines for 15 years and not visiting the embassy. time flies and now I want to go back in the US, but im afraid to go to the embassy because they might put me behind the bars. what should I do regarding this matter? I think you would be helpful. thanks
See my previous response, Benito. Good luck to you.
Hello Bob,
I am a filipina living in the U.S for almost 9 years and a U.S Citizen as well. My question is, if I want to go back to the Philippines for six months, am I allowed to work in the Philippines? Just wondering.
Thank You.
Since you are no longer a Philippine Citizen, then no, you cannot legally work in the Philippines, unless you are issued an AEP (Alien Employment Permit). However, why not just apply for Philippine Dual Citizenship, re-acquire your PhilippinCitizenship, and then you have the best of both worlds?
Hello Bob,
If I wanted to go to Palawan Philippines how would I get a visa? Are there a lot of steps to getting one? How much do you have to pay?
Thank you,
Hi Jake – Well, it depends! Depends on how long you want to stay, and where you are coming from. If you are coming from the USA, UK, Europe, Australia and such, then you don’t need to do anything but fly here. When you get off the plane you will be issued a 21 day “tourist waiver” for free. You can stay up to 21 days in the country with that. If you want to stay longer than 21 days, you can extend that visa up to 16 months, but will have to pay for that. Figure around $75 to $125 every 59 days (the amount is a bit different each time, because sometimes you need other things to extend your stay).
Hope this helps.
Thank you Bob,
I’m coming from the USA. I’m planing on living there. How would I get a visa to live there? Would I still have to pay every 59 days?
Hi Jake – OK, so you want to live here! Sorry, you didn’t tell me that before, so I gave you information about visiting here instead.
I still don’t have enough information to give you an answer, though… I need to know, do you have a spouse who is either a Philippine Citizen, or a former Philippine Citizen? Knowing that, I can give you an informative answer. Thanks.
Bob,
No I am single!
Hi Jake – OK, since you are single, you do not qualify for the “normal” resident visa, which is a 13(a) visa. If you marry in the future, a Philippine Citizen, then you can apply for a resident visa. With a resident visa, you can live here forever. The only fee you ever have to pay is your yearly head tax, which is P310, and once every 5 years you have to renew your i-card, which costs about $50.
Since you do not qualify for that, though, the only visa you do qualify for which will allow you permanent residence is an SRRV (Special Retiree’s Resident Visa). You can get the requirements and costs of the SRRV by clicking here.
Hi Bob,
Thank you for your information! Is it safe for an american to go over there and live? Do you know if it is a big amount difference for every 59 days?
Hi Jake – It is very dangerous for Americans… I dodge bullets every day! 🙂 Just teasing you. Of course it is not dangerous here for Americans. If it was dangerous I would not have moved my wife and kids here. In fact, I feel safer here than I did in parts of the USA.
The visa renewals vary in price between about P3,000 and P7,000 depending on what is needed at each stage of the process.
Hahaha thanks!
Bob,
How long do I have to be out of the country, after the 6 months until i can come back in?
Jake
Hi Jake – To be honest, I am not sure I understand your question. Are you asking how long you have to be out of the Philippines? Firstly, you are not required to leave after 6 months, you can stay for 16 months if you like. If you make a visa run, generally, you need to be out of the country overnight before returning.
Bob,
I meant to say 16, sorry. And you answered me question!
Thank you!
Jake
No problem, Jake… it was the “6 month” thing that had me wondering if I was misunderstanding your question.
Take care!
Thanks!
I have a few more question for you. sorry i have so many question, i just want to make sure i know everything before i get there. Will I be able to work at the Philippines even though i am not a citizen? I am planing on moving to Coron Palawan. Is this a good place to live?
Thanks again,
Jake
Hi Jake – Generally speaking, no you cannot work. There are exceptions, especially if you are on a permanent resident visa. Even with that, though, you cannot take a job that a Filipino can do.
If you are interested in living in the Philippines, but you need a source of income, getting a job here is generally not the way to go. Firstly, most companies are not looking to hire foreigners. Secondly, you probably won’t want to work for the kind of wages offered here, usually only a few dollars per day.
To help out people like you, I have written a book called “49 Ways to earn a living in the Philippines” and I cover ideas of all sorts on how you can earn a good living while living in the Philippines. I have been earning my living here since 2000, and I earn more money now than when I lived in the States. So, I know that I can help you do that too!
To check out the book, go to:
http://expatisland.com/49-ways-to-make-a-living-in-the-philippines/
As a special offer to you, I am going to offer you $10 off the book, but the offer is good for only the next 24 hours. During checkout, just enter the coupon code – 10discountToday – and the book will be $10 off the regular price. But, remember, the discount expires after 24 hours.
Check it out today, I am sure that this is what you are looking for, if you want to live in the Philippines!
As for how Coron, Palawan is… that is a personal choice. I have never been there before, so I can’t say. But, everybody has their preferences, and if Coron is to you liking, then it is a great place for you to live!
Thank you so much for your offer! In your book, does it all have it do with the computers?
Jake
Hi Jake – About 1/3 of the ideas are things you can do with your computer on the internet. About 1/3 are things that don’t require a computer at all. The final 1/3 are hybrid ideas that are a combination of computer/internet and brick and mortar world stuff.
Bob,
Thank you so much for your book! I am really enjoying it and its really helping me! I am interested in the Private Investigative Services. You said in your book that you do this often. Do you have any more information that you could give me about this job? Do you need a license for the job? If so where did you get one?
Anything is helpful
Thank you again,
Jake
As a foreigner, you won’t be able to become licensed, Jake. Keep in mind that you can farm out the work to licensed people, though. Please… if you have more questions, I am happy to answer them, but not in a public forum like this. Please e-mail me privately with such questions.
Thank you!
Hi Bob,
Great to hear you love living in the Philippines.
Im currently holding a 2 years conditional greencard. I came here in the US last november 21, 2012. I was petitioned by my husband (american citizen). Im currently pregnant to our first baby. My husband and I would like to live in the Philippines 5 years from now of course with our baby. And we have a family friends who want to retire in the Philippines with us. They are all 45 years old same with my husband.
Now heres my questions:
1. do i need to be a US citizen first before i can reclaim my Filipino citizenship? or i
just apply dual citizenship?—I still want to have my full rights in the Philippines.
2. and when im already a Dual citizen, do i need to use 2 passports? US and
Philippine Passport? (to get in and out between 2 countries)
3. can i also apply a dual citizenship for my baby?
4.what visa is for my husband? (so he can stay in the philippines as long he wants)
5. what visa would be good for our american friends? so they can also live in the
Philippines as long as they want)
Thank You so much.
Hi MelindaBritt,
Here are the answers to each question you asked:
1. Yes, if you are still a Philippine citizen there would be nothing to reclaim! So, yes, once you become a US citizen, if you desire dual citizenship, which I think it a good thing, then file to reclaim your Philippine Citizenship.
2. You don’t “need” to use two passports, it is up to you to decide which passport to use. If you have US citizenship, though, you are required to use your US passport any time you enter the USA.
3. No. The way that your baby will be a dual citizen is different. When your baby is born, file a “report of birth abroad” with the Philippine Embassy or Consulate that serves your area. Once you file that report and it is accepted, your baby will already be a dual citizen.
4. I would recommend a 13(a) Visa for your husband.
5. The only Visa your friends would qualify for to stay permanently is an SRRV visa.
Hi. I just have some questions regarding my daughter’s situation. Here’s the thing.. I am a Filipino citizen, I gave birth in US, so my daughter is a US citizen.. and now we came back in the Philippines and we thought of living here for quite a while, probably 4years or so.. I want to know what can I do so that my child can live with me here in the Philippines legally?
You need to file a report of birth abroad with the Philippine consulate that serves the area where your child was born. After that is completed, your child will be a dual citizen.
Can I do that even if I’m already here in the Philippines by mailing everything there? Or I can just submit the requirements to the Philippine consulate here?
Hi Katrina – Well, of course the Philippines does not have any consulates here in the Philippines. Consulates are only in foreign countries. I believe you can do it by mail, but you will need to check with them to be certain.
I see.. Thank you for the information. And I’ll be checking on it as well. Thanks again.
Hi bob,
I’m a green card holder, I’m planning to stay in the Philippines for 1 year with my US citizen 2years old daughter, can my daughter aloud to stay in the Philippines for 1 year?
Yes, just request a Balikbayan Privilege when you enter and she will get a free 1 year stay. Also, why don’t you file a Report of Birth Abroad with the Philippine Consulate that serves the area where your child was born? Then, she will be a dual citizen, and it will open many doors for her.
Hi Bob!! Do i still need to file a Report of Birth Abroad for my two kids ( 3 yr old and 6 months ) when we are only going to visit Philippines for a month or two? Thank You and God Bless
Hi Kate, you did not give enough information for me to go on. I will say that if you are a US citizen and your kids are born in the Philippines, then you do need to file a report of birth abroad.
Im filipina with greencard and my kids are us citizen btw..
Hi, Bob.
I check your website from time to time as I find it interesting to read what expats have to say about the Phils. or their experiences here. I am a Filipina married to an American & we are looking into applying for a tourist visa for me so that I can meet his family in the US. Do you (or any American writer here) happen to have any experience you can share as far as the tourist visa process is concerned? Like most of you, my husband loves it here and wishes to stay long-term (in fact already has a 13a visa), hence, we are not interested in going for an immigrant visa to the US. I already did some research and have my papers in order but I would love to hear other people’s experiences in this area. Thanks in advance.
Hi Thelmarie – It is often very difficult to get a tourist visa. All I can recommend is that you apply and see how things go. Good luck to you.
Hi Bob,
I have some questions here and hope you can help me… A friend of mine who is a retired US marine wanted to stay here in Phils., is it true that once you are retired you are allowed to live here in Phils as long as you want?? What would be the requirements then?? God bless Bob and thanks in advance….
Hi Ging – It has nothing to do with being retired, a foreigner can stay in the Philippines for the amount of time that his visa is good for. If you have a resident visa you can stay forever. With a tourist visa you can stay up to 16 months if you take care of the appropriate extensions.
Thank you Bob… and how can he/she obtain a resident visa here in the Phils.?? What are the requirements?? Again, thanks Bob….
Hello Ging – The requirements, costs and process is explained in detail in the article “My 13a Experience“. Just click on the link to read the article.
i really like your site.i have a question for you.my sister was born in U.S.A but has lived all her life in mexico, she just turned 18 and will be traveling alone in a international flight (mexico to chicago) other times shes gone through tijuana border and with our father,so my question can there be any problem with her living in mex.?is it ok to say shes been studying in mex., when she shows her passport?i know i sound somewhat paranoid shes my baby sister and has never been on her own.
i should mention her english is not very fluent.
I am planning to live and work in Cagayan de Oro. I am willing to learn a language from which I should be able to communicate with people living in CDO and workers of the factory. Please guide me. Haris
Hello Haris,
Thanks for writing.
If you want to move to the Philippines, there are many things to find out about, and to do in preparation for the move. I have come up with a series of electronic books that will provide you with all of the information that you will need to make the move easy and smooth. There are a total of 31 eBooks in the set, you can find out about each title at my website: How to Move to the Philippines. http://HowToMoveToThePhilippines.com
I have a special deal that I want to let you know about, though. The books are $7.99 each, but that can add up if you want the whole set. Because of that, I have a special package that includes all of the books, 31 titles in all. You can get the entire package, which I call the PH Pro Package, for just $49. I can offer you the PH Pro package for a special discount price of $10 off for the next 24 hours though. When you are buying the books, just use this coupon code during the checkout: Move2PH10 Keep in mind, though, this coupon code is only valid for the next 24 hours for your purchase.
You can find the PH Pro package here:
http://howtomovetothephilippines.com/landing/ph-pro-all-in-package/
I really believe that this package of books will give you all the information you need to make it a successful move. If you have other questions that you don’t find answered in the books, though, you can e-mail me any time for a personal response to your question.
Bob can I go back in the philippines because I’m homesick. I just came here in hawaii june 29 2013. Its spouse visa not tourist. I want to lived again in the philippines with my family.
Hi Joanne – Legally, of course you can come back to the Philippines, you can do it any time that you wish to do so. However, I would encourage you to not do it. Moving to the States is a big step that you took in your life. If you can stick it out through the tough times, you will have a wonderful life ahead of you. Come back to live in the Philippines someday if you still wish to do so, but for now explore the world and use it as a learning opportunity and for your personal growth. I know how you feel, because I also moved to a different country and went through homesickness myself to an extent.
I remember when my wife came to the States in 1991. She went through terrible homesickness, but with the support of myself, my family and friends, she made it, and it made her a better person, and a more rounded person. She grew up and you will too if you can stick it out. Do your best, joanne. You can make it. Ask your husband to help you. Don’t be shy or ashamed to ask for help. We all need help sometimes.
Good luck to you.
Hi bob
Thanks ! I can’t ask my husband because he will not allowed me to go. Honestly I don’t know what to do because I miss my family.
Good day sir! I am an american citizen born in saipan and i live in the Philippines, Davao. I currently study in here. My father told me that, in the age of 18 my american citizenship will be loss, is this true? do i have to pay tax from the Philippine government or us government as long as i stay in here? please guide me.
The information your father is incorrect. You will always be a US citizen. Regarding taxes, you are supposed to pay both countries.
thank you sir.
Hi There! I was wondering if you had any advice? I know someone who is a US Citizen and was abandoned in the Philippines as a minor and now is an adult. This person would like to return to the the US but does not know how to go about getting back as there is no one in the US who can pay for her overstaying penalties. Any idea what can be done?
Thanks,
Emma
I’m a US citizen traveling to the philippines. I went when I was younger and decided that I wanted to end up there. However, I live on disability benefits. I’ve read your opening comments but did not notice anything pertaining to that. Could you please clarify if I could spend my life there and still collect my benefits? If I have to leave the country, would the US embassy work? Considered American soil I believe. Any advice or suggested resources would be greatly appreciated!
Going to the US Embassy does not count as leaving the Philippines.
Well it was worth a try. I collect disabled survivors benefits (permanently disabled). How long would I be permitted to stay in the country at a time with a tourist visa? And would I be required to go all the way back to US? Or is it possible to continue collecting with a resident visa? I really appreciate your time and attention to answer not only my questions, but the numerous others here. Thank you.
With a tourist visa you can stay initially for 30 days, then extend the visa for up to 36 months. At that point you must leave the country – go anywhere you like as long as it is outside the Philippines.
Some disability payments cannot be collected when you are outside the country. I don’t know about your particular case. You should probably check with the Social Security Administration, or whoever your benefits are coming from, and get a ruling on whether you can collect while living in the Philippines.
Hi I just wanna ask if I can still go back to the US? I went there when I was about 12 years old and stayed there for 3 years, and went back to the Philippines after. Now that I’m 21 can I still go back to the United States?
Christine – with the information you gave, I have no way of knowing. I don’t know anything about your citizenship, visa status, that sort of thing. You just did not give enough information for me to have any clue of whether you can go to the USA or not.
Hi Bob! I am on a conditional 2yrs visa here in USA. As per Immigration law, me and my husband should file a petition to remove the condition atleast 3mos before the completion of 2yrs. I have different questions:
1. If I work and live in Saipan (with or without my husband) does it affect my conditional greencard at the time that I am about to file a petition to remove the condition?
2. If I and my husband decided to go on divorce before my conditonal visa expires; and I go out of USA to work, can I self petition myself to be an Immigrant again in the USA? Any other suggestion that I can be an Immigrant again after divorce?
Thank you and God bless.
I can gladly answer any questions about Philippine Immigration, and I feel that I can answer those questions with a fair bit of knowledge. However, I know little about US Immigration, and the things I do know are 25 years old, when my wife came to the States – that is way out of date. I am sorry, but you are really asking the wrong person these questions, I would be happy to answer if I could do so with some degree of intelligence and confidence, but I am not that guy.
Hi bob,
Just hoping to get an answer. Im an american citizen and now currently staying in manila for about 5 months now. Im in a process of getting married before my 6th month stay comes. Am i gonna get penalized or get my citizenship in some kind of trouble if i stayed longer than 6 months. As a US Citizen how long can i stay here in the philippines? And if i did overstay am i going to lose anything legal wise? I Just dont want to jeopardize my status. Thanks so much!
No, I have been here 15 years already, and it has no effect on my US Citizenship. Just make sure that your visa is current so that you don’t get in trouble in the Philippines. You can stay here for the next 100 years and your US citizenship will not be effected, it is not a worry.
Hi Bob
I have a question to you I give birth to my son here in US 6 YEARS ago after I give birth my boyfriend( my son’s father) and I agree that we bring the baby to the Philippines after 3 years my boyfriend and I broke up so now he doesn’t want me to bring my son back to the US.
My question is
1. Do I need any authorization from the father of my son to bring him back to the US?because My son’s father he doesn’t support my son anymore
2.my son stayed there for already 6 years and I don’t know where I’m gonna go.
I am sorry, I really don’t know enough about your situation to be able to comment intelligently. Good luck to you.
If I have met someone (special) in the Philippines, and I wanted to live there, what kind of job could an American do?
Hello Quintin,
If you are interested in living in the Philippines, but you need a source of income, getting a job here is generally not the way to go. Firstly, most companies are not looking to hire foreigners. Secondly, you probably won’t want to work for the kind of wages offered here, usually only a few dollars per day.
To help out people like you, I have written a book called “49 Ways to earn a living in the Philippines” and I cover ideas of all sorts on how you can earn a good living while living in the Philippines. I have been earning my living here since 2000, and I earn more money now than when I lived in the States. So, I know that I can help you do that too!
To check out the book, go to:
http://expatisland.com/49-ways-to-make-a-living/
As a special offer to you, I am going to offer you $5 off the book, but the offer is good for only the next 24 hours. During checkout, just enter the coupon code – 5DiscountToday – and the book will be $5 off the regular price. But, remember, the discount expires after 24 hours.
Check it out today, I am sure that this is what you are looking for, if you want to live in the Philippines!
My mom is dual citizen …she’s 84 yrs old now . Im planning to travel abroad with her but im worried that she overstayed here in the Philippines and wont allow her to go back to US with my other siblings. Is there a fine for her OVERSTAYING in the Philippines to be able to travel again abroad?
You say that your Mom is a dual citizen. If one of her citizenships is Philippine Citizenship then it is impossible for her to overstay. She can stay in the country forever if she wants, as a citizen. When she departs the country she should show either a Philippine Passport (bring both passports for the trip) or a Certificate of Philippine Citizenship and there will be no fines for overstaying.
Dear Bob,
Me and my wife together with my youngest son came to US as new immigrant last February 21, 2015. My wife has a boutique shop in the Philippines and after she left the shop starts losing money and can no longer afford to cover the monthly maintenance and operating expenses. After receiving our green card and after two (2) months my wife went home to put to order her ailing business. She’s still in the Philippines but she cannot come back here still because my eldest daughter will get married come December, 2015. My question is: Is it safe for her to come back January 2016 (green card not confiscated by US Immigration)? So many are telling her that she will lose her green card if she overstayed outside US for more than six (6) months(in a year).
Thanks a lot and god bless U and your wonderful website.
Cesar.
It is a high chance that she will lose her green card and not be allowed to return to the USA if she is out of the country for that length of time.
Thanks a lot Bob. Regards.
Hi Bob, just want to ask. I’m planning to stay in the Philippines until I give birth our baby there. Is it illegal for me to stay in the Philippines, I’m only a green card holder? Lastly, is my husband could file a divorce here in US without my knowledge and consent? I would appreciate your time. And hope I could get a response sooner!
Hi, sorry, but I am not an expert about divorce, in fact I know little about it. I have never been divorced, so I have not ever really learned much about it, sorry.
Hi Bob, I have a question. I was born in the US, but I pretty much studied and worked here in the Philippines. I did my internship in Florida back in 2010, but got a permanent job here in Manila. If I decide to work in the US again, will they take into consideration that I haven’t been “contributing” to my taxes since 2010 until now? Will I have to pay a certain amount for that if I plan on going back?
And another thing, if I decide to marry someone who isn’t a US citizen and we decide to move to the US, can I legally file a petition for a fiancee or spouse visa so he can get a permanent residence card?
Thank you!
Hello Karla It is up to each company whether they will take your Philippine work experience into account. It is their decision.
Of course you can fil ea petition for a resident visa for your spouse or fiancee. They may or may not be approved, but the only thing you can do is apply and see what the decision is.
Hi Bob! I am VINCENT CALINDAS from Philippines. I am a natural born filipino but my father naturalized me as US Citizen. I did not get back to the US for more than 20 years. I am paying my ACR every year and updated my passport. I have a wife and two kids but they are filipino citizen. Can i get back to the states even though it’s been more than 20 years of staying here and lived there ? Hoping for your considerable response regarding this matter. Thank you very much!
If you are a US citizen you can always go back, even 100 years from now.
Thank you bob for your immediate response i really appreciated it. how about my family can i bring them to the states? how long does it take to process? thank you again and hoping for another response.
You can apply for visas for your wife and children. How long it will take will depend on many factors, but I would estimate it would take between 6 and 18 months.
Hey, Bob! I got a few questions.
Me, my son, and girlfriend are planning on living in the Philippines but we don’t know how’s that gonna work. My son was born in the U.S. And his mom also, so they’re both US citizens. But me I am a U.S. Citizen and I had an expired Philippine passport so that means I should be fine. So how can they/we live in the Philippines? Do we have to be married first or do I need to get them Philippine passport or apply a passport in the Philippine? Hope my this didn’t confused you and I’m hoping you response! Thanks
Hello Roy – You said that you are a US Citizen, and that your Philippine Passport is expired. You did not say anything about having re-acquired your Philippine Citizenship under RA9225, the Philippine Dual Citizenship act. If what you said is accurate, it will be illegal for you to use your expired Philippine Passport, that would be considered Immigration Fraud.
So, assuming that all that you said is as you said it…
First thing I would recommend for you to do is to go to the Philippine Embassy or Consulate and apply for Dual Citizenship, after which you can renew your Philippine Passport. When you apply for Dual Citizenship you can include your son on the application and he will be a dual citizen as well. I would recommend getting your son a Philippine Passport as well.
Once you and your son are Dual Citizens you can live in either the USA or the Philippines for as long as you wish with no penalties and no need for a visa, for the rest of your life.
Now, as for your girlfriend, assuming that she is not Filipino and neither of her parents were Filipino when she was born, then she would not qualify for dual citizenship. She would only qualify for either an SRRV (Special Retiree’s Resident Visa) – if she is 35 or older – or she would qualify for a Tourist Visa, under which she can stay in the Philippines for up to 3 years.
If you and your girlfriend marry then she could get a 13a resident visa and live here permanently.
Good luck.
Thanks for the quick response Bob! Do I have to apply the dual-citizenship here in the U.S.? Btw, my girlfriend is pure Filipino, but was born here in the U.S.
Hello Roy – You can apply for dual citizenship at the Philippine Embassy in Washington DC or at the Philippine Consulate that serves the area where you live. Or, you can apply in the Philippines at the Bureau of Immigration. Don’t forget to include your son in your application, so he can also enjoy the benefits of Philippine citizenship.
Your girlfriend is also eligible for Philippine Citizenship (dual citizenship) if one or both of her parents was a Philippine citizen on the day she was born. She should file a “report of birth abroad” at the Philippine Embassy or Consulate serving the area where she was born.
hello, Bob, are in the Philippines from August 2011, I wonder if you can start the procedure to request citizenship, or you have to wait 5 years!
If you have a Philippine citizen spouse then you have to wait 5 years. If you do not have a Philippine citizen spouse, then you must live here for 10 years before you may apply for citizenship.
Hi Bob,
My father in law is a former Philippine citizen and is now a US citizen. He recently went to the Philippines and got married. How long can he stay in the Philippines.
Hi Mark – It depends on what type of visa he got when he came to the Philippines.
As a former Philippine Citizen, he is eligible for a Balikbayan Visa, and if he got that when he entered he is allowed to stay for one year.
As a former Citizen, your father in law can also apply for Philippine Dual Citizenship. If he does that he will be a citizen of both the USA and the Philippines and can stay as long as he wishes in either country.
Bob,
I am not sure about a visa, I know he went there using his passport. Maybe I don’t understand the system, are you saying that when he arrived they asked him what kind of visa he wanted to get, if any?
When you enter a country, you present your passport. The Immigration officer stamps your passport with a rubber stamp and ink pad. The stamp that is put into your passport is your visa.
Thank you for the quick response!! I will have to contact him and ask him to check. So, hopefully they stamped it balikbayan for 1 yr…do you know what else they woukd stamp it and what are lengths of stay?
They either stamped a Balikbayan Visa or a Tourist Visa. There really is nothing else that they would have routinely stamped.
Wow… you are quick… I think 1 last question until I hear from him. So if they stamped it tourist, how long can he stay? And is it true if he overstays he may have to pay? OK… that was 2 questions..?
If it is a tourist visa he can stay for 30 days, and then through doing visa extensions at the Bureau of Immigration, that can be extended up to a maximum stay of 36 months.
If he overstays it will cost money, and also could land him in jail.
Why doesn’t he just do the easy thing and apply for Dual Citizenship? Then all of these issues will go away.
Yes I agree with you about dual citizenship and I will advise him on that. He has been asking about his options, and now I just want to make sure he is there legally… He is 80yrs old and not getting younger
Bob,
My father in law just said his passport is just stamped with port of entry and date….??can that be?
That sounds like a tourist visa. To be sure, he can go to the Bureau of Immigration and ask, they will gladly help him, and it their job to do so. 🙂
Thanks again Bob…he just sent me a pic of it…and in the stamp where it says stay until…it has a hand written BB and what looks to be like 1yr written under…really appreciate your help…and i seen the link to dual citizenship in another reply you made to someone else…I will advise him to go that route..
BB – OK.. that is a Baikbayan Visa. So, yes, it is good for a year.
Hi bob, my parents are green card holders but they where overstayed here 1 half years in the Philippine , but they want to go back to US. Should they fined for overstayed penalty?
Well, I don’t know enough about your parents to be able to answer. You say your parents are green card holders. The Philippines does not have any such thing as a green card, so do you mean they are green card holders in the USA? If so, are your parents Filipino citizens? If they are Filipinos then it is not possible for them to stay in the Philippines, because they are citizens. If you can clarify your question, I will do my best to answer you, just give the information necessary.
Bob;
Having the 16 month visa; how long do you have to stay out of the Phils before you are allowed to come back for another 16 months?
Thanks in advance!
Hi Eddie – The 16 month visa is a thing of the past and has been for several years. A tourist visa can now be used for 36 months.
When you leave you should be gone overnight before you return.
Thank you for that rapid reply! I am happy to hear that the visa is good for 36 months 🙂
Hi bob,
My wife was born here in the Philippines and moved to America when she was 17 yrs old. Now she’s an American citizen. She went home last Jan. 13,2015. She got a balikbayan stamp (1 yr). She wanted to stay longer. And btw she also works now as an ESL teacher online. So my questions are:
1. How can she extend her stay here without paying so much fees?
2. Would she be in trouble for working as ESL teacher online?
Thank you Bob!
Hi Gene – Nice to meet you. Regarding your questions:
There are three things that she can do in order to stay longer in the Philippines.
1. Leave the country for 24 hours – take a short trip to Hong Kong, Singapore or some other nearby country for overnight, then return to the Philippines and request another Balikbayan stamp when she gets back. This will give here another free year in the country.
2. She can go to the Bureau of Immigration and request that her Balikbayan Stamp be converted to a Tourist Visa. This option, however, will cost money every two months when she extends the tourist visa. Figure, on average, about $75 to $100 on each extrnsion – which is once ever 2 months.
3. Since she used to be a Philippine citizen, she is eligible to re-acquire her Philippine citizenship while keeping her US citizenship thus being a dual citizen. It won’t cost much to do and is a one time thing. If she becomes a dual citizen she can stay in the country for as long as she wishes free of charge.
Regarding the online work, she should have no problems with that.
I read recently of a new development regarding length if visas. If I understood it, there is a 6 month extension available. Now that may be only for certain countries or situations. Have you got information on this? I am an American born US citizen planning to move to the Philippines next year. This visa, if its what I think it is, would be a wonderful advancement. I think there was a limit though, 3 years. Then of course your advice to travel out of the country over night would “reset” the process.
Thanks
The information that you have is correct, although it is not new. This went into effect several years ago already. The initial stay in the country is 30 days now (it used to be 21), then you can extend for 29 days. After making that 29 day extension (up to a total of 59 days), you may then extend for 59 days at a time or 6 months at a time. The cost is still about the same, they charge roughly 3 times as much for the 6 month extension compared to the 2 month extension. Your total stay can be up to 3 years on a tourist visa.
Bob,
My 80 yr old father in law recently went to the phillipines and got married to a much younger woman (44).He is now back and has told us he filed petition for his new wife and her 2 children (15&18), to come to Hawaii. He also stated he paid $4000 to file this paperwork. We feel he is being used and taken advantage of. Is this amount too much?…should we be worried?
It depends, Mark. Who did he pay the money to? The US Government for the visa application? To an attorney to handle the application for him? To the wife or her family for the visa fees?
$4,000 is much more than a visa application costs, but it is possible that he is paying an attorney to handle the process for him, I just don’t know because you did not give much information.
That was all the info he gave us. We will sit down with him again tonight and see if we can get some more.
Good luck, I hope it all works out for you, Mark.
Hi bob!
I just wanna ask a question,
My fiancé is a holder of a student visa.
But because of financial problem, he can’t enroll this semester.
But his visa is gonna expire on July.
I wonder will it be a big problem on the philippine immigration?
Will he be deported? Cos I’m just worried.
Enrolling for this 2nd semester is already finish. So we’re thinking he’ll just enroll this coming June.
But I hope it wouldn’t be a big problem tho.
Is it really true that he will get deported? Or his just going to pay some penalty?
Thanks and god bless
I’m hoping for your quick response.
If he stops studying, his student visa is no longer valid.
My friend is aUS citizen but hoth parents are filipino-green card holder. She’s studying here in the philippines. But according to her school she must ask for IMMUNITY or RECOGNITION that both parents are filipino so that there’s no need for her to apply for student visa and wont cost her that much. Is it true? What is this immunity or recognition thing?
Hi bob!
My friend is aUS citizen but hoth parents are filipino-green card holders. She’s studying here in the philippines. But according to immigration,she must ask for IMMUNITY or RECOGNITION that both parents are filipino so that there’s no need for her to apply for student visa and wont cost her that much. Is it true? What is this immunity or recognition thing? Please tell me what’s the best thing to do.
I have never heard of “immunity” and don’t think such a thing exists.
Just apply for recognition, it is the best way to go.
If she applied for recognition, can she study her and enjoy the priveleges of a filipino students? How and what are the steps for applying for recognition?
Hi bob ! I am a dual citizen holding an american passport and no philippine passport i’ve been residing in philippines for 5 years and planning to go back in united states of america ,do i need to pay taxes when i go back in United States of America?
As long as you have some proof of your dual citizenship the only thing you will have to pay is the travel tax. If you have no Certificate of Dual Citizenship then you will be liable for a lot of penalties and fines for overstaying.
how can a US citizen, living in the Philippines, and got married to a Filipina file for divorce in the Philippines?
Nobody can file a divorce in the Philippines, because it is not legal here. If a US citizens wants to divorce, the best/easiest way is to travel to Guam. If he stays there for only 7 days that is adequate to establish residency and file for divorce.
I hope this is helpful to you.
Hi Bob!
Glad to have seen your website. Here is my situation… I gave birth to my son last October 2006 in the USA. He has an american passport. He’s been here in the Philippines since he was 9months old only.
Do you have any idea how it has affected his citizenship since he has been staying here for too long?
I would like to renew his passport, I just don’t know where to start. So here I am asking for some help if you know anything about this.
Thank you in advance!
No matter how long he stays in the Philippines, it will not affect your son’s citizenship. He will always be an American citizen.
To renew his US Passport you should go to the US Embassy in Manila.
Kumusta ka Na Bob,
My parents met in the military my Tatay is a Philippine citizen who was residing in california and working for the united States navy my Ina is a United States citizen born in Minnesota I was born in California my parents were married but got divorced while I was still a minor my Tatay has remarried and returned to the Philippines but I am pregnant I haven’t had my passport updated since I was very young and I Haven’t seen my family in almost two decades how can I get my passport and go have my baby in the Philippines with my family can I even have my baby in the Philippines and be able to return home with my infant or is there a bunch of paperwork o have to do for that I just want to go see my family and have my child there to benefit my child with dual citizenship I still want to return to the US after my child is born but how would I aquire the proper documents to be able to get passport for my infant so I can return USA also if my father from Philippines and mom from US dose that make me a dual citizen
If your father was a Filipino citizen on the day you were born, then you can become a dual citizen. Your father will need to do a late report of birth abroad at the Philippine Embassy/Consulate that serves the area where you were born. Your child has no eligibility for Philippine citizenship until after your have been recognized as a Philippine citizen.
Good luck.
Hello, My wife is a citizen of the Philippines with an alien card living in the United States… if she were to become a naturalized citizen of the US, can she move to the Philippines for a few years or permanently for that matter, without losing her American citizenship? We would really like to move there forever, but if not possible, a few years would be nice. Thank you.
Once she becomes a US citizen she can come and go as she pleases, for as long as she wants without losing US Citizenship.
Hi Bob, I have a daughter who has dual citizenship. I gave birth to her in the US and filed “report of birth outside the Phils”, so she’s had 2 passports ever since. Question is, will she still be able to petition me and her 2 siblings (who are Filipino citizens) for US citizenship when she turns 21 (in case we decide to go for it) ?
Thanks much in advance.
I really don’t know that much about US Citizenship. I think that the answer is no, but I don’t know for sure.
Hi bob,
My wife is a naturalized US citizen and she’s been staying here in Philippines for almost 1 yr and 6 months. She got a balikbayan stamp on her US passport by the time she arrived here (JAN 2015) that means she ‘s allowed to stay here for a year. However, she has to stay here longer until we finished processing my CR-1 visa. She also has valid Philippine passport which will expire in 2018. Can she use that when she leaves Philippines? Can she get stamp for both US and Philippine passport? Will she get in trouble for overstaying here with a valid Philippine passport? Thank you Bob.
If, after her naturalization in the USA, she applied for Philippine Dual Citizenship, then her Philippine passport is indeed still good to use. She should have used that when she entered the Philippines. In any event, if she shows that PH passport when leaving the country, she will not be penalized for overstaying.
If she was naturalized and did not apply for dual citizenship, then the PH Passport is actually no longer good, even if it has not expored, because she is not a Philippine citizen any longer. If she uses the PH Passport she will be committing Immigration fraud and can be arrested. She may or may not be caught, but just know that it is possible.
At this point, she can still apply for Dual Citizenship, and once granted all problems will disappear.
Good luck.
Good Day! Here’s what happened i was born in Saipan my parents were OFWs back then and are filipinos. They decided to go back to philippines 10months after i was born. Now we are living here in philippines for more than 20years. And my parents believe i am still US citizen. My aunt whose living in california want me to work out about my citizenship so she can get me. The thing is i don’t know where to start. How and what to do bout it. Please help
Hi Richelle! We have the same situation. what year were you born in saipan? If you were born on Nov. 1986 up to present, then you are automatical a US Citizen. Same with me and mys sister. iwas born on january 1988. both of my parents are OFW also during that time, and we moved back in the philippines when i was 2 years old. But my parents got me a recognition as filipino citizen back then. i renewed my US passport way back 2009, but then i went to live in America for almost 3 years and then went back here in the philippines to finish college and to work also. I think you just have to get a US passport in the US embassy in Manila. 🙂
Hi Sir Bob, please correct me if I’m wrong. 🙂
I also have a question, hoping you could help me.
I’ve been living here in Davao City since I was 2 years old, I even went to Florida to study during middle school, then went back here again to finish college and evern got to work. But I have my report of birth and a recognition as filipino citizen so I can stay here without paying taxes. Now I’m planning to move back to Florida. Am I considered dual citizen or just 2 passport holder?
Hope you can help me.
Thank you!
You are indeed a dual citizen. You can go to the USA or the Philippines with no issues and no need to pay any kind of visa fees. You are a citizen of each country! Congratulations on that.
hi, i have a question..
I am a dual citizen, i have a us passport and filipino (expired and about to renew) passport,.
On march 2012 i left philippines (pregnant) and gave birth at chesterfield sc on aug2012, my child and i returned in the phil. after her 3rd month and i planned to study for 4 years in phil….not knowing i should report it to the philippine embassy, and now, she is turning 4 years old.
Her father is a Filipino.
my question is, what will happen if my daughter will go back to usa in a few more years? do we have to pay penalties for her, for staying more than a year in the philippines ?
i am so scared if this will happen, i need some advice what to do, should i apply for a phillipine citizenship on her asap? isn’t it too late?
now i graduated nursing and i need to go back to us to work there and i will leave my child to her father while i work and after i get a stable job, i will get her back to usa. i am worried because i have no idea what will happen next.
It depends..
Did you register your daughter’s birth with the Philippine Embassy or Consulate? If so, you should have a Certificate of Recognition as a Philippine Citizen. Show that certificate and there are no penalties. If you did not register then there will be penalties.
Yes, I would highly recommend that you get her citizenship recognized.
no, i didnt.. im from general santos city and i havent registered her birth in the embassy. is the dfa fine for these processing? could you guess how much will be the penalty for her staying here in 4 years of being unregistered?
Good Day!
My husband is a naturalized U.S. Citizen. He went home here in the Phils. Last 2006 and now overstayed for 10 yrs without filing any visa or dual citizenship here in the Phils. Also is U.S. passport now expired. We have a child born in the Phils when my husband still in the U.S. Our child born on 2002. My questions are the following:
1. Is my husband lose his U.S. Citizenship and have penalties for overstaying for 10 yrs. now in the Phils.?
2. Can we still report of birth abroad our child even my husband is now in the Phils.?
Thanks.
Hi Irene,
It is a problem that your husband overstayed for so long, but easy to fix.
1. Your husband did not and can not lose his US citizenship. He should go renew his passport at the US Embassy in Manila. He should then go to the Bureau of Immigration and file for Dual Citizenship, then all of his fines will disappear.
2. Yes, your husband can report your child’s birth at the US Embassy and claim US citizenyship for the child.
hey boss….impressed with your website need some help…im on the right track …i have sss here in phils tin and a work permit from dole……i was told i need to live here 10 years to be a citizen thats fine…someone else told me i cant leave even for 1 day or the deal is off….i want to to travel korea japan…but if i cant leave even for one day then philipine citizenship is ruined….what does the law say????? in a hard spot……thanks for y9ur reply in advance
This part of the citizenship law is quite unclear. I do not believe that it is a problem if you come and go from the country as long as you are a resident here. However, I am not an attorney, and would recommend that you check with an attorney to get a more concrete answer.
Hi Bob I have a question for you I’m planning on going to the Philippines to get married to a female that I truly love and she wants me to stay and live there with her and her 4 kids, but I live in the United States and I seen what you said about the 13g visa if I done that can I still get my government check every month from the United States government. I hope you can help me out by knowing the answer to my question.Thanks for your time and God bless. From Mr. Shannon D. Isenhour
Hi Shannon – Firstly, in your case you could not qualify for a 13G visa, the lady is Filipino so you would qualify for a 13A resident visa.
Secondly, about the Government Check, I don’t know if you could still get that. Some government benefits would still be payable if you live in the Philippines and some would not. You did not tell my why the government is giving you checks so I do not know the answer. Sorry.
Bob thanks very much for your help and information. And I’m on disability from a car wreck back in 2004 so I got slight brain damage, so I get a social security disability government check every month for the rest of my life. That is what I need to know if I can still get that government check with me doing a 13a in the Philippines to be with my wife to be in the Philippines. Again thank you for your time and God bless. From Mr. Isenhour
Hi Shannon – I expect that you can still get the disability check if you live in the Philippines. Some types of disabilities they won’t pay, but most they will. For example, I have a son who has a disability, and he is not eligible to receive those government payments since we live in the Philippines. The only way for you to know for sure is if you go to the Social Security office and inquire.
Good luck to you.
Bob thanks again for help and information and I will check with Social Security tomorrow. And sorry about your son having a disability problem and he is in my prayers. Have a blessed morning there in the Philippines and God bless you and your family. From Mr. Isenhour
Bob one more question for you in order to get a 13a to be with my wife to be in the Philippines why do I have to have $10,000 United States dollars in a Philippines bank in order to get a 13a because I don’t have that kind of money in my bank account in the United States where I live and I live on my income month to month.
Somebody is feeding you misinformation, Shannon. You do not need $10,000 in a bank to get a 13A visa. That is for an SRRV visa.
Bob thanks again very much for helping me out with your information,so I really don’t need any money but only for the 13a whatever that cost and my passport and a one way airline ticket or round trip airline ticket and me try to find a job there in the Philippines. From Mr. Isenhour
Hi Shannon – If you are planning to get a job in the Philippines, your expectations are unrealistic. Good luck, though.
You can not enter the Philippines without an exit ticket, what we Merchant Seaman would do is buy a Ticker to Manila, and a cheap ticket to Hong Kong to throw away, otherwise you’ll need a round trip ticket.
Hi Bob im glad i found your blog.
I have some further questions.
About the issue between me and my anerican citezin husband. He is living here in philippines without visa. For 3years.
I want him to go back to america.
Since i cant handdle the expencess of the living anymore.
I dont think i can survive for another years. He sat at home wholeday while im working for 10$ daily. He dont have work. He jsut came here to be a burden to me. Instead of he should bring me there to usa so that i can work. And both of us has a work. To live
I am curious.
Is he still can go back to USA?
Hi Alona – When you say that your husband is “here without a visa for 3 years” I am unsure if that means that he is here on the Visa Waiver program or if you mean that he has overstayed his visa for 3 years already.
If he has overstayed for 3 years then he will be facing some serious trouble including likely jail time, deportation, and blacklisting from ever being able to enter the country again.
If he is still here legally, I know of no way that you can force him to go back to America.
Of course he can go back to America, since you say he is a US Citizen, he can never be barred from going back.
Good luck to you, I hope it all works out well for you.
Hi alona y does he not work? Did u know he was gonna go there and not work? I plan to move there to Bacolod. I’m curious on wat kind of work is there for Americans?
Hello Bob,
I just recently retired at 60 because of an injury. So I am on SSDisability. Of course living here in USA all my life, gun ownership is common for home protection. With a SRRV Visa, PRV or Dual Citizenship if I can apply for that, do any of these or is there any type of Visa or status that would allow me to own a gun in Davao for example. I do have some friends there and that is where I am strongly considering to live.
Secondly, with any of these Visa options can I purchase a house, lease the land for long term lease/50yrs etc like I do see on the internet.
Your guidance would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Steve, firstly you do not qualify to be a dual citizen in the Philippines, only former Philippine citizens are eligible. So forget about that, it will never happen.
Similar situation on owning a gun. You cannot legally own a gun in the Philippines, because you are not a Philippine citizen. You will not ever be able to own a gun, unless you want to renounce your current citizenship and become a Philippine citizen, however that will take many years to accomplish.
You can own a house, but not the land that it is on. You can lease land for up to a 50 year term. That is quite complicated to do it that way though, and I would recommend that you simply rent. That’s a personal choice though, and only you can make that choice.
Good luck to you.
Hi
I have dual citizenship Philippines and US. My question is my baby 13 months old born US, I am planning take him with me and stay like 2-3 years or more in the Philippines. Someone told I might having problems to bring him back US? Getting penalties?
Hi Sir bob,
i would like to ask for your help regarding my situation. I was born in Saipan and have my US passport ever since, I also have a report of birth coz both of my parent are OFW in Saipan, so when we moved back here in Davao, I can stay without paying any taxes. I’ve also worked on a cruiseship using my Philippine passport. Am I considered a dual citizen or 2 passport holder only? what’s the difference? I also had my Philippine passport renewed, and my US passport is still valid until 2019. Would there be any problem when I leave?
Thank you! 🙂
The fact that you have a passport for 2 different countries means that you are a dual citizen! Due to your place of birth you are a US citizen. Due to the citizenship of your parents, you are a Philippine citizen. Nothing to worry about, you have the best of both worlds!
Hi
I am a Us citizen by acquisition of my fathers Citizenship. I Became Us citizen january 2009. When I got my Us passport I came back to the philippines and stayed there for 4 years And got married and have my two children,Now I’m back in the united states after paying my 4 years penalty.My question is can I petition my children even if I only have few months stayed here in the united states?
Hi
I am a Us citizen by acquisition of my fathers citizenship. I came in the united states september 2008 and got my Us passport on january 2009. On april 2009 I came back to the philippines got marriend and gve birth with my twins.Now I’m back in america after paying my 4 years penalty. My question is, Can I petition my husband and my two children even f i did not stay longer in the states?
You ask can you petition your husband and kids. Are you talking about petitioning for them to go to the states? If so, of course, you are u.s. citizen, so you can petition your family like your children and husband, that is very easy to do. I’m not really an expert about immigrating to the us though, I know a lot more about immigrating to the Philippines, so I’m really not the right person to give you advice on that. But, it should be very easy for you to do. Good luck to you.
Thank you bob, One more question. Some people told me that I cannot file a report of birth abroad because I never stayed in Us for 5 years.. is that true? And i a petition my children to come over and live here in america, how many years do I have to wait?
Thank you very much
I already told you that I really have no expertise about American Immigration or citizenship issues. You would really have to ask somebody else, because I have no idea
Hi, bob!
I’m happy i saw your blog. I just have a question that you may know the answer.
My brother is a US Citizen and has been here in the Philippines since he was 7years old. We lost track of what steps to do. Is he still possible to go back to the US? He’s already 24 years old now.
If your brother is a US citizen he is always welcome to go back to the United States. It doesn’t matter if he’s been gone twenty-four hours, 24 days, 24 months, twenty-four years. If he’s a citizen he can go back. The problem that he’s going to face is that he’s going to a lot of money and over staying he’s here in the Philippines if he’s been here that long. He really didn’t tell me anything about him, so I don’t know if he’s eligible for dual citizenship as a Filipino, if he is he can then avoid the fees that he will go
hello i am us citizen and grew up here in the philippines and i want to go back to usa but the problem is , i am overstayed here in the philippines for 20 years , what should i do to go back to the us , and what step or advices you can give ?
If you are eligible for dual citizenship, go sign up. If you do that you will avoid all of the fines. If you are not eligible, you are in for a very expensive ordeal, and also some time in jail. Good luck.
I’m from Scotland,What happened if I have a kids,can I stay there,if I not get yet wedding
Nothing happens, except that you will have a kid.
Bob! Im So happy to have found your blog!!!
I’m currently a Filipino green card holder here in the US, soon to be US citizen. I want to return to the Philippines next January 2018 or hopefully this December 2017 to continue my studies for just another 2 years. But my parents want me to get my citizenship before returning to Philippines. What’s gonna happen if I live in the Philippines for 2 years straight??! ?
Nothing will happen. You will just live in the Philippines for two years, that’s the only thing that will happen.
Hello Mr. Bob.. Good day! i would like to ask about my friend who is currently living in USA but not an American Citizen.. what would be the requirements for him if he would like to travel here in the Philippines. Thank You!
You said your friend lives in America but he’s not an American citizen. In order to answer your question I would need to know what country he is a citizen of. There’s really no way for me to answer with the information you gave.
He was from Georgia .
The Republic of Georgia, or the state of Georgia?
republic of georgia
He will need to apply for a Visa at a Philippine consulate or Embassy.
okay.. Thanks for the help Mr. bob ?
Good day bob im glad that i found you i have a friend who over stayed in the philippines for almost 18yrs do you have any idea how much she will pay for overstaying
Based on the amount of information that you gave me.. nope, I have no idea.
Good luck to your friend.
I made a visa run to HK after 3 years staying in ph.
During my 3 years as a tourist I pay all the visa fee .
When I came back to ph after I stay 1 week in HK the immigration officer ask me many questions about what I am doing in the ph for so long.
I told her that I am only tourist.
She told me I need to make interview in the airport before the let me in.
In the interview I told the officer that I am not working in ph only spending money ,
Then I add that I make processing my srrv visa (not true),
They let me in.
But its not a good experience ,,,I felt bad about it,,,
I am 48 years old, holding European passport .
Is any one had this happen to him,,,,bob what you think?
hi Bob,
How are you doing, hope everything is good..
I have a question.. Im currently an american citizen and dual citizen as well.. I used to live in Los Angeles CA. for 18yrs, but
I been here in the Philippines for 2 years now, and Im planning to visit my sister back home in LA.
will I encounter a problem.? or I can just buy my ticket and fly back to LA.? or is there any fee I need to pay before hand.? where.?
thank you for your time,
If you have both a current US Passport and a current Philippine Passport there will be no issues and no overstaying fees.
If you do not have a current US Passport you cannot legally enter the USA until you get one.
If you do not have a current Philippine passport you will have to pay fees for your stay in the Philippines, get a Philippine Passport, or show a Dual Citizenship certificate.
I do have my US passport with me.. and also have my Dual citizen Certificate with me..
You should have no problems at all then!
cool beans.. now I can book my ticket..
thanks a lot Bob.. have a good weekend,. save me some BBQ.. lol
thank you for the blazing fast reply buddy,,.. I appreciate your time for us Pilipinos..
Hi, Bob
I am so new to this. My mother is retiring at age 66 December 2017. She wants to go back in the Philippines and enjoy life there. My question is: How long can she stay there without having Dual-Filipino Citizenship? Or you prefer VISA. She need just 1 year or 2 to stay in the Philippines and go back to U.S. just for medical check up. Please, please let me know.
To me, get dual citizenship. It is easy to do, cheap, and will solve all problems.
She can stay on a tourist visa for up to 3 years, but that will cost money. The cost of just one visa extension (required every 2 months) will be higher than dual citizenship.
Just apply dual citizenship in there cuz its more cheaper and faster than philippines..here in philippines is so expensive and its so slow. I just spent 115 total for my application and my passport and waited for 4 weeks
Hi,Bob
how can i get resident visa?my wife is a filipino…..Do I need to come to Manila and apply for that?if so how can i do that?because as a U.S.citizen i can stay in Philippines only 30 days without visa.
You can apply in the Bureau of immigration in the Philippines or at any Philippine Embassy or Consulate in your home country.
Your information is incorrect, BTW. You can stay in the Philippines for up to 3 years without a visa.
Good luck.
Can a us citizens that is married to a Filipino get health insurance ?
Any person regardless of their citizenship and regardless of their marital status can get health insurance in the philippines.
Hi Bob!
So i have a question regarding my citizenship coz i really dont know what to do here…
so, i am a born US Citizen with a parents of both pilipino, they say that we used to live in US for about two years only and after that tragedy came my both parents needed to comeback to Philippines when i was 2.5 years so they got me a touristvisa for 6 months.. and when that 6 months lasts my both parents decided to stay here in the Philippines instead without complying any of my papers ..i am now almost 21 years old and my school wants me to present my passpost since i was now a graduatingstudents but technically my passport got expired since then,and we never had the courage to travel in anothet country so i never ever had the chance to get my passport renew.. and now i want to go comeback to US but my CRBA was also losts i only have my SNN no. i don’t live with my parents anymore my dad died and my mom is now in another country i only have my little sister with me and i am the eldest so i also dont have any guardian to present for the passport renewal interview .. can you advise me anything what to do here ? i badly wanna comeback to US.
I am very sorry to hear about this. your situation is quite complicated.
Firstly, I don’t know what to do about your school, if they are requiring your passport, I cannot help you on that.
The issue you face is that you are going to have huge fees for overstaying in the Philippines. You need to become a dual citizen.
If your parents filed a CRBA report at the Philippine Embassy or Consulate that serves the area where you were born in the US, this won’t be too hard. If they did not file it will add complexity to the process.
What I would recommend is that you contact an immigration attorney and work with him to fix this complicated issue.
good mrng
good mourning everyone…i have a serious situation..i curentlt live in Bohol Philippines..Im from california usa and thats where i met and married pinoy wife who is from bohol..ok long story short we came to visit here in bohol..along with our son..12 years ago…she returned home to work as an RN and our son lived with me here in bohol..out the 12 years she visited only 3 times..ok..but the real problem is that she nevered paid for my fees here..it was alwayspromise to pay but always delayed..now she came and got the son and left me here owing all that back fees..now i just got my oension sent directly to me..that was going to her at first..but i owe fees of 10years at least..and im worried because they are cracking down of over stay people…Is there anything i can do..? What can i do..? i need help on this ..im abandoned here..contact me asap..thankyou
Hi bob i have a friend that is a us citizen and shes been living in the philippines for about more than 20yrs now. I dont think she did all that visa required for her to stay there that long. She has 3 kids now in the philippines. Does she have to pay fees or will she get in trouble for living in the phil for so long without a visa permit?
Yes, her fees/penalties will be in the Millions of Pesos. Will she get in trouble? Sure she will if she gets caught. She will be spending time in jail, most likely.
Thank you for the information. I’m disabled and it was hard for me to live in the United States so I came to the Philippines. What would be the best way for me to stay here ??
If you get married to a Philippine citizen it is very easy to get a resident Visa.
Hello Bob,
I came across your site and wanted to say thanks for the information. I’m 55 and am married to a Filipino which has dual citizenship of the USA and Philippines. I’ve lived in the USA all my life and she has lived there 16 years. We decided to move and retire here. Although I’m not at the age to retire. We’ve been here for about 8 months. Is there any other information that I need to be aware of? As long as I’m married to a Filipino citizen, that gives me rights or authority to legally live here?
Thanks
You can live there, but you need to make sure that you have the proper visas. Since you are married, you can apply for a resident Visa, called a 13 a resident Visa. Once you have that you can live there as long as you like. Good luck.