As a country with a significant global diaspora, the Philippines has long offered paths for dual citizenship. While one can be a dual citizen by birth, the Philippines also offers a way for former natural-born Filipino citizens to re-acquire citizenship through Republic Act No. 9225, commonly known as the Citizenship Retention and Re-acquisition Act of 2003. This law enables select individuals to attain and hold Filipino citizenship in addition to citizenship in another country, granting certain privileges.
Why Become a Dual Citizen?
Reacquiring Filipino citizenship in addition to your current one provides some significant advantages, including the ones below. Get in touch with a qualified Philippine immigration lawyer to see if these benefits could potentially apply to you:
- Right to Own Property in the Philippines. Dual citizens can fully own land and property in the Philippines, a privilege that is otherwise restricted to Filipino citizens.
- Engage in Business or Practice a Profession. Dual citizenship offers a way for individuals to completely own their own business and practice one’s profession in the Philippines without the need for special visas or work permits. These dual citizens also enjoy the full protection of Philippine labor laws.
- Participate in Elections. Dual citizens gain the right to vote in Philippine national elections, making their voices heard within the country’s democratic processes. Notably, only natural-born dual citizens may run for office. Dual citizens who underwent naturalization for Filipino citizenship are ineligible to run for office unless they renounce foreign citizenship.
- Wider Access to Social Services. Dual citizens are entitled to benefits and privileges enjoyed by all other Filipino citizens, including but not limited to access to education and healthcare services.
- Privileges of a Philippine Passport. Holding a Philippine passport provides the right to stay in the Philippines without any visa restrictions. Further, it facilitates easy travel within ASEAN countries and other countries that offer visa-free travel to Filipino citizens.
Who Is Eligible for Dual Citizenship?
Under RA 9225, these individuals may apply for dual citizenship:
- Former Natural-Born Filipinos: These are individuals who were natural-born citizens of the Philippines who had renounced their Filipino citizenship and became naturalized citizens of another country.
- Derivative Citizenship for Children: Unmarried children under 18 years of age of those reacquiring Philippine citizenship can be included in the parent’s application.
To reiterate, some individuals may be dual citizens from birth, often born to Filipino parents abroad. In these cases, an application for dual citizenship is no longer required. Instead, they only need to secure official recognition of their status.
Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for Dual Citizenship
1. Determine Your Eligibility
Before initiating the application, you must confirm that you and any children you plan to include in the application meet the eligibility criteria:
- Natural-Born Filipino Status: You were born to Filipino parents or in the Philippines to Filipino parents.
- Naturalization in Another Country: You have become a naturalized citizen of another country.
- Age of Children: If you are including children in your application, you must confirm they are unmarried and under 18 years old.
2. Prepare the Required Documents
The required documentation may vary from case to case. Your immigration lawyer should advise you on what you will need to prepare. In most cases, you will need to gather:
- A completed application form. These forms are available on embassy/consulate websites.
- A PSA-issued birth certificate. You may need to request a new one if your current copies are no longer valid.
- The naturalization certificate from your other country.
- Original and photocopies of foreign and Philippine passports (if available).
- Two recent 2″x2″ passport photos.
- Payment for the applicable consular fees (varies per location).
- Any supporting documents for name changes (e.g., marriage certificate).
- Birth certificates and other supporting documents of minor children if they are being included in the application.
Again, the required documents may change depending on your situation. Discuss your situation with your immigration lawyer to avoid unnecessary delays due to incomplete documentation.
3. Schedule an Appointment at Your Closest Embassy
When you have all the required documents, the next step is to make a personal appearance at the Philippine embassy or consulate that has jurisdiction over your residence. Visit the Philippine embassy or consulate website for your country to learn the required protocols. Some posts accept walk-ins but most require prior appointments. Occasionally, embassies may also hold consular outreach missions in cities farther from their main offices, so be on the lookout for those.
4. Submit Your Application
On the day of your appointment:
- Appear in person
- Submit your application and supporting documents
- Pay the required fee
Before you make an appearance, make sure all copies of your documents are clear and that all the details match across your documents to avoid delays.
5. Take the Oath of Allegiance
Once everything is approved, you will be scheduled to take the Oath of Allegiance before a Philippine consular officer. Once completed, this act formally restores your Filipino citizenship. Generally speaking, any children included in your application are not required to take the oath.
6. Receive Your Certificates
After the oath-taking, you will be issued the following proofs of your allegiance:
- Identification Certificate. This serves as direct proof of reacquired Filipino citizenship.
- Oath of Allegiance Certificate. This proves that you have completed the solemn act of pledging allegiance to the Philippines.
- Documentation for included children. If your minor children were included in your application, you may receive documents that serve as proof of their Filipino citizenship.
These documents will be your and your children’s proof of citizenship, which means they can be used to apply for a Philippine passport, re-register with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), or acquire a Tax Identification Number (TIN), among many other things. Critically, as a Filipino citizen, you will no longer require an employment permit or special visa to legally work in the Philippines and you will enjoy the full protection of the country’s labor laws.
Reclaim Your Filipino Roots, Rights, and Identity
If you’re a former Filipino, re-acquiring your Filipino citizenship alongside your existing one can be a game-changer for your opportunities and your sense of belonging. Contact an experienced immigration lawyer to save time on your journey of rediscovery and visit the official websites of your nearest Philippine embassies to better explore your options.