Dual Citizenship

Application for Resumption/Retention of Sri Lankan Citizenship (Dual Citizenship)

Eligibility to Apply

A person whose Sri Lankan citizenship has ceased under Sections 19, 20, or 21 of the Citizenship Act No. 18 of 1948, or a person whose Sri Lankan citizenship is likely to cease upon obtaining British citizenship, may apply under one of the following categories:

A. Resumption – Section 19(2)

     This applies to a person whose Sri Lankan citizenship has ceased after acquiring citizenship of another country and who wishes to resume Sri Lankan citizenship.

B. Retention – Section 19(3)

     This applies to a person who intends to obtain citizenship of another country while retaining Sri Lankan citizenship.

Eligible categories for Dual Citizenship Applications

A Sri Lankan citizen who wishes to retain Sri Lankan citizenship, or a person who has ceased to be a Sri Lankan citizen, may apply for Dual Citizenship. All applicants must select the appropriate category from A to G when applying for Dual Citizenship and submit the required original documents along with photocopies.

Category A – Age Category (55 years and above)- [1.A]

      Applicants over 55 years of age must submit their original Birth Certificate or an official extract issued by the Registrar General.    

Category B – Professional Category- [1.B]

      Applicants must submit original educational or professional certificates (minimum one-year diploma or higher, or other recognised professional qualification).

      *Diploma holders must also provide a course duration confirmation letter from the relevant institution if the duration is not stated in the transcript.    

Category C – Assets / Properties Category- [1.C]

     Applicants must submit original documentary proof of assets in Sri Lanka valued at LKR 2.5 million or above, including:

• Original deed(s) 

• Original valuation report

• Original title report with pedigree (issued within the last 3 months)

    If the asset was transferred by gift deed, the deed must be at least 10 years old.

Category D – Fixed Deposit (LKR 2.5 million or above)- [1.D]

Applicants must submit:

·        Original fixed deposit certificate

·        Confirmation letter from the bank stating the deposit will be maintained for a minimum of three (3) years from the date of application (The bank letter must be issued

         within three (3) months of the application date)

Category E – Fixed Deposit (USD 25,000 or above)- [1.E] Applicants must submit:

·        Original deposit certificate

·        Bank confirmation letter stating the deposit will be maintained for a minimum of three (3) years from the date of application (The bank letter must be issued

         within three (3) months of the application date)

Category F – Treasury Bond (TB) or Security Investment Account (SIA) (USD 25,000 or above) – [1.F]

         Applicants must submit a certificate from the relevant authority confirming that the investment will be maintained for at least three (3) years and will not be withdrawn

         before maturity, even after obtaining dual citizenship.

Category G – Spouse or Unmarried Child (under 22 years) – [1.G]

        Applications for unmarried children must be submitted before the age of 21 years and 6 months. This category applies only to persons whose Sri Lankan citizenship has ceased

        under Sections 19, 20, or 21 of the Citizenship Act No. 18 of 1948, or those whose citizenship is likely to cease.

Applicants must submit:

·        Original Marriage Certificate (for spouse), or

·        Original Sri Lankan Birth Certificate (for unmarried child born in Sri Lanka), or

·        Original Sri Lankan Citizenship Certificate issued under Section 5(2) (for unmarried child born outside Sri Lanka)

Supporting Documents Required for Dual Citizenship Application

Mandatory Documents

·        Completed Dual Citizenship Application Form →  Dual Citizenship Application Form

·        Three (3) passport-size photographs

·        Original Birth Certificate or official extract issued by the Registrar General/Divisional Secretariat office (If citizenship is by registration, submit the original

Citizenship Certificate or an extract.)

·        Original Marriage Certificate or extract (if married)

Additional Documents for Resumption – Section 19(2)

(For applicants whose Sri Lankan citizenship has ceased after obtaining foreign citizenship)

• Original Foreign Citizenship Certificate
• Foreign Passport
• Non-UK nationals - visa or share code confirming immigration status

Additional Documents for Retention – Section 19(3) (For applicants intending to obtain foreign citizenship while retaining Sri Lankan citizenship)

• Current Sri Lankan Passport
• Permanent Residence Visa or Share Code confirming immigration status

Police Clearance Requirement

• Applicants over 16 years must submit a Police Clearance Certificate issued within the last 06 months from:

          Country of Foreign Citizenship, and/or

           Country of residence ( UK,Ireland , or other), as applicable

• Applicants holding foreign citizenship but residing in the UK must submit Police Clearance Certificates from both the UK and the country of citizenship.
• Please visit the following links for the details on applying for a Police Clearance Certificate in the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

o 👉 Apply for UK Police Certificate (ACRO Official Portal)

o 👉Apply for Police Certificate (Ireland Garda official page)

Other Supporting Documents

• Previous Sri Lankan passport(s), if available.
• Sri Lankan National Identity Card (NIC), if available

Instructions for filling the Dual Citizenship Application

• The application must be completed in BLOCK CAPITAL LETTERS.
• Delete any inapplicable words wherever “*” appears in the application.
• Write “Not Relevant” where information does not apply.
• Each family member must submit a separate application form.
• Affix one passport-size photograph in the top right-hand corner of the first page.
• Applicants applying for Resumption or Retention must mark “√” in the relevant category box.
• The declaration on Page 6 must be signed by the applicant and attested by an authorised officer at the High Commission. (An attestation fee of £57 applies.)
• The applicant declaration for minors unable to sign, a parent may sign the declaration on behalf of the child.

Important

• The duly completed application(s) should be submitted to the High Commission of Sri Lanka by the applicant or to the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Sri Lanka.
• Applications by post will not be accepted, and applicants must attend the Consular section for an interview in person.
• Original documents must be submitted. Photocopies or English translations alone are not accepted as originals. (Ex. Birth Certificates, Marriage Certificates, Police Reports, etc.).
• English Translations required for non-UK certificates (Ex, French / Italian/etc.)
• If any of the certificate/document was issued in a country other than Sri Lanka the original certificate / its English translation, (if original certificate is not in English) a copy the certificate attested by relevant diplomatic mission in the UK or Sri Lankan mission accredited to the country in which the certificate was issued is required to be submitted along with the original certificate.
• Photocopies of all supporting documents must be submitted on single-sided A4 sheets.
• The High Commission forwards applications to the Department of Immigration and Emigration through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs every week.
• After the Dual Citizenship application is processed and approved, the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Sri Lanka directly notifies the applicant (to the email address provided), relating to any information and/or for making the relevant payment for the Dual Citizenship.
• Before making the payment, you will be notified via email with a payment link that will lead you to a page where the payment can be made online. 

Dual Citizenship Application Submission Fees and Payment Details

*Other applicable charges will apply.

• Method of Payment – Cash, Debit/Credit Card,
• An additional amount will be charged if photocopies are made at the High Commission. 
• Fees paid will not be refunded under any circumstances.

Dual Citizenship charges (w.e.f. 01-12-2022) are as follows:

(After the Dual Citizenship application is processed and approved, this amount will be paid to the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Sri Lanka using the notified payment link.)