Over half a million Pinoys become citizens of 8 OECD countries

MANILA, Philippines – About 521,253 Filipinos became naturalized citizens of eight countries part of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

OECD’s 2011 International Migration Outlook bared that 386,739 Filipinos became naturalized citizens of the United States from 2000 to 2009.

As well, 109,909 Filipinos became naturalized Canadians; 8,246 became naturalized citizens of New Zealand; 2,898 became naturalized Norwegians; and 2,349 became Dutch during the same ten-year period.

From 2001 to 2008, 6,316 Filipinos became citizens of Spain while 4,152 became citizens of Korea.

And from 2005 to 2009, 644 Filipinos became citizens of Ireland.

For the year 2009, based on the number of naturalized citizens, Filipinos are the second-highest naturalized foreign nationals in Ireland (410); third-highest in the United States (38,934) and Canada (11,068); seventh-highest in New Zealand (708); eighth in Norway (445); and 13th in the Netherlands (308).

As of 2008 data, Filipinos are the ninth-highest number of naturalized foreign nationals in Spain (782) and the third highest in Korea (579).

The OECD report bares varied regulations how foreigners can acquire nationality, including how long the process takes. –Jeremaiah M. Opiniano, OFW Journalism Consortium