UK Dual Citizenship for Filipinos

Dual citizenship is also known as having dual nationality is the legal status of being a citizen of two countries at the same time. However, the laws of both countries must allow dual citizenship.

The advantage of holding dual citizenship is that you can effortlessly live, work, study, and travel between the two nations freely and without immigration restrictions. This is especially beneficial if you have strong family ties in more than one country.

Other benefits include;

• You can access social services such as healthcare and education.
• You are able to vote in local and national elections.
• It helps protect your rights in one country and maintain ties with the other.
• It safeguards you against deportation, due to new immigration laws.
• It can offer you more investment or business opportunities.

While there are many benefits that you can enjoy as a dual passport holder, you may also be subject to double taxation, mandatory national service, and more.

Does UK & Philippines Allow Dual Citizenship?

It’s also important that you understand that not all countries allow dual citizenship. The good news is that the Philippines allows this and so does the United Kingdom. So, by having Philippine British dual citizenship, you get to keep your citizenship status in the Philippines.

Page Contents

• What Is Dual Citizenship UK?
• How Many Passports Can You Have?
• What Are The Eligibility Requirements For Dual Citizenship In The UK?
• Documents Required
• How To Apply For Dual Citizenship In The UK?
• Rights And Privileges Of Dual Citizenship
• How Can Total Law Help?
• Frequently Asked Questions

In the UK, currently there are no restrictions on the number of passports a person can have. They allow its citizens to have dual citizenship, which means they can be a national of more than one country. This does enable them to have multiple passports from different countries.

However, acquiring multiple citizenships, and passports, can involve navigating complex legalities as each country will have their own set of rules regarding dual citizenship.

Even in countries that allow dual citizenship, there are some limitations that need to be considered, such as requirements to renounce an existing citizenship when getting a new one.

It is also important to note, each passport you hold will have its own renewal process and expiration date, governed by the issuing country’s regulations. You’ll need to be mindful of these requirements for each country you hold a passport for to ensure it remains valid.

Having multiple passports does come with some implications too. It can make paying your taxes a little more complex, as you might be liable for taxes in each country, however this does depend on their laws and it may also depend on your residency status.

Some countries, like the Philippines, do have mandatory military service for its citizens. Having multiple citizenships could create issues depending on the other country which is involved. You must carefully research each country’s law regarding dual citizenship laws and it is the same with passport regulations of each country you want to own a passport from.

To be eligible for dual nationality in the UK, you’ll need to be able to fulfill the following criteria. Be 18 years old or older and be of full mental capacity. You must also:

• Have held settled status in the UK for a minimum of 12 months.
• Have lived in the UK for a minimum of 5 years out of the last 10 years.
• Have lived in the UK for 3 years if married to a British citizen or settled person.
• Not have been absent from the UK for more than 90 days in the past year.
• Be of good character, which means having no serious criminal convictions.
• Be able to pass the Life in the UK test and have a good understanding of English.

To apply for British dual citizenship, you should provide the following:

• Your Filipino passport or other valid travel documents.
• Your biometric residence permit (BRP) card or proof of your settled status.
• Proof of your previous immigration status, including any visas from before.
• Your marriage certificate, if necessary.
• Your birth certificate and your parent’s birth certificate, if necessary.
• Proof of lawful residential presence in the UK during the qualifying period.
• Details of any time spent outside the UK during the qualifying period.
• Proof that you meet the English language requirement.
• Your Life in the UK test result.

The Philippines and the UK both recognize dual citizenship. However, there’s no separate application process for Philippine British dual citizenship. To become a British citizen while retaining your Filipino citizenship, you’ll need to follow the UK’s naturalization process.

Step 1: First, Check Your Eligibility:

Before you begin applying for British Citizenship, double-check that you can meet the eligibility criteria. This includes:

• Being aged 18 or over.
• Have no serious convictions
• Being in good health.

Step 2: Gather Required Documents:

Your next step is to prepare the documents including your Philippine passport, check it has a good amount of time left before it expires. You will also need various other documents depending on your situation to support your application, including:

• Proof of settled status in the UK (e.g., ILR document)
• Proof of residence in the UK (e.g., utility bills, council tax records)
• Proof of absence from the UK, if applicable.
• Police clearance certificates
• Proof of English language proficiency

Step 3: Submit Your Application:

The next step in obtaining British citizenship is to create an account on the UK’s Visa and Immigration website. From there you can download and complete the application form.

At this stage, it is imperative that you take your time when answering the questions, your answers need to be truthful and accurate. After that, you will need to upload your documents and in the correct format. Make sure to double-check everything before moving on.

As part of this process, you’ll have to pay the application fee before you can submit it.

The current fee for naturalization is £1,605 per person.

Step 4: Attend Biometric Enrolment Appointment:

Once your application is complete and it has been accepted by the UK Home Office, you’ll be invited to attend a biometric enrolment appointment. This is where you have both your fingerprints, and a photograph taken to keep on record and to prove who you are.

Step 5: Await Decision and Receive Confirmation:

After completing everything that is required, you’ll need to wait for a decision, even if you have done everything right, it may still take several months to process it.

Once it has been processed, the UK Home Office will contact you with their decision. If they request further information make sure to be prompt in your reply, so as not to add more time.

If successful, you will be notified of where and when to pick up your new permit. If your application was rejected they will let you know the reasons for this and how you can appeal.

To give you the best chances for approval, it is a good idea to start gathering the documents that you need to support your application a good few months before you want to apply.

One of the most common mistakes people make is not properly reviewing what is needed and checking they meet the eligibility requirements, so spend some time:

• Ensuring all forms are accurately filled out.
• Checking you have the required documents.
• Stay informed about any updates from immigration.

If you need help, you can consult with an experienced immigration lawyer, who will offer advice and assistance when it is needed. Call Total Law today at +44 (0) 333 305 9375 or message us online.

Dual citizenship UK (dual nationality) offers the person many rights and privileges. If you hold two passports at the same time, it gives you the opportunity to travel more freely.

In some cases, dual citizenship allows you to live in both countries where you have valid passports, this in itself offers greater flexibility regarding where you decide to live.

Being a dual national also opens many more doors when it comes to opportunities in the job market. As it removes many of the restrictions on working due to your nationality.

Dual citizenship can be beneficial for those who consider themselves entrepreneurs, and wish to explore what business opportunities there are available in the UK or any other country they want to become a dual citizen of.

It also offers benefits in education as some countries offer more educational opportunities to their own citizens, compared to someone who only has a visa or other permit. In some cases, dual citizenship allows access to healthcare systems in both countries.

While it is crucial to understand the benefits, rights and privileges associated with having dual citizenship with the UK and Philopena, they can vary.

Additionally, dual citizenship can lead to taxation in both countries, depending on their respective tax laws and residency status. Some countries also have mandatory military service requirements, which could create potential issues down the line.