RESUMPTION/RETENTION OF SRI LANKAN CITIZENSHIP (DUAL CITIZENSHIP)

Guidelines for submission of Dual Citizenship Application through Sri Lanka High Commission

• The applicant needs to submit/send the originals of all Sri Lankan originated documents along with the photocopies. Photocopies should be on A4 size paper.
• The applicant needs to submit all the Canadian documents with the authentication by the Authentication Services Section of the Global Affairs 
• Canadian Police Report-Please follow  the link to obtain the Criminal Record Check with fingerprints.
• If the applicant possesses any foreign originated documents (other than Canadian) such as Birth and Educational Certificates, such documents should be submitted to the High Commission with the authentication by the relevant Diplomatic Mission based in Canada.
• Upon receipt of the application, the required documents will be authenticated by an Authorized official in the High commission and will issue a reference number to each applicant. The reference number can be used for further inquiries.
• The High Commission will charge C$ 60.00 for the authentication of each Canadian document from those who are holding Sri Lankan nationality who are applying under Retention Category.
• The High Commission will charge C$ 65.00 for the authentication of each Canadian document from those who are holding Canadian nationality who are applying under Resumption Category.
• Please note that the Sri Lanka High Commission will certify all Sri Lankan originated documents (Birth, Marriage, Education, copies of Passport and all other documents related to dual citizenship application issued by the Sri Lankan authorities/institutions) free of charge.
• The Sri Lanka High Commission will also charge C$ 40.00 per application as the Processing Fee.
• When sending the documents, please also enclose prepaid envelope with the correct postal address in terms of sending the original documents back to the applicant.
• The Department of Immigration and Emigration will notify the applicant to the personal E-mail to make the applicable payment once the application is approved.
• Please click here to download Application

GRANTING OF DUAL CITIZENSHIP – ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE FOR ACCEPTING DUAL CITIZENSHIP APPLICATIONS

01. The existing legal framework for granting of dual citizenship

Dual citizenship is granted in terms of the provisions of Citizenship Act No. 18 of 1948 as amended by Act No. 45 of 1987.

I. 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 thereafter desires to resume the status of a citizen of Sri Lanka.

II. Section 19 (3) of the said Act makes provisions in respect of a person who, having a desire to obtain the citizenship in another country, intends to retain the citizenship of Sri Lanka.

III. A request under 1 and 2 above can be made to the Minister-in-charge of the subject. When the Minister-in-charge is satisfied that granting the request would be of benefit to Sri Lanka, dual citizenship will be granted.

02. Persons who may make an application for dual citizenship

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

03. Qualification criteria for applying for dual citizenship

An applicant who satisfies any one of the following criteria can apply for dual citizenship:

I. An applicant who exceeds the age of 55 years.

II. An applicant who possesses the required academic or professional qualifications – an educational qualification of minimum one year diploma or higher or any professional qualification.

III. An applicant who owns immovable property/assets in Sri Lanka worth Rs. 2.5 million or above.

IV. An applicant who has a fixed deposit of Rs. 2.5 million or above for a 03 year period in any of the Commercial banks approved by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL).

V. An applicant who has a fixed deposit of USD 25,000/- or above for a 03 year period under NRFC/RFC/SFIDA Accounts, in any of commercial banks approved by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) in Sri Lanka.

VI. An applicant who has invested USD 25,000/- above for 03 years under Treasury bonds (TB) or Security Investment Accounts (SIA).

VII. The spouse of the applicant or UNMARRIED CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 21 YEARS AND 06 MONTHS OF THE APPLICANT. A spouse eligible under this provision shall be limited to a person whose citizenship of Sri Lanka has ceased under Sections 19, 20 or 21 of the Citizenship Act No. 18 of 1948 or a person whose citizenship is likely to cease.

04. Documents need to be submitted along with the citizenship application

I. Duly filled application for Dual citizenship along with 3 passport size photographs. (3.5 cm x 4.5 cm or 2” x  2”)

Please click here to download :

II. ORIGINAL Birth Certificate OR a copy certified by the Consular division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Sri Lanka. (If the applicant is a citizen of Sri Lanka by registration, the relevant certificate or a copy certified by the Consular division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Sri Lanka)

III. If the applicant is married, the ORIGINAL marriage certificate OR a copy certified by the Consular division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

IV. 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.

(a) ORIGINAL Foreign Citizenship Certificate.

(b) ORIGINAL foreign passport AND Copies of the Bio data and observation pages.

(c) A recent Police clearance report from the country of foreign citizenship NOT OLDER THAN 03 MONTHS in English or an English Translation of the original. (Police clearance certificate can be obtained by the relevant state Police/Authority) CHILDREN UNDER 16 YEARS ARE EXEMPTED FROM THIS REQUIREMENT.

(d) COPY of Bio data page and the observation page of the previous Sri Lankan passport (if available)

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.

(a) ORIGINAL PASSPORT AND COPIES of Bio data page and the observation page of the current Sri Lankan passport along with the original passport.

(b) ORIGINAL permanent residence card and COPY of same.

(e) A recent Police clearance report from the country of permanent residence not older than 3 months in English or an English Translation of the original. ( Police clearance certificate can be obtained by the relevant state Police/Authority) CHILDREN UNDER 16 YEARS ARE EXEMPTED FROM THIS REQUIREMENT.

V. CATEGORY (3:1) – IF APPLYING UNDER AGE

ORIGINAL Birth Certificate AND COPY of same

VI. CATEGORY (3:2) – APPLYING UNDER THE PROFESSIONAL

ORIGINAL Educational/ Professional certificates. (minimum one year diploma or higher, or any other professional qualification).

VII. If applying under Assets / Properties category (3:3) original of the documentary proof of applicant’s assets such as; lands or other immovable properties in Sri Lanka worth of Rs. 2.5 million or above and originals of the Deed, valuation report & title reports for the same should also be submitted.

VIII. If applying under fixed deposit of Rs. 2.5 million or above – category (3:4) an original confirmation letter from the bank mentioning deposit will not be withdrawn within a period of 3 year.

IX. If applying under fixed deposit of USD 25,000 or above – category (3:5) a confirmation letter from the bank mentioning deposit will not be withdrawn within a period of 3 year.

X. If applying under Treasury Bond (TB) or Security Investment Account (SIA) valued of USD 25,000 for minimum 3 years period – category (3:6) a certificate from the relevant Authority conforming the investment will not be withdrawn prior to maturity.

XI. If applying under the spouse of the applicant or an unmarried child under the age of 22 of the applicant – category (3:7) the original of marriage certificate (For Spouse) and original birth certificate (For unmarried child – born in Sri Lanka) or the original Citizenship certificate issued under section 5 (2) of the Citizenship Act No. 18 of 1948 (For unmarried child – born outside the Sri Lanka). 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 21 of the Citizenship Act No. 18 of 1948 or a person whose Sri Lankan citizenship is likely to cease.

05. Submission of application

Please refer the instructions attached with the application prior to completing the application.

• The application can also be handed over to the Head Office of the Department of Immigration and Emigration to the following address. The application and the documents so submitted should be authenticated by Deputy or Assistant Controller of the Citizenship Division.

The Controller General

Department of Immigration & Emigration

Citizenship Division

"Suhurpaya" Sri Subhuthipura Road

Baththaramulla.

• The duly perfected applications of those living in Canada can also be sent through the High Commission of Sri Lanka in Ottawa, to the following address.

Sri Lanka High Commission

333 Laurier Avenue West #1204

Ottawa, ON, K1P 1C1

06. Dual Citizenship Fee

Main applicant – US$ 2000
Spouse of applicant – US$ 500
Unmarried child below 22 years  - US$ 500 (Application should be subimitted prior to compleation of age of 21 years and 06 months)

Period of process

The time frame cannot specifically mention due to the large number of applications in process.
It will depend on the Department of Immigration and Emigration processing time period.

Notice