Dual Citizenship
Application for Resumption/Retention of Sri Lankan Citizenship (Dual Citizenship)
Instructions for Applicants Applying for Dual Citizenship
- Who is Eligible to apply:
A person whose Sri Lankan citizenship has already ceased under section 19, 20 or 21 of the Citizenship Act, No. 18 of 1948 or a person whose Sri Lankan citizenship is likely to cease as a result of obtaining British Citizenship in the future.
- Resumption – Section 19(2) of the Citizenship Act affords provisions in respect of a person whose citizenship of Sri Lanka has ceased due to the obtaining of citizenship of another country and who thereafter desires to resume the status as a citizen of Sri Lanka.
Or
- Retention – Section 19(3) of the Citizenship Act affords provisions in respect of a person who desires to obtain citizenship in another country while intending to retain the citizenship of Sri Lanka.
A Sri Lankan citizen who wishes to retain their Sri Lankan citizenship or a person who has ceased to be a Sri Lankan citizen can apply for Dual Citizenship. All the applicants should select one of the categories A to G below in order to apply for Dual Citizenship.
Instructions with Regard to Filing the Application
To be completed in “BLOCK CAPITALS”.
Delete inapplicable word or words wherever * appears in the application.
Please print “Not relevant” if the information is not applicable.
Each member of the family must submit a separate application along with 3 passport size colour photographs. Affix one of these photographs on the top right-hand corner of the first page of the application.
Those applying to resume citizenship should mark (√) in the relevant box to indicate under what category they apply.
The declaration in page 6 has to be signed by the applicant and attested by an authorised officer at the High Commission. (An attestation fee of £57.00 will be levied ).
Supporting Documents Required for Dual Citizenship Application
Dual Citizenship Application Form
Original Birth Certificate of the applicant or an extract issued by the Registrar General.
(If the applicant is a citizen of Sri Lanka by registration, the relevant original certificate or an extract.)
If the applicant is married, the marriage certificate or an extract issued by the Registrar General.
An applicant submitting the application for Resumption under section 19(2) (A person whose Sri Lankan Citizenship ceased due to the obtaining of citizenship of another country) should submit the following documents in addition to the above documents.
(a) Original foreign Citizenship Certificate.
(b) Foreign passport.
An applicant submitting the application for Retention under section 19(3) (A person who desires to obtain citizenship in another country, while intending to retain the citizenship of Sri Lanka) should submit the following documents in addition to the documents stated above.
(a) Current Sri Lankan passport.
(b) Permanent Residence Visa.
All the applicants over the age of 16 should submit a recent Police Clearance report, obtained not earlier than 3 months on the application from the country of foreign citizenship /ILR/Settlement/PR. Please visit the link www.acro.police.uk for the procedure of applying for a Police Clearance Certificate in the UK. Information on applying for a Police Clearance Certificate in Ireland is available on the website of Ireland’s National Police and Security Service at the link https://www.garda.ie/en/about-us/online-services/data-protection-foi-police-certificates/police-certificates.html. Applicants who have obtained citizenship of other countries but living in the UK need to submit a Police Clearance Report from the country of citizenship as well as the UK Police Clearance certificate.
(d) Previous Sri Lankan passport/s (if available).
Categories under which a person you can apply for Dual Citizenship
Category A
Those who exceeds the age of 55 applying under the ‘Age category’ (1.A) should submit the original birth certificate or an extract issued by the Registrar General.
Category B
Those applying under the ‘Professional category’ (1.B) should submit the applicant’s original Educational / Professional certificates (minimum one-year diploma or higher, or any other professional qualification)* Diploma holders should bring a course duration confirmation letter from the relevant University unless it is mentioned in the transcript.
Category C
Those applying under the ‘Assets / Properties category’ (1.C) should submit the original documentary proof of applicant’s assets such as: land or other immovable properties in Sri Lanka worth LKR 2.5 million or above; original deeds; original valuation report; and original title report with pedigree for the same not older than 3 months should be submitted. If the asset is transferred through a gift deed, it should be older than 10 years.
Category D
Those applying under the ‘Fixed Deposit of Rs. 2.5 million or above category’(1.D) should submit the original fixed deposit certificate and a confirmation letter from the bank confirming that the deposit will be held for a period of three (03) years after applying for dual citizenship and the letter should be taken within 03 months of the date of apply for the dual citizenship.
Category E
Those applying under the ‘Fixed deposit of USD 25,000 or above – category’(1.E) should submit the original deposit certificate and a confirmation letter from the bank confirming that the deposit will be held for a period of three (03) years after applying for dual citizenship and the letter should be taken within 03 months of the date of apply for the dual citizenship.
Category F
Those applying under the ‘Treasury Bond (TB) or Security Investment Account (SIA) valued of USD 25,000 for minimum 3 years period – category’ (1.F) should submit a certificate from the relevant Authority confirming that the investment will not be withdrawn prior to maturity, even after obtaining dual citizenship.
Category G
Those applying under the ‘Spouse of an applicant or an unmarried child under the age of 22 (Applications should be submitted prior to completion of the age of 21 years and 06 months.) of the applicants – category’ (1.G) should submit the original marriage certificate (For Spouse) or original Sri Lankan birth certificate (For unmarried child – born in Sri Lanka) and original Sri Lankan Citizenship certificate issued under section 5(2) of the Citizenship Act No. 18 of 1948 (For unmarried child- born outside Sri Lanka). Spouse or children eligible under this category shall be limited to persons whose citizenship of Sri Lanka has ceased in accordance with section 19, 20 or 21 of the Citizenship Act No 18 of 1948 or a person whose Sri Lankan citizenship is likely to cease.
Note:
Translated documents will not be considered as original documents. (Eg: English Translation of Birth Certificates, Marriage Certificates, Police Reports. etc)
The duly completed application/s should be submitted to the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Sri Lanka or to the High Commission of Sri Lanka by the applicant.
All the documents except those in English, Sinhala or Tamil should be submitted along with an English translation duly certified by the relevant Foreign High Commission / Embassy in the UK.
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.
Those applying at the High Commission of Sri Lanka need to pay a non-refundable Dual Citizenship application processing fee of £ 16 in cash at the counter. Applications by post will not be accepted. Applicants must attend an interview in person with the application and the originals of the required documents.
If the affidavit is to be signed at the High Commission, an additional fee of £ 58 is payable. After the Dual Citizenship application is processed and approved, the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Sri Lanka, notifies the applicants to make the payment of the Dual Citizenship Fee.
Dual Citizenship Fee – w.e.f. 01-12-2022
| Main Applicant | USD 2000.00 |
| Spouse of the Applicant | USD 500.00 |
| Unmarried child below 22 years | USD 500.00 |