Citizen having a child abroad citizenship question

[SemperAye 2]

I am a US citizen born and raised and my wife is a Filipino with a 10 year green card. We will be living in Cebu Philippines for a couple years while I'll be on a student visa using my VA GI-Bill. My wife may or may not be a citizen by the time we arrive in Cebu (not sure if this is a problem either). We were wondering if we were to get pregnant while abroad in Cebu, if our child would automatically qualify for US citizenship? If so, would any documents need to be filed for the child?

Thanx in advance to the community for your help!

[aaron2020 11,651]

Your child will be a US citizen based on your US citizenship. Wife can be either a USC or not as your US citizenship is sufficient to pass it on to your children.

You will need to file a CRBA and US passport for your child at the US Embassy.

[biaobiao 40]

Your child will be a US citizen based on your US citizenship. Wife can be either a USC or not as your US citizenship is sufficient to pass it on to your children.

You will need to file a CRBA and US passport for your child at the US Embassy.

agree.. thats what i did with my baby... you have to file for CRBA in US EMBASSY manila.. it will be easy if you will be there..

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

*** Moving from US Citizenship to CRBA, because that is the process the Op will need once the baby is born *****

[belinda63 3,033]

If your wife does not become a US citizen you want to look into obtaining a re-entry permit. It will allow her to be outside of the US for up to two years without losing her residency.

[SemperAye 2]

If your wife does not become a US citizen you want to look into obtaining a re-entry permit. It will allow her to be outside of the US for up to two years without losing her residency.

Good advice thank you! We've decided to get her citizenship first. Once she is a citizen do you know how long she can stay in PH without flying back? I think I heard somewhere it's 3 years before the US considers you abandoned and you may or may not be able to reenter the us after that.

For me I'm guessing it would be the same thing? I can stay for 3 years, but unlike my wife, I would have to fly to hongkong or somewhere nearbye with my wife each year before my visa expires and re-enter as balikbayan to stay another year.

Edited January 25, 2015 by SemperAye

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

Once she is a citizen, she can stay abroad forever and remain a citizen.

[SemperAye 2]

Once she is a citizen, she can stay abroad forever and remain a citizen.

But what if she applies for dual citizenship?

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

But what if she applies for dual citizenship?

No problem from the US side, I don't know how the Philippines feels about it.