We got a question from makeup newbie today, Here’s what makeup newbie had to say: hey bob. a friend (X) who’s a dual citizen married a filipina in the philippines. marriage certificate indicates that X is filipino(he being a dual citizen). now, he wants to bring the wife to the US. how can he do it if the marriage certificate shows that he is a filipino? can he just show his naturalization papers or does he need to change the nationality indicated in the marriage certificate from filipino to american? thank you. Here’s what Bob had to say: Hello makeup newbie – Honestly, I see nothing unusual about your friend’s case. He … [Read more...]

We got a question from janice P. Tolentino today, Here’s what Janice had to say: Hi Bob, I have a 16 yr old daughter who was born in San Francisco, Ca. We moved here in the Phils. when she was 7 yrs old using a Philippine Passport. Right now, she has both Phil and US passport. My questions are: 1. Does she needs to renounce her Filipino citizen when she reaches 18 yrs old? 2. If yes, how can she keep her filipino citizen? does she needs to have her renewal of US passport be done in the US? How old can a naturalized born US citizen petition her parents? I am a Filipino citizen… Hoping you can help me with these… Thank you and more … [Read more...]

We got a question from Nathalie today, Here’s what Nathalie had to say: Hello Bob, I was born in Germany and have a German father & Filipina mother. We are now living in the Philippines. I’m already 25 yrs old but haven’t yet applied for a petition for dual citizenship. But I have both passports and are renewing them when needed. I need to go abroad and will be using my German passport, and my question is, can I enter the PH with my German passport (because my Filipino passport is still in process for renewal)? Will the immigration officer give me a visa because I don’t have my PH passport with me? Also, do I really need the … [Read more...]

We got a question from LadyJoyce, Here’s what LadyJoyce had to say: Hi bob, i reside here in nevada and i’m a direct citizen cause my mother petitioned me and i’m still a minor. i’ll be getting my US passport probably 2 weeks from now. i want to apply for dual citizenship since i’m still planning to study college in the philippines. though i don’t have the naturalization certificate. would the US passport be enough to prove that i’m a citizen here in the US? please reply asap. thank you. Here’s what Bob had to say: Hi LadyJoyce – I believe that you are already a dual citizen. If you obtained US citizenship through an … [Read more...]

We got a question from Airhee today, Here’s what Airhee had to say: Hi Bob, I saw that you were helping all these people out with their questions and I was hoping you could help me with mine as well. I came here to the Philippines around Jan 2010 because I wanted to start my studies here (I’m a U.S. citizen). Around March 2010 I applied for the R.A. 9225 to make enrolling easier. I went through the whole process and oath taking, and I have my certificate and everything, so that technically makes me a dual citizen now right? Now my real question is, the studies here didn’t go so well, and I would like to go back to the U.S. soon… … [Read more...]

We got a question from Zenaida Peralta today, Here’s what Zenaida had to say: Sir/mada I am Former Natural-born Philippine Citizen now Naturalized German citizen , i want to apply a DUAL citizenship, what is the best reason i’d like to say to the Embassy of Germany? kindly give me an advised. thank you Here’s what Bob had to say: My understanding is that Germany does not allow dual citizenship.   … [Read more...]

We got a question from Nell today, Her’s what Nell had to say: Btw Bob, it seems that applying for 13(a) Resident Visa will take us a long time. Like for example the waiting time for our marriage certificate will take 8 months process before we can able to get the authenticated copy from NSO. My fiancee will be staying here for good. What’s the best thing to do while we’re waiting for all the documents? Does it mean we need to file for an extension for every 2 months? We would gladly appreciate everything that you can share to us based on your own personal experience… Thank you in advance Bob… Here’s what Bob had to … [Read more...]

Renato wrote in today.  Seems that Renato is getting ready to return to the Philippines, but wants to be sure what items he can bring with him. Let’s see what Renato had to say: I am retiring to the Phil. I am a dual citizen. What household items can i take with me without paying custom duties? Can I bring my household appliances, furnitures, cars etc? Hello Renato, Thanks for writing, nice to hear from you. Out of the items you listed, you can bring in everything without paying any duties… except for the car. Sending in a car is very expensive, generally the duty is 100% of the value of the car.  Also, you cannot ever bring in … [Read more...]

Frank sent in a question today, he thinks he may be eligible for dual citizenship, but he keeps getting different answers. He wants to find out for sure. Here is what Frank had to say: I am an American citizen, born and raised in Chicago. My mother immigrated here from the Philippines and became a naturalized citizen. She has applied and been granted dual citizenship status and is now retired back in the Philippines. My question is simply, can I qualify for dual citizenship? I get mixed answers on this. Most wouls say “yes” because my mother and father were born in the Philippines. But there are some that say “No” … [Read more...]

We got a question from Nell today, Here’s what Nell had to say: Im a filipino citizen and my fiancée is a US citizen, we’re going to marry here in the Philippines and we’re planning to stay in the country for good. Since we’re both planning to stay in the Philippines, what are the things we need to do so that my fiancée will not be charged of overstaying? What are the documents he needs to prepare and where are we going to apply? Here’s what Bob had to say: Hello Nell – After you and your fiancee are married, he can apply for a 13(a) Resident Visa and stay here as long as he wants. For information on the 13(a) Visa, … [Read more...]