Moving back to the Philippines

[ilovecookies 0]

Hi Guys,

Just got back from Manila a few days ago (after being gone for 5 years). My heart is broken. We are considering moving back to the Philippines. Any advice on how to start? Please point us to the right direction. I have become a US citizen, didn't retain my Philippine citizenship.

Thanks for any help!

[DARUMA07 25]

Here is the website to the Philippine Bureau of Immigration. I don't know the answer to your question, but hopefully this will help you. http://www.immigration.gov.ph/

[Pinay Wife 47]

Please click the link below.

http://immigration.gov.ph/index.php?option...3&Itemid=83

[-B&T- 1]

Is your plan of moving back for good? Why not consider applying for dual Citizenship so you can travel back and forth with no restrictions? Whatever you decides, I wish you good luck and TC.

[SuperDuper! 230]

When a Filipino becomes a naturalized US citizen, can she choose to retain dual Filipino citizenship, or does she technically have to surrender Filipino citizenship and then apply for the dual citizenship status?

[Atencio 43]

I believe as part of the Philippine Constitution when you acquire citizenship(naturalization) in another country you automatically lose your Philippino citizenship. So you would have to reapply for citizenship. No big deal. You could still live in U.S. and do it.

[DainandVicky 4]

Philippines allows dual citizenship, as does the US for Philippines naturalized immigrants. Apply for and secure dual citizenship at one of the Philippines consulates and live where you like, when you like. Don't forget you'll need to visit the US once in a while or you'll give up your citizenship here.

Follow your heart, but use your head.

Best of luck to you.

[Kevin-n-Merlaine 14]

When a Filipino becomes a naturalized US citizen, can she choose to retain dual Filipino citizenship, or does she technically have to surrender Filipino citizenship and then apply for the dual citizenship status?

Yeh, +1 Hopp. I'm very curious about this too. I have read here but am not sure exactly how this works. Can she apply for dual citizenship at some point in this immigration process or does she have to do it at a later time? After she receives the green card? Return to the Phils to do it? She and I really want her to retain her Filipino citizenship so if anyone knows for sure how this works, or if you find out Hopp, let me know please

[DainandVicky 4]

Yeh, +1 Hopp. I'm very curious about this too. I have read here but am not sure exactly how this works. Can she apply for dual citizenship at some point in this immigration process or does she have to do it at a later time? After she receives the green card? Return to the Phils to do it? She and I really want her to retain her Filipino citizenship so if anyone knows for sure how this works, or if you find out Hopp, let me know please

"RA 9225, which took effect on 17 September 2003, declares that former natural-born Filipino citizens who acquired foreign citizenship through naturalisation are deemed not to have lost their Philippine citizenship under conditions provided in the Act.

There former Filipinos can re-acquire/retain their Philippine citizenship by taking the oath of allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines."

Click the link provided by Pinaywife, who is one of the people who taught me this too. Click the different tabs, especially the FAQ one.

http://immigration.gov.ph/index.php?option...3&Itemid=83

Seems not that complicated, you can do it from the Philippines Consulate in the US or in the Philippines too.

[DainandVicky 4]

It does say "acquired foreign citizenship". When you have a green card, you are a permanent resident of the US, but still a citizen of the Philippines. Your primary passport is still a Philippines passport. This applies to people who have completed the naturalization process, tested for and were granted full (US) citizenship.

Edited January 30, 2010 by DainandVicky

[SuperDuper! 230]

OK, great info. Did you check out that link, Kevin? Best wishes!

[Kevin-n-Merlaine 14]

Yeh thanks! So after she's a citizen here we will apply for dual citizenship That's a long way down the road...hell she's not even here yet!! LOL It would seem that it would be easier for everyone if that option was made available right now while the visa process was going on. That would make sense though and I know we can't have any of that.

[SuperDuper! 230]

I think the same way, Kevin. Even though my girl gets here in a couple weeks, and I am just living for the moment that I see her at the airport pulling her little luggage cart, I can't help but think ahead to her naturalization as a citizen here. I guess 'cause we all want to get this blasted immigration process behind us.

Yea, it would just make too much damn sense to have dual citizenship more or less a choice, option, default at the time of US citizenship. Compact agreement between the 2 countries or something?

Edited January 30, 2010 by Hopp

[Pinay Wife 47]

Yea, it would just make too much damn sense to have dual citizenship more or less a choice, option, default at the time of US citizenship. Compact agreement between the 2 countries or something?

More often than not, you only lose your citizenship if you "expressly renounce" it.

There is no compact agreement. Dual citizenship can happen by automatic operation of the country's laws rather than by choice. It is explained best by the Dept. of State.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1753.html

Dual Nationality

The concept of dual nationality means that a person is a citizen of two countries at the same time. Each country has its own citizenship laws based on its own policy. Persons may have dual nationality by automatic operation of different laws rather than by choice. For example, a child born in a foreign country to U.S. citizen parents may be both a U.S. citizen and a citizen of the country of birth.

A U.S. citizen may acquire foreign citizenship by marriage, or a person naturalized as a U.S. citizen may not lose the citizenship of the country of birth. U.S. law does not mention dual nationality or require a person to choose one citizenship or another. Also, a person who is automatically granted another citizenship does not risk losing U.S. citizenship. However, a person who acquires a foreign citizenship by applying for it may lose U.S. citizenship. In order to lose U.S. citizenship, the law requires that the person must apply for the foreign citizenship voluntarily, by free choice, and with the intention to give up U.S. citizenship.

Intent can be shown by the person's statements or conduct.The U.S. Government recognizes that dual nationality exists but does not encourage it as a matter of policy because of the problems it may cause. Claims of other countries on dual national U.S. citizens may conflict with U.S. law, and dual nationality may limit U.S. Government efforts to assist citizens abroad. The country where a dual national is located generally has a stronger claim to that person's allegiance.

However, dual nationals owe allegiance to both the United States and the foreign country. They are required to obey the laws of both countries. Either country has the right to enforce its laws, particularly if the person later travels there.Most U.S. citizens, including dual nationals, must use a U.S. passport to enter and leave the United States. Dual nationals may also be required by the foreign country to use its passport to enter and leave that country. Use of the foreign passport does not endanger U.S. citizenship. Most countries permit a person to renounce or otherwise lose citizenship.

Information on losing foreign citizenship can be obtained from the foreign country's embassy and consulates in the United States. Americans can renounce U.S. citizenship in the proper form at U.S. embassies and consulates abroad.

Edited January 30, 2010 by Pinay Wife

[skidivawannabe 2]

Hi Guys,

Just got back from Manila a few days ago (after being gone for 5 years). My heart is broken. We are considering moving back to the Philippines. Any advice on how to start? Please point us to the right direction. I have become a US citizen, didn't retain my Philippine citizenship.

Thanks for any help!

Just apply for dual citizenship. Done.

I don't think you can"lose" your U.S citizenship. My husband was born here, but was raised in the PH. He never lost his citizenship and he's a dual citizen too (since his parents are natural born Pinoys). Then again, he acquired his citizenship though birth, not naturalization. What I know is, if you receive social security benefits, I don't think you can be out of the U.S for more than 6 months.

Don't be heartbroken. You've only be gone 5 years and though there is going to be a little adjustment, it's not so bad as to if you have lived here in the U.S for 30 years or so. Life in the PH is not as "bad" as it seems. I actually think there are perks about living there. Ha ha ha.