Everything you need to know about DUAL CITIZENSHIP DUAL CITIZENSHIP Republic Act 9225 otherwise known as the Citizenship Retention and Reacquisition Act of 2003 (more popularly known as the Dual Citizenship Law) enables former natural-born Filipinos who have become naturalized citizens of another country to reacquire/retain their Philippine citizenship by taking an oath of allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines before a Philippine Consular Officer. Upon reacquiring their Philippine citizenship, they shall enjoy full civil, economic and political rights as Filipinos. Under the principle of derivative citizenship, unmarried children below eighteen (18) years of age, whether legitimate, illegitimate, or adopted, of former Filipino parents who reacquired their Philippine citizenship under this law, may also be deemed Filipino citizens, if they are included in the parent’s application for reacquisition of Philippine citizenship. However, there is another kind of dual citizenship, which is not covered by the law. This pertains to a dual citizen by birth: A child born in the United States when either parent was still a Filipino citizen is considered to be a dual citizen from birth (if born on or after January 17, 1973). Dual citizens who wish to apply for a Philippine passport will need to make a separate application and submit the requirements as specified in passport for dual or newly-registered PH citizens link on the left. Application for reacquisition of Philippine citizenship REQUIREMENTS: Submit the original and one duplicate copy of the following required documents to apply for reacquisition of Philippine citizenship: One (1) original and one (1) photocopy of the duly-accomplished Dual Citizenship application form, typed or printed legibly in black or blue ink Copy of Philippine Birth Certificate (original to be presented before the oath taking, when applying by mail) Copies of Philippine and U.S. Passports (originals to be presented before the oath taking, when applying by mail) Copy of Marriage Certificate/Contract, for married women (original to be presented before the oath taking, when applying by mail) Copy of U.S. Naturalization Certificate (original to be presented before the oath taking, when applying by mail) Six (6) colored photos, 2” x 2”, taken within six months before the date of application, showing a clear front view of applicant’s face, with a white background. No sleeveless attire. Blurred or low quality photos are not accepted. Processing fee of $50.00 (non-refundable), payable in cash, or money order, bank draft, certified check or cashier’s check, made payable to Embassy of the Philippines (or Philippine Consulate General, if application is made at one of the Philippine Consulates General in the U.S.). Personal checks and credit cards are not accepted. Note: The Philippine Embassy/Consulate General assumes no responsibility for any delay or loss in the mail, or while the documents are in the custody of the courier service. The applicant should note the tracking numbers of all envelopes used and submitted. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS for Derivative Citizenship Ensure that the appropriate portions on page 2 of the Dual Citizenship application form are filled up Duplicate original or certified photocopy of the birth certificate of the children and their non-Philippine passport Three (3) identical colored photos, 2” x 2”, taken within six months before the date of application, showing a clear front view of applicant’s face, with a white background. No sleeveless attire. Blurred or low quality photos are not accepted. Processing fee of $25.00 (non-refundable), per derivative child, payable in cash, or money order, bank draft, certified check or cashier’s check, made payable to Embassy of the Philippines (or Philippine Consulate General, if application is made at one of the Philippine Consulates General in the U.S.). Personal checks and credit cards are not accepted. The applicant will be informed of the date for the oath taking before a Consular Officer at the Embassy/Consulate General. Prior to taking his/her oath, the applicant will be required to sign the Oath of Allegiance prepared by the Embassy/Consulate General. The applicant will receive his/her original copy of the notarized oath of allegiance, together with the Order of Approval, Petition for Reacquisition of Philippine Citizenship and Identification Certificate issued by the Embassy/Consulate General, after the oath has been administered. If the applicant is a Bureau of Immigration registered alien, he shall surrender the original ACR and ICR/CRTV, or in its absence, an affidavit explaining the loss of said documents for transmittal to the BI. Applicants scheduled for oath-taking are requested to come dressed in at least decent casual attire, which does not include sleeveless shirts (for men), tank top, spaghetti strapped or mid-riff blouses (for women), shorts of any kind, and slippers. Rights and privileges Once you reacquire/retain your Philippine citizenship, you will again enjoy full civil, economic and political rights under existing Philippine laws. Among these rights are: The right to travel with a Philippine passport. The right to own real property in the Philippines. The right to engage in business and commerce as a Filipino, and 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 in Philippine national elections (for President, Vice President, Senators and sectoral representatives) by overseas/absentee ballot in accordance with the provisions of the Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003. You will enjoy all other rights and privileges enjoyed by Filipino citizens. Implication on taxes Income Tax Under the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program of 1997, incomes earned abroad by Filipinos from 1998 onwards 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 incomes earned abroad. Incomes earned in the Philippines, however, will be subject to Philippine income tax. Travel Tax Travel Tax exemption is being granted to dual citizens departing the Philippines and returning to the United States whose arrival is stamped on the Philippine passport and whose stay does not exceed one (1) year, the same privilege accorded to Filipino permanent residents abroad. For this purpose, a Travel Tax Exemption Certificate (TIEZA Form 354) is issued upon presentation of both the Philippine and U.S. passports. Processing fee of Php 200.00 is collected for every certificate issued. Those whose arrival is stamped on the U.S. passport need not secure the exemption certificate for they are not covered by the Travel Tax pursuant to Section 1 of PD 1183 as amended. Provided that their immigration status in the Philippines is as temporary visitors and not as permanent resident. Dual citizens whose stay in the Philippines exceed one (1) year will pay the travel tax irrespective of which passport they are using for travel. Residency requirement Residency in the Philippines is NOT a requirement for those who reacquire Philippine citizenship.
Posted on: Sun, 06 Apr 2014 04:25:10 +0000
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