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.
Required Documents for Resumption Category
- Duly completed Dual Citizenship Application Form including the Data Sheet (Filled in English block letters)
- 3 Coloured photographs
- Foreign Passport
- Original Birth Certificate (Sri Lankan)
- Sri Lankan Citizenship Certificate (for those born outside Sri Lanka)
- Marriage Certificate (if issued by a foreign authority, English translation should be attested by the relevant Foreign Ministry).
- Naturalization certificate – English translation attested by the relevant Foreign Ministry
- Police Clearance Report from the country of citizenship (English translation, attested by the relevant Foreign Ministry, not older than 3 months)
- Bio page and Observation page of the previous Sri Lankan Passport
- Personbevis (Extract from the Swedish Population Registry in English, for Swedish citizens only- should be attested by the Swedish Foreign Ministry)
- Documentation as per eligibility category (A/B/C/D/E/F/G)
Required Documents for Retention Category
- Duly completed Dual Citizenship Application Form including the Data Sheet (Filled in English block letters)
- 3 Coloured photographs
- Sri Lankan Passport
- Original Birth Certificate (Sri Lankan)
- Sri Lankan Citizenship Certificate (for those born outside Sri Lanka)
- Marriage Certificate (if foreign document, English translation attested by the relevant Foreign Ministry)
- Permanent Residence Card
- Police Clearance Report from the country of citizenship (English translation, attested by the relevant Foreign Ministry, not older than 3 months)
- Personbevis (Extract from the Swedish Population Registry in English, for Swedish citizens only – should be attested by the Swedish Foreign Ministry)
- Documentation as per eligibility category (A/B/C/D/E/F/G)
Applicable Fee by the Embassy
- Application processing Fee : SEK 425
- For attestation of foreign docuements (eg. Naturalization certifciate, police clearence certificate) : SEK 492 (per document)
Dual Citizenship Fee
| Main Applicant | USD 2,000 |
| Spouse of Applicant | USD 500 |
| Unmarried child below 22 years | USD 500 |
| Fee for issuance of certified copies of certificates issued under Citizenship Act. | Rs. 2,000 |
The above mentioned relevant fee will be charged from the applicant after obtaining the approval of the Minister. The Department of Immigration and Emigration will notify the applicant through e-mail to make the payment and relevant fee should be paid in cash or Credit / Debit Card (in US Dollars) 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)
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 Embassy.
Important to 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 Embassy by the applicant.
- Those applying at the Embassy Sri Lanka need to pay a non-refundable Dual Citizenship application processing fee of SEK 425 . 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 any of the certificate/document was issued in a country other than Sri Lanka, the original certificate should certified by the Foreign Ministry of the relevant country.
- 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.
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.
