Philippine Dual Citizenship
The process we followed
I intend this article to be a complete guide to Philippine Dual Citizenship. Everything from thinking about it to going through the process. This article is a compilation of our Philippine Dual Citizenship experiences and thoughts over the years. You have to read the entire article to get the full scoop. Feyma (and our kids) are dual citizens now, but in the beginning thought they would not go that direction.
Feyma became a US Citizen
When we lived in the States, my wife, Feyma, became a US Citizen.
Most readers of this blog are married to or plan to marry people from the Philippines. Having a spouse that is a Philippine Citizen, or former Philippine Citizen opens up some doors for you. It allows you to get a better visa so that you can live here.
If your spouse is currently a Philippine citizen, then he or she can buy property. If you want to own land, build a house, buy a house or whatever, one of you must be a citizen! Non-citizens cannot own property here, it’s that simple. Former citizens can own a small amount of land, only up to 1,000 square meters.
She made the right choice
I have never regretted that my wife got her US Citizenship, don’t take me wrong. Having US Citizenship is a great thing, and it allows my wife to go to the USA whenever she wants, even in the event of my death. In addition to that, having a US Passport has lots of advantages, in that it allows travel to a lot of other countries that a Philippine Citizen would have trouble getting into. All in all, having Citizenship in the USA is a good thing for my wife.
Philippine Dual Citizenship is now available
However, did you know that you can now take advantage of the best of both worlds? It’s true – under a law passed in 2004, your spouse (or you, if you are the former citizen) can now obtain Philippine dual citizenship! So, in my wife’s case, she can retain her US Citizenship while re-obtaining her Philippine Citizenship at the same time.
Now, I know that I will hear from people who will tell me that the USA does not accept or recognize dual citizenship. That is not correct. The USA discourages Dual Citizenship, but there is nothing illegal about having or obtaining dual citizenship.
Once a former Philippine Citizen applies for and is granted Philippine dual citizenship, they may then own property or take advantage of any rights that any other Philippine Citizen has – except for holding elected office.
Citizenship can be like a maze
Sometimes, the whole issue of citizenship can seem like a maze when you are involved with a cross-national marriage like I am, and many of the readers of this site are. When a Citizen of one country marries a Citizen of another country, things can get somewhat confusing!
Children complicate things further
Perhaps the situation is most confusing when it comes to our kids! You see, our two oldest kids are dual citizens. By their birthright, they are US Citizens since they were born on US soil. But, at the time of their birth, Feyma was a Philippine Citizen, and thus under Philippine law, our two oldest kids are also Philippine Citizens. Now, our youngest son is a different story, though! Feyma had already been naturalized as a US Citizen by the time Jared was born!
Jared was born on US soil, so he automatically has US Citizenship. Because at the time of his birth Feyma was not a Philippine Citizen, Jared is not a Philippine Citizen at all. Confusing, huh? Of course, in addition to their birth on US soil, the fact that I (their father) am a US Citizen also makes them US Citizens as well.
13g Visas
At the time that we moved to the Philippines, we all got Resident Visas here (13g Visas). We all still hold 13g Visas. However, there is a way to change this. Since the time that we have lived here, Philippine Republic Act 9225 was enacted. RA9225 is the Philippine Dual Citizenship law of the Philippines. Under this law, anybody who is a former Citizen of the Republic of the Philippines (like Feyma), but was naturalized in another country may file an application to obtain Philippine Dual Citizenship.
Dual Citizenship applies to the Children too
When an adult obtains Philippine Dual Citizenship, their minor children also obtain Philippine Dual Citizenship. So, by filing for Philippine Dual Citizenship under Republic Act 9225, Feyma would become a Dual Citizen (concurrently a Citizen of the Philippines and also of the USA), and all of our kids would also have Philippine Dual Citizenship as well, including our youngest. Because of this, the Resident Visas of Feyma and all of the kids would no longer be necessary.
Confused yet?
Yes, this can be quite confusing, but if you take the time to sit down and think it all through you will figure it all out. The Citizenship issue is black and white, there is really no gray area in there, so if you just follow the facts you will get it all straight for your family too!
More Philippine Dual Citizenship Information
Sometime back, I went down to General Santos City for our annual Check-In with the Bureau of Immigration. This is required for most foreigners that live here. You must check in once per year, in either January or February.
During this visit to the BoI office, I had an opportunity to sit down and talk with the local BoI Commissioner for General Santos City. Feyma took care of all the paperwork for the check-in, so I was free to have the discussion while finishing the check-in. I was able to gather a few very interesting facts while we talked.
Information from the Commissioner
Feyma and I have been pondering for a couple of years now whether we feel that Feyma would be best served to file for Philippine Dual Citizenship. Basically, this would leave her US Citizenship intact, while restoring her Philippine Citizenship as well. For multiple reasons, we also thought it would be good for our kids to have Philippine Dual Citizenship.
We wanted our kids to be dual citizens
A while back, I was thinking about this and realized that Feyma was a Philippine Citizenship at the time of AJ’s birth, thus he should rightfully be a Dual Citizen already. Just to confirm this, I asked the Commissioner. He told me that it is indeed true that AJ is already a Philippine Citizen, as well as an American Citizen.
However, the law of the Philippines is that you are treated as what you declare yourself to be. By filing for a Resident Visa for AJ, we declared him to be an American Citizen. Thus, while he is legally a Dual Citizen, he must take steps to retain his Philippine Citizenship now. That step is to simply go to Manila, to the BoI headquarters and to file a paper stating that he considers himself to have retained his Philippine Citizenship. Another solution would be for Feyma to simply obtain Philippine Dual Citizenship.
Better to apply for Dual Citizenship outside the Philippines
I also asked the Commissioner about the procedure for Feyma to apply for Dual Citizenship. His advice to me – don’t apply for Philippine Dual Citizenship in the Philippines. It is riddled with problems and takes a long time. He said it is best to just forget about the Philippine Dual Citizenship or to go back to your home country to make the application, where it is done much quicker and more efficiently. At this time, Feyma has decided not to apply for Philippine Dual Citizenship, as we really don’t see any advantages in doing so.
Feyma did it, here is what she says
As you know by reading above, I applied for and received my Philippine dual citizenship here in the Philippines. See, when we first moved here the dual citizenship was not yet approved by the Philippine government. So I came here with my American passport as did the kids.
After a few years of living here, the dual citizenship was already approved. Bob’s been on me to apply for it, and that includes the kids too.
Visit the Bureau of Immigration
Finally, Bob told me to go and inquire at the Bureau of Immigration here in Davao City. He said to ask them about the requirements to apply. Also about the procedure to get Philippine Dual Citizenship for the kids.
So there I went to the Immigration office to inquire. I just asked the guy that was an expert for the dual citizenship there at the Immigration office and he directed me to the person in charge of the Philippine Dual Citizenship office here Davao. He gave me some papers to be filled out. I told him that I also had 3 kids that I want to include. He showed me where to list the kids on the application form. I’m glad that I listened to what Bob was talking about. It was all so simple, and inexpensive too, just like Bob thought.
Requirements
Here are requirements for re-obtaining Philippine Citizenship.
Oath Taking
One of the requirements you will have is an oath-taking.
The Immigration people told me of several attornies nearby. I went to one and for a very low price, I was able to take the Oath of Philippine Citizenship. They gave me an affidavit of that oath. I also took each of our children to take the oath as well.
The Philippine Dual Citizenship application lists all of the required documents and procedures. It is all very simple. Just follow the list of items on the application. Since these types of requirements change over time (and where you apply), we won’t list them here.
Turn in your Application
After acquiring all of the documents listed and filling out the application, just pass this to the Bureau of Immigration. If you are applying overseas send it to a Philippine Embassy or Consulate, that is where you should pass your application and supporting documents.
Keep a copy for yourself
Be sure to keep a photocopy of everything for yourself. If you have a complete application and supporting documents you can refer to if needed.
Sometimes the agency where you apply will call to ask a question. If you have a complete copy that makes it easy for you to answer based on looking at the exact same document that they are asking you about.
Don’t forget to put your Contact Number (home phone and cellular phone) in case it is needed.
You can get one final check
Before I mailed my paperwork I went back to the immigration office. I showed them my paperwork and asked if I need anything more. They said it was all good. He then gave me the name and address of the person in BOI Manila to send my applications to.
Notarize the Documents
The documents that you turn in to the Bureau of Immigration must be notarized by an attorney. Be sure to get this done.
Honestly, I am so thankful at the Bureau of immigration office here in Davao. The dual citizenship people in-charge were really nice people and willing to assist me. I’m really thankful for that.
Don’t worry, it’s easy
Thinking of applying for Philippine dual citizenship? Try it, it’s easy. You can do it. For those that applied here and abroad congratulations to you.
Cheers, and good luck!
Hello Bob,
I would like to know how did your wife adjust when she went back to Philippines? I heard many times peoples saying that when you've been away from the philippines for awhile, its harder to adjust even just for vacation. You talk a lot about us, the foreigners, but what about the filipino? What wife told me yesterday that she would like to go there alone for about 2 months to see if she can make it….So I reply, if you can't make it, I hope you will come and visit me 🙂 . For me I have no expectations…I will make it with what is available there.
Thanks and have a nice day
Hi Patrice – I am working on getting my wife to join me as a writer on this blog, so that we can have the perspectives of me (the foreigner here) AND her (the native of this country). She says she will do it, but getting her to sit down in front of the keyboard is not all that easy!
I will say this – making the adjustment to living here again was very difficult for her. For me it was hard too, but not nearly as hard as for her. She did not realize what she was getting into until she came her to live for a second time. I will make a new post on this subject in the days ahead to offer more.
Hey, that would be something I'd like to read…hey, the hubby and I might want to live there someday..
The prospect of moving back there…hmmm..I'd have to think about that for quite sometime. My family immigrated to Chicago almost 30 years ago and us kids(21 years ago)…just in time to see the Bears win the Super Bowl!…Go Bears! Don't get me wrong, I enjoy my visits, though I never really stay too long…I mean, 16 days was about the longest I stayed!
I am looking forward to hearing from her…
Hi Bob,
I hope Feyma does contribute in your blog, just to get her take on being back in Mindanao and what she had to adjust to. My experience would be more like your children's once they come back to the states. Having been born in the states, I didnt learn tagalog or bisaya till my parents returned to Davao when I was five. I returned to the states after my high school years in Davao. I do romanticize about retiring in Davao.
Hi Allen – no need to romanticize! Just do it (as Nike says).
My kids were young enough when I moved here that they are pretty well grounded in Filipino culture by now. I have one son who talks about wanting to return to the States for college, but we'll have to see if that happens!
Hi Bob,
Yeah I could retire there but thats at least 20 years away. But then again my parents are getting older and will probably stop travelling to the States every 6 months. So maybe I'll probably will have to come to Davao more often.
College for your son would certainly be more expensive here in the US. But I can't blame him for wanting to experience American life again especially college an ocean away from mom and dad 🙂
Hi Allen – Yeah, Aaron sometimes says he wants to go to college here in Davao so he can be close to his Mom and Dad… sometimes he says in the States because he wants to be near his Grandma. When he is a little older he will probably want to be AWAY from all of us! Ha ha.
Hey i was wonder how to go about getting a Phillipines Passport.
and links or directions would be greatly appreciated.
🙂
Hi Marie – are you a Philippine Citizen?
No, well you see my mom was she came to the U.S. when she was in her teens. However i need to try to get one because me and my sister are atheletes and are trying to represent the phillipines, and to do so we need a passport. I have no idea if it is even possible to get one in time, which is why i have been asking around.
🙂
Hi Marie – you can't get a passport until you establish citizenship in the Philippines. I recommend that you click on the link in the article above that will give you all the info about how to obtain dual citizenship. If your Mom was a Philippine Citizen at the time of your birth, I believe you should qualify. After obtaining dual citizenship, you can easily get a passport, and can probably do it a Philippine Consulate in the States.
Thank you very much Bob for this very helpfull information. I also tried to click the link you mentioned. But i think it has expired.
My mom was a American citizen when she had me and my sister. So is there any other way to obtain citizenship there?
Hi Marie – I am sorry that there was a problem with the link! I have fixed it now, and you can get the document by clicking the link in the article above.
Hi bob
I am thinking for dual citizen for my wife. my wife have Greek
Nationality now in greek passport and have my family name
virginia dimitriou.
If my wife make dual citizen in philippines make the philippines
passport same name virginia dimitriou. I ask you because my wife have farm house and land in philippines and have before the her father family name virginia dela cruz. because I like keep
also the greek nationality.
regards
Zois
Hi Zois – yes, when your wife applies for her dual citizenship, she will still keep your name, and have it on all of her paperwork.
Hi Bob many thanks for your helpfull information. I hope come
in philippines and meet you in davao. Now I have one small
problem I wait the birth certifate of my wife from philippines
from february 15 -2007 . I hope go in philippines this year again
and I make my plan to stay in philippines'
Hi Bob,
Fantastic website and thank you for doing it.
My wife is getting ready to apply for US Citizenship. Once she does that the process here in Arizona takes about2 moths before the Interview. It all happens pretty quick.
Will she automatically loose her Philippines Citizenship when she beomes a Us citizen?
What happens to her Philippines Passport?
I do not want her to loose her Philippines Citizenship.
Thank you
Bob
Chinle, Arizona, USA
Hello Bob Chinle, Arizona, USA
She will retain her RP citizenship.
Hi Estebe – It might be a good move for your wife to obtain her US Citizenship, and then file for dual citizenship here. If you do that, she willl have the best of both worlds. It's a personal decision, of course.
Hi Bob on monday my wife have apoitment in philippine embassy
in Athens. you know about this she is make oath in philippine embassy. and today call on telephone the philippine embassy
and tell your have apoitment in the morning 11 oclock and ask
me you like take philippine passport your wife I speak yes.
you can tell (explain) to me If give all aplications and papers
for dual citizen no give direct passport with dual citizen.
What you think my wife she is doing philippine passport
or no. If my wife have dual citizen and haven't philippine
passport what hapen. After I can't take balikbayan visa in air port. My wife in air port manila keep philippine passport
or greek passport. many thanks.
Hi Zois – No matter what passport your wife has, it won't affect your quest for a Balikbayan Visa. You will be eligible whether your wife is using a Greek or Filipino passport!
Hi bob my wife have only greek passport. the philippino passport
expire the year 1984. what thinking make new philippino passport after need for philippines if we make rent house or buy house.
About balikbayan visa okey I understand she is can travel
in travel with me in philippines with greek passport.
In fact I am a dual Israeli/American and can say that you are correct about duality. In fact, I never have had a problem at all in the US even as an officer in the IDF.
We have never lived together in the US but have spent considerable time there on prolonged visits. We DID live in Israel though and although Israel is not quite up to par with the West in terms of standards of living I can say that we have been fotunate. My wife has had no difficulty in coming home.
As for me, I have lived a life rough at the edges so it is no real adaptation for me save one area. I suffer from two combat related injuries and am amzed that not even hospitals carry codeine here. Perhaps it is a regional thing (A. del Sur, Mindinao) but incredibly I have quite a time with this seemingly innocuous issue.
Anyway, I also want to add that I find your site quite readable and very informative as well.
Hi Zois – don't worry about your wife's passport. She is already a dual citizen and which passport she uses is not a worry. When it comes to buying a house, what passport she is holding is not a worry either, they won't ask to see her passport when buying property anyway. No worries, my friend!
Hi rachamim ben ami – I'm gald that everything has worked out well for you with your dual Israeli/American Citizenship. Thank you also for your nice comments about my blog.
Hi Bob,
You said that you moved back to the Philippines when your children were very young. How would you rate the quality of education that your kids got in grammar school in the Philippines, versus what they would have gotten in the U.S.? I have a daughter in kindergarten, and one concern I have about moving to the Philippines is the quality of education she will get.
Thanks and happy new year.
Hi Joe – Thanks for your comment and question. Actually, I have covered this topic several times on this site. In short I will say that I feel that the education here is excellent, if you choose the right schools. For a more complete view, read:
Schooling for the kids
Educational Opportunities Abound
For another way to go, read this:
Online Learning for Children of ex-pats
And I think it is a good idea for you to make sure they become dual citizens. You never know how life will turn out. Having two countries is not a bad thing, that's for sure!
Hi Tom – I fully agree on that!
My wife just got her dual citizenship in December. It was amazing how easy it was. The hardest part was having to go to Washington D.C to take the oath. They did her passport at the same time and it was ready the next day.
It will make it a lot easier if/when we move to the Philippines,
If your kids are over 18 they have to apply for the citizenship on their own. They are not included on their parents application.
Just my 2 cents…
Mark
Hi Bob, thanks for this interesting post. Regarding Germany, a dual citizenship is not possible following German Immigration Law. On the other hand, my wife Rose is satisfied as holder of a German passport with a permanent visa stay (13G) as "former Filipina national".
Hi Klaus – Interesting to know that Germany doesn't allow dual citizenship. The USA used to be pretty hard nosed about that too, but in recent years they have sort of looked the other way.
Hi Mark Cowley – Thanks for giving us an update on the procedure! I have always heard that it is quite easy to accomplish.
Hi Bob my wife now have dual citizen of the last year 2007
if no give to me information about this story i don't know
how many month finis this story many thanks again.
But I have problem translate your page because you put inside your sponsor.
regards
Hi Bob, Our son, born here 8 months ago, is considered a dual citizen but, to claim his US citizenship, we must travel to the consulate in Cebu to register his birth. As holder of an SRRVisa, I can apply for Philippine citizenship in three years. For my wife to get US citizenship, we will travel to the US for a mandantory stay of two years, then, she and the child will benefit from my pension upon my passing. According to the US Immigration Office, my wife will retain her Philippine citizenship.
Hi Bob, Im in the same situation my son was born while my wife was still a PI citizen so he is considered "Natural Born PI citizen" my wife will apply soon for her Dual Citizenship status. Im guessing Im left out in the cold. How did you go about geting your"Resident Visa" for your many years of staying there.
Hi Bob – Like #9, I would like to know also, where did you apply your Reisedent Visa, in USA or in the Phils? Is it possible to apply it in Davao City or can be done only Manila?
I mean Resident Visa.
Bob, What about Income taxes? If you move to the U.S. do you have to pay R.P. tax on your income?
Here's a link for for US residents – esp. New England areas
http://www.pcgny.net/pcgny/legal_citizenship_dual…
I'm trying to process mine too and my son's, since I'm already a US citizen when he was born. I'm just dreading the drive to NYC.
Thanks for the info, Bob. I totally followed what you were saying there! 😀
My boyfriend who is currently a filipino citizen (born in Phils) living in the U.S. is in the process of becoming a U.S. citizen, but he would like to hold dual citizenship so that down the road, when/if we decide to move back to the Philippines, it would be an easier transition. If I understand you correctly, if we married and had children at a time when he was holding dual citizenship, our children would automatically become dual citizens…both American and Filipino? I am American (born here) and never held any citizenship other than U.S. I assume I would be in your situation if we moved there…? Yes? Advanced thanks for your help on this matter.
Hi Zois – Congratulations to you wife!
Hi Francisco San Giorgio – If you apply for Philippine Citizenship, keep in mind that you MUST renounce your USA Citizen. We cannot be dual citizens as our wives can, if they get naturalized. Personally, I would never give up my US Citizenship. What do you think are the advantages of becoming a Philippine Citizen? I can think of none.
Hi Neal from R.I. – It's easy to get a resident visa here if you are married to a Philippine Citizen or former Philippine Citizen. Just fill out the application, do a few things like medical exam and such, and you'll have your visa. Nothing to it. Just apply at the Philippine Consulate or Embassy nearest to where you live. I had mine in just a matter of a few days time.
Hi Luz – Much better to apply for a Resident Visa abroad where you live. It is much faster, and cheaper too. I applied in San Francisco (just over the phone, didn't have to travel there) at the Philippine Consulate. It took just 4 or 5 days to get it. If you apply here it can take 1 to 2 years to complete the process. You can apply anywhere in the Philippines, not just Manila.
Hi Rob S. – If you are a resident of the Philippines and earn your money in the Philippines you must pay Philippine taxes. However, if you are a foreigner and earn your money outside the Philippines, you don't have to pay Philippine taxes. For example, in my case, my company is based in the USA, all of my income is processed through my Web Server in the USA, and thus, no Philippine taxes would be due on my income.
Hi Lea – Good luck on the process. Thanks for providing the link!
Hi Jen – Yes, if you marry your Filipino boyfriend, he and your children could hold dual citizenship. You cannot obtain dual citizenship, though. It's no big deal though, you can still live here permanently, and just have a resident visa. I don't consider it a burden or a hassle to be in that situation.
Yep, sure can get confusing, can't it at times.
My wife just re-acquired her Philippine citizenship so she is now 100% leagl as a US and Philippine citizen. I know of a lot of folks who are reluctant to reaquire and I know of no reason why not to.
With regards to Philippine citizenship, I doubt I would ever seek it, but under US State department rules, I would _not_ lose my US citizenship … I know, it sounds strange to reniounce to one country and not the other, but the State Department regs are here: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_…
Basically US law let's the individual determine their own intentions, and if you do not desire to lose your US citizenship, you don't.
A very useful site here, with many questions and answers, most including case law citations to avoid the usual 'but so and so said' kind of information. http://www.richw.org/dualcit/faq.html
A very good article in Wikipedia also, with links to the law in most countries of the world. Klaus is indeed correct, Germany does not allow dual citizenship, a number of other countries also so not, but a great many, US, UK, Australia;, Canada, etc. do http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual_citizenship
Hi Dave Starr – Thanks for sharing your knowledge on this topic.
Wow, thanks for all the great info. I had no idea that my daughter was already a dual citizen even though she was born in the U.S. My wife has been in the U.S. for 8 years, but is still a citizen of the Philippines. She would like to become a dual citizen. We are going back to the Philippines in August for a few weeks. Should she apply for U.S. Citizenship now, and apply for Dual citizenship when we are in the Philippines? Thanks
Hi Joe Parisi – I would recommend that if she wants to gain US Citizenship, she should do it as soon as possible. For Feyma, it took about a year to complete, I don't know how the times are running now. Also, I would recommend that she apply for Dual Citizenship in the USA, at a Philippine Consulate or the Embassy in Washington DC. It will be completed more quickly there then here in the Philippines..
Good luck!
Hello everybody,
I just want to make sure I have this right. My wife bought a piece of land in the philippines recently. Our daughter was born in the U.S. while my wife was still a Filipino citizen.I heard that no land can be owned by foreigners, even if they are the children of Ex-Filipino citizens. Will my daughter have a problem inheriting this land someday?
Thanks!!!
Hi Joe Parisi – Yes, that should be correct. I would advise you to make an affirmative step toward having your daughter claim her dual citizenship. I believe that the Philippine Embassy or Consulate in your area can provide you with a form that you can file to "register" her as a Philippine Citizen. As long as you do something like this, there would be absolutely no problems with her inheriting the land. If your wife remains a Philippine citizen, then there is also no question about your daughter's right to claim Philippine citizenship.
Hey Bob
Very Interesting information here as our Son was born before my wife became a US Citizen as well. I researched as much as I could on the "Official" Philippine Consulate website, and from what I got out of it our Kids are considered Native Born Citizens. I have tried to call the Consulate in NY but I got put on "terminal hold"
My Son is very much interested to get his Philippine Passport if he can and I think he is going to apply for it through the NY Consulate.
He wants to keep his options open so when we do relocate to PI he may/may not join us there.
Forgive me for boasting about my Son, but we all do it. Check him out as he recently appeared on Wheel Of Fortune on 10/16/07.
http://www.youtube.com
Search: halflip876
Hi Neal in RI – Cool! I just watched your son on YouTube! He's a good looking kid, no doubt about that. Don't ask forgiveness for boasting, we should all do that!!!
Yes, I believe that your son can get his Philippine Passport without any problems, he just needs to apply for it. Since his mother was a citizen at the time of his birth, he indeed would be classified as a "Natural Born Citizen" of the Philippines.
Again, Congrats to you and your son!
Hey Bob
Thanks for checking out my kid.
Oddly enough my Son is like yours very much interested in Science, he is in his 3rd year studying Biology, he wants to be a Genetic researcher.It must have something to do with the Phil/Am blood 😆
Im pretty ignorant(but curious)about schools there in PI. My wife says she went to Ateneo Davao and she cannot recall any other high schools. So I am guessing that the Science High School is a private school. That seems to pretty strict rules for only being a PI Citizen to get into that school. If I recall correctly, a little soft $$ from one hand to another goes along way there.
Hi Neal in RI – Oh, there are literally hundreds of high schools in Davao City! And, sorry (or maybe happy) to say, you won't get into Philippine Science High School with a bribe. Actually, Philippine Science is a Public High School, but only for the best and brightest kids. For example, out of thousands of students from Ateneo de Davao (that's where my son goes too) only one or two students from ADDU are able to be accepted into Phil. Sci. It is really a class A high school!
PhiSci (as we locals call it) is definitely top notch. i once dated a girl who studied there & she moved on to chemical engineering in college & i hear she later got a top lab job in singapore. it is difficult to get in & i don't know a lot of graduates from that school. they're legit.
as a kid growing up in davao, i can safely say that phisci students were looked upon as smart students because they got in. there was an air of mystery to them too. we rarely saw them being so far from the city & having not seen a competitive varsity team from them.
i also like the location of the school. it was once looked as quite far from the city, but nowadays, with the road improvements, it's a good serene spot that the students don't get easily distracted by malls & theaters. i should know, i studied (& lived) for 2 yrs in the nearby UP Mindanao (or as my brother call it UP Mintal).
All the luck to AJ in getting in Phisci.
On Dual citizenship, it's interesting about the BOI commish's comments on having it easier to apply overseas than there. My mother just said the same exact thing over the phone the other night. She & my sister (both US citizens – my mom born a citizen) are vacation the US later this year & will be applying here instead. She was advised to do so also by someone familiar with these things.
i guess my wife & I should do the same. we recently got our US citizenship & plan to apply for dual. we might as well do it here in california.
no need for barangay clearances, notarized typewritten paperwork (with some liquid erasing, of course) & all that hubub that makes red tape in the philippines oh so special.
on high schools in davao, bob is right. there are literally hundreds in the city (public & private). like many cities, some so-so's & some quality ones as well.
aside from ADDU, there's also Stella Maris Academy (where the children of US diplomats of the local US consulate used to attend in the 80s. i attended both schools, hence the bias). I can name many more, but it's quite easy to look them up on the net.
sorry for the long posts, bob.
Hi macky – no need to be sorry for the long comments – you have some good info there! Yes, if you want to get your dual citizenship, I highly recommend doing it there! It is the same for foreigners wanting to get a resident visa to live here, it is quick and easy to get it abroad, but getting it inside the Philippines is a long arduous task! 🙁
That piece of news about your son being what he was declared to be was news to me … and cleared up some mystery,and posed others. I'm glad you reported on it. For some reason there is a huge amount of information and mis-information that floats around the groups and blogs … many former Filipinos are hesitant to reacquire their Philippine citizenship, for reasons I do not know. People lobbied for years to get RA-9225 (the dual citizen law) passed to eliminate all these issues, and yet many now steer away from the opportunity like the plague … it's a mystery to me … my wife did not take steps to get her US citizenship until RA-9225 was on the books, declaring that if she could only be 'one', she would stay a Filipino. Now that she can legally be both, she's happy to have both passports .. and she patiently waited today while I extended my visa and took care of my annual report … something she never has to bother with.
One advantage to parents is, as you have noted, that children under 18 are automatically made Filipino citizens when the parent reacquires. Folks outside the Philippines would be well advised, in my opinion, to register births with the Philippine embassy a get get their children Philippine birth certificates and passports … who knows what the future may hold … Americans may not think very highly of Philippine citizenship, but it is the children's birthright, after all.
I respect the advice you got, but my wife reaquired her Philippine citizenship in one day (she waited a while for the papers to flow, but she made only one trip to Intramuros), it's basically just a simple one page form and the usual 2×2 pictures, copies of birth certificate, etc.,so I don't know that the gentleman's advice is accurate.
RE: PhilSci … they have a number of branches across the Philippines and it is indeed tough to get in there … one of my nieces tried to get into PhilSci Manila last year but didn't make it, she's now in Quezon City Science High, a school with similar standards. She certainly paid no bribes nor were bribes solicited.
Bob,
I am in a boat just like yours but on the other side of the river. My kids have their Philippine Citizenship but not there American Citizenship. The information on Dual Citizenship for the wife is a good peace of information though. Thank you both Bob and David Starr.
Hey Bob,
after reviewing this blog, there is a chance that I may have downplayed the elite status of the Phil Science School by suggesting that a bribe may help with the admissions process.
No harm meant 😳
Hi Bob – My children have Philippine Birth Certificates and Passports because they were born in the Philippines. I also registered them with the British Embassy in Manila who issued them with British Birth Certificates and Passports.
I re-acquired my Philippine Citizenship last year at the Phil Embassy in London and I was with fellow british nationalised filipinos there who were already retired back in the Phils. They came back to the UK to visit family and friends and then took the opportunity to apply for dual citizenship while here on vacation.
Thanks for posting this Bob.
I'm not sure if I mentioned it in my previous posts, but this is the top reason why I will want to become a dual citizen, aside from other perks. I wanted my son to become a Filipino citizen so that he can meet the citizenship requirement of PSHS. I was already naturalized when he was born. Though we still have a decade to wait if he's really "mentally" qualified. 🙂
When I was in 6th grade in Gensan, around 1987-88, I took the first screening of the exam for Davao campus, and passed. However, I didn't take the second screening because I knew my parents can't afford to support my other needs/requirements. In fairness to my parents, we're not that poor though, we're just not liquid as others. I think the school is free like other public schools because it's government-owned, and you can or have to live on campus. I don't know now. I remembered the Davao campus was fairly new at that time, around 5 yr. old or less, if I'm not mistaken.
Back to dual citizenship, I am almost 100% complete with the paper requirements, just waiting for tax season to be over to process it because you have to be physically present in the embassy for the approval. As long as you have the complete requirements, approval will be in the next day or two after submission of requirements. I am speaking for the NY and DC branches only.
Hi Bob,I am slightly confused on the citizenship issue.If a filipina leaves Phils and takes up the nationality of her foreign husbands country i presume she has given up her filipina citizenship and is then technically classed as a foreigner her self.Would this not prohibit her from buying property in phils when she returns permantly.Wrongly or rightly i am presuming she would have to reinstate her phils nationality,or acquire dual citizenship to regain her rights as a Phils citizen.
Hi Dave Starr – In Feyma's case, it comes down to the question of what benefits are there for her to re-acquire her Philippine Citizenship, and really she sees no benefits in it. About the only thing is land ownership, but as a former citizen she is able to own land in a sufficient quantity for our desires anyway.
Hi Mike K. – Getting American citizenship for your kids should be quite easy, just go to the US embassy and claim it. They sometimes require DNA testing to prove that you are the father, but if they pass that (not saying they won't!) they are in without a hassle!
Hi Neal in RI – Don't worry, no harm! I didn't take it in a negative way, no big deal!
Hi Marilou – That's great! Congratulations to you!
Hi Lea – Good luck to your son, I hope that he is able to get into PhilSci, and maybe he and AJ will see each other there! You are not required to live on campus at PhilSci, but it is available for out of towners. Do you know how much the room and board is? P50 per month! It is heavily government subsidized, because they want the brightest students, regardless of family income. That's amazing, don't you think? I had a tour of Davao Campus of PhilSci last year, and the dorms are rather nice too!
Hi Chas – A Former Philippine Citizen is allowed to own land, but in limited quantities. As a former citizen 1,000 square meters of city property can be owned, or 1 hectare of rural property.
I am wondering about the BOI staff's advise against getting applying there in the Phils for Dual Citizenship (takes too long, etc.). I guess 1 month wait is long, compared to a shorter period it takes here in the US. When I went to Naga Coity last October 2007 for a 10-day visit with my family, I processed my application there. I got the notice (approval) in the mail a month later (mailed to a local address I designated). My sister emailed me the scanned copy of of the document. No hitches encountered, whatsoever.
Hi Ruth – Congratulations to you! When you say "I guess 1 month wait is long" that is not really a fair statement,is it. I am not questioning your experience, I am sure that it is just as you say. But, that is a different office. According to what the Commissioner in GenSan told me, it would take much longer there. All I know is what I was told by official sources. If it took one month, I guess that would be different.
Hi Bob,thanks for clearing up my confusion.BTW, this is the best expat site in Phils,so many others are so out of date and rarely updated,keep up the good work,regards,Chas.
Hi Bob,
I'm not a U.S. citizen yet but as soon as I obtained my citizenship here, I am planning to apply for my dual citizenship. I guess applying for dual citizenship is not only beneficial for me but for my husband as well. Once we moved back to the Philippines for good, I won't have to apply for residence and my husband can apply for permanent residence. Also, when we ship our personal property to the Philippines we will save on Customs Duties and Fees.
I can work as a teacher again, if I want and I can also vote for local and national elections at home.
Hi chas – Thanks for your compliment on the site, I appreciate it very much!
Hi Laura – Even if you are a US Citizen and do not have dual citizenship, it will not affect your husband's ability to apply for residence. His rights are the same whether you are a citizen of the Philippines or a former Citizen of the Philippines. Also, as a former citizen your rights to bring in personal property are the same as if you were a citizen.
Hi Dave Starr – It really comes down to a personal choice when it comes to Citizenship. Feyma simply doesn’t care to be a Philippine Citizen at this time. Perhaps she will change her mind at some time, but it is really her choice, and nobody elses. Regardless if it is easy, hard, or whatever, each person must decide on their own where their allegiance lies. At this time, Feyma has chosen that, and it’s not up to me or anybody else to say that her choice is wrong, no matter the reason that she has chosen. That’s just my opinion, and I think that it is valid.
Understand on the personal choice, Bob … but also, as recounted by Ruth's account … reacquisition is hardly 'arduous', and since BI Hq in Intramurous is the only office which actually processes reacquisition applications, I don't see what difference it makes to a local office… of course, like everything else, when it comes to the BI, YMMV 😉
@ Marilou, a small point of clarification … your children are not Filipnos because they were born in the Philippines, they are Filipinos because you were a Filipino at their birth. Unlike the US law, being born in the Philippines does _not_ convey Philippine citizenship on a child … under the current (1987) Constitution, only the citizenship of one or both parents conveys citizenship … it's confusing, this citizenship stuff
Hi Dave – Thanks for the clarification.
Sorry for the confusion. I didn't mean to imply that being born in the Phils entitles an automatic Phil citizenship. Perhaps I should expand. We were living in Nigeria at the time but I went home to the Phils everytime I gave birth because I wanted to be looked after by my Mum in a familiar environment. What I wanted to convey in my post above is that we were home in the Phils for both births (before 1987) and that's how my children happened to acquire both Phil and British birth certificates and passports.
Hi Bob,
Are you and your wife already a dual citizen?
Hi princess – No, Feyma is a US Citizen, not a dual citizen.
Hi Bob l am maried to a Philipina who has retained her Philipines Citzenship and as Australia reconizes marriage between an Australian an Philipino she was given Australian Citizenship an is now has duel Citizenship when we travel t
o the Philippines we also go for balikbayan visa.
I can see why you and your children (if you have any) would get a Balikbayan Visa (actually called Balikbayan Privilege), but your wife does not need any visa if she is a dual citizen.
Sofia and I have been married for over 31 years. When ever the idea
of her obtaining US citizenship was raised she alwaysejected it on the basis of
1. She was a Filipino citizen and proud of it.
2. She couldn't own the property she wanted if she gave up her
PI citizenship.
Dual citizenship is now out of the question since she is physically absent fromthe US most of the time.
Rick
Hi Rick Austin – If you wife is "physically absent from the US most of the time" as you say, she is risking losing her resident visa there.
Hi Bob – I've just finished reading the various posts and comments in the Visa area and I still have a couple of questions:
1) Since the land we purchased is in my wife's name and I being an US Citizen, where do things stand if my wife were to pass away before me?
2) My wife is currently a Philippine citizen and a green card holder here (US). Is my wife required to come back to the US every year, if she doesn't become US Citizen and wants to maintain her status after we move to PH? If she becomes a dual citizen, how does that affect things or does it? Is there any down side to her becoming a dual citizen?
Hi Randy c – Here are my answers to your questions… remember, I am not a lawyer, so this may or may not be correct. It is my belief that this information is correct, though.
1. If your wife dies ahead of you, at this time, you would have to sell the land, because you could not legally own it. Alternatively, if you come here to live, after you have legally been a resident for 5 years (with a resident visa), you would then be entitled to inherit the land from your wife in the event of her death.
2. If your wife leaves the USA for an extended time (I think 6 months) her green card would no longer be valid. For her to return to the USA you would have to go through the entire application process again. I would highly recommend that Rechie get her US Citizenship. Then, immediately file with the Philippine Embassy to become a dual citizen. When she has those two things done, she is a citizen of both countries, and there are no downsides that I am aware of.
Good luck!
Hi Bob, I like the idea of dual citizenship and support it 100%. What I get alittle erked about is that when my wife obtains the US citizen ship all doors open for her here in the states, which includes property ownership. As we all know for us living in the philippines we cannot own land but we usually are the ones who come up with the cash to make things happen.
I hope someday the Philippine government will see the light and change their policy, after all we are paying their WWII benefits for fighting so honorably with us during the war. I am proud to see this bill is going forward. I have always admired them.
God Bless America and the Philippino people.
Hi Keith – Yes, I totally agree with you on the land ownership issue. Like you, I hope that the law will change, but I doubt we will see that within our lifetimes. The people who would have to make such a change are the very wealthy land owners who would be hurt by foreign land ownership. Thus, it probably won't change! 👿
Look at the deluge of comments! Just a quick one: how does the US look at dual citizenship? In what way does she discourage dual citizenship? Now back to ur videos, I luv them–anything that brings me "local color"! I'm just waiting that you feature Bangkerohan, that huge fish market DVO City. I would luv to see all kinds of fish, fish vendors, fish cargadors etc. 😀
Hi Bob – this is for you or Dave Starr (as he seems to be up on these things), does Dual Citizenship affect social security in anyway? For instance, if Rechie works in the US for the required ten years, does she need to be a US Citizen to be able to collect her SS? She mentioned that as a reason to get a US Citizenship, but I can't find anything that says she must be. If you've got a good source for this kind of stuff, please steer me to it.
I think it's a good idea (dual) regardless, for the various reasons already discussed.
Hi Roy – Citizenship, it seems is always an area of wide interest! The USA discourages dual citizenship by simply keeping her citizens in the dark, not letting them know that it is possible. They even say that it is discouraged! ha ha…. Don't worry, I'll be doing a video trip to Bankerohan sometime in the future! It's a place where I go on a fairly regular basis.
Hi Randy C – It is my understanding that citizenship should not affect Social Security, except in the case of a non-citizen spouse collecting her spouses social security. I believe there are some rules in place about that. I am not an expert though. Hopefully Dave will drop in with more info, because I do know that he is more of an expert on this topic than I am.
Bob: Regarding the first comment from Patrice, Becky has been having a much harder time adjusting to living here than I have… In the Middle East, she was mistreated and was miserable… but it became home. Perhaps the most difficult thing for her has been how she is regarded by other Filipinos now that she has returned. The fact that she now has an American fiance seems to make the situation worse. I can support her and am there for her to talk to, but she is facing issues that I will never have to face. Surprising is the pressure to stay in the province rather than return to Manila… Then there is the money issue that we thought was resolved. It reared its head this week due to the death of her uncle…. She was regarded as the one with money. I guess it boils down to the cultural differences you reference so frequently. Finally, her emotions are very mixed… glad to be home, but an awful lot of change all at once. I made her a promise that if, after two years, she was not happy, we would go anywhere she wishes… BUT, she has to try her best to adjust (She is trying really hard) and give the move a chance to work.
As to citizenship, the idea of moving to the States scares her… Though, we are in a different position than most in that I travel all over the world for work and I would love to take her to Japan and some other places I frequent.(For now, we have applied for a US visa and she'll have to make due with Hong Kong and Singapore for the time being…She LOVES shopping in HK, though!) A US passport would make that type of travel MUCH easier. Our trip to Gensan this week was, as a side note, the first place IN the Philippines she has ever visited outside Manila and her province (Nice little city!)… It was important that she see more of her own country and I plan to take her to GenSan again when I return in a few weeks and also to Cebu on that business trip. Also, Rebecca is proud of being Filipina and of the Philippines, as she should be (And I am proud of her for her patriotism and beliefs). She has a sense of "guilt", I guess, at the prospect of becoming an American citizen. She told me that she never even contemplated going to the States for a visit, even. It was an impossible dream, so why waste time dreaming? Now that the possibility is reality, she is having to adjust to the newness of it all (She tells me, when no one else is around, that this is all like a dream…).
Hi John Miele – Your (and her) experience is very typical for a Fil/Am couple returning to the Philippines. Almost every single event that you described I have been through, and I've also written about most of them here on the site. When we first moved here, Feyma went through some really hard times in regards to these issues. Adjusting to living here after having lived abroad is not easy for a Filipino. Family pressures are among the top of the difficulties.
Bob… I must say this also… Your blog has been VERY helpful to me in making this transition easier. There are many sites on the net that list tips, etc., many of which I find disrespectful, quite honestly. You have created a useful, and, I believe, non-biased forum where I can get some very useful information.Pat yourself on the back, my friend, and please accept my thanks for this wonderful resource you have created.
Hi John Miele – Wow, thanks for the nice words! Much appreciated.
Hi bob
your blog is really amazing i almost read the whole of it, it gives me a better view of how foreigner thinks about the philippines. as i said on my previous posts about how westerners thinks about us, i think i should stand corrected, what i experienced with some american who i dealt with everyday can be considered an isolated case, although it is still a fact that there's a huge number of them with the same mentality and thoughts every time they hear philippines, and i cant blame them, your blog can really help them understand the *real* life living in the country, the advantages and disadvantages, the do's and don't and the "what to expect and what not to expect', as the saying goes "people of that country will not adjust for you for you, you adjust to fit with them"
regarding patricia post, my personal opinion, any filipino who are born and raised in the philippines and later on went to another country and comes back should not have any problems adjusting when going back to the phlippines, i don't believe that a filipino whose been living abroad long enough in another country will have an issue living the old life, it is innate for anyone to re-live the old life, i've been living abroad for the past 18 years and once in a while i come home for a long vacation (8 months) and i never had a trouble living my old life. isn't it one of the traits of the filipino is when they lived abroad they bring with them their culture and traditions? i bet you saw that culture and tradition with your wife when she still lives in the states. don't get me wrong all i am saying is, it is innate for anyone regardless of where they came from, to re-live their old life with little or no adjustment at all.
i know personally a person who went to japan and lives there for 5 months, when she came back, she is always complaining how hard for her to adjust living the old life, for me her complain is nothing more but being a "maarte"
i could understand if the filipino is born and raised in another country and comes back home to live their parents old life. then, i would agree that a huge adjustment has to be expected from them.
keep up the good work.
Hello foreigners and filiipinos alike,
I would like to share my opinion about land ownership. How would Americans feel if Japanese, Germans, Koreans, Swedish, British nationals (to name a few) own pieces of American land without becoming a citizen first? I am not sure if foreigners can actually own land in the US, by the way. One foreigner said that his wife became a US citizen and doors opened up for her. That's the point; she has become a US citizen so she can own land. Hence, if you are willing to renounce your US citizenship and be a Filipino citizen, then I guess it is okay for you guys to own Philippine land as Filipinos. HOwever, as foreigners, it is like foreigners in the US owning land. YOu see, any race for that matter would like to protect their sovereignty over their homeland. Yes, you have the money, but then the problem is if foreigners can easily acquire property, then properties here in the Philippines can no longer be affordable to the middle class and the masses because it will jack up the price land. It is like some of our export products which are available here but out of reach to the common people. So please, don't gripe if you can't own land as foreigners. Let your filipino spouse own land for both of you.
Cheers,
Judy from the Metro Manila
Hi Judy – any person from any country in the world can own land in America. There is no need to be a citizen. Heck, even if you never visited the USA in your life, you can own a piece of land there if you want. You don't have to be married to an American or fulfill any other requirement. if you have the money to buy the land, you can buy it, no matter who you are.
Hi dans, and thank you for your nice comment. I appreciate what you said very much.
The only thing that I disagree with you on is that I know that my wife had a very hard time in re-adjusting to life in the Philippines. She lived in the Philippines until she was 22 yers old, and then moved to the States for 10 years. When she went to the States, she was not yet mature, and was not worldly. She really grew up in the States. The problem came when she returned and was a much different person than her family knew. Thus, she was no longer well understood by her family, and she was not what they expected. This made the transition very difficult.
Other than that one point, I agree with pretty much everything you say.
hi bob,
I concur about what you said owning a land in the states without being a citizen, it is a fact that there lots of wealthy filipino who are not a u.s. citizen and still owns property in the states, a lot of them are our politicians who stashed their wealth abroad. i won't name names but they have been found out to own buildings, hotels, restaurants, house etc..etc..
Hi dans – thanks for backing me up on that! 😆
Hello all,
Been through all the same issues with my wife who has been here in the US for 8 years. We see the chief benefit of US citizenship is to bring in the parents but they are happy in the PI. We're also eyeballing exiting the US and setting up shop in Davao or Cebu.
I agree with the Philippines and their laws about foreigners not owning land. Japan tried to take it by force 60 years ago, whats to stop them from buying it? China is the next threat. The Philippines is very understanding in letting foreigners buy condos … but they are smart to draw the line there.
It is true .. America is for sale .. but we have tons of land and have fooled the Japanese into losing billions several times.
My wife and her friend have enrolled in US colleges and they are excelling so that tells me that the Philippines educated them well.
Three cheers to Bob, this site is phenomenal!
Hi Bob,
My wife just obtained her American citizenship last week. She is very excited because she will be able to vote in the November presidential election. If she does decide to apply for dual citizenship will it affect her ability to vote in elections in the United States?
Thanks!
HI Thomas Shawn – Thanks for visiting. I personally believe that by allowing foreigner ownership it would help the Philippines move forward, improve the country, etc. Right now, many foreign companies or individuals who would invest in the country don't do so because they cannot own the land, and they also cannot even own their own company here! Just my opinion.
Hi Joe Parisi – Becoming a dual citizen would have no effect on voting at all. Your wife could do that without consequence.
Hello Bob,
Thanks for the information about foreigners owning land in the US. Well, I guess our Philippine law about land ownership is more to protect poor Filipinos because land here is relatively cheaper compared to buying land in Japan, the US or the UK, etc.. So foreigners can actually own most of the Philippines theoretically. 80% of Filipinos do not own property and can't afford to do so at this moment. The Koreans are already here and doing good business even without owning property here. If they can own the land legally, I think they will and more of them will be here since my Korean students told me they prefer living here than in South Korea. What will happen if foreigners can own land in the Philippines will be 80% of Filipinos won't have their own homes because of mass poverty while foreigners will be able to do so and these Filipinos will feel left out and resentful. The reason the Philippines is not moving forward is because of corruption and not because foreigners cannot own land in the Philippines. I am not sure but I think Japan also has the same protectionism of their own land. Foreigners cannot own land in Japan I was told. I think you cannot own land in China or in South Korea or in Taiwan, but these countries are more developed than the Philippines. If corruption is nipped or at least minimized, the Philippines wouldn't be in such a state as it is today. Foreign investments will come in because they can do business with less corruption. Remember, we used to be no. 2 after Japan and we were able to export rice before and we trained specialists in neighboring countries. Sadly, we are no longer that country.
Cheers,
Judy
Hi Judy – Sorry to disappoint you, but foreigners indeed can own property in Japan. I don't think that anything I say will change your mind, nor will you change mine, so I'll just agree that we will disagree on the issue.
Take care.
Bob,
Let's assume for this discussion that Feyma obtains dual citizenship. Let's also assume that she is 50% owner in your enterprise.
Does she have income tax liability to the U.S. and the R.P. ?
I hate to be the sour grape in an otherwise very good thread. 😆
Hello Bob,
Okay, no problem,but how come my Japanese student told me foreigners cannot own land in Japan, but then you might tell me that foreigners can also own land in China, Korea and Taiwan. Anyway, Thomas seems to understand our situation here and yes, we won't agree on land ownership since you want foreigners to own land here and I would like land to be more affordable to the Filipino masses.
Anyway, thanks for your time.
Judy
Hi Danny – For my enterprise, this is only an academic discussion, because my enterprise is based in the USA. For a Philippine based business, I suppose that she would owe taxes in both countries, but there are lots of ways to make sure that doesn't happen.
Hi Judy – I'm afraid that your argument about "keeping land affordable" doesn't hold water for me. In the USA anybody can own land. In the Philippines only citizens can own land. Can you explain why land is generally more expensive in the Philippines than it is in the USA? If what you say is correct, land should be much higher in the USA than it is here, but that simply is not the case.
hi bob,
I have to disagree with you when you said land in the philippines are more expensive than it is in the u.s.a,
i've met americans who are married to a filipina as a matter of fact from where i am now, there are at least 80% of americans who lives here who are married to a filipina, they owned hectares and hectares of land in batangas, quezon province etc..etc.. as a matter of fact two of the americans are my close family friend, i am the godfather of their sons, they've been telling me, for 50k dollars, they can buy few thousand square meters of land in the states, with the same amount of money, they can buy 3~4 hectares of land in the philippines or more depending on location.
I think, arguing about the cost of land is a complex subject as there are things that need to be considered.
Hi dans – there is land in the Philippines that is quite expensive, and there is land in the USA that is quite expensive. I guess my point, which is aimed at Judy is that her statement that by opening up land ownership to foreigners, that does not necessarily mean that land will skyrocket. For that matter – land here is already out of reach of the masa, so saying that it should be kept closed to foreigners so that the masa can afford it just doesn't make sense to me.
bob – well, in some point i have to agree with judy, philippines is about the size of texas and with the ever growing population, i don't know how the philippines can cope up to develop remote places for the people.
the point is, the land in the philippines is already expensive especially in key cities, cost of land in remote areas are a lot cheaper and affordable, however, everybody wants to get a piece of land in the cities (which i think is stupid) if you looked at the google earth map, you will see that 70% of luzon is overly crowded, the remaining part of the philippines is uninhabited and this actually prevents the entire country to move forward.
if philippines will open up its door to the foreigner to own a land especially in the key cities, it will really pumped the price up as the foreigner can afford to buy it and not the masa, condos in manila are already expensive since most of its owner are foreigners. the common idea in the philippines is this, "why would i sell a land to masa for a small price if there are foreigners who are willing to pay 4 folds for it".. it is the greedy part of the people that makes the philippines expensive and hard to live.
for a typical american, 50k dollars to buy a piece of land in the philippines is easy, but what about the masa? can the typical pinoy afford to raise such amount? i will leave that to you.
Hi dans – Let me just ask you one question. I have been married to a Filipina for 18 years. We bought a lot in my wife's name, using our joint money that we earned together. I have lived in the Philippines for 8 years. If my wife dies ahead of me, I will be forced to leave the property, because I cannot legally own the house that I paid for. I have no choice in the matter. All this time, I have promoted the Philippines through various venues. I have put a number of Filipinos through school (preschool through college). I have purchased a house for my in-laws. I have given thousands and thousands of dollars to help my family-in-law here when they had needs. I have never asked for anything in return. Yet, if my wife dies, I will be forced out of my own house and off the land which I purchased.
Is that fair?
If you think that is fair, then I can't say anything else on the subject.
bob -as what i have gathered from my american friends here who are married to filipina and she died a long time ago, the property they owned is still under his name, i made some research on that a long time ago as i could not believe it and i just found out that indeed, you cannot own a property while your wife is still alive but once she passed away, the property will be still under the foreigner's name, i think you can find that in the inheritance law
Hi dans – I am sorry, my friend, but you are incorrect. I have talked with people from the Bureau of Immigration and also with an attorney on this. If the wife of a foreigner dies, he cannot own the land. He has 3 to 6 months to sell it.
A foreigner’s guide to owning propertyin RP
Friday, March 7, 2008
Rule number one: Generally, foreigners cannot own land in the Philippines . As with all rules, this admits of exceptions.
But first, definitions. Who are considered foreigners? Everyone who is not a Philippine citizen is a foreigner. Philippine citizens are the following: (1) Those who are citizens of the Philippines at the time of the adoption of this Constitution; (2) those whose fathers or mothers are citizens of the Philippines; (3) those born before January 17, 1973, of Filipino mothers, who elect Philippine citizenship upon reaching the age of majority; and (4) those who are naturalized in accordance with law. Everyone who does not fall under any one of the definitions above is a foreigner in the eyes of Philippine law.
The only instances when foreigners can acquire land in the Philippines are if they are natural-born Filipino citizens who lost their Philippine citizenship, and in case of hereditary succession. A natural-born Filipino is a person born of one or both parents who are Filipino citizens at the time of that person’s birth.
A natural-born Filipino who has lost Philippine citizenship because he or she has become a naturalized American or Australian or what-have-you, is considered a foreigner. However, Philippine law allows these persons to own land with the following limitations:
1. They can own only up to 5,000 square meters of urban land, or three hectares of rural land.
2. They can acquire no more than two lots which should be located in different municipalities or cities anywhere in the Philippines . These two lots should not exceed the maximum stated above.
3. If they have already bought urban land, they cannot buy rural land, and vice versa.
4. For married couples who are both natural-born Filipinos who have lost Philippine citizenship, the total land that they buy should not exceed the maximum stated above. The conditions on location of the properties also apply.
Related to this, Filipinos who lose their Philippine citizenship through naturalization to other citizenships, and later on reacquire their Philippine citizenship, are not considered foreigners and can therefore own land without limits.
Foreigners can also own land in the Philippines through hereditary succession, that is, by inheritance. However, they must inherit the land by intestate succession. Intestate succession means that the foreigner inherits the land because he or she is an automatic heir under Philippine law, without the need of a will naming the foreigner as an heir.
Indirectly, a foreigner can own land if he or she is married to a Philippine citizen. The land cannot be registered in the name of the foreigner but the law recognizes that he or she has an interest in the land. Of course, one must always marry for love, and never for land. Foreigners who do otherwise may find themselves at the bad end of the bargain and end up losing more than what they invested.
A foreigner can also own land indirectly as the stockholder of a corporation. So that a corporation may own land, at least 60% of its capital must be owned by Philippine citizens. The foreigner can constitute the 40% portion of that corporation.
source : http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Real%20Estate&a…
Hi dans – I am unable to bring up any data on that link that you provided. Not sure what the problem is.
Anyway, these land ownership issues are complicated, and they always have arguments going both ways. Nothing can be clear until the thing is actually tested.
Can Foreigners own real estate in the Philippines?
Generally, only Filipinos are allowed by Philippine laws to acquire by purchase, transfer or assignment any lands in the Philippines. However Foreigners may be able to acquire properties in the Philippines by any of the following:
* Lease the Property — You can lease public and private land for 25 years with an automatic renewal for 25 years, (just enough time for return on investments). This is also a cheap alternative, but it makes it difficult to make any sort of investment return on a property. However, it is ideal for those thinking of retiring here. Unlike many countries such as Thailand or Indonesia, a lease on property for a foreigner is a very easy and straightforward step to take in the Philippines. This is the easiest, least time-consuming, and safest way for a foreigner to purchase small areas of land within the Philippines. It can be done directly with the owner.
* Through a Filipino Trustee or wife – Have a Filipino (you can trust) where you can put the title or ownership of property in his/her name. This is the most common way for small-scale investors to buy property here.
* Purchase land as a Balikbayan – The Government of the Philippines has recently passed the Dual Citizenship Act which gives all former Filipinos the right to purchase land within the Philippines.
* Buy A Condominium Unit — You can own 100% of the unit but not more than 40% of the entire condominium project.
* Form a Corporation – You can form a corporation with Filipino partners with the sharing of 40% foreign – 60% Filipino capital. This is the most iron-clad form of property ownership for foreign investors, and definitely the preferred form of property ownership for those thinking of establishing a resort, or tourism facility. In fact, the majority of existing resorts and businesses owned by foreigners are using this form of ownership.
* Inherit the land if your Spouse dies: This simply means, when your Filipina wife dies, you as the compulsory heir, together with your children if you have any, will become the legal owners of her property.
bob – you can google the the inheritance law of the philippines, i will provide a link shortly.
Hi dans – I see one problem, even if everything in your last comment is 100% correct. It says that I will own the property with my children. Frankly, if my kids want property, they can buy their own… I worked hard for the money to buy that property, and I should keep it myself. At the time of my death, I would pass it along to my kids, but that should be my choice.
Frankly, though, I have checked this out, and acquiring property through inheritance is not guaranteed or easy at all for a foreigner.
Thank you for the info, though! 😀
Hi dans – Just one more thing. I was just reading about Philippine Inheritance law. Here is a list of who the designated heirs are (in the order that they fall):
1. Legitimate children or descendants;
2. Legitimate parents or ascendants;
3. Illegitimate children or descendants;
4. Surviving spouse;
5. Brothers and sisters, nephews and nieces;
6. Other collateral relatives within the fifth degree; and,
7. The State.
So, not only would my kids inherit ahead of me, but my parents-in-law would also inherit ahead of me as well.
bob – it is worth to consult a lawyer about owning properties, there's already a republic act on that, it is hard to convince foreigner that they can own properties through inheritance as there are very few of them actually did it.
bob – i don't think the list has to be in that order, it is only a list of "who" are the legal heirs but not necessarily in that order. a "Last will" can make you on the top of the list. My wife just inherited from his father a hectares and hectares of land in batangas, and it is under the name of my daughter.
my point is, the "last will" can provide a protection when inheriting properties.
Hi dans – Under Philippine Inheritance law, a foreigner cannot inherit if there is a will, he can only inherit if the person who died (his spouse) is intestate. Under the laws of intestacy the order of inheritance is as I listed.
Here is a direct quote:
Non-Filipino citizens, who can inherit land by hereditary or intestate succession (without a will) but not by testamentary succession (with a will).
So, if there is a will, a foreigner cannot inherit land. Only under the law of intestacy.
bob – i am not an expert on the inheritance law, but just like any other law in any country, there's always a flaw on it. consulting a lawyer is the best route to find out.
Hi Dans – I totally agree. Thanks for your help. 😀
on the lighter side, if we were to base the list as the order of inheritance, that should make you feel somewhat secure since the next in line is your own children as opposed to what other foreigner belief about owning a property, other good thing though is that, after all the children, the next in line is you and not the other family.
i could understand why the law is written like that, i feel it has something to do with our culture and traditions, that a children has to be protected and secure their future. as you are aware, filipinos always want their children's future secured than the spouse.I would feel it is unfair and would leave my children in the dark if my wife inherits all the properties i owned and leaves nothing for my children, and then the wife would re-marry again.
all i can say is.. enjoy your life in the philippines, don't worry too much about your property as your children will automatically inherits it if your wife dies (god forbid). isn't i the reason we are buying properties so that we can give it to our children when we die? i've seen it many times, look at the pure chineese in binondo, a lot of them owns a property because they inherit it from their grand-father.
bob – on the light side, if we were to base the order of inheritance, that should give you a level of security, your children will automatically the legal heirs of the properties and not your wife's family, in a way, that should protect all your investment, the good thing though is, you are the next in line to inherit the property after the children and not them.
I could understand why the law is written that way, I feel that it has something to do with our culture, as you are aware, filipinos does not want their children to be left behind, we always make sure that their future is protected even if they are adults. I would feel bad if i die and my wife will inherit everything i owned and nothing for my children, then the wife would re-marry again.
I suggest, enjoy your life in the philippines, don't worry about your properties, isn't it the main reason why we buy lots of properties so that when we die there is something we can leave to our children and their children's children?
i've seen it many times, just go to binondo in manila and you will find lots of pure chinesse who own properties because they inherit it from their father who migrated to the philippines and are married to a filipina.
Hi dans – what you say is true – the inheritance laws here really reflect the culture. For an American, like me, I think we tend to prefer our assets go to our spouses first, and pass along to the kids upon her/his death. The kids will get what they have coming, but they can wait their turn! 😆
bob – being a filipino with a pure culture and all its trait, i would rather hand over my assets to my children than to the spouse who might re-marry again, i can't imagine if my wife remarry again and her new husband will benefit from all of the assets i acquired, it is my blood and sweat, it is only right to hand-down whatever properties i have to my children.
hi bob – being a Filipino with its pure culture and traits, i would rather hand over all my assets to my children than to leave everything to the surviving spouse, i can't imagine if my wife re-marry again and the new husband will benefit from all the assets i acquired. it is my blood and sweat that builds all the assets, i would definitely, have my children to have it and not someone else.
Hi dans – we just have a different cultural outlook. For me, i love my wife very much and I trust her completely. I trust her judgment with my assets more than a trust kids. If the kids are adults when I die, that is different. But I would not want to leave a substantial sum to teenage kids who could easily end up spending it on drugs or some other wasteful way. Kids are not responsible. i know that Feyma is.
Feyma has worked just as hard as I have to acquire what material wealth we have. She deserves a comfortable life, whether she re-marries or doesn't.
bob – it goes both ways, you would trust your wife as much as i trust my kids, but it all depends on how they will utilize or waste the assets we give them, there are children who are not responsible so as the wife. so it really boils down to one's character once they get hold of the assets. my view is totally different, i could raise my kid to be responsible and they could benefit from whatever i leave for them, OR they can waste it, i could trust my wife and leave everything to her, she can benefit from it or she can completely waste it.
my strong point would be, i could train my kids and teach them how to take care of the asset, it is for their own good and for sure with a good guidance they will understand it, i have seen this many times in the philippines, you probably have a different outlook because children in the states is brought up differently from the filipinos.
Bob, solution set: become a Filipino citizen.
Hi Bob,
As always your blog is a great source of things to ponder about. As a former Filipino citizen married to a foreigner and living in the Philippines, I had been considering applying for dual citizenship with the long-term goal of buying properties here in the future. But the main thing that used to discourage me from doing so was that if I would become a Filipino citizen again, my income from sources outside the Philippines would be liable to taxation.
I'm afraid the recent discussion here has given me another reason not to reacquire Filipino citizenship. I would rather have my husband inherit any properties purchased in my name -automatically- should I pass away before him, whether I die intestate or not, whether my parents are still living or not, and without any requirements to sell within 6 months and so on. Just as our bank accounts abroad are jointly owned, I wish that we, as a married couple, would be allowed by Philippine law to jointly own properties or businesses or other assets in this country, or at least be allowed to inherit each other's assets automatically.
If your attorneys and the Bureau of Immigration officials you consulted are right, as well as the snippets of the Philippine inheritance law inserted into your comments, then the simple widespread notion that 'foreigners can own land in the Philippines through inheritance period' can be very misleading.
Hi Thomas Shawn – Thanks for your input there.
Hi F – Thanks for visiting, I'm glad that you find my column to be something to ponder. I think that there is no firm answer as to whether a foreigner can own land here by any method. Too many questions!
Hi all! Hi Bob great site! i found it so much interesting and informative.
anyway Land prices depends on location and in PI also depends on developer credibility, u can also do bargaining strategy especially with private landowners willing to sell their lands.
Talking about adjusting and living in PI? if u r former filipino it will not be that difficult dont get me wrong but those who say it is are the once who r not proud being a filipino and tried forgetting they are, no matter what u say and do u can never change the fact that it already runs in ur blood. I always admire filipinos who come back to country and still embraces traditions culture and still proud being filipino! Mabuhay Pinoy!
😥 Land ownership in PI ? laws here always have loopholes sad to say!
Hi Mariel – Thanks for stopping by and leaving your comments. I'm glad to hear that you found the site useful! 😆
"ANG TAONG HINDI MARUNONG LUMINGON SA PINANGGALINGAN HINDI MAKAKARATING SA PAROROONAN" pakatandaan mga pinoy!
TO ALL FOREIGNERS who married filipino, thanks for admiring filipinos and their cultures traditions and beliefs we r glad that u people understand us and our situation a salute to all of u!
Hi Mariel – Thanks for your comment. Generally, I prefer that English comments be posted here, because my readers cannot read Tagalog, so the audience is limited. Feyma says that your comment is a favorite saying of hers, though, as her Dad used to always say that… so I won't complain too much! 😆
Hi Bob,
Do you have a single friend would like to meet filipina.
I am interested to have american friend but i am scared.
Please help.
thanks.
Lai
from Cebu
Hi Lai – I get a lot of such requests, but I really don't know anybody, sorry.
hi there…
Do you mind If I ask you where your wife (Feyma) came from? or what Province she came from the Philippines? I'm from Manila and I have a friend that kinda looks like her…just wondering…
thanks!
Hi Richelle- Feyma is from Sarangani Province.
I am a filipina married to an american. My baby was born in Thailand and got her american passport there. We called the Philippine embassy and ask if we could also get her a filipino passport and they declined. They mentioned though that she will be given a one year visa whenever she wants to visit the Philippines. We got this information last year. We are hoping though that she could avail a filipino citizenship as well.
Hi regina- If you were a citizen of the Philippines at the time of birth, your baby is eligible to be a citizen of the Philippines. You said that you "tried to get a Philippine passport" but did you first file for citizenship recognition?
hi bob i am inglish i whont to retiyer in 2010 in philipenes i met my wife to be ther going to get marrid ther dont no about visa to stay ther can you help thanks
thanks bob on infourmashon on tourist visa after i get married i will get 13 a visa thanks bob
I am a naturalized US citizen when my son was born in 1986. He is now 20 years old and would like to be a dual philippine citizen, is that possible? pls let me know.Thank you
Hi Dina – If you were already naturalized when your son was born, I am not sure he qualifies for Dual Citizenship. You should check with the DFA and get a ruling on that.
Thanks
Hi Dina – Way sapayan!
hi im a filipino who is born and raised in the philippines i got married with the american citizen and now have a 3 yr old son who was born in the philippines and now is a us citizen we are in the us right now but are planning to stay in the philippines for a while.im not naturalized yet to be a us citizen im holding a permanent resident visa what do we need to do to stay in the philippines for a long time without losing my sons foriegn citizenship
Can anyone think of a compelling reason for a former Filipino citizen to NOT take advantage of the opportunity to regain their original citizenship while retaining Canadian citizenship?
Someone suggested that by only being citizens of Canada while visiting the Philippines my wife and Canadian-born children would have a much-desired protection from arbitrary acts of allegedly corrupt local officials which they could not avail themselves of if they took advantage of the dual citizenship law. In other words, if they remained only Canadian, then Canada could rescue them from within the Philippines if needed, but could not if they were dual.
This was a frustrating bit of advice as we had already paid the non refundable fee x 4 and stopped short of the oath taking because of what seemed to me to be an extremely unlikely scenario – but I don`t really know what perils there might be and it was arresting when Canadians were advised by our government to be cautious about travel during a Filipino election a couple of years ago.
Thanks for your website and any feedback you or others can provide.
Hi Bruce – I believe that something like citizenship is a deeply personal matter that only the person affected can decide. I will say that the advice about "protection" is not good advice. If you are a citizen of Canada you are a citizen, if you are a dual, it means nothing. Canada can do no more or less whether a person is dual or not.
Thanks for answering my question 8 years ago! We now have dual Canadian/Philippines citizenship for my wife and 3 children, though it came only last year. We are also documenting a third citizenship we didn’t know I had been born with (Italian), and my oldest son married a US-born wife and is now a green card holder. The rest of the family is a little bemused by my passion for multiple citizenship and it has taken some persuasion (or, in the case of my oldest son, a desire to be in the same country as his wife). But we have a great daughter in law who has agreed to register any children they may have at the Canadian, Philippines, and Italian consulates as well as with US authorities.
Please excuse a second question, which arises out of my sheltered Canadian life. One of our children has reached the age of majority and wants to travel to the Philippines. Alone. She has only been there once before, several years ago, under close parental supervision. She only speaks English. She is drop dead gorgeous too. Mom and Dad are worried. How do you feel about a young single Canadian female travelling alone to and from the Philippines and riding public transportation in Manila?
Thanks again for your website – my middle name is Bruce
Hello,
I am a US citizen. Born here. My fiance is Filipino. He lived here in the US with me then went back to Philippines when his father died. I am contemplating moving there. I have a 12 year old American daughter. Speaks only English. If I were to move there would she be able to attend a public school? Would I be able to find a job. I have visited there 2 times now and not sure how my daughter will get by there. I feel I will manage but how about a 12 year old American girl?
For me, there are some areas where I would be concerned, but Manila, I feel she will be fine. She should, of course, exercise caution and be aware of what is going on around her, but that applies everywhere in the world.
hi,bob im filipina going to citizenship next year im married to american,i want to visit in the philippines,how long can i stay in the philippines?
Hi marie – I am sorry, I don't really understand what it means when you say "going to citizenship next year." You mean you are going to be a US Citizen next year? Just want to make sure.
If you visit the Philippines… if you are a US Citizen, you can stay here for 1 year on a Balikbayan Visa, then convert that to a tourist visa and stay another 16 months, so a total of 28 months stay.
If you are a Philippine citizen, of course you can stay as long as you want.
hi bob i,m a canadian citizen thinking about marrying a phillippine lady she has lands that she will be inheriting in the phillippines and already has lands in her name there , plan to retire there, now if she dies , will i be intitled to her lands and what she will be inheriting , and can a canadian citisen , born in canada get dual citizenship , for the phillippines , also her dad remarried a women in the phillippines , after his first wife died , what is the new wife entittled to when he dies , thanks for your input
Hi will – Philippine inheritance and also land ownership are both very complicated matters. This case that you present is a combination of the two, making it twice as difficult.
Firstly, when the father dies, I believe that his new wife will be entitled to inherit half of what he has. Maybe that means she gets part of the land, maybe it means she gets other assets and your wife gets the land.
If your wife gets the land, and then she dies, you may or may not be able to take ownership of it. There are many factors to consider, including how the land is titled, whether you have a Philippine Resident Visa at the time of death, and whether you are living in the Philippines. I can tell you that your rights are very limited when it comes to inherit real property.
Travis,
Can you confirm that you will not have to pay duties and taxes to ship your house hold goods to the Philippines because of your 13a visa and her dual citizenship. I am shipping my goods to Davao City as a retired USNavy this month, my wife is dual citizen and I am applying for dual too. Please share me your experiences on your shipments.
You can ship in up to $7,500 worth of household goods tax free.
Bob,
Is there a document supporting the $7,500 tax free limitation?
Yes, the Visa documentation says that. I am sure you can find it on the Bureau of Immigration website…. that, though, is for you to look up, not me! 😉
Bob,
You’ve done enough , thank you. Appreciate the help. I will be residing at Bangkal, Davao City. Hinay- hinay basta kanunay.
Phew god luv ya Sir Bob. Appreciate your response.
Extract from the text above….
On the other hand, a former natural-born citizen of the Philippines, who was born abroad, shall submit the original copy of the Report of Birth…..
You make any sense of this?
Your child would not be a “former natural born citizen” of the Philippines, because he never was a citizen of the Philippines. He is an Australian citizen because he was born in Australia. If you file a paper (the Americans call it a report of live birth abroad, I don’t recall what the Philippines calls it) with the Embassy, he will be given Philippine citizenship instantly by way of the citizenship of his mother.
Bob- since Neng expects to own properties in the Philippines, and if he has any income on those properties, I believe that as a US citizen he will be taxed on such income as part of his world wide income that all US citizens are taxed on. And that he will certainly have to declare those properties to the IRS. But I bow to your greater knowledge in the matter ! lol
Hi ian – There are a couple of things to consider here:
1. Neng never said anything about income producing properties, so if the properties produce no income there should be no taxes. If the properties produce an income then there would be taxes to be paid to both the Philippines and the USA. But, that was not said to be part of the equation.
2. I have never heard of a requirement to report the ownership of property to the IRS. If the property does not produce income, I see no reason why the IRS would care about ownership. Maybe I’m wrong on that, I can’t say for sure. Probably Paul Keating would be the most knowledgeable about this.
Hi Bob,
In addition, I also read that there is a new law for Dual Citizenship now in Philippines. They just approved of it last year.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Thanks.
Hi Joy – The Philippine Dual Citizenship law is actually 3 or 4 years old now.
Bob,
I still want to retain my PH Citizenship so I can stay much longer in PH. Is there any way you know that I can do regarding this matter?
Thanks.
Hi Joy – If you want to be a dual citizen, you can do that…. just not Singapore and the PH.
CAN WE GET DUAL IN AZ
The Australians have no problem with dual citizenship… they’ll even let you renounce* your Australian if required to get a foreign citizenship, then claim it back after your foreign citizenship has been granted.
*Don’t do this without taking legal advice though!!
That’s great news. Thanks for sharing it, Kent! Much appreciated.
HEY BOB, WAS READING YOUR DUAL CITIZENSHIP PAGE. CAN WE AS US CITIZENS HAVE DUAL CITIZENSHIP WITH PHILIPPINES
Hi Cowboy – No, unfortunately we cannot. It is only for Filipinos. Unfortunately, if you want to obtain Philippine citizenship, you must first renounce your US Citizenship.
WELL THATS A NO NO CAUSE THEN YOU WILL LOOSE ANY GOVERNMENT BENIFITS LIKE YOUR….SS
Actually, if you were to renounce your US citizenship, you still get SS (if it still exists!), but you will lose many other benefits, though.
HOW ABOUT YOUR MEDICADE
I am not 100% certain. But, you can’t use that in the Philippines anyway, right?
THAT IS TRUE FOR NOW BUT I HEARD THEY ARE GOING TO MAKE MADICADE WORLD WIDE. LETS HOPE
Hi Cowboy – Things are pretty bad in the States.. I think it’s more likely for medicaid to be severely cut rather than expanded, but who knows….
Hello too Sir Robert,
Have a good day sir and thank you so much for replying my email and its a big honor for me to answer my question. Sir the problem is my mother don’t have any birth certificate because my father only make her birthday and she was a stow away child when she was a young and no read no write so what can I do sir to have proof for her citizenship is okay her marriage contract sir?Please let me know and thank you so much.
God bless and for your whole family.
Respectfully yours,
Zenaida
Hi Zenaida – Wow, that’s a little tough, then. In your case, I believe your best bet would be to contact an attorney and see if they can sort out your situation. Good luck to you.
HELLO zenaida, may name is excel, i am also from general santos city and we have the same problem,my mother had also a difficulty obtaining a philippine passport since her father is chinese and her mother is a filipino but she was denied by DFA Gensan. i would just like to ask for an update with regards to your inquiry? did you manage to obtain a philippine passport? thank you very much
Bob…I’m just a little surprised at the comment Evelyn made as we were lead to believe it HAD to be processed here in the Philippines. My wife just got her US Citizenship and we planned to do the paperwork here in Mindanao while we were here. Wonder if it would be better/faster in San Francisco??
Hi David – Whoever told you that it had to be done in the States simply did not know what they were talking about. Re-acquisition of former Philippine Citizenship can be done at any Philippine Consulate or Embassy anywhere in the world, or it can be done at any office of the Bureau of Immigration here in the Philippines. It is quick and simple in any of the locations. It might be a bit quicker in the SFO office, but overall the time difference would be only minor.
Good luck to you wife!
thank you sir bob .. MAy God continually bless your page.. thanks a Lot !
You are most welcome, Jennifer. Good luck to you and your child!
hello sir good evening.i have 2 children living here in philippines now .i gave birth both in korea and my husband is korean.my children have only korean passport.my problem is we will staying here for good but they are korean.how can i get their dual citizenship while im here in philippines.?
Hello,
Australia alllows dual citiez Shop, see below :
Australia side: http://www.citizenship.gov.au/current/dual_citizenship/
Philippines side: http://www.philippineconsulate.com.au/dual-citizenship/introduction-note.html
Regards Mabuhay
Hello,
Australia alllows dual citizenship, see below :
Australia side: http://www.citizenship.gov.au/current/dual_citizenship/
Philippines side: http://www.philippineconsulate.com.au/dual-citizenship/introduction-note.html
Regards Mabuhay
Thanks for sharing that, Chrstian!
Not a lot of info there, but if she is expressing a desire to gain S citizenship for the daughter, the father must be present at the interview at the US embassy in Manila
Hi David – Actually, as I understand it, she is applying for Philippine Dual Citizenship, nor for foreign citizenship. I believe the girl is already a foreign citizen (not sure which country), and she wants the girl to also be a Philippine Citizen. I might be wrong, though, but that’s the way I read it! ha ha
Bob:
Jacky in fact has the right to get a dual citizenship for her son since he is a us citizen. like my two kids they have both us passport and an american citizen. i applied for dual citizenship and it was approve kahit i am not a us citizen at the moment. she can go to the bureau of immigration and ask how. that is what i did as my stepping stone to all this citizenship matters. or i can maybe of help to her.
Hi Jenny – Thank you for sharing your experience. I am sure that it will be valuable for Jacky.
hello Sir Bob..
hi jenny..
thank you so much guys for ur help/info. it was really a big help for me. Ur both right .. my son has dual citizenship coz me bein his mother is still a filipino and i gave birth to him here in PI and his father is an american. i just got back from the dfa coz i applied for my son’s PI passport nd twas approved. I just need to wait for it to be delivered. again thank you guys for ur help. more power to ur Sir Bob .. ur such a big help to many people. and to u jenny thnx for taking time to answer my query here. GODbless both of u .. ;-))
Thank you for letting me know, Jacky! I thought your son would already be considered a dual citizen, I’m glad to know that all worked out for the best!
Just a comment, Bob, about Pearly’s situation. In the multiple times we have traveled back to the Philippines, both of our kids, (US citizens born in the US while my wife was a green card holder and I, a US citizen), have ALWAYS been admitted for a full year without question, but….we carry US passports….Her son could get an expedited US passport probably much more quickly than establishing dual citizenship and getting a Philippine passport. Then as long as he travels with his mom he will get the automatic one year entry stamp and THEN she can apply for the dual citizenship here. If he’s NOT traveling with his mom, he definitely would fall under the criteria you outlined and he’d HAVE to have the US passport to travel. (Unless he actually completes the dual citizenship application and gets approved and Philippine passport in time.)
Hi David – Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I could be wrong in my interpretation on this, but it is my understanding that the child’s Philippine passport has expired, but he does have a US passport. Pearly was a bit unclear, so either of us could be correct, it’s hard to say.
Thanks again for sharing your thoughts.
Um, you can be a dual citizen in Germany. It’s not against the law.
What good is it to spread lies like that? Only worthless people lie to others.
Wow Tom, don’t you have a nice attitude.
Generally, Germany only allows dual citizenship to children who acquire multiple nationality at the time of birth. Philippine Dual Citizen is not compatible with German law. You can check references here and here.
Tom, be sure to take your meds regularly, as I am sure your doctor has told you,. It would seem to me that you are a bit out of balance. Good luck to you.
I agree with that, I’ve been naturalized as german citizen and I have given up my filipino citizenship as the law in Germany. I have no other choice except to choose one of them.
But fortunately, my son was born before I got my german passport, he has able to keep his dual citizenship till the rest of this life.
Enjoy Vietnam Bob. I can’t say that I loved it there back in 1967-69, but it WAS a beautiful place and I really enjoyed the people. Are you going to Saigon (sorry, but it’s still Saigon to me)?
Ha ha.. sorry, Glenn, but you misinterpreted. I wrote an article about somebody who is going to Vietnam.. I’m not going myself, though! 😉 Nice to hear from you, though, I hope you are doing well.
When the child grows up and goes to college, it would be cheaper if they were Philippine citizens. I know that there is is price difference for those that want to go to medical school and applying from out of the Philippines. Maybe this is what Charity was referring to.
Hi Kevin – At all of the colleges that I am aware of, the tuition is the same whether you are a foreigner or a Philippine citizen.
Bob, I don’t think your response is entirely accurate. There is a naturalization protocol for foreigners to become citizens of the Republic of the Philippines, which includes residency in the Philippines for a specified number of years and fluency in a Philippine dialect. For a U.S. citizen, it is not necessary to relinquish your USA citizenship to become a citizen of the Philippines. The mere act of swearing a citizenship oath to the Philippines does not mean loss of U.S. citizenship. To lose US citizenship, one would have to make a formal request to do so before a U.S. consular officer.
It would be interesting to hear from an attorney who has assisted foreigners in obtaining Philippine citizenship.
Hi John – I am sorry, I don’t mean to be mean to you, but quite simply, you are wrong.
One of the requirements of Philippine Naturalization is that you MUST renounce any other citizenship. I know, because I have text of the law, and also, I am considering become a Philippine Citizen, but am hung up on whether I am willing to relinquish my US citizenship. I have an attorney here in Davao whom has advised me on this matter. The first question he asked me on my first visit to his office was – “do you realize that you will be required to renounce your US citizenship?”
Here is a link to the law on Philippine Naturalization. Be sure to check Section 12, which clearly states that you must renounce other citizenship.
hi! Im Patrick. i have the same question, my father and mother are both Indians. i have born here in Philippines im already 23yrs old. but my passport is Indian. i have graduated seaman course (seafarers). and now my problem is my citizenship. what should i do? anyone can help me?
Hi Patrick – I would say your choice comes down to either becoming an Philippine Citizen or continue as an Indian Citizen.
I’m a retired US airline employee @ my wife carries both US & Philippine passports.
Bob, what you say is basically correct. Buy the ticket using the PI passport. Upon arrival in the PI show immigration BOTH passports. All of the benefits of both will be afforded.
We arrived in June for this trip through Manila and breezed right on through.
Hi Dave – Thanks for sharing your experience. Very helpful!
I booked my ticket on expedia.com with no problems. It was a one way ticket booked using my US passport because as a US citizen I can only enter and leave the US using a US passport. When I get to the Philippines, I will use my philippine passport to enter and leave as a filipino citizen since I have dual citizenship. If you book your ticket online, you won’t have to deal with an American travel agent. They wont know about dual citizenship because the US does not recognize it. Use the Philippine passport in the philippines to avoid getting questioned by immigration.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this, Zefyrah! Your experience is very valuable for our readers.
Have to agree with Dave H on this one!
Thanks, Dan.
You also have the choice of presenting two passports (Philippine and US passport) upon entering/departing the Philippines. In this case both passports will be stamped (US passport with the same “PP” designation). This is the preferred approach as it allows full documentation of travel for US immigration, and avoids the Philippine travel tax.
Hi Miss August – I didn’t know that you could present both passports simultaneously! Thanks for passing that along.
Bob, thank you for your quick answer and also thank you Miss August!
One more added to my question is;….When my wife takes the re-afermation oath of allegiance and gets her notorized certificate….who askes for it outside of previous filipinos that have been us naturalized and without a passport must do this. But, if you have a current Philippine passport, and enter the philippines, I doubt very much they would ask for this. What I am saying Bob is when is it required to show this certificate outside of getting a philippine passport?
As Always, thank you for what you do!!!
Denny
Hi Denny – nope, nobody will ask to see the certificate. Once she has the passport, nobody can deny she is a Philippine citizen!
Take care!
Thanks for your advises Bob!…..So, getting back to my original question and looking for an answer for;
“Does my wife really need to travel to Calif. to take the oath of allegiance at a philippine consulate and pay the fee if she already has a current philippine passport and a US passport?”….. My thinking it is not necessary and it is really for Philippine citizens that are now USA naturized and do not have a current philippine passport.
Thats my thinking anyway BoB…
Take Care.
Denny – Las Vegas
Hi Denny – Actually, I did answer that question in my original response. Your wife is not a Philippine Citizen. She already renounced her Philippine Citizenship. She must apply for re-acquisition of Philippine Citizenship and take the oath now. That is the law.
Hi Bob, I’m responding to the questions and answers that have been posted here, my wife to is a us citizen as are my children and when we enters the country as a family my wife presented their us passports as well as Philippine and there’s was stamped pp and mine was stamped bb, we didn’t understand the pp so we went to Davao immigration the next day and they said so what’s the problem and my wife explain to them that she don’t understand the pp stamp and they said you have unlimited stay and that was 6 months ago. Hope this helps. Chuck
Hello Ana – It is difficult to answer your question because you did not really give enough information.
Let’s start with your Grandfather. You mentioned that he is a Veteran of the US Military. So, I am assuming you are talking about VA Medical benefits. There is a VA clinic in the Philippines (in Manila), but under the VA rules, only Veterans who have a service related disability are eligible to receive medical benefits from the clinic in Manila. So, if he has a service related disability, he can get benefits here. If he needs health services but does not have a service related disability, he will need to go back to the USA if he wants to avail of VA medical benefits.
Regarding your grandmother, unless she also served in the US Military, she is not eligible for VA Medical benefits to be administered in the Philippines, or that is my understanding.
Good luck to you, and God Bless your grandparents. I thank you grandfather for his service to the USA.
hmm, there’s no other choice sir? aside from choosing 1 citizenship?
I know of no other choice,.
Her birth certificate showing her mother is a Filipino is another proof of dual citizenship. That’s good as gold in any government office in the Philippines.
Yes, indeed. Her birth certificate or passport will prove her Philippine citizenship.
Hi Bob,
In regards to 21 day visa, i believe that applies to individuals who are not married to a filipina or filipino, or who are not former or current filipino citizens by birth. When both the wife and I entered NAIA using strictly our u.s. passports, we were both given a 1(one) year balikbayan visa. I ask the immigration agent about that and he kindly pointed out that as my wife was filipina, we both were allowed the 1(one) year “balikbayan visa”.
John D.
Thanks, Chuck. Yep, that sounds right to me!
hey bob, my government just approved the papers i sent them for princess gwapa to come to America …. what is the next step?
Hi Mark – To be honest, I know little about the immigration process to go to the States. It’s been more than 20 years since I did it, and so much has changed. I believe that the next step will be an interview in Manila, but I am only going by memory, and really don’t know. It’s outside my area of expertise.
thanks bob … i received an email notice that the government is mailing me an approval letter so maybe the instructions for the next step will be in the letter … wish us luck
Hello! A lot of this is handled now threw CEBU immigration Office a fellow named Robert Lee handles some of this.This is new a few years ago.They to can advise you.
tnx for the accept..
Thank you, Nancy
my pleasure bob…
Can an American achieve dual citizenship in the Phillipines? My wife is a filipina and I am planning to go there for a while. But I keep seeing that I will have to get extensions and leave the country and can not work. Which these things hender our plans. But now I just don’t know what is the best way to go about this.
Technically, no, an American cannot have dual citizenship in the Philippines. Philippine law requires that you renounce your citizenship upon your naturalization.
However, your assumptions about having to leave and such are incorrect. You, as the spouse of a Filipino, are qualified for a 13(a) Resident visa which allows for a permanent stay in the Philippines.
we applied for german citizenship.thats why we are now using german passport. what about the so called allien certification of recognition. is it better to have acr rather than dual citizenship?
thanks for your answers.
Hi Jane – If you applied for naturalization in Germany, your child should be a dual citizen already, because the act of a parent cannot cause a minor to lose citizenship.
Being a citizen is always preferable to being an alien. With citizenship you have right.
Take care.
Hi Scott – I’m glad that you found the information useful. Good luck.
Hi Mr. mindanaobob i need help with my situation. I was born in the u.s in new mexico. My deceased dad was born filipino but got naturalized as a u.s citizen because he was part of the u.s airforce. My mom on the otherhand is still a filipino citizen. We went back here in the philippines when i was 2 years old. And now im turning 25. I have overstayed for a very long time. They didnt file for my report of birth abroad, and i found out that im not a dual citizen. The catch is i have two birth certificates. My dad got me a philippine birthcert but instead of stating i was born in the u.s, it is written that im born here in the philippines. I now have renewed my u.s passport which is stamp-free, and i was told to get a philippine passport using my phil birth cert. would it be possible? Can you please give me an advice? Thank you
Hi Jen – You would be a Philippine Citizen under Just Sanguinis if your parents had filed that report of birth abroad. But, because they did not file, you are currently an illegal alien in the Philippines, and you can be deported to NZ if you don’t get this straightened out. You are not eligible to get a Philippine Passport at this point, and if you go apply that is when they will catch you for being illegal here. You are right, your situation is very complicated.
Even if my mother is a Filipino? I see , But before i went to japan a person told me who worked for the Japanese embassy in the Philippines that i could go get dual citizenship so that my fines would be wavered . I just didn’t go for it because we knew nothing of dual citizenship
When your brother became a US citizen, he ceased to be a Filipino citizen. He lost that. So, yes, he must report to Immigration and pay for a visa to stay here. If he has been here for 36 months or more, he must leave.
This is easy to fix, though. He should apply for Philippine Dual Citizenship. Once he applies and it is approved, then he can be a citizen of both the Philippines and the USA, and then he can live here as a Filipino, with no immigration worries.
My husband is american and i am a filipino,if my baby is just holding american passport if we visit philippines does he need a philippine visa to stay in philippines? what is best just to have two passport?need help thanks
Hi. Really it is not too complicated. Just go to the Bureau and file for dual citizenship. Once you reacquire your Philippine citizenship all of your immigration problems will go away.
My husband is american and i am a filipino,if my baby is just holding american passport if we visit philippines does he need a philippine visa to stay in philippines? what is best just to have two passport?need help thanks
Wow, Bob, I’m glad you’re planning to learn tagalog as well, good for you! Lot’s of younger generation nowadays are having difficult times learning fluent tagalog specially those from middle and upper class filipino families, i just watched the news from ABS-CBN that lots of student from high school failed their exam in filipino class but actually i’m not surprised about this coz even myself was not fluent in tagalog coz i spoke tag-lish and given that the Phils had over 100 regional languages i think speaking in english is more easier and understable.
Hi John – I’m like you, there was a day when I wish I could have gotten such answers. ha ha.. my wife and I just celebrated our 21st, far behind you, but still, there was no internet back then!
Congrats on the Tagalog! I can speak Bisaya pretty fluently, and it has really made my life so much better living here in the Philippines! I will be starting Tagalog class pretty soon too. I just have to take my final exam in Bisaya first!
Take care, John!
Hi Bob,
Excellent explantion! Your expertise is greatly appreciated, wish i had someone like you to help us years ago when we went through the marrying, petiton, green cards etc etc. But then again that was about 38 years ago and we’re still married. So we must have done something right…and learning tagalog out of respect for the lovely wife also helped i think :-).
John D.
You are right, John. I have fully explained the Balikbayan Privilege elsewhere on the site. A person traveling in on a US Passport will be issued a 21 day tourist visa waiver, unless they as for the Balikbayan stamp. Sometimes it is given without asking,but it’s always a good idea to ask for the balikbayan visa if that is what you want.
The reason I did not recommend a Balikbayan Visa for Denny is because he said that he and his wife were going to visit the Philippines for 2 weeks only, so a tourist visa is just as good as a Balikbayan Visa in that case.
The last I read on it it was 2 hectr of ag land or 100sq mtrs in town
A former Philippine citizen can buy a limited amount of land. A dual citizenship is not limited in that way.
R U sure Bob? My wife got sworn in as a American one day..and three days later we went from there to the Philippine Embassy in Washington DC and got her reinstated thus making her dual. The info we received at that time stated the limits I stated about..Rules here are written in wet sand at low tide and change all the time.. problem is they never get the news out very well and you get repeatedly bad info from good intenstions people
oh that was in 2009
I am 100% certain. A dual citizen has the exact same rights as a “regular” Philippine citizen, except that a dual citizen cannot become President.
Ed, here is information from the Philippine Consulate in Hawii’s website: Having reacquired Philippine citizenship, can I now acquire land and other properties or engage in business?
As provided for under the 1987 Philippine Constitution, a Filipino citizen is entitled to purchase land and other properties and engage in business. This right would now apply to former natural-born Filipinos who have re-acquired Philippine citizenship under RA 9225.
thx
I’m 17 yrs. Old and I would like to live in the phillipines when I turn 18 next year, I want to go college there and be able to work as a flight attendant someday. Is that possible for me to be a dual citizenship as soon as possible because I want to be a permanent resident in Cebu.
Hi Chelloreal – To be honest, I don’t know anything about you, so I can’t really answer your question. If one of your parents was a Philippine Citizen at the time of your birth, then yes, you can quickly become a Philippine Citizen.
Oh sorry. My moms was actually born in the phillipines and my dad was born in Hawaii, does that count though?
I am sorry, but where your mother and father were born is not helpful. What I need to know is whether either of them were Philippine citizens on the day you were born. It would seem that your father was not, since he was US born, but what about your mother, was she a Philippine Citizen, or had she been naturalized abroad before your birth?
Oh I was born in Hawaii when my mom was pregnant to me she was already married to my dad he’s a us citizen. My mom use to be a phillipines citizen till after 3 years giving birth to me she applied for American citizenship.
Ok, it does not matter where your mother lived or who she was married to. On the day you were born was she a Philippine Citizen or an American Citizen? If she was an American Citizen, then you do not qualify to be a Philippine Citizen. If your mother was still a citizen of the Philippines on the day you were born, then you may obtain Philippine citizenship by having your mother report your birth to the Philippine Consulate in Hawaii.
Oh I see thank.you sorry for my weird language. Thanks ^_^
When my mom gave birth to me she was still a phillipine citizen. Is there any other way I can change my citizenship without my parents.
No, your only path to citizenship is for your mother to file a report of your birth abroad.
Hi Bob,
I am Angelica, I went to US way back 2004 while I was pregnant to my daughter. I gave birth at California and went in the Philippines after a month because my visa is already expired. My daughtetr and I have been living here in the Philippines for 7 years now. My problem is that I am not aware that I should declare her birth abroad and pay taxes for her. What would you recommend for me to be able to have her legally stay here? I am a Philippine citizen while my daughter is an US citizen. Help me if confuse.
I would like to take this oppurtunity to thank you for making this blog… I find t very helpful.
Hi angel – Actually, had you reported her birth right away, it would have cost you nothing. There are no taxes due on that. Problem is, now your daughter has been living in the Philippines for 7 years as a US Citizen. You should contact the DFA and see what the procedure is, because i don’t know for certain. There will be fees due now, because your daughter has overstayed her visa, and you will likely have to pay to get her up to date.
Good luck to you and your daughter, and thank you for your kind words too.
Take care.
Thanks Bob for the quick reply. Where should I report her birth?
Thanks Bob for the quick reply. Where should I report her birth?
Thanks Bob for the quick reply. Where should I report her birth?
Thanks Bob for the quick reply. Where should I report her birth?
need to find out how to get duel citizenship for me and wife and son and our kids. as want to live there and have our business get started there and want my wife and kids to be able to travel in the U.S. with me when needed and not worry about overstaying as my family is here in the states and hers is in the Philippines
Hello Richard – Because you are a foreigner, you do not qualify to be a dual citizen in the Philippines. The Philippine Dual Citizenship law only applies to Filipinos, not foreigners like you and I. You can still live here permanently, though, just get a resident visa.
As for your wife, she needs to become a US citizen, and then apply to re-acquire her Philippine Citizenship under the Philippine Dual Citizenship law, which will also cover dual citizenship for your children.
Take care.
Bob< Henry Ford said two things that a apply to you directly. The first is "An idealist is a person who helps other people to be prosperous." The second, "If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right." Keep doing what you do, You are good at it
Thank you Joseph, I appreciate your kind words… and Henry’s too! 😉
I read all of your blogs as your posts them and also all other contributors on all of your sites now on a daily basis. The news of Mindanao, the experiences in your LiP mag and even youre face book posts and I Like!
It always makes me feel good, Joseph when somebody tells me that they enjoy my sites and get useful information there. So, thank you for that. Good morning to you.
Hi Bob,
So if I was born in the U.S. to filipino parents at the time of my birth about 30 years ago, all they would need to do is file a report of birth and that’s it?
I spoke to someone in DFA here in Phil. that after the report of birth is filled out, we must then fill out application for Recognition of Philippine Citzenship or something to that extent… which costs approximately P15,000… so anyway, what is your thoughts on this?
You should follow what the DFA says. It is probably because so much time has passed. That report of birth abroad should have been filed at the time of your birth.
Hello angel – You should report her birth at the Philippine Embassy or Consulate nearest to where your daughter was born.
Bob, Many dual-citizens are natural-born Philippine citizens and therefore eligible for the Philippine presidency.
Hi Ron – It is my understanding that once you relinquish your Philippine Citizenship and then reacquire it, you are no longer eligible to be President.
Are you able to list actual Philippine laws that would validate this?
Read here.
Be sure to check page 56, Number 2, which reads:
DON’T YA JUST GET TIRED OF ANSWERING THAT ONE?
I think nobody searches the previous questions and answers, Cowboy! They keep asking that same question! ha ha
I KNOW OF A GUY THAT LIED AND GOT A FILIPPINO BIRTH CERTIFICATE THEN GOT HIS FILIPPINO PASSPORT AND THEN HIS GUN PERMITS.
Amazing, Bud!
Hey
Hoping you can help me with a question. Wife just now got her dual citizenship and P.I. Passport and we’re planning a trip to Macau so that I can come back and get a Balikbayan visa for 1 year.
Will I still be able to get the Balikbayan Visa if my wife enters the P.I. with me using her Philippine Passport?
Yes, it should not be a problem. I would recommend that upon entering the Philippines, your wife should show both her US and Philippine passports, and both will be stamped.
Thanks Bob!
Would you recommend also that we depart the P.I. using both Passports?
I would think that departing just to use the U.S. Passport to avoid Taxes instead of showing both as that might confuse them on whether or not to tax her? What do you think?
Hi Bob.. Love the site, it’s quite helpful! I’ve got 2 questions for you, not sure if you can help me. Is there such a thing as Tri-Citizenship? I’ll give you a little background info:
Dad was stationed at Subic Bay while in the USN, married mom, a Filipina. Together they were transferred to Australia… where I was born. I just found out that I am, in fact, still considered to be an Australian citizen, even though I have always claimed myself as a US Citizen (we now live in Florida). Do I have any right to Filipino citizenship?
Next question: Mom became a US Citizen in 2006. I know in “The Oath” it says you renounce all former countries, but I’ve since read articles and seen sites that talk about some act in 2003 that enabled Filipinos to retain their citizenship. I distinctly recall my mother having to send in her old passport when she became a US Citizen, so is this not true? What benefits would there be to my mom trying to regain some sort of citizen status?
Okay, so that was more than 2 questions. Hopefully you’re able to help with a few of them… any answers are appreciated! Thanks and know it’s appreciated by those of us who have no clue ^^
Regards,
Audra
Hello Audra – You are eligible for Philippine Citizenship, but in order to receive it your mother needs to file a report of birth abroad with the Philippine Embassy in Australia.
When your mother became a naturalized US citizen, she gave up her Philippine Citizenship. She can regain it by filing for Philippine Dual Citizenship at the Philippine Embassy or Consulate nearest where she currently lives.
Hope this helps.
It certainly does… and sorry about that, didn’t realize I posted within an answered question. ><
One more question… is there such a thing as Tri-Citizenship?
Sure…. there can be any number of citizenships, as long as each country involves allows multiple citizenship.
He could also go the “unofficial” proxy route. Select someone to run as a barangay captain then throw all your support to them (money and clout). Once they win, the barangay captain gets “guidance.” My wife relayed that true story to me. 🙂
Personally, I never make recommendations on things that are illegal.
Hello! I have a question about dual citizenship. My father was born and raised in the Philippines but gave up his citizenship when he became an American citizen. He now wants to apply for dual citizenship. If he gets his dual citizenship can I apply as well? I am 29 (so no longer a minor) and I was adopted as an infant so we are not biologically related. Us it possible for me to get my dual citizenship?
I am sorry, Maria, but you are not eligible.
Hey Bob!
Great sight sir! It’s the first sight that actually answers my “dual citizenship” questions! =)
I just wanted to clarify something though. Are you saying that Sarada and her sisters need not apply for dual citizenship first at the BOI, before getting a Philippine passport at the DFA, even though they currently carry American passports?
My daughters are in a similar situation, in that they were born in the Philippines to a Filipino mother and American father (me) and currently hold an American passport.
Best regards,
Max
Thank you Max, I’m happy that you find the site helpful!
You are exactly correct. If your daughter was born in the Philippines to a mother who was a Philippine Citizen at time of her birth, and if her Philippine Birth Certificate shows that her birth place was in the Philippines, and that her mother was a Philippine Citizen, then she is a Philippine Citizen. No applications are needed, no other paperwork. All you need to do is go apply for a Passport. The fact that she currently has an American Passport is not material.
Good luck to you and your family.
You just put a huge smile on my face! =)
Many many thanks!
ROCK ON MindanaoBob!
Hello Bob,
This is something that we’ve been discussing about for months now because we’re planning to go to US for the first time. Just like Max, who is one of the commenters, me and my sisters were born here in the Philippines to an American citizen father and a Philippine citizen mother. We all carry US passports but we’re thinking of getting PH passports too. If we decided to use a PH passport to go to US for the first time, would that be possible? Are we required to apply for an immigrant visa even if we already have dual citizenship? We’re trying to avoid the penalties because we have our birth certificates showing we were born here so recognition and retention/re-acquisition don’t really apply to us. Thank you so much in advance.
PS. Had to send you an email just in case but will also wait here for your reply.
Hi Eugene – You are a dual citizen, if your parents filed a “report of birth abroad” with the Philippine Embassy or Consulate at the time of your birth. If they did not, the report can still be filed with an explanation of why it was not filed when it should have been.
Good luck.
Thank you bob. Could you tell me about the requirements of obtaining a dual citizenship
Thank you ,
Randy
Use your Philippine Passport and US Passport when leaving the country. When you enter the USA use only your US Passport.
Thank you Bob for your response.. Your site is very useful, keep it up..
Thank you Wendy, I am happy that you found the site useful!
They can inherit dual citizenship as long as it is done anytime before they turn 18.
I have found that sending e-mail to the Philippine Embassy to be more forth coming. Have Totie look for the list of e-mail address in Va. More and more in the USA The consulate’s are doing away with contact with Embassies through the phone. 95% is now done by e-mail. Just something I thought I would mention since I found that out the hard way. Take care Bob. Good luck to you Totie.
Thanks for sharing your experience, Matthew. I am sure Totie will find that most helpful.
Thank you guys for the informations you provided…more question
can i apply on line to request for my birth certificate and have them send to our philippine address and my family can send it to me in US..or give my nephew an authorization letter to take it to NSO
to pick up my birth certificate..please advise
Thank You
Totie
Yes Totie, that’s exactly what NSO requires you to do, a written authorization from you for someone to get you Birth Certificate for you. Did that, done that…..we’re exactly “On the sameBoat” together…Good luck….
Thanks Bob…..
Hi Hecky – Rather than sending somebody to the NSO for the Birth Certificate, I recommend that Totie applies for the certificate online, through the link I provided in the article. It is inexpensive, and very quick.
If your children are still under the age of 18, they can still acquire dual citizenships even though they were born after you became a Korean citizen. After they turn 18, that option is lost.
@Maria Since you were born to a Filipino mother and a foreign father before 1973 and didn’t elect citizenship when you reached the age of majority or soon after, you are not a natural-born Filipino citizen and cannot become a dual citizen.
My name is Randy my fiance is pregnant with my child. I started processing her papers a K-1 Visa.. the time the process will be complewte our child will be born in the philippines what will be the process of getting them both here . Is there anyway that I can become a filipino’s or dual citizen. any useful information will be helpful.
Thank you,
Randy
No, I don’t think that is necessarily correct. You probably lost your Philippine citizenship when you were naturalized in the USA. You need to check with the Philippine Embassy or Consulate about reacquiring your citizenship through the Philippine Dual Citizenship law.
I’m a single mom.born in Phils. just got my citizenship 2 months ago my daughter in 9y/0 born in the Phil’s and got his US citizen recently. Do I still need to apply a dual citizen for her or is she automatic a dual citizen?
You will need to apply for dual citizenship for her. When she was naturalized, she lost her Philippine Citizenship.
Good Day,
My wife and I are Egyptian nationals, we live in the Philippines, we expect a baby within 30-40 days from now, wish to know if the child will be granted the the Filipino citizenship or not, also how may this affect his Egyptian Citizenship now and after according to the rules in the 2 countries. will this be dual or the child must choose between them sometime later or another situation? thanks.
Hello Mark – Because neither you nor your wife are Philippine citizens, your child may not be a Philippine Citizen regardless of birth in the Philippines.
Can a child born to Egyptian parents in the Philippines be naturalized as a Filipino citizen according to “The Administrative Naturalization Law of 2000”?
Anybody can be naturalized if they meet the requirements. Important to remember that the child will be required to renounce his Egyptian citizenship as part of the naturalization process.
ok thanks for the detailed clear answer, so no dual citizenship available in the Philippines? what about Filipino Americans for example then?!
Hi Mark – I did not say there is no dual citizenship in the Philippines. I said that your child is not eligible for Philippine dual citizenship.
Philippine Dual Citizenship is available for people who were Philippine Citizens in the past and gave up their Philippine Citizenship to become naturalized in another country. They can keep their foreign citizenship and re-acquire their Philippine Citizenship.
Because your child has never been a Philippine citizen, or will not be upon birth, he has no path to dual citizenship.
ok perfect and very clear thank you very much, now here is a condition that wish to know from you if it is possible, please;
The Administrative Naturalization Law of 2000
Sec 4. Disqualifications – The following are not qualified to be naturalized as Filipino citizens under this Act:
g. Citizens or subjects of a foreign country whose laws do not grant Filipinos the right to be naturalized citizens or subject thereof.
does Egypt come under this category? thanks in advance.
I really don’t have any idea on that, Mark. I know nothing about Egyptian law.
Good day. I have a niece staying with me here in the Philippines and she mentioned her visa is valid only for 21-days as told by the immigration officer at the airport. She had just re-acquired her Philippine citizenship but the only document she have at the moment is the certificate. The Philippine passport is expected to be issued around December or early January next year that’s is why what she used to travel to Philippine is a US passport. Is the 21-day visa still apply? Does she need to re-apply in the US embassy to extend her stay in the Philippines? Thank you.
Hi Jeremias – Because your niece traveled in on a US passport, for this visit she is considered a US Citizen, and not a Philippine citizen. In order to renew her visa she will need to visit the Philippine Bureau of Immigration – the US Embassy has nothing to do with this – and renew. She will need to renew before 21 days, then she will need to renew before 59 days, and every 59 days until she leaves..
How could apply a dual citizen of my child though my Canadian baby is in the philippines. What should we do and what are the requirements needed? Can I apply dual citizen of my child eventhough his not here in Canada for a while?
Hello Fredalyn – I need to know first, were you or your husband a Philippine Citizen on the day your child was born?
‘HI’ I AM AN AUSTRALIAN CITIZEN INTENDING TO MARRY MY PHILIPPINO GIRLFRIEND NEXT YEAR. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW I OBTAIN INFORMATION AND FORMS FOR A 13(a) VISA APPLICATION FOR RESIDENCY IN THE PHILIPPINES.
REGARDS AND THANKS;
BRIAN CRAIG
Hi Brian – Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! Firstly, you are not eligible for a 13(a) Resident Visa until after you are already married, you cannot even apply until the marriage takes place. Once you are married you can get the application from the Philippine Bureau of Immigration if you are in the Philippines. If you are in Australia, check with the Philippine Embassy for the forms and information you need.
hi my gilfriend and i are planning to get married here in the philippines. She has dual citizenship, filipino and american, and we are planning to use her filipino citizenship since we are getting married in the philippines. my question is, if we file for a spousal petition in the future will the US embassy recognize our marriage if she used her filipino citizenship in the marriage process.
Hello jl – I don’t think this would be a problem. However, if she is a US Citizen, there is no reason why you would ever file for a spousal visa. She is a citizen, she can go to the US anytime.
thanks Bob! she is a US citizen, im not and we plan to file the petition in a year or two. we wanted to use her filipino citizenship so she wont have to get a legal capacity… affidavit from the US embassy. thanks again
Im having the same issue.. im dual and me and my gf planning to get married… do i need to get ghe legal capity of contract marriage or not??? Seen im filipino and american cetizen…. so what will be my requiremnets to get married then
I am determined to be w/ my husband in the Philippines. Due to unfortunate circumstances, we were torn apart.
I would like to know how am I able to find a job in the Philippines (Manila). I am an American Citizen and do not know much about finding employment there.
Thank you.
Lailani
Hi Lailani,,
You left a comment on my Philippine Dual Citizenship site asking about getting a job in the Philippines, so I am sending along this information to you.
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://books.auctiontopia.com/books/49-ways-to-make-a-living-in-the-philippines/
Check it out today, I am sure that this is what you are looking for, if you want to live in the Philippines!
Hello. my name is jean. i am a vietnamese american citizen. i’ve been looking online for months and have so many questions about moving and getting married in the philippines to my boyfriend who is a citizen there. i was wondering what would be the first steps into moving there and getting married. can i buy a one way ticket and do everything in manila or would i have to do all the paper work here in califorina and then move there? my boyfrien’s family is willing to give me anything that i need like a place to stay and food to eat. i wouldn’t have to worry about not being taken care of.
i got alot of information online about this but there were about 4 years olds. would you been able to tell me exactly what i need to move and get married there.
i would appreciate any information you have for me and i am looking forward to your responses. thank you so much.
i am a green card holder in US who has two children living on the philippines. Being that they were born with a filipino mother and US citizen father, does that give them an automatic dual citizenship? Do I still need to pay the fine because my kids are lives in the Philippines? Help!
Hi Maria – Not sure exactly why you are posting this… you e-mailed the same question to me several hours ago, and I answered.
Well the fact is that they do NOT automatically have dual citizenship by birth.
If your husband (as the Philippine Citizen) filed a report of birth abroad with the Philippine Consulate or Embassy in the USA at the time of your children’s birth, then they are dual citizens. If he did not file the report, then your children, at this time, are US citizens only.
If your husband did not file the report, then he still can file it. However, any penalties for overstaying up until the time the report is filed and approved will be due.
Dear Bob,
My mom is half Filipino (mom is a Filipino), Half American (dad is American) and was a born in the Philippines before she migrated here in the US at the age of 10. She does come back in the Philippines for a visit once in a while and then she married my father (American) and has acquired the US citizenship before marrying him (they married here in the US). Prior to that, she applied dual citizenship and acquired it.
She gave birth to me in the US. Upon, reading I am thinking that I am a Filipino Citizen by blood because of my Mom and she has a dual citizenship. Yet, I am an American citizen due to that I was born in the US and my father is an American citizen. The question is, will that makes me a dual citizen automatically? Or do I need to apply for dual citizenship? How about acquiring a Philippine passport? I am a little confused with it.
Thanks,
Eugene
Hi Randy – All of the requirements and fees for Dual Citizenship are given in our book, which you can find here. The book is an electronic book that can be downloaded immediately upon payment.
Take care, and good luck.
Hi Bob,
I was born in the Philippines and moved in the US. I’m married to a U.S. Citizen. I believe that I am qualified for dual citizenship. We are planning to move to the Philippines and my husband wants to apply for a job as a teacher in an International School. Is he also qualified for dual citizenship by marriage?
Thanks in advance.
Hi Dawn – you really did not give the information needed to answer your question, but I will do my best.
For you – being born in the Philippines does not mean that you were a Philippine citizen. If your parents were Philippine citizens, or even one of them was then you were a citizen and you are eligible for Philippine dual citizenship.
For your husband – unless he is a former Philippine citizen, then he is not eligible for Philippine dual citizenship. There is no citizenship through marriage.
Hi Bob,
You advised Lester -“When entering the Philippines, I would always use the Philippine passport, though”.
What is the advantage of using the Philippine passport over using the US passport? How about when returning to US would Lester have to use the US passport? Wouldn’t there be a problem because his US passport will not show that he entered the Philippines in the first place?
What are really the upsides of having a dual citizenship?
Actually, Dariu, my opinion has changed since I wrote this. I would now recommend showing both passports when entering the Philippines, and authorities will stamp each.
Bob, if i show 2 passport (US and Philippine passport) would they allow me to stay there for a long time like 4 years?
Hi Ryan – if you show a Philippine Passport, you can stay here for as long as you want. 4 years… 40 years… it doesn’t matter. If you are a citizen, there is no time limit.
Sorry about the typo in my name. Actually it is Darius.
Thanks for your quick response. However you did not address my other question: What are really the upsides of having a dual citizenship?
Is it just a sentimental gesture?
There are lots of benefits. For example, unless you are a citizen you cannot own land in the Philippines, etc. Basically, the benefit is that you get the benefits and rights of a citizen in more than one country.
Hi Bob. I was adopted when I was little but before that, I was a Filipino citizen. After I had become a U.S citizen, my mother reacquired her dual citizenship in the Philippines. My cousin had obtained my birth certificate at the national statistics office in the Philippines and it says that my parents were Filipinos. Am I a dual citizen? What does the law say?
Hello Mich – in my opinion, if you became a US citizen while you were still a minor, then you are a dual citizen. If you became a US citizen after the age of 18, then you have relinquished your Philippine Citizenship and are only a US Citizen, unless you apply for dual citizenship.
This is my opinion, you should check with an attorney to be certain.
Do you know of any immigration attorneys?
hi bob,
i am from guam and would like to get married to my girlfriend in the philippines next year i was wondering what are the steps i would need to take to bring her here back to guam with me? If there are any websites that are helpful to ease the hassle please post thank you..
Fyi My fiance’ is an OFW at the moment in abu dhabi..
Hello Bob me and my Husband have a plan to stay and live in the Philippine when he retire in work..Can he get the benefits from the social security every monthly even were in the the Philippines?
Hello Alicia – You didn’t really give me much information to go on, but I’ll do my best to answer. When you ask about your husband’s Social Security, I will assume you are talking about United States Social Security (lots of countries have Social Security). If that is what you are asking, then yes, he can still get his Social Security payment.
Good luck with the move.
Hello Bob,
I just want to make sure I got this right. If I was born in Philippines and I have the Philippine Birth Certificate and I was adopted. This still make a Philippine Citizen even with a US Naturalization Certificate? Thanks so much for help.
-Kevin
Hello Randy – I am sorry, I don’t know much of anything about US Immigration. It’s been more than 20 years since I dealt with that. So, I can offer no answer for how long it will take to get them there. I know about Philippine Immigration (coming to the Philippines) not US Immigration.
You cannot become a Philippine Dual Citizen unless you have been a Philippine Citizen in the past. You can become a Philippine Citizen if you want, but there are requirements for that:
1. You must give up your US Citizenship
2. You must come and live here for 10 years before you apply (can be 5 years once you are married to a Philippine Citizen)
3. You must learn the language here.
4. There are other requirements, but these are the most difficult.
Good luck to you.
What is the process of acquiring an NBI clearance when you are an American Citizen? Are you allowed to acquire an NBI clearance? Thank you!
Hello Sam – Sure, foreigners can get an NBI clearance. Just go to the NBI office and tell them that you need NBI clearance and they will process it for you.
my name is Rodelia Musslewhite. I am Filipino American. my Son is born in Houston Texas.
we come in the Philippines 2008. my Son and I, went to Philippine Immigration 2009. we claim our dual citizen. and all you need is. U.S passport, and your old Philippine passport and your U.S Citizen Certificate, marriage certificate authentication, and my son only need Birth certificate and U.S Passport. and photo ID. and both of us. only cost P4. 750 Pesos. when we walk out the Immigration building. we both Dual citizen. we just wait the letter for our Dual Citizen Certificate for 3 weeks. then you have to go back to Immigration and pick it up..
we did it here in Manila. I never have any trouble. for those who!s Filipino American. you do have a Dual Citizenship, all you have to do is go to Immigration an claim it. if you have a children under 18. it is easy to apply, but if is over 18, you have to hire a Lawyer to represent you.
I did it 2009 with no Problems. at least if they change the Law. so ever since then, we have been living in Surigao for over 3 years. if you don!t believe me ask my Husband JAMES MUSSLEWHITE. he is on Cebu Forum. he was with me when I claim my Dual Citizen…
thank you, I hope this comment would help someone, if you are doing Paper works just like mine..
I have live in Houston Texas for 25 years. I know that this is the Procedure I followed. and it went well…
If you are born in the USA, you cannot attain dual citizenship in the Philippines. Same law applies to naturalized citizens. They can become Filipinos, but not dual citizens.
Like they said, only if you renounce the USA citizenship, reattain it, then reattain Philippine citizenship, then file for dual. A long process that has more risk, and little benefit that I am aware of…
I am sorry, John, but the information in your comment is incorrect. It most certainly is possible to be a dual citizen for some people born in the USA. If a baby is born in the USA and one of his parents is a Philippine Citizen he will most certainly be a Philippine and a US citizen.
I think you need to make clear the difference between being a dual citizen and holding dual citizenship. They are not the same.
It may be possible to gain dual citizenship if born abroad. However, they generally cannot gain dual citizenship by birth alone under the law. I was born in he USA and am therefore a US citizen. I also am a Philippine citizen. However, I am restricted from having dual citizenship.
For instance: One of the requirements of dual citizenship is a presentation of your NSO live birth. You can’t receive this off of RP soil.
Dual citizenship is generally restricted only for those that were originally born Filipinos, lost their nationality due to the acquisition of a foreign nationality, and then re-acquired their Filipino citizenship.
The dual citizenship law states: “It is an act declaring former natural-born Filipino citizens who acquired foreign citizenship through naturalization are deemed not to have lost their Philippine citizenship”
Such as when a Filipino marries a foreigner and becomes naturalized in the spouse’s country of origin.
This is generally not possible if you are born a foreigner, and THEN apply for recognition.
Hope this helps.
I am sorry, John, but what you say is incorrect. If you have dual citizenship, you are a dual citizen. You are just not a dual citizen under the Philippine Dual Citizen law. The Philippine Dual Citizenship law only applies to people who lost Philippine Citizenship by being naturalized in another country. However if you became a Philippine Citizen by the fact that one of your parents is a Philippine Citizen, you still have Dual Citizenship, it is simply by means other than the Philippine Dual Citizenship law.
Hi delon – I recommend having both passports stamped when you enter the Philippines. When entering the US, just present your US Passport, I do not believe they will stamp two.
I would not expect any problems at US immigration. They know about dual citizenship, and probably encounter it daily.
The only place where you should probably show both passports is in the Philippines. because if you are leaving/coming to the Philippines you would have to show your origin/destination visas. In this case when entering the Philippines, the important passport would be the Philippine passport, but since you probably acquired the passport abroad (in a Philippine consulate), it would probably be blank and he would need to know how you got out of the Philippines in the first place, hence a US Passport would explain it.
They will stamp both passports, and both would not have any term limits. (just an entry stamp)
When exiting the Philippines, they would need to see any visa or proof that you are able to get in to the country of destination, and unless it’s a non-visa country (like Hongkong or something), they will not allow you to leave for the US without showing the US visa/passport.
In the case of entering or exiting the US, all they need there is the US Passport, so no need for a Philippine Passport. hence no hassle.
John, MindanaoBob is right,
My first born was born in the US, we were both Filipinos at that time, that made him automatically a US citizen (being born in the US aka Jus Soli), but the Philippines is Jus Sanguinis (by blood) so, he is legally still a Filipino. We filed a Report of Birth to a Philippine Consulate in New York, applied for a Philippine Passport for him. We came back to the Philippines a few years later, showed both Philippine and US Passport, both of them got stamped, and both didn’t indicate any time limit or terms indicating he has to leave the Philippines as since he is considered a dual Citizen.
When we left to migrate to Canada, we only used his Philippine Passport. Since then we had two more kids (born in Canada), and both of them also have Philippine Passports. If ever they would need to prove their citizenship, all we need to show is the Philippine Passport and the Report of Birth (which is the legitimate equivalent of a Philippine Birth Certificate).
hi bob, i have a question. i am a US citizen and planning to apply for dual citizenship. the consulate requires a copy of both of my US passport and Phil. passport but they have different names. my US passport bears my married name while Phil passport, my maiden name. i used my married name in all my paperwork now. i came here in US single, then got married, that’s why the difference in name. should i do something else before i submit my application for dual citizenship? please kindly advise. thanks.
Hi Lori – the most likely thing is that they will just ask you to show your marriage certificate to prove that you name changed due to marriage.
thank you very much for your prompt reply.
I was surprised to find out that if your an American married to a Filipina living in the Philippines and have a baby born in the Philippines you can get USA citizenship for the child by going to the US embassy and get a DNA test. I always thought you are a citizen of the soil you are born on.
Hi Terry – There are two ways of acquiring citizenship:
Jus Soli – based on the soil on which you were born
Jus Sanguis – Based on the citizenship of your parents.
An interesting fact, if you are born in the Philippines to two American parents, you are not a Philippine Citizen, because the Philippines does not pass on citizenship through Jus Soli.
I do know this that my friend in PI has two sons born in the Philippines took them to the US embassy had a DNA test and obtained USA citizenship for both, Father American and wife Filipina.
Bob,
If my wife which is now with me in the USA obtains US citizenship does she loose any rights to Philippine citizenship, purchasing property in PI etc???
Curious if they lose their citizenship, why does the Law state:
“Sec 2. DECLARATION OF POLICY – It is hereby declared the policy of the State that all Philippine citizens who become citizens of another country shall be deemed not to have lost their Philippine citizenship under the conditions of this Act.”
I feel that the country in general are unfair to foreigners especially Americans that have Freed them and gave them back their country you would think they would be a bit more appreciative. Americans will allow any anyone from another country purchase land. I understand somewhat about the Philippines wanting to keep it Filipino but i believe they should at least allow those who are married to a Filipino keep the land. I read some legal stuff that said if your married to a Filipino and the Filipino dies it is the foreign spouse but can only go to a Filipino upon their death or selling.
As far as American Tax if i find a store that is fact charging more than a Filipino i tell the person to screw off and God punishes thieves for many generations and my family and friends will never shop in your store again. I have had a few Taxi drivers try to gouge me and i just throw the the money i want to pay them and say not tip and walk away, but once im away from the city i don’t see those things. I did have to pull my wife back over the taxi drivers seat she jumped on top of him whaling on him for trying to take us down a dead end ally where about 6 guys were waiting, it was in manila and defiantly was a robbery attempt.
Oh boy, Terry… why would you even want to own land in a country that you describe as so unfair, ungrateful and such? When Americans come here with the kind of attitude that you describe, frankly, it makes life for Americans living here, like myself, much more difficult, and is quite embarrassing.
Good luck to you.
Do get me wrong i love the people and the place , i just hate corruption and dishonest people it will be something i will struggle with but we all have our own little itches under our skin. I am nice to and giving to everyone and that in its self will be a problem for me, giving to one poor family then other coming asking for the same.
Do you think there are no dishonest people in the States? How about corruption in the States. I can assure you that there are plenty of both. For foreigners like you and I, it really is not our place to preach to Filipinos about how they need to change their country. If corruption and dishonesty are big issues for you, my advice would be to clean up your own country first.
My friend who lives in Minidoro has his father living there in which he has told his father to leave go back to the states because hes always causing problems drunk all the time messing with married women. He went to the BC and said i am not my fathers keeper i have nothing to do with him but every time his father gets in trouble they come back to him to pay all the fines. Hes at wits end and don’t know what to do, if that was my father inlaw or brother in law i would help them once then say your on your own and when the BC comes to my door again i would ask him was it me who broke the law? I dont have a job here and the Philippines does not allow me to be employed so the person is on his own.
Hi Bob, I have a follow up question. In the front page of your website, it says, “The United States allows dual citizenship, although it does not encourage it.” I was just naturalized not long ago. When I took the oath, I renounced my other citizenship and now I am trying to re-acquire it. Am I not jeopardizing my US citizenship?
Hi lori – You are in no way jeopardizing your US Citizenship by applying for Philippine Dual Citizenship. US citizenship will not be affected in any way.
I have a beef about the vague terms in the Philippine Dual Citizenship Law as I have recently become a Naturalized Canadian Citizen… the law states:
“WHEREAS, R.A. No. 9225 declares that natural-born citizens of the Philippines who become citizens of another country shall be deemed not to have lost their Philippine citizenship under conditions provided therein;”
And then I am being told by the Philippine Embassy in Toronto that I should apply and pay ($50 plus) for reacquiring my Philippine Citizenship…
It’s confusing as at first they are saying I didn’t lose my citizenship, and then later they are saying I lost it… I was under the notion that after 2003, all filipinos who became citizens of other countries do not lose their Philippine citizenship…but now their saying they did and that the new law is only to re-acquire it…
I totally agree with you, the way the law is written is confusing. However, if you want to be a dual citizen, you must re-acquire it by applying under the Philippine Dual Citizenship law.
Does she still need to do this even if I’m 23 years old?
I also have an old Philippine passport, could I just get that renewed n use that as proof of my citizenship? And what about the ROTC… Would I be required to take that?
Thank you for your timely reply! Your awesome!
It’s ok… You’ve given great insight to my next steps thank you again for your quick reply.
Ohhh okay, I’m just so worried about it because I’m planning on studying here also..though I think my school will take the receipt of dual as confirmation that I’ve applied.
As for my visa, it’s a balikbayan because I came here with my Mom, so they gave me a one year stamp. Oh so while I’m waiting for my dual citizenship process, I’m able to change my visa to a tourist visa and that will enable me to stay beyond march 3?
Or shall I just apply for a tourist visa when march 3rd approaches?
I see you have an old philippine passport, this means that you have already been registered and have already been deemed a filipino. this means that you don’t lose it anytime unless you naturalized or gain another citizenship there is no new development in your status since as far as the philippine government is concerned, you are a natural born, and have not “lost” your citizenship by gaining another citizenship…
As far as I am seeing, only those who took up another citizenship are being FORCED to apply for dual citizenship oath….
hi roland…
is this a reply to my situation that i asked bob awhile ago???…would be really glad to get your advice…thanks…
I’m a naturalized Canadian citizen but was born here in the Philippines. I came back to Manila in 1997 to study college and was supposed to go back after graduating. My parents however asked me if i could try to get work experience here and i have been working here ever since. My parents have given me the option to return to Canada this year to continue to work. I have renewed my Canadian passport already and my question for you is…Am I going to be able to go back to Canada without any problems with the Philippine Immigration??…by the way…does this make me a dual citizen since i was born here in the Philippines to both Filipino parents but migrated to Canada and got naturalized??…just read about the article with R.A. 9225 from the comments above…just want to make sure…thanks
you were probably naturalized when you were a dependent. and came back to manila. In your case, you are a dual citizen. You are naturalized before RA9225 but since you are underage at that time you are deemed to be still filipino. Although I do not know if you are required to elect which citizenship to choose upon reaching adulthood like in other countries and since you are within the Philippines during promulgation of RA9225.
The gist of RA9225 says that those who naturalize as citizens of other countries are deemed not to have lost pinoy citizenship. but stupid embassy personnels seeing a penchant for more money making enforces the “regaining” part of RA9225, to ALL even to those who got naturalized after RA9225 (which states that we didn’t lose it).
So in your case, even though you are able to get Philippine Passport, and has lived in Philippines as a citizen, I would guess somewhere along the way, lets say if you are living in Canada for a long while, and then decided to renew your Philippine passport in a consulate, they would probably charge you for the Oath Taking fee to “regain” your pinoy citizenship. I would suggest you either do the oath taking, or just renew your pinoy passports in the Philippines. Although I think this would be hard, specially if you plan on staying in Canada for good.
You mentioned you already HAVE a Philippine Passport, so I assume that your parents ALREADY Registered your birth abroad. You’re birth certificate is probably US, and based on this, in order to get a Philippine Passport, your mother would’ve had to register your birth to a consulate, and get your passport after registering. you can just renew.
Hello Lori – Indeed, you can apply in Jakarta. You should apply at the Philippine Embassy in Jakarta.
How long it takes depends on the workload at the Embassy.
When I was looking at how to get my Philippine Passport renewed… it said that i would have to have proof of my philippine citzenship… but all i have is my old passport… is that going to be good enough?
Old passport is proof enough for citizenship, report of birth abroad may be required too… In my son’s case, when he renewed his passport, we only submitted his old passport. If you are renewing in Manila, then it is probably no problem… if renewing abroad, they might ask for the report of birth or worse, oath taking certificate (and other potential fees to wring out of you)
Hey Roland! thank you for replying… I just need clearification, so what your saying is that all i would need to do is apply for the LATE registration of bith and pay whatever charges come with it? or, I have an old Philippine passport but it is outdated and expired… do i just need to renew that in order to study there in the philippines?
Thank you again
No, he doesn’t have to apply for dual citizenship. He is still filipino, all he needs to do is to submit LATE registration of birth to the consulate nearest him, (and Pay double fees, late registration fee, and registration fee) and apply for philippine passport based on his parent’s citizenship at time of birth. He never lost his filipino citizenship.
Hi Sarah – I would go convert to a tourist visa around the first day of March so that you will be OK and not on an expired visa. You can extend a tourist visa for up to 16 more months.
Good luck to you.
will do Bob…thanks for your advice…have a good day…
Hey Bob,
I have a question about Dual Citizentship too, so I just found out that i might be already a Dual Citizen of Us and the Philippines… but I’m not sure about a lot of things. My father Join the U.S miltary and when my Family was station in Germany, thats when I was Born, But on a U.S. soil (Base) so that made me a U.S. Citizen by birth, but I read, that if my mother was a Philippine citizen at the time of my birth (which she was) that automatically made me a Dual Citizen of the Philippines… so my first question is: is what I read correct, that because my mother was a Philippine at the time of my birth, does that make me a citizen of the Philippines too?
The reason why I am asking about it, is because I am planning to study in the Philippines, which leads me to my 2nd question: What would be easier, cheaper and better for me to get, a student visa or just apply for dual citizenship? (can you please estimate the cost)
and lastly, if it is better for me to get dual citizen, I also heard that, if i were to get a dual citizen and attend a college in the Philippines, i would be required to do ROTC?
I appreciate your time 🙂
It will be much easier for you to get dual citizenship. In order to do that, you need your mother to file a report of birth abroad with the Philippine Consulate serving the area where you were born.
Currently you are not a dual citizen. Until your mother files that report, you will not be recognized as a dual citizen. Does it have to be done? No, but if you want to be a dual citizen then it has to be done.
On the ROTC, firstly, there is no ROTC in the Philippines. There is something similar, but under a different name: CAT. I don’t know for sure if you are required to do that. I can research it and let you know, but would need to charge you a consultation fee for that. Let me know.
How about if you are dual citizen (US/Philippines) and you have property in the Philippine, Do I need to pay a property tax here in US for those properties that I own in the Philippines?
Thanks in advance?
You will pay property taxes in the USA for any properties that you own in the USA. You will pay property tax in the Philippines for any property that you own in the Philippines. No other property taxes will be due.
I’ve been reading conflicting information on dual citizenship. When a dual citizen (Phil/US) leaves for the Philippines, does he present both passports in the Philippines? Will both passports be date-stamped. When the dual citizen returns to the US, does he present both passports? One site said don’t say anything about dual citizenship. But if the dual citizen doesn’t have his US passport stamped in the Philippines, the US immigration officer will be looking for date stamp from the orignating country. Lastly, I know the US does not like dual citizenship but ‘tolerates’ it. Would the dual citizen be given a hard time in the US port of entry.
Yep, that’s exactly how it is done, Terry!
Hey Bob, just a quick question;
I’m Sarah, I’m an Australian Citizen and I now live in the Philippines. Due to the numerous times I have been back and forward from the Immigration here with my questions remaining unanswered, I have put off filing my dual citizenship.
My problem is now, that I have been advised that this will take 4-6 months, though my visa ends on March 3rd.
If I stay after that, it’s obviously classified as an overstay and I’m guessing illegal?
One I file my dual citizenship, can it be effective straight away?
What advice could you give me?
Thank you! 🙂
Hi Bob! im reading all these comments in your site and already getting an idea about my sister’s situation who now resides in the Philippines and studying as well =)
Well, we planned on making her stay until she finishes school or 2 yrs at least but she told us when she got there her passport was stamped that she can only stay for a year..
We planned on getting her a dual citizenship to avoid any problems like that or applying for school there..but was not able to accomplish until she left in september, 2011. Also, she didnt get any student visa prior (so before she enrolled in any school, that was a major question) luckily, she was able to enroll and got accepted in one of the colleges in Manila…
Can she apply for dual citizenship while in Manila and if so, where can she do that? Also, would that affect her us citizenship for that reason? I already read a few articles and learned that obtaining Dual Citizenship is LegaL but i just want to hear it from you… You are such a knowledgeable person to ask.. 😉
thanks for your time Bob.. Bless you and your family…
Hi Sarah, no it cannot be effective right away, or I know of no way to do that. My wife filed for dual citizenship in June 2011 and it is still waiting for processing. We are hoping it will be approved this month.
Yes, as you describe, you will be staying here illegally once your visa expires. What kind of visa are you using now? If you have a balikbayan visa, when it expires you can convert it to a tourist visa, though.
Hi Bob…
I’m a naturalized Canadian citizen but was born here in the Philippines. I came back to Manila in 1997 to study college and was supposed to go back after graduating. My parents however asked me if i could try to get work experience here and i have been working here ever since. My parents have given me the option to return to Canada this year to continue to work. I have renewed my Canadian passport already and my question for you is…Am I going to be able to go back to Canada without any problems with the Philippine Immigration??…by the way…does this make me a dual citizen since i was born here in the Philippines to both Filipino parents but migrated to Canada and got naturalized??…just read about the article with R.A. 9225 from the comments above…just want to make sure…thanks
In my opinion, yes, there would be a problem, because you have overstayed here for years. You could end up in jail, or have to pay some very serious penalties. Just go to the BI office and clear this up, you’ll be glad that you did.
where can i apply for dual citizenship . is it possible to get it here in jakarta, indonesia? how long does it take ?
hello. my boyfriend of almost 3 years is an australian-filipino dual citizen. he came back here in 2009 and our relationship started. he plans to go back to australia this year, 2012, and he plans for us to get married there. if that is the case, what visa do i need to apply for first so that i can go there and marry him there? he wants us to live there together. we are both Filipinos by the way, although he got dual citizenship in australia since 2008. what is the best thing for me to do?
Thanks for your speedy response bob.. 🙂 really appreciate it.. More power to you… And keep it p! You’re helping a lot of people in this way,,, 🙂
I am a united states citizen and i plan on moving and marrying my filipino boyfriend who is a citizen in the Philippines in a month. I read your response on how to move and get marry. I would Buy a one way ticket to Manila and then a ticket leaving the philippines, get married and apply for a visa.
If I want to move there, is that what I should do too?
Will they say anything about why I don’t have a ticket leaving the place of the throw away ticket since its illegal to buy a one way ticket.
Hey Feyma
Wow they put you through a lot of Chichi Baruchi for your Phil Dual Citizenship.Why couldnt you just show your Phil Birth Certificate, old Phil Passport, US Naturilization Certificate and be done with it. It seems easy as you could document you was born in and originally from the Phil.
Linda got it all done in less than 3 hours here at the NY Philippine Consulate and that included the swearing in ceremony.
Our Son Doug was born before Linda became a US Citizen so he was considered a Phil Citizen at birth and all we had to do is report his birth and he got his Philippine Passport processed the same day, then 3 weeks later he got his Phil Passport in the Mail.
HI Neal – I wish to God it’s that easy to get the citizenship back. It is more difficult now, have to get the birth certificate that had to be processed through the National Statistics office in Manila. Luckily Bob got me a birth certificate from there through on-line application. In 3-4 days I got my NSO birth certificate delivered directly to my house. That was amazing. I think I was just amazed that we had on-line services now here and it was quicker than I expected.
I’m glad that Linda got her dual citizenship instantly. I know that it’s much quicker and easier and cheaper too, to apply there in the US than here. I’ve heard bunch of friends telling me that. Hmm, with regards to the kids I’m not sure if they will be approve same time as me. Will see though when I get my approval. I will post here.
Good to see you again here Neal and thank you for the good info.
Have a pleasant day!
Hi Gary – Thank you… Ha ha ha… It is really hard to get a Philippine citizenship. We’ve been looking at the requirements, wow, I felt it’s endless. Nah, I will not force Bob into getting the Philippine citizenship thing. I’m happy the way it is right now.
Really proud of the dual citizenship in-charge here in Davao city office of the BOI. Very helpful.
Hey, are you thinking of getting the Philippine citizenship?
Good to see you here again. Have a good day!
Hi Alfre – Thank you! Best bet for you is to really go to the Philippine Embassy in the Middle East and ask the person in-charge of the dual citizenship. It might be easy for your kids to get the dual since you are still a Philippine passport holder. I am just guessing here. You should try to apply the dual citizenship now before your kids turn 18 years old.
I will definitely let you guys know after we got our approval papers. Thank you for the nice comment.
Thank you for stopping by here.
Cheers!
Morning Feyma,
Were ANY of your children born in the Philippines ?
I did not think you could obtain DUAL CITIZENSHIP for your children unless they were also born in the Philippines & are under age 21 years ?
Have you been informed by the B.I. if there are any birth or age restrictions for your children obtaining Dual Citizenship ?
I am about to apply for Dual Citizenship via overseas Philippine Embassy and am also very interested in my children who are above age 21 years also applying.
One child was born in the Philippines so there should be no problem, but the other was born overseas.
Congrats!!! Now talk Bob into getting his Philippine citizenship. 😀 I agree that the BI office in Davao City is great. So helpful.
Hi DB – Good evening to you. All of my 3 kids were all born in the USA. I can apply dual citizenship for my kids those kids of mine who are under 18 years of age. My oldest he is 20 years old now. But still I did apply for him under me because he had medical problems. I had papers from his doctor and I had papers from the lawyer too.
Try to ask the Philippine Embassy/consulate office in the area where you are. Somebody from that office will definitely guide you in obtaining the dual citizenship there.
Good luck to you and thank you so much for stopping by here.
DB, when a form3r Filipino reacquires her/his Philippine citizenship all minor children of that person reacquire (or acquire) Philippine citizenship as well.
This is one of the perpetual myths that float around the rumor mill … caused, perhaps by the fact that US citizenship works differently than. Under US law, you are (almost always) a US citizen if born in the USA.
Under Philippine law, where you are born doesn’t really matter. Under the current (Cory) Constitution, you don’t gain Philippine citizenship by being born in the Philippines. The only way to be a ‘natural born’ Filipino is to be born of one or two Filipino parents. The ‘where’ doesn’t matter.
Thank you so much Dave and Mita. Really so thoughtful of you guys. I really appreciate very much.
For sure just do it. It’s easy really. Just follow the requirements and its not a lot anyway.
Good advice there Dave. Hey, if you had a post about it, will check it out, something to read and learn then. Looking forward to it too.
Take care and hello to our 2 special friend there. You know who I’m talking to S & M.
Good work Feyma,
You will be Filipino again soon! Oh well, you know what I mean.
I am also seriously thinking of getting my children Phil passport/citizenship.
It is not quite straight forward so I have to check out more info. They hold British passport but both been born in the Middle East. I still have my Philippine passport but was married in the UK. I wonder if I apply for passport in the Philippines (we can only stay 1 month at most on holiday) as we are still based in the Middle East, or from Phil embassy UK (we only also stay there a couple of weeks a year). The best will be at the Phil embassy here in the country where we live, but I really can’t muster how I am going to start explaining the documents that they hold. In good time I will as I think it will be for their benefit if they so decide to live or even stay for a long period of time in their half home country.
Give us an update when you and your boys are officially bestowed your Filipino status ok.
Cheers for now,
Alfre
Mrs Feyma,
Congratulations, I’m so happy for you and your kids. I’m sure Bob is too. I wish US Citizens could get Filipino citizenship w/o renouncing US Citizenship. Oh well just have to be a legal permanent resident. As long as i am able to live there i’m happy. Have a nice day.
I previously asked a similar question above and you mentioned that I qualified since my mother was a PH citizen at the time of my birth. Now, she renounced her PH citizenship when she became a US citizen. How do I go about gaining dual citizenship? Based on the Philippine constitution, I almost automatically qualify but I was not born before 1979. I was born in 1984. I keep seeing info about the Retention Act No. 9225 but nothing about the son or daughter acquiring dual citizenship. I would appreciate any advice or a link to the documentation I might need to apply.
Thanks,
KLH
Hello Kent – In your case, since you were born to a Philippine Citizen parent (she was a citizen at the time of your birth, even if she is not any longer), all you need to do is have your mother file a late report of birth abroad with the Embassy or Consulate that serves the area where you were born (I am assuming that you were born abroad), and once that is done your Philippine Citizenship will be recognized.
Thank you for such a quick response. I really appreciate it. I think what you are doing is great and very helpful.
KLH
Hello Kent – Thank you so much, I appreciate your kind words!
Do you know when I go through the airport, will the people at the airport in California and Philippines,question why I don’t have a ticket leaving the place of my throw ticket?
I am an australian living in the Philippines on temporary visas atm> Both my filipina partner and myself have looked into this and the cheapest way is to apply for a 3 month holiday visa and then return back th the Philippines after you marry. Spousal visas etc are expensive and very time consuming. We will be marrying here and then applying for her to get a working visa in aus befor returning later back here to live perminently. Best of luck 🙂
I was wondering since i have dual citizenship US & Philippine if i was able to get married using my Philippine citizenship to my boyfriend here in the Philippines without any complications
If i use my Philippine citizenship will the process in filing a petition for a visa be any different than marrying using my US citizenship?
Just as a matter of interest Bob my wife is filipina by birth and lived in the UK for some years, before we moved here she got her Philippine citizenship we have since found out and this is according to the B.I in Davao unless you hold both passports your citizenship does not stand, this is what we got told there as I was going to apply for 13A.
Hi Andy – I believe somebody was mistaken on that. There is also a certificate of citizenship, which will also prove your citizenship.
to apply for your birth certificate on line..do they have to send my birth certificate to my address in the Philippines or can they send it to my USA address
Hello Totie – They will send the certificate to any address that you specify, in any country in the world.
tried to fill up the application on line….but when I am trying to get to the next page to confirmed the informations are correct…The system would not even give me chance to press confirm….please help….I am leaving and going back to the Philippines at the middle of March this year..and trying to get my dual citizenship before I depart..I am going home for good….PLEASE HELP
Hi Totie – I am sorry if there is a problem with the website. I am not connected with the Philippine Government, so there is really not much I can do about the problem with their site. I am sorry about that.
Hi Bob
I got married to an australian citizen in 2002. Moved to Australia in the same year. My marriage didnt work out and so i applied and gained my divorce in 2006. I already gained australian permanent residency at the time. I gained my citizenship in 2007. My ex husband sponsored his fiancee and got married here in Australia. I am now planning to marry my filipino fiancee at the end of this year. What requirements do I need to legally marry in the Philippines. And is my previous marriage in the Philippines now void with my divorce? Please help
Helli there. I am from the states and I was wondering to get Married to a Filipino citizen and apply for a visa, do I need my birth certificate? I have my passport.
Hello Nes – Once you become a Philippine Citizen through the Dual Citizenship program, you do not need any documents from the US Embassy in order to marry in the Philippines.
My son was born in the US, we were both Filipino at that time, and we registered his birth, and he has Filipino and US passports. We migrated to Canada, and recently became naturalized Canadians. My son also became a Canadian Citizen so now has 3 passports (Filipino, US and Canadian). Did he lose his Filipino Citizenship? With the wording of RA9225, it says Filipinos do not lose their Filipino Citizenship (anymore) but the subsequent statements instructing people how to reclaim Filipino Citizenship (applying and oath taking), is being used by most consulates as the norm for affirming the Filipino Citizenship clause rather than the exception (for those who lost their citizenship prior to RA9225).
And in the case of Obet’s question, if the child became an Adult, in the future he would probably be asked to get an RA9225 certificate, as since it means more money/fees for them to earn, and it blankets everything, and makes it unnecessary for him to prove his filipino citizenship everytime he applies for a passport. In my son’s case, on hindsight, I should’ve probably used his US passport to come here to Canada, as since if we apply for his passport renewal, they will see the Canadian immigrant visa, and will probably think he is an ordinary Filipino who became a Canadian. If we had used his US passport to come to Canada (the immigrant visa will be on the US Passport), and his Philippine Passport will be blank. We can then just renew his passport in Manila, as since they will think he has never left the Philippines (and gotten a new citizenship).
I am a filipina applying for US Citizenship at the end of this month and planning to apply dual citizenship too in the future . My husband work overseas and hopefully will come to the USA when my petition will be grandted. My questions are ‘If I have my dual citizenship do I still have the right to give birth in the Philippines? and petition him/her to come in the US? Do I still have all the rights and responsibilities in the Philippines for having Filipino-American dual citizenship? I really appreciate your help about this matter since my husband and I cannot make our minds what to do in the future . Thank you so much and you have a great day!
I’m in the process of getting visas for my wife and step-son after recently moving back to the U.S. Prior to my move back, I lived in the Philippines for 4 years (i’m really hating winter). We have a daughter who was born in the Philippines and holds U.S. and Philippine citizenship (and Irish too. she’s a lucky kid). She has never traveled on any passport.
I’ve read some things that state that now she will present both passports and get stamps in both upon exiting. I know friends who had to go through immigration to get clearance in similar situations, but it was before the laws changed.
Do you know current information on what i need to get her out of the country without hassle.
thanks for any help that you can offer.
Hi Wilbert – If she is going to the USA, he basically has two options to make it easy:
1. Use a US passport.
2. Us a US and Philippine passport.
If she goes with #2, yes, I would recommend having both passports stamped upon exiting the Philippines. Only the US passport when he enters the USA.
BTW, your son does not need a visa if he is a US citizen.
Good luck.
Son isn’t citizen. From what i understand we can apply as soon as he enters the country though.
So, it is your understanding that we don’t need to do anything for my daughter except to show up? They won’t complain that her U.S. passport has no entry stamp?
and thanks for the quick reply!
I see no reason why they would complain. She is a US citizen and certainly has the right to travel to the country of her citizenship!
Hello. For being a dual citizenship Filipino and American. Can i get married in the Philippines and file for a fiance visa to get him here? Thank you.
Thank’s for the info my friend. I’m thinking about doing it myself, but dont know where to start..Now, I know where to run too..:-) hehhehehe..Goodluck.
Hi my dear friend – Try to get your dual there. It’s much easier to achieve that there than here. It takes awhile here unless you are from the Manila area.
After I get my dual I will write here the details on what’s needed and what to do.
Good to always see you friend. Take care!
Hi Bob,
Is it possible get a dual citizenship if I marry a Filipna in the Philippines? Since I’m a Canadian citizenship.
Thanks.
Hi Tyler – No, I’m sorry, it is not possible. The Philippine Dual Citizenship law only applies to people who were born as citizens of the Philippines and lost their Philippine citizenship through becoming naturalized in another country. Foreigners like you and I are not eligible for Philippine dual citizenship.
Hi
I just wanted to get an exact answer as its a bit confusing trying to get an answer for my question from answers to different questions…
ANYWAY! I was wondering if I could apply for dual citzenship and how? My father is a british citizen and my mother was filipeno at the time of my birth and is now british. I have a british passport and if i can, how do i apply for dual citizenship in the philipenes?
I’m currently learning Bisaya and have a lot of family there and would love to be able to visit them in future and move there as my mother and father are building a house there…
I can only visit the philipenes once a year due to costs so can it be done from britain via the filipeno embassy in london?
Thank you this is much appreciated!!
Hello
I am back again…I am so frustrated…I did apply on line to get my philippine birth certificate from NSO..a week later they found my birth certificate..paid the fee….and it’s been processed…they asked me if I want to expedite the mailing of my birth certificate..I had to open account with Fed Ex….which I did…send all the informations back to them to e-census…reply to all the emails from them…and it’s been a week and they keep saying they still haven’t receive my FedEx account…I been sending to the same email they sending me…..I don’t know what is going on.its frustrating…same email address over and over ..I sent my account number five times already..and every time they will reply we don’t have your account number…PLEASE HELP….
Hello Totie – I am sorry you have had problems with the NSO delivering your documents. I am not connected to the NSO or to the Philippine government in anyway. I only know that when I used the online ordering for a birth certificate, it was delivered in only a few days. Sorry I can’t help, I just don’t have any connection there to assist you.
I don’t understand…what the problem…I replied so many times to the same email they sending me…and they will reply back ..telling me they don’t have the account number……..I really don’t understand what’s going on with them…UGHHHHUGG
I can finally say…I am glad they received my FedEx account and my documents are on the way to VA. estimated arrival 03 February……now I can be able to apply for my Philippines passport…..I think I need to make a trip to Washington DC…to apply in person…..I need my passport before the end of March….
My husband passed away, he is american citizen, I am Filipina we got married here in PI last 2009 and we had a daughter born in korea, my daughter is american citizen also, so when he passed away me and my daughter got back here in PI..because i was too stress of what happend to my husband i forget about the situation of my daughter, we had vacation here in PI since she was 3 mons. old only that was september 3 2010 and my husband return to korea september 7 an he died september 15 2010, now my daughter is 1yr & 9months old now,then i tried to go to immigration here in palawan to ask about the situation of my daughter and i got shock for her penalty 20k for over staying here in PI.. Is it easy for me to get her a dual citizenship and how to apply? thanks in advance, looking forward to your help!
What you need to do is file a late report of birth abroad with the Philippine Embassy in Korea. When you do that her Philippine Citizenship will be recognized. You may still have to pay the penalties of her overstaying, though, as you declared her a US citizen by entering on a US Passport.
Hi bob, Just wanted to ask a question I applied for dual citizenship back in 06 because I was attending college here, I was a born in the Philippines and Naturalized as a US Citizen back in 95, my Question here is that I since I have my Identification Certificate and some order stating I took the oath of allegiance back in 06, but I never got a copy of my oath of allegiance, do I still have to pay just to get my Oath of Allegiance?? because as in today I went to the Immigration place to try to get my copy of the Oath of Allegiance for DFA Purposes so I can get a Phil Passport, and they were Charging me 2030 pesos just so I can get a copy of it. seemed suspicious because when I first went to the records window they said 1010 pesos then later on they told me 2030 pesos i was like WTF, anyways thats just my question because i was planning on getting a Phil passport but since I herd the price I dont want to get a Phil Passport not, i’m think will the Identification Certificate be good enough for me where I wouldn’t need an exit Clearance anymore??
Hi Gerard – I’m sorry, I am having a bit of trouble following your comment. I don’t understand why they did not give you all of your paperwork at the time you originally applied. If you got a certificate of dual citizenship, I would think that is all you need.
yes bob I actually called immigration yesterday and told them my story that some guy in records was asking 2k+ just so I can get my notarized copy of the Oath of Alligance, I have never gotten it yet, but i have an order stating I have done it and also my identification certificate, they told me it should be free and told me to go straight to 4th floor, i’ll keep you posted i’ll be back there on monday
That’s great to hear, Gerard! I hope everything continues to go well for you!
i am not a dual citizen, however, i entered Philippines on my Philippine passport. What passport i’m going to use to exit Philippines. My first stop is Hongkong going back to US. if i use my philippine passport to exit will they ask for a return ticket before i leave. i plan entering hongkong with my US passport to travel home. im just worried about philippine Immigration and return ticket requirements.
Thank you Rebecca!
Hi Bob:
I am a Canadian Citizen. I came here Oct 1 2011 to check out the place and see if I could survive the heat. I have fallen in love with the Philippines and the most loving Filipino lady.
Recently I decided to stay and get my affairs in order here in the Philippines. I wish to be cremated. I had Lina call the cremation people. They came to the house and showed me all the plans. Last evening they called and said they would need the approval of the Canadian Government and my family.
I am about to start the process of staying here permanently. Too bad we can’t become dual citizens as you say. I enjoyed your blog very much.
My question to you is where would I go to get the approval of the Canadian Government? I have never heard of such a thing.
Hi Ed – Interesting.. I have never heard of such a requirement. I suppose if I were you, I would inquire with the Canadian Embassy in Manila. Good luck, and I hope you don’t need those cremation services for a long, long time!
Hi bob. My name is ken. I am getting married to my Filipino girlfriend at the end of this month. I have already bought my tickeT to Manila nd the only thing I have to do is buy a onward ticket. This will be my first time in an airport. Is tiger airway safe to buy from and where would I pick up my ticket? At the airport in Arizona when I check in and get my boarding pass for Manila? Thank you
if i am doin dual citizenship do i still need to do legal capacity certificate. im in u.s. shes in phillippines
If you enter the Philippines on a US Passport, then you are not considered a Philippine Citizen for the length of your stay. All you need to do is obtain a Philippine Passport, present both passports upon your entry to the country, and show that as your ID.
Yes, you should have your birth certificate.
It has been many years since I have had any need to inquire about visas, so I am not certain. I believe that a fiancee visa is faster than a spousal visa, but I am not 100% positive on that.
Unfortunately, your divorce will not be recognized in the Philippines, because you were a Philippine citizen at the time you applied for the divorce. If you had been an Australian Citizen at the time you filed for divorce, or if your husband had filed for the divorce, it would be recognized by the Philippines. But, given the information you have given, I’m afraid that it will not be recognized.
I am in the same situation… I would also like some advice if I am required to provide the ‘legal capacity affidavit’. Since I am a dual citizen, will the Philippines require me to get this affidavit? I was born in the US, but filed for my dual citizenship when I moved to the philippines.
The law is that if a Philippine Citizen applies for divorce in a foreign country, the divorce will not be recognized. I can’t say if that is fair or unfair, I only know that it is the law.
I’m only the messenger, Sara. I don’t work for the Philippine Govt, I’m not even a Filipino. Just telling you what the law is.
My only official identification is a US Passport though.. will this be a problem?
Ok. Thank you very much for your help.
Walk in the registrar’s office. Ask for an application for a marriage license. On the application it will ask for your citizenship, write in “Filipino” or “Philippines”. You don’t need to mention your other citizenship as it is none of their business. You are now done, will be issued the marriage license with no other questions, and no need to get the affidavit from the Embassy. Simple.
whoa. hahaha thanks for the advice, but I think it might end up being almost the same if I just got the affidavit. I have already filed for dual citizenship and have the letter size paper from the philippine embassy which shows this… just no passport, but based on the document they gave me, it clearly says that I am a citizen of the philippines since my mother was not naturalized in the US at the time of my birth. But I suppose paying the ridiculous affidavit fee might be the least painful option considering the lines and time to get a philippine passport. Thanks for the advice Bob. Regards.
Really? but it was only a matter of months between i gained my divorced and i gained my citizenship? It was me who filed for the divorced just because my ex was stingie and it cost nothing being me on a concession card at the time. He asked me to file the divorce so he can remarry again. I didn’t know that this will take massive consequence on my part. And how would they know who applied the divorce and what not when doest say on the divorce paper who applied who? What do I need to do now so i can get remarry in Philippines?
Hi Ken – Sure, it is safe to buy tickets from Tiger. I am not sure where you would pick them up, though.
Hi Sara – I am only telling you what the law is. I am not going to advise you on ways to break the law, that would be unethical for me. I am sure there are ways around this, but I am not in a position to go into that.
No, that would be visa fraud. You can get married in the Philippines and file for a spousal visa. Or you can file for a fiancee visa and get married in the States.
Hi Anne – Yes, you lost your Philippine Citizenship when you became a US citizen. You can, however, apply for dual citizenship and be a citizen of both countries.
If you get married in the Philippines, unless you become a dual citizen, yes, you need to get the legal capacity documents from the US embassy.
Do you happen to know which is faster is fiance visa o spousal visa?
My granddaughter is US citizen by birth , her mother is a Pilipino now, the kid is in the Philippines for 4 years now , The mother wants her child to go back in USA. My question is does she needs a Philippine passport to return USA OR she will just use her US passport.
Easiest thing would be to just use her US passport.
Hi Bob,
I know you can help me with my question.I am natural- born Filipino .I am now a US citizen through naturalization.Does this mean that I lost my Filipino citizenship?I’m getting married to a Filipino citizen and have it done in the Philippines.Do i need the legal capacity to marry from the embassy?Thanks a lot.
Can i petition for a fiancee visa to a filipino (man) even if i have dual citizenship (american/filipino)?
Hi julz – Of course! You are a US Citizen and have all the same rights as any other US citizen. No problem at all for you to file for a fiancee visa.
I’m a filipino by birth but became a US Citizen. My question is can enter to the philippines if i have 1 way ticket only?
Hello har – Technically, the answer is no, unless you acquire your dual citizenship.
Hi Wilbert, hi Bob!
Just additional information for you Wilbert, before just showing up at the airport. If your Philippine-born US Citizen daughter is leaving the Philippines for the first time, you will have to acquire an Exit Clearance for her from the Philippine Bureau of Immigration (in Intramuros). They will look for this at the airport if they see your daugter is flying from the Philippines for the first time. You acquire this clearance at least 2 weeks prior her departure. I’m assuming your wife is the Philippine citizen, so she will have to apply for your daughter (whoever is the Phil citizen) at the BI. This is the Philippines’ anti-child trafficking strategy, it will only be required for your daughter’s first time flying from the Philippines, not each time. I know because I will be doing this for my son come May this year 🙂 The only thing I am uncertain about now is whether or not your daughter will have to go to BI with your wife when filing the Exit Clearance.
The PBI has a website and has phone number on their site for further questions. The process — from what they told me over the phone — shouldn’t take longer than two hours at the most.
As for passports, I would take Bob’s advise and present both at the immigration in the Philippines and only the US one once at the US Port of Entry.
Hope this is helpful.
Why not just do the ECC at the airport when departing?
can a grandparent report of birth abroad in the philippines?
the kid is almost 15.
I believe it must be done by the parents.
yes, it is very helpful. I was pretty sure that there was still some requirement. I’m hoping that it can be taken care of at an immigration office besides intramuros. I’ll see what I can find out and then report back here about procedures and cost for the clearance.
HI Bob. I’m Schayenne. Im a filipino American born in the USA, but now that I have seen the Philippines on my family vacation I want to study in the Philippines now. How long does it take for the process of dual citizenship? and where can I get the papers and send them to?
Hi schayenne – Well, the first thing is to determine if you are eligible for Philippine Dual Citizenship. Have you ever been a Philippine Citizen before? If not, the Philippine Dual Citizenship law does not apply to you.
There is one other possibility, though. You say your are Filipino American. Was either your mother or your father a Philippine Citizen on the day you were born? Or, had they been naturalized in the USA before your birth? I also need to know your age, in order to determine if there is any path to Philippine Citizenship for you.
my mother wasnt naturalized into the USA until two years after I was born and five months after my brother was born, whichmakes my mom a filipino citizen when my brother and I were born. I am the age of 20
Hi Schayenne – OK, thanks for the additional information. Given that your mother was a Philippine citizen on the day you were born, you have one chance for Philippine Citizenship. You need your mother to file for a late report of birth abroad. She should file with the Philippine Embassy or Consulate that serves the area where you were born. They may or may not accept the report this late, though. If they accept the report, then you will be granted your Philippine Citizen, and will be a dual citizen. If they will not accept the report, due to it’s lateness, you have no path to Philippine Citizenship.
Good luck!
so if they donot accept the report i would have to file for a visa correct?
You would need a student visa if you want to study here.
I was born in 1968 in the Philippines and got a Philippine passport twice then became US citizen in my late teens. Can I still become a dual citizen? i.e., do you have to born after 1973?
Hi Francisco – I believe that you would be eligible.
I am trying to find my old FIlipino passports and birth certificate but having trouble. People have said I can get a copy somewhere. Do you know where? Also, I have my US passport book, a US passport card, and a copy of the US Naturalization paper. Is that enough valid IDs? Don’t have a driver license with me since that was stolen recently in El Nido.
I have my original US Naturalization paper but it is in the US. I am worried about sending the original, will a color copy work?
As a permanent green card holder (U.S. immigrant) in the U.S., what is the real advantage of obtaining U.S. citizenship before and if that person is going to retire in the RP? Is it really worth the effort?
Hi Randy – Well, the first thing that would be an advantage is that when you retire in the Philippines, you can keep going back to the USA whenever you want. You see, if you are a greencard holder and are out of the USA for 1 year, you will lose your residency there, and cannot return unless you get a visa.
Would this be true even for permanent green card holders?
Hi Randy – Indeed. If you have permanent residence in the State, but leave the country for a year, generally the ICE people will consider you to have abandoned your residence, and it will be revoked. It may not happen the first time you are gone for a year, but eventually that is what they will do. They can do it on the first time too, but it is at their discretion.
Hi bob! I’m planning to go back in the Philippines for good together with my 9 month old son, he’s dual citizen. I’d like to know, is it true theres a yearly fee for my son if he will stay there for gooD? And how much? Thank you:)
Be sure that your son shows both his US and Philippine Passport upon entry to the Philippines. If he does that, there are no fees to pay ever. If your son enters with only a US passport, then there will be plenty of fees, and he must leave the country every 16 months, so be sure that he has and uses his Philippine Passport.
Upon some second thoughts and after some research and a simple consultation with a tax attorney friend of mine, it is NOT an advantage tax wise to be an American citizen residing overseas, even with the dual citizenship status. In the case of my wife obtaining her citizenship (therefore obtaining dual citizenship status) the tax consequences can be enormously penalizing and complicated and to the U.S. citizen (in her case), very costly in the long run. This article http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1983238,00.html
is one of many articles that explains why many Americans are renouncing their U.S. citizenship. The guidance I was provided was to retain my citizenship and the wife to not seek U.S. citizenship for us to enjoy the best of both worlds. She will still have to file specific forms with the IRS for 5 years once we leave the states (even though her permanent residency expires), or there can be expatriate taxation issues. This has become a very complicated navigation through U.S. tax laws and those individual citizens that have income or government pensions and who may be liquidating assets prior to leaving can be highly scrutinized under tax avoidance laws (expat tax laws). Capital gains on the sale of a home (that normally would be protected up to a certain amount) could also be placed at risk. The U.S. government is one of the most intrusive governments in the world when it comes to taxation of foreign earned income by it’s citizens. I suggest anyone that is planning to leave the U.S. for residency outside the U.S. should assess their own unique tax consequences by contacting a competent tax attorney. But before you do, have a couple of drinks first. The truth could be unsettling for some. Thanks Bob for providing me with the incentive to dig deeper. For those who wish to know more, just Google “expatriate taxation” to get started.
Nevermind Bob, I found the link with your affirmation and all the other answers to many other questions here http://www.uscis.gov/greencard
Glad you found the source, Randy. I went and looked, and their official site verifies my thinking on the matter.
What about if my son will not return to the US every16 months?what will happen
Ok, I will use both passport, thanks for the info:) God Bless
Hi Bob,
We plan to travel to Manila in May. My son has had both his US and Philippine passport prior to my husband adopting him. I was told at the Embassy that the Change of Name on the Philppine passport can only be done in the Philippines. His US passport and his Philippine passport will not have the same hyphenated last name. He also will stay there for a year so he needs to use the Philippine passport and we were gonna get him a one way ticket. Is that going to be a problem? We have both Birth Certificate and Court order showing the name change so I am wondering if that would suffice.
Thanks in advance!
It could be a problem, Dawn. Hard to say how they will handle it. I know people who have changed names on their Philippine Passport in the USA, so I know it can be done.
Hello,
My Filipino wife is getting permanent residency in Poland. Afterwards, she will apply for polish citizenship. What are the benefits she may lose if she has to waive her Filipino citizenship for polish one, and returns back to visit Philippines ? Currently she owes a property and is a farm co-owner in the Philippines.
Sincerely,
Tom Osuchowski
Hi Tom – If she gives up her Philippine Citizenship and does not reacquire it through the Philippine Dual Citizenship law then she will lose all rights of a Philippine Citizen. She will lose the right to vote, property ownership rights (except for a very small amount of property as a former citizen), etc.
Thank you for your answer. Would she lose property ownership rights to the current property she owns as well? Is reacquiring through Philippine Dual Citizenship difficult or rather easy process?
I just wonder what valid arguments I could use to polish officials, in favor of retaining her Filipino citizenship while acquiring polish one.
Hi Tom – Re-acquiring Philippine Citizenship is very easy and inexpensive. Nothing difficult about it.
As for land ownership, if your wife relinquishes her Philippine Citizenship and does not re-acquire it, she will be severely limited in the amount of property she can own. Since I don’t know the size of the property, I cannot say about her currently held property.
Pls is’t possible for foreigner to obtain a philipino passport?
Thank you very much for your help.
You are most welcome, Tom.
hi bob, is it true that i will pay $300 every year for my dual citizen child, his filipino-american? because im planning to send my baby in the Philippines cause i have a job here and no one will take care of my him. i hope you can give me some information regarding this. thank you
If your son is a dual citizen, meaning that he holds citizenship of both the USA and the Philippines, then there are no fees to pay at all. Just make sure that when he enters the Philippines, he shows his Philippine and US passport. If he shows only his US passport there will be fees to pay for visa renewals, but as long as his Philippine passport is also stamped, there are no fees at all, and never will be, no matter how long he stays.
I am an American citizen who lived 15 years in the Philippines in the 70’s and 80’s as a Permanent Resident. My wife was a Filipina and my 3 sons were all born there, but I declared them as US citizens born abroad. My wife and I returned to the US in the 90’s where she eventually became a naturalized US citizen, although she never renounced her Philippine citizenship. She died of cancer in 2004 in the US. I still have her old Philippine passports and her birth certificates as well as the Philippine birth certificates of my sons(They are all adults). Can they be dual citizens?
Hi Jim – No, I do not believe they can, due to the fact that your wife is no longer alive. Sorry for your loss.
hi bob
i plan to travel malaysia for about two weeks maximum this coming may or june 2012 for just a tourist, i just want to know, what requirement i needed and what should i present the phil immigration in the airport if i leave? by the way im from philippine going to malaysia…
Hi Louie – Not really sure how your question is related to Philippine Dual Citizenship, whihc is what this site is all about.. but…
If you want to go to Malaysia, the only thing that I can think of that you would need to show at the airport is your passport.
I’m a Canadian citizen. My grandmother was born in Minnesota, am I eligible for dual citizenship?
Based on the information you have given, I have no idea.
Hi MindanaoBob,
I was born in the Philippines and became a naturalized citizen on year 1997. I married an American citizen in 1996. I had two children with my husband born 2002 and 2005. My husband passed away last year and I am thinking of taking my children to the Philippines and raise them there. My question is : Do I just apply for dual citizenship for myself and the children? Or do I have to wait and get my dual citizenship then apply for the kids? Or just apply for multiple entry visas to try it out for the summer and then if all goes well then apply for dual citizenship??? I hope you can answer my questions. Thank you for your time.
Colt, you are a Filipino by blood due to your mother’s nationality at your birth, you are also an American, due to your father’s nationality at your birth. In essence, you are a dual citizen. Since you are born outside of the philippines, your birth should be reported to a consulate/embassy and if you have a Report of Birth (Philippines) document, you can apply for a Philippine passport based on this document. If your birth hasn’t been reported, you would have to pay a Late Report document/fee plus the Report of Birth document/fee. But all in all, you are a Filipino and American citizen by birth.
Hi Bob!! Both my husband and I are Filipinos.
We have not registered our marriage certificate and ours sons birth certificate. We got married in the USA and our sons were born there too. Now we are back in the Philippines for good. My question is do we have to register them in the embassy of the Philippines in the US or can we do it from the Philippines through DFA. How can we do this and what website can we look for late registration requirements.
Thank you
Hi Maria – For your child’s report of birth, it must be done at the Philippine Embassy or Consulate that serves the area where your child was born. I am sorry, I do not know about the marriage, though.
If you became a naturalized US citizen by marriage you can get dual citizenship. as for your sons, if you were not a US citizen before they were born, you would need to go to DFA and file proof of citizenship (an old Phil passport, your naturalization cert that indicates the date and birth certificate, to prove you are filipino when they were born)… it is harder to declare your kids to be filipino because of the red tape in the Philippines thru DFA, but it is possible… in essence once you are able to file the kids for late registration, they do not need to apply for dual citizenship since they already have it by birth…
If you were US citizen when they were born, if you get dual citizenship, you can just add your kids to your dual citizenship application.
Could anyone help me please ,I have a friend in the Philippines ,you wants to vist me in the UK ,her passport is fine ,her visa is Canada which is being changed to UK visa ,the problem is that she .needs vaild id to travel and too book the ticket ,can anyone help
You said she has a passport… that is a valid ID.
Boni, you are right on with your first question, as for the 2nd one, you are effectively not a filipino due to Commonwealth Act No. 36, wherein if one becomes naturalized by a foreign country, you lose your filipino citizenship. Although RA9225 states that all Philippine citizens who become citizens of another country shall be deemed not to have lost their Philippine citizenship under the conditions of this Act, an Oath of allegiance to the Philippines is a proof of “reacquired” Philippine citizenship. I was at odds with the “shall be deemed not to have lost their Philippine citizenship” statement, but when I read CA #36, I understood why we are still being forced to do the Oath of allegiance requirement… For me, it is a money grab, red-tape process, but such is the price of getting to keep the Filipino cItizenship.
As for the passport, you may be caught with the invalidity of the Philippine citizenship, specially if you are coming back to the states as they will see your US passport (which you will need to show if you are exiting NAIA) and they will know you are a US citizen. If you have a US visa stamped in your philippine passport you may be able to use the Philippine passport, but since you are a US citizen, then I doubt you will be able to pull it off…
Hi bob. I own a lot of properties in the Philippines before I became a us citizen. I don’t have a dual citizenship and I’m concern about my properties in the Philippines. Since I am no longer a citizen of the Philippines does it mean I will loose all of those properties? I have been a us citizen for over 4 years now and I have a 2 year old daughter. We are currently living in Florida and will be going back to the Philippines next month and hoping to stay there for good. You can email me @ [email protected]
If you are a former citizen of the Philippines you can still own land, but it is limited to 1,000 square meters only.
Why not just apply for dual citizenship? It’s easy, and then you can own all the land you wish to own.
Can I apply dual citizenship in the Philippines?
Yes you can, but it takes a long time to do it in the Philippines. My wife applied in June 2011, and she is still waiting for it to be completed. They say 7 or 8 months, but her experience is that it takes longer than that.
Good day,
I am an american citizen who was born here in the US. I almost spent my entire life in the philippines. Ive been ther for almost 14 years and now im 19y.o. I live here now in Pennsylvania US, I was able to get back here without paying over P250000 fine for my overstay but the deal is i cant go back or i cant enter Philippines anymore unless i pay the fine. Someone told me from the Phil. Consulate in LA that if I apply for the dual citizenship since both of my parents are Filipinos, I can enter the Philippines again without paying the fine. So I did apply for it but didn’t applied for the philippine passport. now, i really need to go abck because my father just died his morning.
Is this true? that I can go back without paying my debt if I applied for the passport? I think I’m halfway through the dual citizenship process. I already have the report of birth document and all other papers proving that my parents are Filipino citizen, its all authenticated by them. I think all I have to do is ask for a philippine passport.
i would really appreciate any immediate response to my question. please. im really desperate. 🙁
thank you
hi, im a dual citizen (Fil-Am) studying here in the philippines. ive been here for 6 years now, and my philippine passport had since expired. since graduating, i plan to leave within two weeks. i have a valid u.s. passport and i have my dual citizenship forms (for Philippines) with me. Question: Will it be alright to return to the United States with just a valid U.S. Passport and and Dual citizenship papers with an expired philippine passport? Or do I need to renew my Philippines passport first?
When you enter the USA the only thing you should show is your US passport. Your problem is leaving the Philippines.. but I think you will be OK with your US passport and your citizenship papers.
hello, i will be going to the philippines next month to study.. i have already acquired dual citizenship but i dont have a new philippine passport yet. i have inquired at the consulate in L.A and they told me that the processing of the passport will take 5 to 8 weeks. my question is, if i enter the philippines with my us passport, will i still pay for the fees? because my option is to apply for philippine passport when i arrive in manila
Hi Camille – I would recommend that when you enter the Philippines, show your US Passport and your Philippine Dual Citizenship certificate. You should be covered if you do that.
I’m not sure of many advantages of becoming a dual citizen. In any event as long as you have U.S. Citizenship, you have to pay U.S. income tax on all your earnings regardless of where earned. I know of a number of filipinos and expats who earn income and are not reporting it and I think it will come back and bit them in the butt some day. The U.S. government is getting very aggressive in collecting taxes on non U.S. residents (expats) and those who have dual citizenship who think that exempts them from the tax rules.
My friend has this problem. She is married to a Swiss. The adopted daughter has a Swiss passport with her adopted name and an old Philippine passport with her Filipino name. Problem: The daughter wants to be a dual citizen of the Philippines but the Phil. Embassy in Switzerland is giving them the run around and it’s been years of follow up but nothing happened. The daughter lives in Switzerland and she’s 30 years old. Hope you can help my friend. Thanks so much.
What happens if my mom is american citizen and i am in the USA overstayed for 5 years and my mom filed a petition and approved. Can i still be here in american without going to the philippines to have my petition fixed???
Wow, Neira. This is a complicated situation, and I’m sorry to say that it is beyond my expertise.
Hi, I was born in the PHilippines but became a naturalized citizen due to my father being in the military. I have recently learned that one can have dual citizenship and one can do it themselves. I am willing to do that and have tried calling the Counsalate but to no avail and there is no extention to ask questions. When one dials the 0, it just rings and rings. Can you please help? Should I just go to Wilshire and ask there?
Hello Sofia,
You can go to any Philippine Consulate or Embassy to apply.
Hi Bob, my wife just obtained dual citizenship via delayed Report of Birth. Is there any good reason for her to get a Philippines passport if her U.S. passport is good enough to use coming in and out of the Philippines? Other than added proof of citizenship I’m having trouble seeing the urgency for a Philippines passport. Does she need one to do business, own property, etc.? Thanks!
Hi Vic – I would highly recommend that she get her Philippine Passport. If she enters with a US passport, then she has no rights of a Citizen, she has declared herself to be a foreigner, and that is the law that she must abide by. If she enters showing both passports, she has all of the rights of a Philippine Citizen, because she has declared herself to be a Citizen of the Philippines upon her entry by showing the passport. If she wants to start a business or buy property or such, and she is asked, she really needs to be able to display proof of citizenship, and a passport will be the best way to do that. Passports are cheap, I see no reason not to get one.
Hi bob.
my arizona bf wants us to be get married here in phil. what are his and my requirements? how long will the marriage license takes?
tnx for ur prompt reply bob. i will tell this to him. he want us to be get married when he is having his vacation here. but he will stay for only one month do u think we can arrange everything in a month only?
tnx bob 🙂 i will my man the luckiest man. 🙂
What about if I only have a US passport? I am 18 and I wish to avail my dual citizenship. I got my US passport as soon as my dad became a US citizen and that was before I turned 18(just last year). We had it through his certificate, anyway. I still do not have my certificate of naturalization, can I just use my dad’s certificate together with my US passport?
Wow, that’s quite a benefit! I’ve always wanted to become a dual citizenship simply to stay longer in the Philippines when visiting family and friends. I did not realize that doing so would make me viable for social security benefits as well!
My issue is that I was not born in the Philippines, but in the UAE. At the time of my birth, my parents were both Philippine citizens. However, we are all U.S. citizens at the moment. My understanding is that I cannot become a dual-citizen simply because I was not born in the Philippines. Is that true?
hey bob, my parents were born and raised in the philippines but became naturalized canadian citizens when they immigrated to canada. i was born in canada after they had become canadian citizens, so i have canadian citizenship. currently i’m residing in manila and looking to work here as well, but find having to buy visas every 2 months to be a pain. is there a way i can get either dual citizenship or balikbayan status? my parents are both retired, so i don’t think they’ll be coming back to the philippines at any point.
I am sorry, Alex, but given your status, you are not eligible for either Balikbayan or Dual Citizenship. Your only option would be to become naturalized as a Philippine Citizen, but that would require giving up your Canadian Citizenship.
@Ann Yes indeed Ann you can, however check the company that you intend to work with, they may require you to file additional documents. Unless otherwise there would be no problem.
I am sorry Nathan, but you are not fully correct. If Ann does not re-acquire her Philippine Citizenship, she will need an AEP (Alien Employment Permit), which is nearly impossible to get on a tourist visa.
Hi MindBob,
I will be applying for dual citizenship, Australian & Philippines. Once dualed, I am only required to fulfil the requirements of a local pinoy to marry in Philippines, is this right?
I wont need any other requirements from Australian gov.
Another question. I have been married here in Australia and got the divorce done. Certificate is here with me.
Is this the only thing I require to prove that I am single in Australia, keeping in mind that I will be dual citizen?
Do I even need to mention this in Philippines, even though I have never been married in Philippines and just apply for single status certificate?
Bob,
You are correct. Although it is highly unlikely that Ann will encounter any problems working here.
Likely or unlikely, it would be illegal for her to work. I cannot advise people to do illegal things, it could get me into serious trouble.
That’s true!
Hi Bob,
I am natural born Pilipino and now Australian Citizen.
I intend to live in the Philippines indifinetely, would I be able to buy a residential property and in the future own a business? Do I need to acquire dual citizenship : ie; Philippines and Australian? I don’t really want to give up my Australian Citizenship. What other benefits does dual citizenship will give me? What are the cons and pros?
Thanking you for your time
Hello Maria – If you wish to purchase property, you will need to get dual citizenship. There are no downsides to doing it, only the upside that you will regain your rights as a Philippine Citizen.
hi bob. i’ve been reading all the Q’s & A’s, but I haven’t quite found what i was looking for.. Hopefully you can give me some answers and some advice.
Ok I am a dual citizen US/Fil. I was born here, moved to the US (guam) became a citizen, then 6 years ago came back to PI for school and became a PI citizen again. Blah blah..
I finally graduated and I’m planning on moving back to the US by June. My BF or Fiance and I have been talking about marriage. We are anticipating a long process.
I have a few questions… i hope you don’t mind. please. i’m so confused.
– At first I was considering to petition him using the Fiance Visa once I get back, but I’m being told to petition him with the Spouse visa instead so it’ll be faster and the US Embassy will issue him a green card. Unlike with the fiance visa, he’d have up to 3 months (if we dont get married asap) on guam not doing anything. Then once we marry, he can then apply for the green card.
Which brings me to another problem… if I petition him using the spouse visa, that means we’d have to get married ASAP like… before I go home. OMG.
I know in order to obtain a marriage licence, I’d need a birth certificate and cenomar. But since I’m a dual citizen, would I need to still get the Certificate of Legal Capacity to Marry (from the embassy)??
And since I am a Dual citizen, would this have any negative effect if I the time comes for me to petition him to the US?
we’re really not rushing into marriage, I just want to gather all the information I can while I’m still here… and see what options we may have, if any. And prepare for the long process ahead.
Anyway. Thanks Bob!
Hi bob !
Here’s my reaction to your comments above.If i were to fill-up any immigration forms or ids that asks for my citizenship, i will write any of the Two ONLY :
1. Filipino
2. US or American Citizen
The word “Filipino-American” does not connotes citizenship and is only use to describe a racial or ethnic origin. There is nothing in the US immigration laws that identifies Filipino-American or Fil-am as a naturalized citizen of the USA. I travel a lot too. In my recent work assignment in Doha, Qatar, i filled-up a lot of their immigration and work permit forms and i can only choose two…to declare myself a Filipino or American…that’s the ONLY choices i have to checked. Iam not a Canadian citizen so i am not gonna say anything about Canadian citizenship. Have a nice day, Bob !
Thank you! Finally.. CLEAR ANSWERS! =)
Hi Bob,
I have a rather unique situation. I was born and raised in the Philippines but upon birth my dad was a Chinese citizen. A few years later my dad applied for Filipino Citizenship and was granted so the whole family are all Naturalized Filipinos. Fast forward 30yrs, I now live in Canada and had acquired Canadian Citizenship as well. My existing Phils Passport is almost expiring and I would like to renew and retain my Filipino citizenship under the Dual Citizenship Law. Do you think it is still possible for me to do this? I would love to retain my Filipino Citizenship since I call the Phils as my motherland.
Thanks in advance.
Hi Infinitum – Yes, you should have no problem in re-acquiring your Philippine Citizenship. Just go to the Philippine Embassy or Consulate that serves your area and apply for Philippine Dual Citizenship, you should have no issues in obtaining it.
Hi Bob!
I don’t know where to begin, but here’s my story:
My mother is full Filipina and is a Philippine Citizen. My father is a US Citizen and was stationed in Philippines at the time my two parents met. I was born in Olongapo City and was there till I was about 4 years old, but when Mt. Pinatubo erupted, I was escorted to United States. Originally I had my documents with my father and when I arrived in the US, my father apparently destroyed the original copies. So my mother spend several years trying to prove that I was a legal immigrant in the US. As of 2004, I finally became a US citizen (by paper) and is now planning on trying to get a dual citizenship. I’m not sure where to start or what I need to do. If you can help me, that would be great. I’ve called several places at the US Department of Immigration, but keep getting a run around.
Hi Janice – The US Government is not where you need to turn in order to re-acquire your Philippine Citizenship under the Philippine Dual Citizenship law. You need to contact the Philippine Embassy or Consulate that serves the area where you are living. Tell them that you wish to apply for Philippine Dual Citizenship.
For information on the costs involved, documents needed and procedure to follow, please check out our eBook, Philippine Dual Citizenship, which is just $9.99 and may be downloaded immediately upon payment. Thank you.
I’m a Filipino/Canadian. I am debating which route should I apply. Should I apply for dual citizenship or should I apply for PRA (Philippine Retirement Authority). Which one is better and why? What are the Advantages and the Disadvantages? Your response is greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Hello G. Calotes – I know of no downside to becoming a Dual Citizen. For the PRA SRRV program, you will need to invest between $10k up to $50k to participate, and there are paperwork hassles. I can think of no reason why you would want to do the PRA thing when it is very easy to re-acquire your citizenship.
im a uk citizen my wife is philipino can i become a dual citizen of the philippines if i can wot do i need to do ?
Bob,
I have two daughters in the Philippians they have a passport for the Philippians but not the us. How do I get there american passport to get my daughters and wife here with me? she all so have two more kids that are not by me but i want to bring them to. I was there when both my daughters were born and signed the birth certifications that they are my children, I really need to get them to me here in the US… what are my options if any? what will be my first step in the process? to get it moving …
You need to go to the US Embassy in Manila and claim the kids as yours, and they will get US Citizenship. The Embassy will likely do DNA testing to verify that you are the father, but once that is done, there should be no problem granting them citizenship. For your wife and her other kids, you need to file a petition to sponsor them to the USA.
What if I’m not in the there in manila? what could i do? and what would be my options if i’m in the states? were should i start first?
do i have to be there for this ?
Hi Kelvin- As far as I know, what needs to be done must be done at the US Embassy in Manila.
can she do it ?
No, you must do it, because you have to undergo DNA testing. She cannot do that for you.
I am a natural born citizen of the US..My wife is from the Philippines & became a US citizen. She is now in the Philippines & wanting to get a dual Citizenship while there..How long does it take to get the dual citizenship does she need to stay there until she gets it? Or can they mail it to her here in the US? Thanks
hello , i was wondering if any one could help me.. i am born in canada..but both my parents were philippine citizen at the time i was born..i am now 19 yrs old and want to study in the philippines for college..i want to study asap. so i was wondering how long it would take in order for me to get process the dual , or a student visa? or which woul dbe faster?
Hi Ashley – You do not qualify for dual citizenship under the Philippine Dual Citizenship law. Because you were born abroad to Philippine Citizen parents, all that is needed is for your parents to file a late report of birth abroad at that Philippine Embassy or consulate that serves the area where you are born.
so..i will not able to go to school in the philippines? what does filing a late report of birth abroad at the philippine embassy do ? how long do student visas take to process
I never said any such thing, Ashley. File the required reports and you will be a dual citizen by right of birth, and can attend school in the Philippines.
bob worded it wrong, what he meant was you do not need to apply for dual citizenship as you are ALREADY a dual citizen. All you need is a Report of Birth Abroad document, indicating you were born abroad thru Filipino parents and with this document you can apply for a Filipino Passport. If you do not have a Report of Birth (which should be filed by your parents in your first year of birth), you will have to file a Late Report of Birth AND Report of Birth (which means two fees).
You can get both social security benefits if you worked in both countries for minimum months of employment.
Hi Bob,
My daughter was a natural born Filipino as my husband and me were both Filipino citizens when she was born. I am also a Chinese citizen and holding Philippine Passport and HKSAR passport. I applied for naturalisation as a Chinese national for her and relinquished her Filipino citizenship. I am planning to move back to the Philippines and let her study there. I would like to know if she can
reacquire her Filipino citizenship and get dual citizenship.
Thanks,
Samantha
Based on what you have told me, I would say that yes, she can re-acquire through the Philippine Dual Citizenship law.
Hi Bob,
I have a dual citizenship. My siblings told me that I should give up my Filipino citizenship because the US government does not endorse it as a matter of policy because of the problems that it may cause. This is what they stated “Dual citizens owe allegiance to both the United States and the foreign country. They are required to obey the laws of both countries. Either country has the right to enforce its laws, particularly if the person later travels there. There may be a conflict with the U.S. laws, which may cause problems for the dual citizen. Additionally, dual citizenship may limit the United States Government’s efforts to assist United States citizens abroad.”
How should I give up by Filipino citizenship and keep my US citizenship intact?
Thank you.
Your siblings are wrong. The United States has no official policy against dual citizenship. There are millions of Filipinos who are citizens of both countries, and your US citizenship is not threatened in any way by your Philippine Citizenship.
Hi Bob! I am a Dual citizen from the US and I came to the Philippines with only a PI passport. I have never applied for a US passport and I am going to apply for one in the US embassy manila. Will there be any questions or problem for my application? Do I have to tell that I have a dual citizenship and what do I need to show them? Thanks……Your website is really helpful
Hi Mark – Leaving the USA without a US Passport was not a wise move. You may have difficulty getting a US passport in the Philippines. Inquire at the US Embassy, but I think you will have problems. Good luck.
I have a question. Is there a contact number to know the status of my dual citizenship? I had applied here in Manila 1st week of march and still I haven’t receive anything yet. Any help is greatly appreciated. Oh and I do live here in Manila also.
Any advice on what i should tell them on why I didnt get a passport on the US.? thanks for the quick reply I really appreciate it
I guess just tell the truth.
yeah your right thank you sir. . 🙂 God Bless
Hi Bob, my kids and I are leaving next month for Canada. We have both Canadian and Philippine passports. My kids were born here in the Phils. Do I have to show both passports at ONCE at Philippine immigration or start of with Canadian passport, then if asked, show Phil passport… thanks and please advise.
You have two choices:
1. Show the Canadian Passport
2. Show both the Canadian and Philippine Passport
If it were me, I’s show both, but it’s a personal choice.
Thanks Bob! 🙂 I just want to make sure that there will be no hassles on our part.
Hi Roland!
I just read your comment on Markymark’ situation. My son has almost the same situation , he is in the philippines now, last time he was in canada was 2007. Now he plans to return to canada, he is just waiting for renewal of his passport that expired.
In the meantime, he also plans to apply for a phil. Passport to avoid problems at the immigration when he exits. Can he apply for a philippine passport without taking oath or he has to go through the process of applying dual citizenship? Will there be problems if he applies for dual citizenship since he has been in the philippines since 2007? My son was born in the philippines and naturalized when he was 15 years old. Will appreciate your advise. Thanks.
Hello Pyxasfo – When your son was naturalized, he renounced his Philippine Citizenship. Since he is no longer a Citizen of the Philippines, he cannot legally apply for a Philippine Passport until he applies for and is granted dual citizenship in the Philippines.
Btw, we, his parents are both philippine citizens before migrating to canada. Thanks.
@pyxasfo
since he was minor when he was naturalized, he has not lost his filipino citizenship prior to being 18, but after 18 he is deemed an adult, and has lost his filipino citizenship (unless he elects to renounce his canadian citizenship)… in this case, he has to apply for dual citizenship and take the oath.
As far as the philippine government is concerned he is canadian and unless he has the proper visa, he is overstaying and will need to pay penalties up to the day he becomes a filipino again…
Hello, Bob-
My situation may be unique from the others. I was born before 1972 in a hospital on one of the US military bases. My father a US citizen and my mother a Philippine citizen. She later became a naturalized US citizen in the late 70s. Four years ago, she received her dual citizenship at the San Francisco consulate. Can I apply for dual citizenship? If so, what documentation is required?
You are already a dual citizen, my friend. Just go apply for a Philippine Passport and show your birth certificate. You were born in the Philippines to a Philippine Citizen mother. You don’t need to apply for Dual Citizenship, you already have it!
Hi! Is my 37 yr old cousin, female, single, born in the States to Filipino parents & living in the States eligible for dual citizenship? Her parents who were both born and raised in Manila migrated to the States more than 35 years ago are now retirees who had acquired their dual citizenship and comes & stays in Manila every 6 months.
Hello Tess – Your cousin qualifies for citizenship if at least one of her parents was a Philippine Citizen on the day she was born. If they had already been naturalized on the day of your cousin’s birth, then she does not qualify.
Hello good morning, my mom cannot get a passport because on her bitth certificate she is chinese because her father is chinese but she was born in the philippines. Her mother dont have a birth certificate and they’re not married too. Can she apply for a dual citizenship because she went court to change her nationality to filipino but that was denied because the court said her father is an allien so now they turn over to court of appeals. I petitioned her since 2008 to come to the us and we;ve been waiting for a long time and we dont know what to do now. Please give some advice on what to do. Thank you and hope to hear from you soon.
You can obtain a Baptismal Cert.from the church where she was baptized then obtain a Letter of Attestations to testify or certify that they knew your mother from birth from two persons who had known your mother from birth then have it Notarized by a lawyer and you can apply or Registers your mother at your local Municipal Hall for a Registering her for Live Birth.Late Registrations and make sure you follow it up with the Philippine Bureau of Census.
For these cases many older people born during WWII their records were burned during the war and churches mostly have old but good archives.
Hi Bob…sorry for interruptions and I did took the liberty of answering this message.
I enjoyed reading your blogs as I am also going to retire in the Philippines soon with my Indian American husband but before doing that I will make sure to apply for my dual citizenship as Filipino born but naturalized American Citizen.
Sincerely,
Glenda K.
Hello Bob!
Gratitude to you and your article! I was web-surfing and happen to find myself here. Your blogs are very insightful and has sparked my curiosity to learn more.
I have the similar situation as the individual above. My father is a US citizen and my mother, a Filipina. I’m born and raised in the philippines and left in 2004. I hold a US passport w/c my father processed when I was a kid before he left(military). I wasn’t sure if I still hold a Philippine citizenship but seeing your response from the query above, I now feel somewhat relieved.
If I do hold already hold a dual citizrndhip and all I have to show is a copy of my birth cirtificate to obtain a Philippine passport, should I then go to a Philippine embassy to apply for one? Do you of any chanve know where I can find one in Chicago? and lastly once i’ve obtained my passport, are there any rules i have to follow to maintain my dual citizenship?
Hello KC – If you have a Philippine issued Birth Certificate, and it says that your mother was a Philippine Citizen, then you are a Philippine Citizen. You can indeed go an apply for a Philippine Passport.
Here is the contact information for the Philippine Consulate in Chicago:
Philippine Consulate General
30 North Michigan Avenue
Suite 2100
Chicago, IL 60602
Phone: (312) 332-6458
Fax: (312) 332-3657
Great! That location is pretty close by me too, and it’s right beside my orthodontists’ office. Thank you Dave!
OK, you’re welcome, but my name is Bob, not Dave! 😉
Hi Bob, you shouldn’t give legal advice. In some places it is a crime to hold yourself out as an expert and give legal advice without being licensed as a lawyer.
I believe the advice you gave is not complete. The youngest girl is fine since she’s never left the PI. The oldest girl is a Philippine Citizen by birth, but it depends on how she re-entered the Philippines. If she entered on her US passport she entered as an American Citizen and as such is subject to the Visa restrictions and has in fact over-stayed her visa. If she had a Philippine Passport and re-entered on that, she is fine.
Jim – Perhaps you did not read our Disclaimer page, where I specifically say that I am not an attorney or authority. My answers that I give are only based on my personal experiences.
My dad, who is both an American Citizen and Philippine Citizenship, who currently resides in the US flew to the Philippines late Feb 2012 and is scheduled to return June 1 2012. He used his American passport on his way there, but for his return…some people are telling me that my dad would need to file for a Visa? Others say he does not need a visa but will need a Philippine passport to return to the US? I am confused? Please advice.
Hello Bob!
I am an American citizen, born in Hawaii. At the time of my birth, both my parents are Filipino citizens. After i was born, i stayed here in the Philippines till i turned 13 years of age, then i went to Las Vegas to continue my studies. After turning 16, i went back here in the Philippines to attend high school. Unfortunately, i am not a BI registered alien here. (BTW, i am studying college here which they are already telling me i cannot enroll due to the fact that i can’t present an NSO birth certificate or recognition as a filipino citizen) Can i still apply for dual citizenship? if so, what are the requirements for it? Because a lawyer told me i can’t apply for it. That is why the lawyer is applying me for recognition. What is the difference between the two? and what would you recommend me get? Recognition or Dual Citizenship? Thank you in advance.
Hello Lora – Your parents need to file a late report of birth abroad with the Philippine Consulate that serves Hawaii. If the report is accepted, you will then be recognized as a Citizen of the Philippines, and still keep your US citizenship as well.
PS. i’m now 20 years old, so i have been overstaying in my own country for 4 years now 🙁 i just want to continue my studies here and i can’t do so 🙁
Actually, the Philippines is not “your own country,” as you are not a citizen of the Philippines. You are a US citizen.