How To Apply For Dual Citizenship (Filipino And Canadian) In Canada

Lately, I’ve been receiving email on how to apply for dual citizenship in Canada. So for those who have been waiting, I apologize that it took some time for me to write a blog post about it.

This post will also serve as my reference once I apply for dual citizenship. I may or may not. I’m not sure . . . though, but all I can say is Filipinos will always be Filipinos wherever we are or whatever citizenship ID we have.

We are Filipinos in our hearts.

Suddenly, I’m starting to become patriotic.

It could be the weather or because I’m looking forward to apply for Canadian citizenship. Time flies. It wasn’t long ago when I applied for permanent residency under the Live-in Caregiver Program.

Let’s push aside the melancholy. Keep on reading for the information that I hope will redeem myself from becoming a lazy blogger.

After publishing this post, I received several comments (kudos to YOU) so I’m adding this essential part.

Who are Eligible to Apply for Dual Citizenship

First things first, let’s find out if you qualify for any of the following conditions based on Republic Act 9225 or the Citizenship Retention and Reacquisition Act of 2003:

• Natural-born Filipinos who have become naturalized citizens of another country.
• Under the principle of derivative citizenship, unmarried children below eighteen (18) years of age of those who reacquired their Philippine citizenship.
• A child who is 18 years of age or older at the time of the parent’s reacquisition of Philippine citizenship, but was born when either parent was still a Filipino citizen.

I fall under the first category. How about you?

For all the eligible applicants of Philippine citizenship, let’s read further down the post; moving on to “where” and “how” of the process.

Navigating through the websites never fails to confuse me. I hope I have steer you in the right direction.

Where to Apply for Dual Citizenship in Canada?

EMBASSY OF THE PHILIPPINES, OTTAWA
Location: 30 Murray St, Ottawa, ON K1N 5M4
Tel. No. (+613) 233-1121
Fax No. (+613) 233-4165
Duty Officer: (+613) 614-2846
Email: ottawa.pe@dfa.gov.ph and embassyofphilippines@rogers.com
Facebook Page
Link to dual citizenship (apply in person)

Philippine Consulate General

PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL, CALGARY
Location: Suite 920, 517 1oth Ave. SW Calgary, Alberta T2R 0A8
(Centre 10 Building, corner of 4th and 5th Street)
Tel. No. (403) 455-9343, (403) 455-9457, (403) 455-9483, (403) 455-9346
After work phone: (587) 577-1524
Office hours: 9am to 4pm
Email: calgarypcg@yahoo.ca
Passport: calgarypcg@gmail.com
Website
Link to dual citizenship form and requirements

How to Apply Dual Citizenship in PCG Calgary (for residents of Alberta and Saskatchewan):
1. Send their applications and supporting documents to the Consulate by mail
2. Apply in person
If the application is approved, you have to take the oath of allegiance before a consular officer on a predetermined date.

PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL, TORONTO
Location: 7th Floor, 160 Eglinton Ave. East Toronto, Ontario, M4P 3B5
Tel. No. (416) 922-7181
Fax No. (416) 922.2638
Email:
toronto.pcg@dfa.gov.ph
consularmatters@philcongen-toronto.com
torontopc@philcongen-toronto.com
Link to dual citizenship form and requirements (apply in person)

PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL, VANCOUVER
Location: Suite 660, 999 Canada Place Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 3E1
Tel. No. (604) 685-1619/(604) 685-7645
Urgent Call: (604) 653-5858
Fax No. (604) 685-9945
Email : vancouver.pcg@dfa.gov.ph and vancouverpcg@telus.net
Website

How to Apply Dual Citizenship in PCG Vancouver (for residents of British Columbia, Alberta, Yukon, and the Northwest Territories):
1. Send the application form and supporting documents to the Consulate by mail
2. Apply in person

If the application is approved, you have to take the oath of allegiance before a consular officer on a predetermined date. Click here for more information about dual citizenship application in Vancouver.

You probably have chosen where to submit the application whether through mail or in person so let’s proceed with the requirements.

Requirements for the Citizenship Retention and Reacquisition

You have to download the application form for Citizenship and Reacquisition but the form and requirements vary depending on the Philippine government agency you’ve planned to submit the application.

So refer to the link mentioned above (Link to dual citizenship) for the forms, requirements, and instruction.

But to give an idea of what to submit here are the common requirements for the application of dual citizenship in Canada:

1. Accomplished application form for Citizenship and Reacquisition
2. Original and photocopy of Philippine Birth Certificate (get a birth certificate online)

Supporting Documents:

1. Original marriage certificate indicating the Philippine citizenship of the applicant, or
2. Original old Philippine passport with an affidavit of being a natural-born Filipino
3. Original court order on annulment of marriage
4. Original death certificate of spouse

Note: The requirements for unmarried dependent minor (below 18 years old) maybe differ from the parents so take note of the documents.

Processing Fee:

• CAD $67.50 in accordance with Circular AFF-04-01 (Implementing Rules and Regulations)
• CAD $33.75 for every unmarried dependent minor below 18 years of age included in the application
• Additional fee of CAD 33.75 will be charged for any affidavit

Mode of payment: Cash, bank draft, or postal money order

Although this post shows you how to apply for dual citizenship in Canada, I wouldn’t want to fail to mention on how to apply for dual citizenship in the Philippines.

If you are on vacation and have the time, you may also submit and process the applications with the Philippine Bureau of Immigration in Manila. (For the details, that’s meant for future blog post. Send me an email if I’m taking too long to write about it.)

May I ask you a question and answers are not compulsory. Ask yourself why do you want a dual citizenship. (I’ve been doing that occasionally.)

The reasons for reacquiring Philippine Citizenship is a personal matter. But let me share the advantages of becoming a Filipino again based on the constitution.

Rights and Privileges of Reacquiring Philippine Citizenship

1. The right to travel with a Philippine passport
2. The right to own real property in the Philippines
3. The right to engage in business and commerce as a Filipino
4. The right to practice one’s profession, provided that a license or permit to engage in
   such practice is obtained from the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), or the
   Supreme Court in the case of lawyers.
5. You may also vote overseas in Philippine national elections (for President, Vice
   President, Senators and sectoral representatives) in accordance with the provisions of
   the Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003

Tax Tip: Under the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program of 1997, income earned abroad by Filipinos from 1998 are NO longer taxable.

You are almost done. But if you want to read more about the laws mentioned in the post, feel free to read the resources.

Doesn’t it make you feel smart just by knowing the law’s title? I can see the episodes of Kapag May Katwiran, Ipaglaban Mo flashing back in my memory right now.

I’ll let you go now but here’s a final reminder: keep in mind that I DO NOT work or am I affiliated with the Philippine Embassy or Consulate. I cannot make an appointment but I’ll keep on blogging for sure!

Leave a comment about your personal experience about dual citizenship. It would help the Filipino community in Canada.