Apply for U.S citizenship or not ?

[Tahoma 2,292]

The provisions of this section notwithstanding, the acquisition of citizenship by a natural born Filipino citizen from one of the Iberian and any friendly democratic countries or from the United Kingdom shall not produce loss or forfeiture of his Philippine citizenship if the law Of that country grants the same privilege to its citizens and such had been agreed upon by treaty between the Philippines and the foreign country from which citizenship is acquired.

Keep in mind this was written in 1936. I have no idea what agreements the US has with The Philippines. We need more and current information about the process. It may be that the Filipino does not lose his citizenship when he becomes a US citizen.

I discounted the paragraph about treaties because the U.S. only recently started ignoring it's citizens who possessed dual citizenship...I believe it was in 1990. Before that, they frowned upon dual citizenship of it's citizens. Therefore, I couldn't imagine that the U.S. had any sort of treaty with the Philippines regarding dual citizenship.

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

I don't think this is correct (a quick search on VJ would suggest you are not required to turn it in). As a passport technically is the property of the foreign country it would seem a bit bold for the USA to confiscate it.

Once a USC, you must present your US Passport when entering or exiting the USA.

Sorry, I could have sworn giving up your foreign passport was part of the naturalization process, but now I cannot find such on either USCIS nor travel.state.gov websites. Sorry I mis-spoke. (typed, LOL)

[Kevin-n-Merlaine 14]

Very good info...thanks to the OP for bringing it up and thanks to all of you for helping to clear it up

[Kevin-n-Merlaine 14]

Here's the info from the Phils Bureau of Immigration website. There's a link at the bottom to download the forms and a FAQ section that answered all my questions. After naturalization it looks like a good idea to go to the nearest Philippine Embassy and submit the docs and take the oath. I guess it could be done if and when you went back to the Phils but I'm guessing it MAY be a bit easier to do stateside.

http://immigration.g...d=163&Itemid=83

[John&Juvy 36]

The provisions of this section notwithstanding, the acquisition of citizenship by a natural born Filipino citizen from one of the Iberian and any friendly democratic countries or from the United Kingdom shall not produce loss or forfeiture of his Philippine citizenship if the law Of that country grants the same privilege to its citizens and such had been agreed upon by treaty between the Philippines and the foreign country from which citizenship is acquired.

Keep in mind this was written in 1936. I have no idea what agreements the US has with The Philippines. We need more and current information about the process.

It may be that the Filipino does not lose his citizenship when he becomes a US citizen.

That would be wonderful if that is the case lol. It's just hard for me to give up my citizenship. For me I am a filipino and Philippines is my home country no matter what. I wouldn't change my citizenship if its just because of the reason that I can travel anywhere without visa or if its the Social Security benifits. And also another thing is, lets say I apply for U.S citizenship, is that also means that our daughter will be just only american citizen ? Coz her parents is both american citizen right ?

Ssooo many quistions lol. Maybe we should just go straight to Philippine Embassy and personally ask about this matter lol.

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

That would be wonderful if that is the case lol. It's just hard for me to give up my citizenship. For me I am a filipino and Philippines is my home country no matter what. I wouldn't change my citizenship if its just because of the reason that I can travel anywhere without visa or if its the Social Security benifits. And also another thing is, lets say I apply for U.S citizenship, is that also means that our daughter will be just only american citizen ? Coz her parents is both american citizen right ?

Ssooo many quistions lol. Maybe we should just go straight to Philippine Embassy and personally ask about this matter lol.

I WOULD do it for reasons of travel... it is MUCH easier to travel on a US passport than to try and leave the PI as a visitor. I know many, many people who are not allowed to travel from the PI, and it doesn't seem right to me.

To become a citizen to get SSA benifits... now that is almost laughable. Not really worth the money, IMHO, and SSA may very well be gone by the time you would use it.

And if you retain dual citizenship (which the PI recognizes, even if the US does not), your children will also be dual citizens in the PI. And the US does recognize dual citizenship by birthright.

I think it is smart to do it; I know we will, even though it means us having to stay in the US an extra year to accomplish it. And I also plan on getting a 13a visa when we move to the PI.

[John&Juvy 36]

Here's the info from the Phils Bureau of Immigration website. There's a link at the bottom to download the forms and a FAQ section that answered all my questions. After naturalization it looks like a good idea to go to the nearest Philippine Embassy and submit the docs and take the oath. I guess it could be done if and when you went back to the Phils but I'm guessing it MAY be a bit easier to do stateside.

http://immigration.g...d=163&Itemid=83

Thanks for the link .

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

Sorry, I could have sworn giving up your foreign passport was part of the naturalization process, but now I cannot find such on either USCIS nor travel.state.gov websites.

Part of the naturalization process is that you give up any and all loyalty to the Philippines. At this point in time, they take your sworn word for it, so nobody needs to surrender any passports when becoming a U.S. citizen. Welcome to the Twilight Zone!

Purely theoretical, it would be possible that one day a President of the United States tells all of us to live up to our Oath of Allegiance and provide proof that we have renounced any former citizenship we might have within, let's say, a year. But it's not very likely, mostly because some countries won't play along here and the U.S. has no means of making them. Hence for now you can hold two or more citizenships, but you still should not make it the talk of town, but keep it to yourself.

[TinTin and Samby 11]

Here is some information that I posted on this subject over in the US Naturalization forum. It may help some get a practical rality handle on the current state of the Filipino Dual Citizenship topic.

Having researched RA9225 for nearly a year, it's clear that like so many other things in the Phillipines, this topic is rife with illogical, inconsistant and ambiguously worded information.

Here is what I have concluded after reading hundreds of documents on the subject:

1. Filipino law has been in the past (before RA9225) and STILL CURRENTLY IS TODAY (after RA9225) that any Filipino Citizen who becomes a Naturalized Citizen of a foreign country (Foreign - ie NOT Philippines) automatically loses their Filipino Citizenship, by that act of naturalization, effective immediately. This is still the law today.

2. Before RA9225, there was no (easy) way to reverse this loss of Filipino Citizenship.

3. RA9225 put in place an Administrative Process, which allows Filipinos to reverse this loss of Filipino Citizenship by doing 3 (relatively) simple things: a) Pay a small fee, b) sign a simple form stating your intention to reverse the loss of Filipino Citizenship that has occurred) and c) Swear an Oath stating the same to a duly authorized Philippine Government Representative (in Country at BIR, Out of Country at Embassy/Consulate).

4. The Administrative Process put in place by RA9225 provided for retroactive curing (e.g. Reversal) of Filipino Citizenship loss that occurred prior to the passage of RA9225. Therefore, a Filipino who lost their Filipino Citizenship by being Naturalized as a Citizen of a Foreign country (- ie NOT Philippines) 20 years ago, say in 1991, can use the same 3 step Administrative Process to "Reaquire" their Filipino Citizenship in 2011 as someone who lost their Filipino Citizenship by being Naturalized as a Citizen of a Foreign country 1 month ago in 2011.

In summary, what this really means is that the wording used in RA9225 - Reaquire or "RETAIN" is simply poor and the source of tons of confusion. There is no "preemptive" way to "RETAIN" Filipino Citizenship via the RA9225 Administrative Process. In all cases, Filipino Citizenship is "lost" at the moment of the act of Naturalization to a Foreign Country. The only difference is how long this loss exists for - 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 1 year, 10 years, etc. The answer to that question is simply the timeline between the Naturalization Act with the Foreign Country and the execution of the Administratve Process of RA 9225.

Regarding benefits of using RA9225 to reacquire Filipino Citizenship, there are several, but these seem to be the most popular:

a) Right to own (unrestricted amounts) of real property in the Philippines

b) Right to engage in business and/or practice one’s profession

c) Right to travel with a Philippine passport (A Philippine passport allows the holder to travel to member-nations of the ASEAN without a visa - Vietnam is a good example difference from US Passport)

d) Right to have Permanent Resident/ Citizenship benefits extend to one’s spouse/children

e) Right to vote in Philippine elections

f) Right to hold public office (some restrictions at Policy Level Positions)

The best documentation on this topic I have found after reading hundreds and hundreds of official and unofficial documents is http://askthepinoy.blogspot.com.

Warm Regards,

Samby

Edited September 19, 2011 by TinTin and Samby

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

Well-thought out and researched reply, thanks for sharing, TT&S!!

[Tahoma 2,292]

Well-thought out and researched reply, thanks for sharing, TT&S!!

I agree with Dave...good post TT&S...salamat po...

And thanks to everyone for the thoughtful discussion about this topic.

I would like to add that I've read about several organizations who are working toward having Medicare allowed in the Philippines. If it is approved, it will be a big plus for U.S. citizens who retire in the Philippines.

Dave...on a side note...do you know if VA medical is allowed in the Philippines?

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

I agree with Dave...good post TT&S...salamat po...

And thanks to everyone for the thoughtful discussion about this topic.

I would like to add that I've read about several organizations who are working toward having Medicare allowed in the Philippines. If it is approved, it will be a big plus for U.S. citizens who retire in the Philippines.

Dave...on a side note...do you know if VA medical is allowed in the Philippines?

That's a good question... I am sure VA benefits will be good wherever there is a VA hospital. But since the closure of Clark, I dunno if there are any in PI nowadays. I will research it and get back to you!

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

Wow, not too far from a place we all know and love!! 1501 Roxas Blvd...

http://www2.va.gov/directory/guide/facility.asp?ID=682

[Tahoma 2,292]

Wow, not too far from a place we all know and love!! 1501 Roxas Blvd...

http://www2.va.gov/directory/guide/facility.asp?ID=682

That's a great link. Bookmarked! Thanks, Dave.

[rheanick 42]

Just a quistion in my head for couple months now. I have couple friends here in the U.S that already a U.S citizen, and they keep asking me if when I'm going to apply for my citizenship. I keep telling them I dont know and It's not in my mind to give up my filipino citizenship, but they thought It's an Idiotic descision of me lol. All my family is in the Philippines and 100% for sure they have no plan to come live here in the U.S lol. I'm only here in the U.S because of my husband and coz of his work. But as of what he promise me we will move in Philippines as soon as he retire in 11 years and have enough savings to build a small business there for us... well atleast that's the plan lol.

Also now that we are having a baby, It only makes me more think to just keep my filipino citizenship so our baby can also partially filipino citizen. I dont know if that is right though LOL.

So I'm just curious if what is really the benefits of being a U.S citizen if you are already legally living here ?

Mine is for travelling. I'm done applying for travel visa.

I postponed our trip to Europe this year since i need three different visas to go around the countries i want to see in Europe.