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Retention / Reacquisition of Philippine Citizenship – RA No. 9225 (Dual Citizenship)

Requirements

1. Two (2) copies, completed Citizenship Retention and Reacquisition Forms

You must sign your name as it appears in your foreign naturalization certificate or foreign passport. In case of change of name, you must state the name appearing in your birth certificate or the old Philippine passport.

2. Original and two (2) photocopies of the following documents:

• Birth Certificate (if born in the Philippines) or Report of Birth (if born outside the Philippines) issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on security paper

• Certificate of Naturalization or Registration
  • If the document is not in English, an English translation of the Certificate must be duly authenticated by the Embassy in the United Kingdom of the country where you were naturalized, or by the appropriate government agency of such country.
• Data page of your most recent Philippine passport
• Data page of your current foreign passport
• Marriage Certificate (if married in the Philippines) or Report of Marriage (if married abroad) issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority on security paper (applicable for married female applicants only)

3. Five (5) passport-size photographs

4. Retention / reacquisition of Philippine Citizenship fee of GBP 46.00

If you decided to include minor dependents (below 18 years old) in your petition, the following requirements must also be submitted:

• Minor’s Birth Certificate (if born in the Philippines) or Report of Birth (if born outside the Philippines) issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on security paper
• Original and two (2) photocopies of the following documents:
• Minor’s Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Registration
  • If the document is not in English, an English translation of the Certificate must be duly authenticated by the Embassy in the United Kingdom of the country where you were naturalized, or by the appropriate government agency of such country.
• Data page of the minor’s most recent Philippine passport
• Data page of the minor’s current foreign passport
• Two (2) passport-size photographs of the minor
• Retention / reacquisition of Philippine Citizenship fee of GBP 23.00 per minor dependent

Steps

1. Prepare a complete set of your documentary requirements.
2. Visit the Philippine Embassy in London and complete the following steps:

• Get a queuing number at the Processing Room.
• Submit your documentary requirements to the processor as soon as your number is called.
• Pay the Retention / reacquisition of Philippine Citizenship fee at the cashier.
• Proceed to the First floor Waiting Room and wait to be called for the oath-taking ceremony.
• Sign the necessary documents.
• Proceed to the Consul’s Office for the briefing and oath-taking.
• Take the Oath of Allegiance.

Important Reminders

• The Embassy may request additional supporting documents as circumstances warrant.

• Applicants without the required civil registry documents (Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate, etc.) may order the documents through the Philippine Statistics Authority’s online facility https://www.psaserbilis.com.ph/

• Oath-taking ceremonies take place every working day at 12:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Applicants should have already submitted their application with the complete set of requirements at the processing counter no later than one hour before the scheduled oath-taking.

• Applicants may also submit their application for a new passport on the day of their oath-taking. A separate passport processing fee of GBP 55.00 will be charged together with the submission of the requirements for new passport application.

To ensure smooth Customs clearance, please read these guidelines thoroughly.

General Provisions

Except as otherwise provided for in the CMTA or in other laws, all goods, when imported into the Philippines, shall be subject to duty upon importation, including goods previously exported from the Philippines. (Section 104, CMTA)

Regulated Goods

Goods which are subject to regulation shall be imported or exported only after securing the necessary permit(s), clearance(s), license(s), or any other requirement(s) prior to importation or exportation. (Section 117, CMTA)

Regulated goods include, but are not limited to the following:

Regulated goods imported or exported in violation of Section 117 shall be subject to seizure and forfeiture. Violators shall be subject to criminal prosecution and / or penalties.

Restricted Goods

These are goods which may be imported or exported only when authorized by law or regulation. As provided under Section 119 of the CMTA, the following are restricted goods:

• Dynamite, gunpowder, ammunitions and other explosives, firearms and weapons of war, or parts thereof;
• Roulette wheels, gambling outfits, loaded dice, marked cards, machines, apparatus or mechanical devices used in gambling or the distribution of money, cigars, cigarettes, or other goods when such distribution is dependent on chance, including jackpot and pinball machines or similar contrivances, or parts thereof;
• Lottery and sweepstakes tickets, except advertisements thereof and lists of drawing therein;
• Marijuana, opium, poppies, coca leaves, heroin or other narcotics or synthetic drugs which are or may hereafter be declared habit forming by the President of the Philippines, or any compound, manufactured salt, derivative, or preparation thereof, except when imported by the government of the Philippines or any person duly authorized by the Dangerous Drugs Board, for medicinal purposes;
• Opium pipes or parts thereof, of whatever material; and
• Any other goods whose importation and exportation are restricted.

The restriction to import or export the above stated goods shall include the restriction on their transit.

Restricted goods imported or exported in violation of Section 119 shall be subject to seizure and forfeiture. Violators shall be subject to criminal prosecution and/or penalties.

Prohibited Goods

These are goods which are, by their nature, unlawful to be imported or exported. These goods are otherwise called as “contrabands.” As provided under Section 118 of the CMTA, the following are prohibited goods:

• Written or printed goods in any form containing any matter advocating or inciting treason, rebellion, insurrection, sedition against the government of the Philippines, or forcible resistance to any law of the Philippines, or written or printed goods containing any threat to take the life of, or inflict bodily harm upon any person in the Philippines;
• Goods, instruments, drugs and substances designed, intended or adapted for producing unlawful abortion, or any printed matter which advertises, describes or gives direct or indirect information where, how or by whom unlawful abortion is committed;
• Written or printed goods, negatives or cinematographic films, photographs, engravings, lithographs, objects, paintings, drawings, or other representation of an obscene or immoral character;
• Any goods manufactured in whole or in part of gold, silver, or other precious metals or alloys and the stamp, brand or mark does not indicate the actual fineness of quality of the metals or alloys;
• Any adulterated or misbranded food or goods for human consumption or any adulterated or misbranded drug in violation of relevant laws and regulations;
• Infringing goods as defined under the Intellectual Property Code and related laws; and
• All other goods or parts thereof, which importation and exportation are explicitly prohibited by law or rules and regulations issued by the competent authority.

Prohibited goods imported or exported in violation of Section 118 shall be subject to seizure and forfeiture. Violators shall be subject to criminal prosecution and/or penalties.

Note: Upon reasonable cause, travellers (including their baggage) may be subjected to search and detention by the customs officers. (Sections 221 and 223, CMTA).

Currency Regulations

A person may import or export, or bring with him into or take out of the country legal tender Philippine notes and coins, checks, money order and other bills of exchange drawn in pesos in an amount not exceeding PHP 50,000 without prior authorization by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). Amounts in excess of the said limit shall require prior written authorization form the BSP.

There is no restriction or limit on the amount of foreign currency that a person may bring in or take out of the Philippines. However, the carrying (transport) of foreign currency, as well as other foreign currency-denominated bearer monetary instruments in excess of USD 10,000 (or its equivalent) must be declared in writing using the prescribed Foreign Currency and Other FX-Denominated Bearer Monetary Instruments Declaration Form upon arrival at the airport of entry, or prior departure at the airport of departure, as the case may be. (BSP Manual of Foreign Exchange Transactions).

Any violation of these rules may lead to the seizure of the currency and civil and/or criminal prosecution and/or imposition of penalties against the violator.

Accompanied Baggage Intended as Donation

Relief, charitable and/or humanitarian organizations intending to donate for free distribution or extend free medical, dental or any other services to the less privileged must coordinate with the Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through the Philippine embassies and/or consulates abroad, for purposes of clearance prior to actual departure. Donations must be covered by a Deed of Donation and Deed of Acceptance, approved by the Department of Finance.

Dutiable Goods Intended for Re-exportation

Passengers carrying dutiable goods with intention to bring back such goods to their place of residence abroad must inform the inspecting Customs Officer of said intention. In this case, the passenger may be required to accomplish a re-exportation commitment form duly secured by a cash bond deposit equal to the assessed duty and tax on the goods, refundable upon departure of the passenger with the goods, for which a corresponding Official Receipt will be issued.

Duty and/or Tax Exemptions

• No customs duties and taxes shall be collected on goods with De Minimis Value (PHP 10,0000 or below). However, imported tobacco or alcohol products, even when falling within the De Minimis Value are still subject to payment of the excise tax imposed under the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC).
• Returning Residents and Returning OFWs are granted a tax and duty exemption on importation of their personal and household effects in an amount of up to PHP 350,000 subject to the conditions prescribed under rules and regulations. Any amount in excess of the threshold shall be subject to the corresponding duties and taxes under the CMTA and the NIRC, as amended.
• Returning OFWs are granted an additional duty and tax exemption privilege for HOME APPLIANCES and other durables in the amount not exceeding PHP 150,000 subject to the conditions prescribed under rules and regulations. Any amount in excess of PHP 150,000 or of the number of tax and duty-free appliances shall be subject to the corresponding taxes and duties.

Philippine Duty-Free Shopping

• Regular Filipino Travelers and Foreign Individual Travelers are entitled to a tax-exempt maximum purchase of USD 1,000. Purchase must be made within 48 hours upon arrival. The purchase of electronics and appliances shall be subject to customs duties and taxes.
• Balikbayan and OFWs are entitled to a tax-exempt maximum purchase of USD 2,500 inclusive of purchases of electronics and appliances limited to one (1) unit per product category. They are entitled also to an additional tax-exempt purchase of USD 2,000 for Kabuhayan/Livelihood tools and equipment. Purchase must be made within 15 days upon arrival or 30 days upon arrival during Christmas Season (December 15 to January 15).
• Departing passengers with confirmed bookings are entitled to tax and duty exempt purchase. Purchase must be made on the day of departure.
• Diplomatic personnel and personnel of other governments and offices of international organizations, institutions, associations and agencies are entitled to tax and duty exempt purchase as endorsed by the Department of Foreign Affairs. Purchase must be made based on the Purchase Authorization / Order.

Balikbayan Categories

• A Filipino citizen who has been continuously out of the Philippines for a period of at least one (1) year;
• A Filipino overseas worker; or
• A former Filipino citizen and his or her family, who had been naturalized in a foreign country and returns to the Philippines.

Customs Declaration

All arriving travellers must accomplish a Customs Baggage Declaration Form (CBDF) which will be submitted to the assigned customs officer at the customs arrival area for clearance.

Arriving passengers are required to declare all goods carried / bought, indicating the quantity and value. If unsure of what to declare, please consult any Customs Officer on duty.

For more information, please contact:

Bureau of Customs-Customer Assistance and Response Services (BOC-CARES)

Telephone: +63 2 705 6000

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Website: http://customs.gov.ph/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BureauofCustomsPH

Sentro Rizal London is the Philippine Embassy’s primary platform for Philippine cultural education. It is a resource center on everything about Philippine history and culture and an gallery featuring engaging stories about the Philippines and the Filipino people. Sentro Rizal London was established through a collaboration with the National Commission on Culture and the Arts, pursuant to the Philippine National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009.

Sentro Rizal London is open to collaborations with those who share the same passion for sharing the story Philippine history and heritage in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

For more information on the Sentro Rizal programme, click here.