Philippine Dual Citizenship in UAE 2026

Republic Act 9225 (Citizenship Retention and Re-acquisition Act) allows former Filipino citizens who became naturalized citizens of another country to retain or re-acquire their Philippine citizenship. Apply at the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi or Consulate General in Dubai.

What is RA 9225?

Republic Act No. 9225, also known as the Citizenship Retention and Re-acquisition Act of 2003, allows:

  • Natural-born Filipinos who became citizens of another country to re-acquire Philippine citizenship by taking the Oath of Allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines
  • Filipino women who lost citizenship through marriage to a foreign national to re-acquire citizenship
  • Minor children of those who re-acquire citizenship to also be considered Filipino citizens
Benefits of dual citizenship: Own property in the Philippines, vote in Philippine elections (after registration), do business, retire in the Philippines, and enjoy all rights of a Filipino citizen while keeping your foreign citizenship.

Requirements

For Adults (Re-acquisition)

  1. Completed RA 9225 application form (Petition for Citizenship Retention/Re-acquisition)
  2. Current foreign passport (original and 2 photocopies of data page)
  3. Old Philippine passport (original and photocopy, if available)
  4. PSA-authenticated Birth Certificate (original and photocopy)
  5. PSA-authenticated Marriage Certificate (if applicable, for married women)
  6. Naturalization certificate or proof of foreign citizenship acquisition
  7. Four (4) recent passport-size photos (white background, 4.5cm x 3.5cm)
  8. Valid UAE residence visa or Emirates ID
  9. Processing fee in AED

For Minor Children (Derivative Citizenship)

  1. Application form signed by the re-acquiring parent
  2. Child's foreign passport and birth certificate
  3. Parent's RA 9225 approval or pending application
  4. Affidavit of Support from parent
  5. Two (2) passport-size photos of the child

Fees (2026)

ServiceFee (AED)Fee (USD)
RA 9225 Application (Adult)AED 185$50
Oath of AllegianceIncluded in application fee-
Derivative Citizenship (Minor)AED 185$50
Identification Certificate (IC)AED 185$50
Report of Birth (for children born abroad)AED 110$30

Fees are approximate and payable in AED cash at the embassy/consulate.

Application Process

Step 1: Book Appointment

Contact the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi or Consulate in Dubai to schedule an appointment for RA 9225 processing.

Step 2: Prepare Documents

Gather all required documents. Ensure your PSA birth certificate is recent (issued within the last year is preferred).

Step 3: Submit Application

Submit your complete application at the embassy/consulate. Pay the applicable fee.

Step 4: Take Oath of Allegiance

Take the Oath of Allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines before a consular officer. This is done in person and cannot be delegated.

Step 5: Processing

Your application is forwarded to the Bureau of Immigration in Manila for processing. This typically takes 2-4 months.

Step 6: Receive Order of Approval

Once approved, you receive an Order of Approval and Identification Certificate (IC). You can then apply for a Philippine passport as a dual citizen.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Philippine dual citizenship under RA 9225 does not affect your UAE residence visa or your other nationality. The UAE does not grant citizenship to foreign workers, so there is no conflict. Your employer sponsorship and residence visa remain unaffected.

Yes. Once your RA 9225 application is approved, you can register as an overseas voter at the Philippine Embassy or Consulate. You can then vote in Philippine national elections, including for president, senators, and party-list representatives.

After submitting your application and taking the oath at the embassy/consulate, your papers are forwarded to Manila for processing. Approval typically takes 2-4 months. You will be notified by the embassy when your Order of Approval and Identification Certificate are ready for collection.

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