FAQ’s on Dual Citizenship

What is dual citizenship and who are eligible to apply for it?

Republic Act 9225 or the Citizenship Retention and Reacquisition Act of 2003 (more popularly known as the Dual Citizenship Law) enables natural-born Filipinos who have become naturalized citizens of another country to reacquire their Philippine citizenship by taking an oath of allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines. Upon reacquiring their Philippine citizenship, they shall enjoy full civil and political rights as Filipinos, subject to certain conditions.

Under the principle of derivative citizenship, unmarried children below eighteen (18) years of age, whether legitimate, illegitimate, or adopted, of those who reacquired their Philippine citizenship under this law shall also be deemed Filipino citizens.

A child who is 18 years of age or older at the time of the parent’s reacquisition of Philippine citizenship, but was born when either parent was still a Filipino citizen, shall be considered to have been a natural born Filipino and may apply for reacquisition of Philippine citizenship on his/her own behalf.

Who are considered natural-born Filipinos?

Natural-born Filipinos are citizens of the Philippines from birth without having to perform any act to acquire or perfect their Philippine citizenship. Those whose fathers or mothers are citizens of the Philippines at the time of their birth and those born before 17 January 1973, of Filipino mothers, who elect Philippine citizenship upon reaching the age of majority are considered natural-born Filipinos.

Philippine citizenship law derives from the principle of jus sanguinis or the citizenship of the parents.

How can I apply for the reacquisition of my Philippine Citizenship?

Those who are residents of British Columbia, Alberta, the Yukon and the Northwest Territories should send their applications and supporting documents to the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver.

After their applications are processed and approved, they would have to visit the Consulate General on a predetermined date to take their oath of allegiance before a consular officer.

Those who are unable to apply in person may send their applications and requirements by mail. However, they would need to visit the Consulate General for their oath-taking.

You may also submit and process your applications with the Philippine Bureau of Immigration in Manila, should you be in the Philippines.

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What documents should I submit when applying for the reacquisition of my Philippine citizenship?

You should submit the following requirements when applying for the reacquisition of Philippine citizenship:

A. Your duly-accomplished application form (should be notarized by a notary public or lawyer/barrister if application is sent by mail);
B. Your birth certificate authenticated by the National Statistics Office (NSO) in Manila;
C. A photocopy of your Certificate of Naturalization and Canadian passport;
D. Two (2) recent 2” x 2” photographs
E. A copy of your old Philippine passport, if available;
F. A processing fee of Can$ 76.00;
G. If you are married, a duplicate original or certified photocopy of your marriage certificate;
H. If you are widowed, a duplicate original or certified photocopy of your spouse’s death certificate; and
I. If you are divorced or your marriage has been annulled, a duplicate original or certified photocopy of the appropriate decree or court order.

The payment of the processing fee may be in the form of a money order or certified check.

If you wish to have your unmarried minor (below 18 years of age) children acquire Philippine citizenship, you should also submit a duplicate original or certified photocopy of the birth certificates of your children.

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Do I need to reside in the Philippines if I reacquire my Philippine citizenship?

Residency in the Philippines is NOT a requirement for those who reacquire Philippine citizenship.

What rights and privileges am I entitled to once I reacquire my Philippine citizenship?

Once you reacquire your Philippine citizenship, you will once again enjoy full civil, economic and political rights under existing Philippine laws.

Among these rights are:

1. the right to travel with a Philippine passport;
2. the right to own real property in the Philippines;
3. the right to engage in business and commerce as a Filipino; and
4. the right to practice one’s profession, provided that a license or permit to engage in such practice is obtained from the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), or the Supreme Court in the case of lawyers.

You may also vote overseas in Philippine national elections (for President, Vice President, Senators and sectoral representatives) in accordance with the provisions of the Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003.

What effect does reacquiring my Philippine citizenship have on my taxes?

Under the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program of 1997, income earned abroad by Filipinos from 1998 are no longer taxable. Hence, all Filipinos abroad, including those who have reacquired their Philippine citizenship, have been exempted by the Philippine Government from paying Philippine income tax on income earned abroad.

Income earned in the Philippines, however, will still be subject to Philippine income tax.

Does my foreign spouse and/or children need a visa to travel to the Philippines?

As long as the foreign spouse and children travel with the balikbayan, they will be entitled to a visa-free entry to the Philippines for a period of one (1) year.

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