Dual citizenship in the Philippines under RA 9225

If you were born a Filipino and became a citizen of another country, you can get your Philippine citizenship back by taking an oath of allegiance under RA 9225, the Citizenship Retention and Re-acquisition Act of 2003. You keep your other citizenship as far as Philippine law is concerned: the oath does not ask you to renounce it. You apply at a Philippine embassy or consulate where you live, or at the Bureau of Immigration main office in Manila.

Natural-born Filipinos who became foreign citizens after the Act took effect in 2003 keep their Philippine citizenship by taking the same oath (Sec. 3).

Who qualifies

• Natural-born Filipinos who lost their citizenship by becoming citizens of another country. The Constitution defines natural-born citizens as “those who are citizens of the Philippines from birth without having to perform any act to acquire or perfect their Philippine citizenship” (Art. IV Sec. 2).
• Their children: an unmarried child below 18, “whether legitimate, illegitimate or adopted”, is deemed a Philippine citizen when the parent reacquires citizenship (RA 9225 Sec. 4). Consulates list them as derivative applicants on the parent’s petition.

People who became Filipino by naturalisation are not covered by the Act.

Steps and documents

The Bureau of Immigration’s 2024 Citizen’s Charter lists:

1. A signed petition form (BI Form 2014-01-005 Rev 1), notarised if you file with the BI.
2. Two 2x2 photos on a white background, taken in the last three months.
3. Your original PSA birth certificate.
4. Your valid foreign passport, original and photocopy.
5. Your certificate of naturalisation, with an English translation if needed. If you have none, an affidavit saying how and when you became a foreign citizen.

Then you take the oath, and you receive an identification certificate. The San Francisco consulate says this certificate is “sufficient proof of Philippine citizenship” when you enter or leave the Philippines on a foreign passport. With it you can apply for a Philippine passport.

Fees, as published:

Scroll the table sideways for more

Fees differ by embassy and consulate. Check the page of the one where you will apply. The BI says it processes the petition in 60 working days from receipt of complete documents. The San Francisco consulate says it takes applications in person by appointment, and gives the oath the same day.

What changes for you

RA 9225 Sec. 5 gives you “full civil and political rights”, with conditions:

• Voting: you can vote under the overseas voting law if you meet its requirements. To vote in local elections you must live in that locality.
• Public office: to run for office you must renounce your foreign citizenship under oath when you file your candidacy. To be appointed, you renounce your oath to the other country.
• Professions: you apply to the proper body, such as the PRC, for a licence to practise.
• A Philippine passport, once you have your identification certificate.

Land. The Constitution reserves private land for Filipino citizens, except by inheritance (Art. XII Sec. 7). Once you have reacquired citizenship you are a citizen again. A natural-born Filipino who has not reacquired citizenship can still buy limited land: up to 1,000 square metres of urban land or one hectare of rural land to live on (BP 185), or up to 5,000 square metres urban or three hectares rural for business (Foreign Investments Act Sec. 10, added by RA 8179). Get legal advice before you buy.

Your benefits as a reacquired citizen

• Pag-IBIG MP2: the Pag-IBIG Fund opens MP2 to natural-born Filipinos who reacquired citizenship under RA 9225 “with at least 24 monthly savings prior to permanent migration to another country”. See our MP2 guide.
• SSS: the Social Security Act allows “naturalized citizens of their host countries” to be covered on a voluntary basis (RA 11199 Sec. 9-B(g)). If you already have SSS contributions, you can continue as a voluntary member to reach the 120 needed for a pension.
• Senior citizen benefits: once you are 60 and have lived in the Philippines for at least six months, the senior citizen rules can apply to dual citizens. See senior citizen discount and benefits. See the senior citizen ID guide.

Dual citizenship or the SRRV

The Philippine Retirement Authority’s Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV) has a Courtesy option for former Filipinos who have not reacquired citizenship. From age 40, the PRA lists:

• a visa deposit of USD 1,500 at 50 or older, or USD 3,000 at 40 to 49;
• a USD 1,500 processing fee;
• a USD 50 yearly fee for the principal and two dependants.

The PRA page shows no date, so check it before you apply. Compare that with RA 9225: a one-time fee, no deposit, and the rights of a citizen. The SRRV may suit someone whose other country does not allow dual nationality. See the SRRV guide.

Your other country’s rules

Philippine law lets you hold both citizenships. Your other country may not. Some countries limit dual nationality or require you to tell them. Check your other country’s own government website before you take the oath.

If you draw a US pension, see Medicare and US benefits in the Philippines.