Applying For Dual Citizenship: Australia And Philippines Simplified

how to apply dual citizenship australia and philippines

Former natural-born Filipinos who have become Australian citizens may become dual citizens with the assistance of Republic Act No. 9225, also known as the Citizenship Retention and Re-acquisition Act of 2003. This act allows natural-born Filipinos who have lost their citizenship by foreign naturalization to re-acquire or retain their Philippine citizenship. The process of applying for dual citizenship involves submitting the required documents, such as birth certificates, passports, and marriage certificates, to the Philippine Embassy or Consulate in the applicant's area. Applicants may also need to appear in person for an oath-taking ceremony and provide additional documentation if required. The benefits of dual citizenship include the right to vote in both countries, access to government benefits, property ownership, and the ability to stay long-term in both Australia and the Philippines.

Characteristics Values
Who can apply for dual citizenship? Natural-born Filipinos who have become Australian citizens
How to apply Submit the Petition for Dual Citizenship Application Form and supporting identification documents to the Philippine Consulate Office of your area or to the Philippine Embassy in Canberra
Application fee A$45.00 Cash and Debit Card only (bring the physical card) or A$45.00 Postal money order or bank cheque, payable to the Philippine Consulate General
Processing fee A$90.00 by postal money order or bank cheque, payable to the ‘Philippine Embassy’
Required documents Two original Petition for Dual Citizenship forms, two photocopies of the Philippine Birth Certificate, two photocopies of the Data-page of the Old Philippine passport, two photocopies of the Data-page of the Australian passport, four passport-sized colored photos, proof of Philippine citizenship, proof of Australian citizenship
Additional documents for previously married applicants Marriage certificate and final divorce decree issued by the Australian Court
Benefits of dual citizenship Right to vote in both countries, access to government benefits, property ownership, ability to stay long-term in both countries

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Eligibility requirements for dual citizenship

To be eligible for dual citizenship of Australia and the Philippines, you must meet the following requirements:

  • You must be a former natural-born Filipino citizen who has become a naturalized citizen of another country. This means that you were born in the Philippines and had Filipino citizenship at birth but have since become an Australian citizen.
  • One or both of your parents were Filipino citizens at the time of your birth. If you were born in the United States and one of your parents was Filipino, you are already considered a dual citizen of the Philippines and the US and do not need to apply for dual citizenship.
  • You must be at least 18 years old.
  • You must appear in person at the Philippine Embassy in Canberra, Australia, or Washington, DC, US, to take the oath of allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines.
  • You must submit two original accomplished Petition for Dual Citizenship forms.
  • You must provide two photocopies of the following documents:
  • Philippine Birth Certificate with Registry Number issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
  • If you were born outside the Philippines, a Report of Birth issued by the Philippine Embassy or Philippine Consulate in the country of your birth.
  • If you were married in the Philippines, a PSA-issued Philippine Marriage Certificate with Registry Number.
  • If you were married in Australia while still a Filipino citizen, a Report of Marriage issued by the Philippine Embassy.
  • Data page of Old Philippine passport.
  • Data page of Australian passport.
  • Australian Certificate of Naturalization (Citizenship).
  • Certificate of Australian Citizenship of each dependent child.
  • Four passport-sized coloured photos with a white background, taken within the last three months.
  • Self-addressed stamped envelope.
  • You must pay the processing fee of A$90.00 by postal money order or bank cheque, payable to the 'Philippine Embassy' (this payment is non-refundable).
  • You must provide additional documents if required by the Consulate to verify certain circumstances or inconsistencies in the records. These may include proof of election of Philippine citizenship issued by the Bureau of Immigration in the Philippines.
  • If you had a previous Australian marriage, you must provide the marriage certificate and final divorce decree issued by the Australian Court.
  • You can include your unmarried children under 18 in your application so they can become Filipino citizens too. Their presence is not necessary during the appointment.

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Required documents for the application

To apply for dual citizenship in Australia and the Philippines, you must submit the following documents:

  • Petition for Dual Citizenship Application Form: Two original accomplished Petition for Dual Citizenship forms. The original will be returned to the applicant during the oath-taking.
  • Philippine Birth Certificate: Two photocopies of the Philippine Birth Certificate with a Registry Number issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). If the applicant does not have a birth certificate issued by the PSA, they can order it online through the PSA website.
  • Report of Birth: If the applicant was born outside the Philippines, they must provide a Report of Birth issued by the Philippine Embassy or Philippine Consulate in the country of their birth.
  • Philippine Marriage Certificate: If the applicant was married in the Philippines, they must provide a PSA-issued Philippine Marriage Certificate with a Registry Number.
  • Report of Marriage: If the applicant was married in Australia while still a Filipino citizen, they must provide a Report of Marriage issued by the Philippine Embassy.
  • Old Philippine Passport: Two photocopies of the data page of the old Philippine passport.
  • Australian Passport: Two photocopies of the data page of the Australian passport.
  • Australian Naturalization Certificate: Two certified true copies of the Australian Certificate of Naturalization (Citizenship).
  • Photos: Four passport-sized coloured photos with a white background, taken within the last three months.
  • Processing Fee: Payment of a processing fee of A$90.00 by postal money order or bank cheque, payable to the 'Philippine Embassy'. This payment is non-refundable.
  • Self-addressed Stamped Envelope
  • Additional Documents: The Consulate may require additional documents to verify certain circumstances or inconsistencies in the records, such as Proof of Election of Philippine citizenship issued by the Bureau of Immigration in the Philippines.
  • Dependents' Documents: If including qualified dependents in the application, additional documents are required. These include the Certificate of Australian Citizenship of each dependent child and payment of a processing fee of A$45.00 for each dependent.

It is important to note that the requirements may vary slightly depending on the specific circumstances of the applicant and the location of the application (e.g., Canberra, Melbourne, or Washington DC). Therefore, it is always advisable to refer to the official websites of the Philippine Embassy and Consulates for the most up-to-date and accurate information.

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Application fees

The application fee for dual citizenship is A$90 for notarial and administrative taxes, payable to the Philippine Consulate in Sydney. This payment is non-refundable. The accepted payment methods include cash, credit/debit card (4% convenience fee applies), or money order made payable to the 'Philippine Embassy' or 'Embassy of the Philippines'.

If you are applying by post, the fee is A$90 by postal money order or bank cheque, payable to the 'Philippine Consulate General' in Melbourne or the 'Philippine Embassy' in Canberra. This payment is also non-refundable.

If you are applying in person to the Philippine Consulate General in Melbourne, the fee is A$45 by cash or debit card only.

If you are applying for dual citizenship for your dependents, there is a corresponding fee per beneficiary included in the application. The fee for each dependent is A$45.

If your name has changed, you must submit an Affidavit explaining the change, and a fee will apply.

If you are reacquiring your Filipino citizenship, you will need to take the Philippine Oath of Allegiance before a duly authorised Philippine official. It is unclear whether there is a fee for this.

Please note that dual citizenship does not affect the status of your Australian citizenship. However, if you are seeking an elected position, you may be required to renounce your Filipino citizenship.

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Rights and benefits of dual citizenship

The rights and benefits of dual citizenship between Australia and the Philippines are numerous. Dual citizenship allows individuals to enjoy the rights and privileges of both countries while adhering to the laws and obligations of each. This includes the ability to own property and engage in business or commerce in both countries, making it easier to live, work, and retire in either nation.

Dual citizens of Australia and the Philippines have the right to travel with two passports, with an Australian passport granting visa-free entry to 180 countries. This enhanced travel flexibility is a significant advantage of dual citizenship. Additionally, dual citizens can access social services in both countries and retain cultural and familial connections, which can be especially beneficial for expatriates.

In terms of civil rights, dual citizens of the Philippines enjoy the full civil and political rights guaranteed by the Philippine Constitution and laws. This includes the right to vote in either country. For those with children, dual citizenship can be passed down, securing these rights and benefits for future generations.

The process of obtaining dual citizenship typically involves submitting an application form, providing necessary documentation, and paying a processing fee. It is important to note that the rules regarding dual citizenship vary between countries, and specific country regulations should be checked.

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Travel and visa requirements for dual citizens

If you are a dual citizen of Australia and the Philippines, there are some specific travel and visa requirements you need to be aware of. Here is some information regarding these requirements:

Philippine Citizenship Requirements:

Former natural-born Filipinos who have lost their citizenship by foreign naturalization may re-acquire or retain their Philippine citizenship under Republic Act 9225, also known as the Citizenship Retention and Re-acquisition Act of 2003. This allows them to become dual citizens. To apply for dual citizenship, you need to submit the following:

  • Two original accomplished Petition for Dual Citizenship forms (one will be returned during the oath-taking ceremony)
  • Two photocopies of your Philippine birth certificate with a registry number issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). If you were born outside the Philippines, you will need a Report of Birth issued by the Philippine Embassy or Consulate in your country of birth.
  • If you were married in the Philippines, provide a PSA-issued Philippine marriage certificate with a registry number. If you were married in Australia while still a Filipino citizen, you will need a Report of Marriage issued by the Philippine Embassy.
  • Two photocopies of the data page of your old Philippine passport (certified true copies)
  • Two photocopies of the data page of your Australian passport (certified true copies)
  • Two photocopies of the Certificate of Australian Citizenship for each dependent child (certified true copies)
  • Payment of a processing fee of A$45 for each dependent (non-refundable)
  • If you had a previous Australian marriage, provide the marriage certificate and final divorce decree issued by an Australian Court
  • Two certified true copies of your Australian Certificate of Naturalization (Citizenship)
  • Four passport-sized coloured photos with a white background, taken within the last three months
  • Payment of a processing fee of A$90 by postal money order or bank cheque, payable to the 'Philippine Embassy' (non-refundable)
  • Self-addressed stamped envelope

Australian Visa Requirements:

When applying for an Australian visa from the Philippines, you can refer to the Department of Home Affairs website for the most up-to-date and comprehensive information. Here are some key points to note:

  • The website has useful definitions and tools to help you understand the visa requirements.
  • You can use the visa finder to identify the correct visa for your travel to Australia.
  • Ensure that you read all the available information and instructions on the application form and the website.
  • Complete all the required details in the application form and use the checklists provided to include all the necessary documentation.
  • Once you receive the request, make an appointment to have your biometrics collected at an Australian Biometrics Collection Centre (ABCC) in person. Take a copy of the request email and your passport to the appointment.
  • Provide your biometrics within 14 days of online lodgement or notify the relevant visa processing office if you are unable to do so.
  • Applicants are encouraged to provide an Australian postal address with their application.

Frequently asked questions

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