What are the advantages of Dual Citizenship?

[iahmjpinoy 6]

Was your mother or father a philippine citizen? did they become US citizen? then they are deemed to have not lost their Philippine citizenship. (RA 9225, which took effect on 17 September 2003, declares that former natural-born Filipino citizens who acquired foreign citizenship through naturalization are deemed not to have lost their Philippine citizenship under conditions provided in the Act)

If yes to the above... then are you born in USA but from Philippine citizen? If yes, then you can apply for Philippine citizenship since you are born of philippine citizens in another country. You dont have to apply as a foreigner. The applying and being under 18 and unmarried is if your parents lost their Philippine citizenship and are not currently Philippine citizens.

i think you should talk to your parents and find out what is their Philippine status. That will give you your status. You can also contact a Philippine Immigration Attorney.

Chris

Hay nakoh, like I stated b4, this topic has been debated to death. And it's not fair to the OP to knock her thread off track.. but just to clarify and my last post on this subject....

For the record, I was born a Filipino citizen, and lost my citizenship after I got naturalize(hence, I was NEVER a US Citizen), so @ this point, doesn't matter what my parents status is, as I'm over 18 and can't fall under them even if they decide to apply for dual citizenship.

When you take the Oath for US Citizenship, you renounce any citizenship you have to your former country. RA9225, allows me to take the oath(without renouncing my citizenship to the US) and gain my Filipino citizenship back AND keep my US Citizenship as well, hence this Act is for DUAL citizenship, not for a forienger or a Filipino who NEVER was a Filipino citizen to begin with to gain DUAL citizenship or just become a Filipino citizen.

Please read RA9225 more carefully as the OP was asking the benefits to DUAL citizenship. The Act I posted was a means for someone who lost their Filipino citizenship thru naturalization to regain it by means of dual citizenship. We can both agree this Act is not for a foreigner trying to get Filipino Citizenship

For the OP, as stated in RA9225, these are the benifits of Dual Citizenship:

What rights and privileges will dual citizens enjoy?

Those who retain or reacquire their Philippine Citizenship under RA 9225 shall enjoy full civil and political rights and be subject to all attendant liabilities and responsibilities under existing laws of the Philippines and the following conditions:

Those intending to exercise their right of suffrage must meet the requirements under Section 1, Article V of the Constitution, Republic Act No. 9189, otherwise known as “The Overseas Absentee Voting Act 0f 2003” and other existing laws.

Under the Act, the right to vote or be elected or appointed to any public office in the Philippines cannot be exercised by, or extended to, those who are candidates for or are occupying any public office in the country of which they are naturalized citizens and/or those who are in active service as commissioned or non-commissioned officers in the armed forces of the country which they are naturalized citizens.

Those seeking elective public office in the Philippines shall meet the qualifications for holding such public office as required by the Constitution and existing laws and, at the time of filing of the certificate of candidacy, make a personal and sworn renunciation of any and all foreign citizenship before any public officer authorized to administer an oath.

Those appointed to any public office shall subscribe and swear to an oath of allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines and its duly constituted authorities prior to their assumption of office; provided, that they renounce their oath of allegiance to the country where they took that oath.

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. There is no limit in terms of area or size of land or real property he/she could acquire/purchase under his/her name. This right would now apply to former natural-born Filipinos who have re-acquired Philippine citizenship under RA 9225.

Can I now reside in the Philippines without having to apply for entry visa?

Former natural born Filipinos who have re-acquired Philippine citizenship may now reside in the Philippines continuously without having to apply for entry visa. If the foreign spouse and/or child wish to also reside permanently in the Philippines, they may opt to apply for naturalization as a Filipino citizen or apply for a permanent resident visa.

If he/she does not wish to reside permanent in the Philippines, he/she could visit the country as a Balikbayan (refers to a Filipino citizen who is out of the country continuously for at least one year). The foreign spouse or child may enter the country and stay for up to a year visa-free provided the spouse or child is accompanying or traveling with the Balikbayan when the Balikbayan goes home to the Philippines.

As a dual citizen, how long can I stay in the Philippines?

Having reacquired your citizenship, you can stay in the Philippines for as long as you want without having to pay an immigration fees. You can even choose to retire or permanently settle back in the Philippines. As a Filipino citizen, you are subject to duties and other obligations imposed on other ordinary Filipinos, such as paying the necessary community tax residence and other tax liabilities in accordance with the tax laws of the Philippines.

Will I now be required to pay income tax and other taxes? Am I exempt from paying the travel tax?

In accordance with existing laws, income earned in the Philippines is subject to the payment of tax. Filipinos who re-acquire citizenship and opt to reside and work in the Philippines will pay the income tax due at the end of each fiscal year. They are also subject to other obligations and liabilities, such as the community tax and residence tax.

Countries routinely forge bilateral agreements in order that their respective citizens who earn income overseas do not pay income tax twice.

Filipinos who have re-acquired citizenship, as long as they reside permanently overseas, also enjoy the travel tax exemption extended to Filipino citizens permanently residing in other countries, the OFWs and their dependents.

As a dual citizen, am I allowed to practice my profession in the Philippines (e.g. doctor) ?

Under the law, those intending to practice their profession in the Philippines shall apply with the proper authority for a license or permit to engage in such practice.

Ingats!!