Philippine Dual Citizenship from Canada: How to Apply Under RA 9225 (2026 Guide)

Are you a natural-born Filipino who became a Canadian citizen? You can reacquire your Philippine citizenship without giving up your Canadian citizenship. Republic Act 9225, also known as the Citizenship Retention and Re-acquisition Act of 2003, allows Filipinos who were naturalized as citizens of other countries to retain or reacquire Philippine citizenship.

This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about applying for Philippine dual citizenship from Canada in 2026, including eligibility requirements, the application process, required documents, fees, and the many benefits of holding dual citizenship.

What is RA 9225?

Republic Act No. 9225, signed into law on August 29, 2003, is officially known as the Citizenship Retention and Re-acquisition Act of 2003. This landmark legislation allows natural-born Filipino citizens who acquired foreign citizenship through naturalization to reacquire or retain their Philippine citizenship.

The law recognizes the reality that many Filipinos have made lives abroad while maintaining strong ties to the Philippines. It provides a legal pathway to restore Philippine citizenship rights without sacrificing the citizenship of your adopted country.

Who is Eligible for Philippine Dual Citizenship?

To qualify for dual citizenship under RA 9225, you must meet the following eligibility criteria:

Natural-Born Filipinos Who Became Foreign Citizens

You are eligible if you are a natural-born Filipino citizen who acquired foreign citizenship (such as Canadian citizenship) through naturalization. According to Philippine law, you are considered natural-born if:

• You were born on January 17, 1973 or after and had at least one Filipino parent at the time of your birth
• You were born to a Filipino mother before January 17, 1973 and elected Philippine citizenship upon reaching the age of majority (21 years old)
• You were born under the 1935 or 1973 Philippine Constitutions and your father was a Filipino citizen at the time of your birth

Derivative Citizenship for Children

Under the principle of derivative citizenship, unmarried children below 18 years of age—whether legitimate, illegitimate, or adopted—of former Filipino parents who retained or reacquired their Philippine citizenship under RA 9225 may also be deemed Filipino citizens if they are included in the parent’s application.

Benefits of Philippine Dual Citizenship for Canadians

Reacquiring Philippine citizenship offers significant advantages, especially if you maintain ties to the Philippines or plan to retire, invest, or do business there.

1. Unrestricted Property Ownership

As a dual citizen, you can own land in the Philippines without restrictions. This is one of the most valuable benefits. Foreign citizens (including former Filipinos without dual citizenship) are limited to owning only:

• 5,000 square meters of residential land
• One hectare of agricultural land

With dual citizenship, these restrictions disappear. You can purchase residential, agricultural, or commercial property just like any Filipino citizen.

2. Voting Rights in Philippine Elections

Dual citizens have the right to vote in Philippine national elections through the Overseas Absentee Voting (OAV) program. After registering, you can vote for:

• President
• Vice-President
• Senators
• Party-list representatives

You can vote from Canada at Philippine diplomatic missions during election periods, allowing you to participate in shaping the Philippines’ political future even while living abroad.

3. Engage in Business Without Foreign Investment Restrictions

As a dual citizen, you can engage in business and commerce in the Philippines without foreign investment limitations. Certain industries in the Philippines restrict foreign ownership (such as retail trade, mass media, and public utilities). With Philippine citizenship, you can own 100% of businesses in these sectors.

4. Practice Your Profession

Many professions in the Philippines (such as law, medicine, engineering, and accounting) are reserved for Filipino citizens. With dual citizenship, you have the right to practice your profession in the Philippines, subject to meeting local licensing and regulatory requirements.

5. Travel with a Philippine Passport

You can apply for and hold a Philippine passport, which provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to many countries. You can also enter and exit the Philippines without needing a visa or dealing with immigration requirements that apply to foreign nationals.

6. Retire in the Philippines

With dual citizenship, retiring in the Philippines becomes much simpler. You don’t need to apply for retirement visas or special permits. You can live in the Philippines indefinitely as a citizen with full rights and privileges.

7. Inheritance and Estate Rights

Dual citizenship simplifies inheritance and estate planning matters. As a Filipino citizen, you can inherit property in the Philippines without restrictions that apply to foreign heirs. Estate taxes and inheritance procedures are also more straightforward for citizens.

Learn more about estate planning in our guide: Estate Tax in the Philippines.

8. No Philippine Income Tax on Foreign Income

Filipinos abroad who have reacquired their Philippine citizenship are exempt from paying Philippine income tax on income earned abroad. You continue to pay taxes only in Canada based on your Canadian tax residency.

Does Dual Citizenship Affect Your Canadian Citizenship?

This is one of the most common questions Filipino-Canadians ask, and the answer is clear: No, reacquiring Philippine citizenship does NOT affect your Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status.

Canada recognizes and allows dual citizenship. You can hold citizenship in multiple countries simultaneously. The Canadian government will not revoke your Canadian citizenship if you reacquire Philippine citizenship under RA 9225.

Similarly, the Philippine government does not require you to renounce your Canadian citizenship when you take the Oath of Allegiance to the Philippines.

How to Apply for Philippine Dual Citizenship from Canada: Step-by-Step Process

The application process for dual citizenship under RA 9225 involves several steps. Here’s what you need to do:

Step 1: Schedule an Appointment at the Philippine Consulate

Filipinos in Canada can apply for dual citizenship at one of the Philippine consular offices:

• Philippine Consulate General in Toronto (serving Ontario, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan)
• Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver (serving British Columbia, Alberta, Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut)
• Philippine Consulate General in Calgary (serving Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba)

You must book an appointment to submit your application in person. Check the consulate’s website for their online appointment booking system or contact them directly.

Philippine Consulate General in Toronto:
7th Floor, 160 Eglinton Avenue East
Toronto, Ontario M4P 3B5
Website: www.philcongen-toronto.com

Step 2: Complete the Application Form

Download and complete the dual citizenship application form from the Philippine consulate’s website. The form requires basic personal information, details about your birth, naturalization, and family members.

Step 3: Gather Required Documents

You will need to prepare the following documents for your application:

For All Applicants:

• Philippine Birth Certificate — Original or certified true copy from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), plus two photocopies
• Canadian Citizenship Certificate or Canadian Citizenship Card — Original plus two photocopies
• Canadian Passport — Valid passport with two photocopies of the data page
• Philippine Passport — If available, bring the original and two photocopies
• Passport Photos — Three recent colored passport photos (2″ x 2″) with white background
• Completed Application Form

For Married Female Applicants:

• Marriage Certificate — PSA-authenticated original or certified true copy, plus two photocopies
• If applicable: Death certificate of spouse, divorce decree, or annulment order (each with two photocopies)

For Derivative Citizenship (Children Under 18):

• Child’s Birth Certificate — PSA-authenticated, plus two photocopies
• Parent’s Marriage Certificate — If applicable, plus two photocopies
• Child’s Canadian Citizenship Documents — If the child is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident

Step 4: Attend Your Appointment and Take the Oath of Allegiance

On your scheduled appointment date, bring all required documents to the Philippine consulate. After your application is reviewed and approved, you will be scheduled to take the Oath of Allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines before a Philippine consular officer.

The oath-taking ceremony is a brief but significant moment. You will swear allegiance to the Philippines, but as mentioned earlier, this does not require you to renounce your Canadian citizenship.

Step 5: Receive Your Order of Approval and Identification Certificate

After taking the oath, you will receive:

• Order of Approval — Official confirmation that your Philippine citizenship has been reacquired
• Identification Certificate (IC) — A document certifying your dual citizenship status

These documents are typically provided on the day of your oath-taking. Keep them in a safe place, as you will need them for future transactions in the Philippines (such as applying for a Philippine passport or registering property).

Fees for Dual Citizenship Application

The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto charges the following fees for dual citizenship applications:

Service	Fee (CAD)
Dual Citizenship Application (Adult)	$77.50
Derivative Citizenship (Child under 18)	$38.75

Payment Methods: The consulate accepts cash, money orders, or bank drafts payable to the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto. Personal cheques are not accepted. If you submit your application in person, you can also pay electronically using a credit card, debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.

Fees at other consulates (Vancouver, Calgary) may vary slightly. Check with your local consulate for the most current fee schedule.

Processing Times

According to the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto, the typical processing time for dual citizenship applications is approximately one month.

Processing times can vary depending on the volume of applications and the completeness of your documents. If your documents are incomplete or require additional verification, processing may take longer.

Once your application is approved, the consulate will contact you to schedule your oath-taking ceremony. After taking the oath, your dual citizenship documents are usually provided the same day.

After Getting Dual Citizenship: Next Steps

Congratulations! You’ve reacquired your Philippine citizenship. Here’s what you can do next:

1. Apply for a Philippine Passport

As a dual citizen, you can apply for a Philippine passport at the Philippine consulate. You will need your Identification Certificate (IC) and Order of Approval along with other standard passport requirements (birth certificate, photos, application form, fee).

Having a Philippine passport makes travel to the Philippines much easier and provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to many countries.

2. Register to Vote (Overseas Absentee Voting)

To exercise your right to vote in Philippine elections, you must register with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) as an overseas absentee voter. Registration is done through the Philippine consulate.

Once registered, you can vote in Philippine national elections at the consulate during election periods.

3. Buy Property in the Philippines

With your dual citizenship, you can now purchase land and property in the Philippines without foreign ownership restrictions. You will need your Identification Certificate when registering the property with the Registry of Deeds.

Make sure to work with a reputable real estate lawyer in the Philippines to ensure all property transactions comply with Philippine law.

4. Estate Planning and Inheritance

If you have assets in both the Philippines and Canada, dual citizenship simplifies estate planning. As a Filipino citizen, you can inherit property in the Philippines without restrictions, and your Canadian heirs can also benefit from clearer inheritance rights.

Consider consulting with a lawyer who specializes in cross-border estate planning to ensure your assets are protected in both countries. Learn more in our guide: Estate Tax in the Philippines.

Common Questions About Philippine Dual Citizenship

Can I pass dual citizenship to my Canadian-born children?

Children born to a Filipino parent (including those who reacquired citizenship under RA 9225) may be entitled to Philippine citizenship by descent. However, children born abroad to Filipino parents after the parent reacquired citizenship may need to apply for recognition or registration of Philippine citizenship separately. The process depends on when the child was born and the parents’ citizenship status at the time of birth.

If your children were born before you reacquired dual citizenship and are under 18 years old and unmarried, they may qualify for derivative citizenship when included in your application.

Do I need to pay Philippine taxes if I live in Canada?

No. Filipinos who reacquired citizenship under RA 9225 and live abroad are exempt from paying Philippine income tax on income earned outside the Philippines. You will continue to file and pay taxes in Canada based on your Canadian tax residency.

If you earn income in the Philippines (such as rental income from property or business income), you may be required to file Philippine tax returns and pay tax on that Philippine-sourced income.

Can I use my Philippine passport to enter Canada?

As a Canadian citizen, you must enter and exit Canada using your Canadian passport. Canada requires its citizens to present a valid Canadian passport when entering or leaving the country.

When traveling between Canada and the Philippines, you would use your Canadian passport to enter and exit Canada, and your Philippine passport to enter and exit the Philippines.

What if I lost my Philippine birth certificate?

If you don’t have a copy of your Philippine birth certificate, you can request a PSA-authenticated copy from the Philippine Statistics Authority. The Philippine consulate can assist you in ordering a copy, or you can request it online through authorized PSA service providers.

Can I apply by mail or does it have to be in person?

The Philippine Consulate in Toronto accepts both mailed and in-person submissions. However, you must appear in person to take the Oath of Allegiance. Check with your local consulate about their specific procedures for mail-in applications.

How JCA Law Office Can Help with Your Philippine Services

Reacquiring your Philippine citizenship is just the first step. Whether you’re planning to buy property in the Philippines, invest in a business, handle estate matters, or navigate other legal requirements, having the right legal support makes all the difference.

Conclusion

Reacquiring your Philippine citizenship under RA 9225 opens up a world of opportunities without requiring you to give up your Canadian citizenship. Whether you want to own property, vote in elections, do business, or simply maintain stronger ties to your homeland, dual citizenship provides significant benefits.

The application process through the Philippine consulate is straightforward, and with proper preparation, you can complete it in about a month. Once you’ve reacquired your citizenship, you’ll enjoy the rights and privileges of being a Filipino citizen while continuing to live your life in Canada.

If you have questions about dual citizenship or need legal assistance with Philippine matters, don’t hesitate to reach out to JCA Law Office. We’re here to help Filipino-Canadians navigate the legal complexities of both countries.