Dual Citizenship

Instructions for applicants applying for Dual Citizenship

1. Dual Citizenship is applicable to;

A person whose citizenship of Sri Lanka has ceased under section 19, 20 or 21 of the Citizenship Act, No 18 of 1948 or a person whose Citizenship of Sri Lanka is likely to cease.

1. Resumption – Section 19(2) of the said Act makes provisions in respect of a person whose citizenship of Sri Lanka has ceased due to obtaining of citizenship in another country and who there after desire to resume the status of a Citizenship of Sri Lanka.
   or
2. Retention – Section 19(3) of the said Act makes provisions in respect of person who is having a desire to obtain Citizenship in another country, while intends to retain the Citizenship of Sri Lanka.

2. Instructions to fill the application.

1. To be completed in “BLOCK CAPITALS”.
    
2. Delete inapplicable word or words wherever * appears in the application.
    
3. Please mention “ Not relevant” if particular information is not applicable.
    
4. Each member of family has to submit a separate application along with 3 passport size colour photographs. Affix one of these photographs in the top right hand corner of the first page of the application.
    
5. Any applicant who belongs to one of the categories mentioned in Section 1 of the application (A to G) can apply for Dual Citizenship. Please mark (√ ) in the relevant cage.
    
6. The statement in the application should be supported by an affidavit (page 6) made by the applicant before a Justice of the Peace or a Commissioner of Oaths.
    
7. Computer Data Sheet should be completed in “ BLOCK CAPITALS”.

3. Documents required for the Dual Citizenship.

1. Applicant’s original Birth Certificate or a certified copy of it. (See note  01)
   (If the applicant is a citizen of Sri Lanka by registration, the relevant certificate or a copy of it.)
    
2. If the applicant is married, the marriage certificate or a certified copy of it. (See note 01)
    
3. An applicant submitting application for Resumption under section 19(2) (A person whose Sri Lankan Citizenship ceased due to obtaining of citizenship in another country) should submit following documents :-

   • Certified copy of foreign  Citizenship Certificate;  (See note 01)

   • Certified copy of Bio data page and observation page of the Foreign passport; (See note 01)

   • A recent Police clearance report from the country of foreign citizenship not older than 3 months (only applicants above 16 years should submit the police report)

   • Certified copy of Bio data page and observation page of the previous Sri Lankan passport(if available) (See note 01)

     
     OR

     An applicant submitting application for Retention under section 19(3) (A person who is having desire to obtain citizenship in another country, while intends to retain the citizenship of Sri Lanka) should submit following documents,

   • Certified copy of Bio data page and the observation page of the current Sri Lankan passport. (See note 01)

   • Certified copy of permanent residence visa of the foreign country. (See note 01)

   • A recent Police clearance report obtained from the country of permanent residence during the last 3 months. English translation should be submitted, if the certificate is issued in any other language other than English language. (applicants above 16 years should submit the police report)

4. If applying under age category (1.A) – Completion of the age of 55 years Original birth certificate or certified copy of it. (See note 01)
    
5. If applying under Professional category (1.B) applicant’s Educational / Professional certificates or a certified copy of it. (minimum one year Diploma or higher, or any other professional qualification.) (See note 01)
    
6. If applying under the Assets / Properties category (1.C) original documentary proof of applicant’s assets such as; land or other immovable properties in Sri Lanka worth of Rs. 2.5 million or above a certified copy of deed, (If applying using a gift deed, it should be a deed registed 10 years back from the date of application.) original valuation report and title repot with pedigree for the same not older than 3 months should be also submitted. Valuation report should be prepared by a registered valuer who has registered at the Department of Valuation. 
    
7. If applying under Fixed Deposit of Rs. 2.5 million or above category (1.D) a confirmation letter from the bank mentioning that  deposit will not be withdrawn before a period of 3 years for obtaining dual citizenship.
    
8. If applying under fixed deposit of USD 25,000 or above category (1.E) in a NRFC/RFC/SFIDA account in a Commercial Bank approved by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka for a period of 3 years, the relevant fixed deposit certificate should be submitted for obtaining dual citizenship.
    
9. If applying under Treasury Bond (TB) or Security Investment Account (SIA) valued of USD 25,000 for minimum 3 years period – category (1.F) a certificate from the relevant Authority confirming the investment will not be withdrawn prior to maturity for obtaining dual citizenship.
    
10. Following documents should be submitted if applying under the spouse of the applicant or an unmarried child under the age of 22 years of the applicant (Category 1.G) who has completed any qualification from A to F indicated in No 1 of the application.
     
    1. The original of the Marriage Certificate of the spouse or a certified copy thereof. (See note No. 1)
        
    2. Unmarried child under the age of 22 years
        
       • If the child is born in Sri Lanka, the original of the Birth Certificate or a certified copy thereof. (See note No. 1)
          
       • If the child is born outside Sri Lanka the consular Birth Certificate and the Citizenship Certificate or a copy thereof issued under section 5(2) of Citizenship Act. (See note No. 1)
          
       • Sri Lankan passports of the parents and visa of the other country should be submitted.
          
       • Applications should be submitted prior to completion of the age of 21 years and 06 months.
          
       • Applications of the applicants who have completed the age of 21 years and 06 months will not be entertained under this category with effect from 01.07.2019.
         
         A spouse or children eligible under this category shall be limited to a person whose citizenship of Sri Lanka has ceased under section 19,20 or 21of the Citizenship Act No 18 of 1948 or a person whose Sri Lankan citizenship is likely to cease.

Note:

1. Documents could only be certified by the Deputy/ Assistant Controller (Citizenship) of the Department of Immigration and Emigration or by the Senior Officer of Sri Lanka Overseas Mission in rank not less than of Third Secretary.

2. Translated documents are not considered as the Original documents. (Eg: English Translation of Birth Certificates, Marriage Certificates, Police Reports. etc)

3. The duly perfected applications should be submitted to the Department of Immigration and Emigration or to the Sri Lankan Overseas Missions by the applicant.

4. All the documents other than in English, Sinhala or Tamil should be submitted along with the English translation.

5. If the applicant apply for dual citizenship with a country other than the following countries, he/ she should submit a document issued by the government of that country indicating there is no any legal restriction regarding dual citizenship.
   Australia, Canada, France, Italy, New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, USA, Denmark, Norway, Cyprus, Republic of Vanuaty

4. Submission of application

The duly perfected applications should be submitted directly to the Department of Immigration and Emigration or to the Sri Lanka Overseas Mission by the applicant. The applications submitted through Sri Lanka Overseas Mission should be sent along with the documents specified in Paragraph 03 above which should be authenticated by Head of the Diplomatic Mission or senior officer in rank of Third Secretary or above in the which the applicant has acquired citizenship / permanent residence. The applications and the documents should authenticated by the Deputy or Assistant Controller of Citizenship Division when the applicants are handed over to the Head Office of the Department of Immigration and Emigration. All the documents other than in English, Sinhala or Tamil should be submitted along with the English translation of the same.

Department Address:

The Controller General,
Department of Immigration and Emigration,
Citizenship Division,
“Suhurupaya”,
Sri Subhuthipura Road,
Battaramulla,
Sri Lanka.

Email : accit@immigration.gov.lk

5. Dual Citizenship Fee

The relevant fee will be charged from the applicant after obtaining the approval of the Minister. The Department will notify the applicant through e-mail to make the payment and relevant fee should be paid in cash or Credit / Debit Card (in Sri Lankan rupee) to the shroff, Citizenship Division, 4th floor, Department of Immigration and Emigration, "Suhurupaya", Battaramulla or online payment can be done using the payment link provided on the e-mail (in US Dollars)

6. How to collect certificate ?

Applicant will be notified through e-mail to collect the Certificate from the Department of Immigration and Emigration.