Acquisition of Dual Citizenship of Sri Lanka

  

 
What is Dual Citizenship?


Under usual circumstances, when a Sri Lankan acquires the citizenship of another country, he/she automatically loses his/her Sri Lankan citizenship. However it is possible for an individual to -
 

  1. Retain Sri Lankan citizenship when acquiring the citizenship of a foreign country.  This is called ‘Retention of Citizenship’.
  2. Resume Sri Lankan citizenship at a later point of time; after losing it when acquiring the citizenship of a foreign country. This is called ‘Resumption of Citizenship’.
An individual who has citizenship in both Sri Lanka and a foreign country is considered a dual citizen of Sri Lanka.
 

 

1

 Resumption of Sri Lankan citizenship
How can I apply for resumption of Sri Lankan citizenship ?
You can resume your Sri Lankan citizenship after obtaining the citizenship of another country. You will not be a Sri Lankan citizen from the time you obtained  the citizenship of another country to the time of resumption of your Sri Lankan citizenship.

Click here to learn about the legal provisions of obtaining dual citizenship in Sri Lanka by retention or resumption.

 Renunciation of Sri Lankan Citizenship
Who can request for renunciation of Sri Lankan Citizenship ?
A Sri Lankan of full age (22 years) and sound mind, who is eligible to obtain the citizenship of another country,
Please click here for more information about the legal provisions regarding the citizenship of Sri Lanka.  

Who can apply For Sri Lankan Dual Citizenship ?
  1. An ex - Sri Lankan holding the citizenship of a foreign country
  2. A Sri Lankan qualified to receive citizenship of a foreign country and who may contribute to the socio-economic development of Sri Lanka can apply for dual citizenship.
List of Countries where Sri Lankan Dual Citizenship is accepted
Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, France, Sweden, Switzerland, Italy, United States of America, Canada

Can the family members of the main applicant apply too ?
Yes. The main applicant’s spouse and unmarried children below 18 years of age may also apply for Sri Lankan Dual Citizenship with the main applicant. Additional fee per member will be charged.
(See Citizenship Fee Table)

What are the Documents Required to be Submitted with the Application
 
  1. Original Birth Certificate of the Applicant.
  2. If the applicant is a citizen of Sri Lanka by registration, the relevant certificate.
  3. If the applicant is married, the Marriage Certificate.
  4. Foreign Citizenship Certificate, Foreign Travel Document or Permanent Residence Visa of the Applicant.
  5. Applicant’s most recent Sri Lankan passport, previous Sri Lankan Passports (if any) or an affidavit stating non-availability of a Sri Lankan Passport.

(Please submit photocopies of the above documents along with the originals.) 
 

Additional Compulsory Documents Required under Each Category
 

  • Professional Category
To be considered for the Professional Category the Applicant must possess a Degree or Post   Graduate Qualifications from a recognized institute.
  • Wealth Category
To be considered for the Wealth Category Applicant must possesses an immovable property or properties in Sri Lanka valued at not less than LKR 2.5 million
  1. Originals of the documentary proof confirming the applicant’s ownership of Lands or other immovable properties in Sri Lanka valued at or above LKR. 2.5 Million and copies.
  2. Originals of Deeds and copies
  3. Original Valuation report, and Title Report obtained within two months. from the date of application.
  • Fixed Deposit Category
To be considered for this category Applicant must maintain a fixed deposit of not less than LKR 2.5 million for a minimum period of one year.
  1. Originals of the documentary proof for maintaining a Fixed Deposit of an amount not less than LKR 2.5 million, for a minimum period of one year from the date of application, in any commercial bank in Sri Lanka.
  2. Original fixed deposit certificate and a copy.
  3. A letter from the respective bank confirming the fixed eposit.
  • Senior Citizen Category
To be considered under this category the Applicant must be over 55 years of age at the time of application.
  1. Original birth certificate and a copy
  • NRFC/RFC/SFIDA category
If the applicant is willing to invest in a  Non-Resident Foreign Currency (NRFC), Resident Foreign Currency (RFC) or Special Foreign Investment Deposit Accounts (SFIDA),  he/she can apply for dual citizenship.  Relevant supporting documents must be submitted with the duly completed Application Form.
  1. A letter stating the willingness of the applicant to invest in one of the above mentioned accounts. The relevant deposits shall be frozen as follows from the date of approval, in any commercial bank in Sri Lanka
Minimum Deposit Requirement Retention Period
USD 25,000/- or equivalent in any other designated foreign currency 03 years
USD 25,000/- or equivalent in any other designated foreign currency         05 years
USD 50,000/- or equivalent in any other designated foreign currency  03 years
 
  • Treasury bonds TIERA and TIERA-D category
A Treasury Bill or Treasury Bond, Treasury Bill / Bond Investment External Rupee Account – Deshabhimani (TIERA-D), is a short term debt instrument issued by the Government of Sri Lanka under the local Treasury Bill Ordinance.
 
       To be considered for this category the applicant must be willing to invest in any of the following categories.
  1.  Consent letter stating the willingness of the applicant to the particular investment.
Minimum Investment   Maturity Period
LKR equivalent of USD 25,000/- or equivalent in any other         
designated foreign currency		 03 years
LKR equivalent of USD 25,000/- or equivalent in any other       
designated foreign currency		  05 years
LKR equivalent of USD 50,000/- or equivalent in any other       
designated foreign currency		  03 years

Applications
Where can I obtain an application Form ?
 
  1. Head Office of the Department of Immigration and Emigration, Ananda Rajakaruna Mawatha, Colombo 10
  2. Sri Lankan Mission in the country of residence
  3. To download printable versions of application forms click here
  4. For details of Processing Fees click here
How can I submit the applications ?
  • Hand over the duly completed application forms by personally calling over at the Head Office of the Department of Immigration and Emigration, Ananda Rajakaruna Mawatha, Colombo 10 between 9.00 a.m. – 2 p.m. on any working day.
  • Mail to the following address by Registered Post.
              Department of Immigration and Emigration,
              Ananda Rajakaruna Mw,
              Colombo 10,
  • Hand over to the Sri Lankan Mission in the country of residence.  Please Contact the relevant Missions Overseas for details about their working hours.
The statements in the application should be supported by an affidavit (Section E) made by the applicant before a Justice of the Peace or a Commissioner of Oaths. (Stamps not required.)

If the documents referred to above are submitted without the originals, they should have been attested by the Sri Lankan Mission accredited to that county, or the nearest Sri Lankan Mission or a Solicitor or a Justice of the Peace of the country of domicile.  Please note that the attestation of a Justice of the Peace in Sri Lanka is not accepted.


  [*For more information See Citizenship Fees]

Citizenship - Fees
Dual Citizenship
Rs. [SL]
Applicant
200,000
Spouse
50,000
Children under 18 years when applied with parents - each -
50,000
Children over 18 years when applied with parents - each -
200,000
Those who apply under the category of NRFC/RFC/SFIDA/Dual Citizenship Accounts/Treasury bonds under
TIERA and TIERA-D
      USD 25,000/- (03 yrs) - whole family -
200,000
      USD 25,000/- (05 yrs) - whole family -
Exempted
      USD 50,000/- (03 yrs) - whole family -
Exempted

 
Payment Procedure
Cash payments
To be made to the Citizenship Division on any working day between 9.00 a.m. and 3.00 p.m.
Bank Drafts
Payments by Bank Drafts drawn in favour of the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration be sent to the Citizenship Division by Registered Post.
Nominee
Any applicant may make payments through a nominee on his/her behalf. Indication of official reference is required in all correspondence.

 
 

Source: (c) Department of Immigration and Emigration