RESUMPTION/RETENTION OF SRI LANKAN CITIZENSHIP (DUAL CITIZENSHIP) 

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

Applications can be accessed by clicking here (Application Form) and be handed over at the Consulate on working days, during consular hours from 9.30 am– 12.30 pm.

Applications should be completed in “CAPITAL letters”.

No blank spaces should be left and phrases that are not applicable should be either deleted or mentioned as “Not relevant”.

Separate applications should be submitted for each applicant along with 3 passport size (3.5cm x 4.5cm), colour photographs, with white background. One of those photographs should be affixed on the top right hand corner of the first page of the application. 

If the application is sent by post, the applicant's signature on page 6 of the application form must be certified by a Notary Public or Commissioner of Oath. 

The applicant needs to submit/send the originals of all Sri Lankan originated documents. 

The applicant is required to submit all Canadian documents, authenticated by the relevant provincial or territorial government office (Global Affairs or the authorized Provincial Government office) after being certified by a Notary Public /Commissioner of Oath. 

Canadian Police Report (Criminal Record Check with fingerprints) obtained from the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) within the validity period of 90 days -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 Dual Citizenship 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.

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. 

Applicant can only pay by cash at the High Commission counter, when submitting the application in person. If you're sending your application by post, please include a bank draft or money order should be in favour of “Sri Lanka High Commission, Ottawa” 

Applications can be submitted at the High Commission in person. (Presence of the main applicant is compulsory and the main applicant can submit the dependents’ applications on their behalf) OR applications can be sent by post along with all original documents with photo copies. When sending the documents, please also enclose a pre-paid Express Post Cover (envelope) with the correct postal address in order to return the original documents (except police report) back to the applicant . 

The application must be submitted with all original documents (both Sri Lankan and Canadian), along with one set of photocopies including application forms. All photocopies should be taken single sided on A4/letter size paper 

A duly authenticated affidavit should be submitted in the event of any name change/name differences from the Sri Lankan birth certificate/passport. If under detention (Sri Lankan nationals), an affidavit could be signed in the presence of a staff officer of the High Commission (CAD 95/-) OR in front of a lawyer/notary public. If under Resumption,(Canadian nationals) an affidavit should be signed in front of a lawyer/notary public who is authorized to certify foreign originated documents. If the affidavit signed in front of a lawyer/notary public, the signature has to be authenticated by the relevant Canadian authority. 

The Department of Immigration and Emigration of Sri Lanka will notify the applicant directly via personal E-mail to make the applicable payment once the application is approved. 

Basic Documents for Retention 

1. Application forms 

2. 3 passport size photos (3.5x4.5 cm). One should be attached to the application form)

3. Original Sri Lankan Birth Certificate (not a translation)

4. Original Sri Lankan marriage certificate (not a translation) or duly certified Canadian/foreign marriage certificate

5. Sri Lankan educational certificate (original) or duly certified foreign educational certificate (for applicants who apply under academic / professional qualification)

6. Sri Lankan passport (original)

7. Original document of duly certified Canadian Permanent Resident card

8. Criminal Record Check obtained from the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police)  within 03 months from the date of issue.

9. If there are any differences in names or other details between Sri Lankan and Canadian documents, a duly certified affidavit must be submitted clarifying the discrepancies.

10. Appropriate payment: CAD 40/- as processing fee, and CAD 60/- per foreign document for attestation (Duly attested foreign educational certificate, Canadian/foreign marriage certificate, Permanent Resident card/certificate, affidavit) 

Basic Documents for resumption

1. Application form 

2. 3 passport size photos (3.5x4.5 cm). One should be attached to the application form)

3. Original Sri Lankan Birth Certificate (not a translation)

4. Original Sri Lankan marriage certificate (not a translation) or duly certified Canadian/foreign marriage certificate

5. Sri Lankan educational certificate or duly certified foreign educational certificate (for applicants who apply under academic / professional qualification)

6. Sri Lankan passport and Sri Lankan National Identity Card/letter (Should you be unable to present your Passport or National Identity Card, kindly include a self-explanatory letter addressed to the Controller General, Department of Immigration & Emigration, describing the reasons for the absence of these documents)

7. Original document of duly certified Canadian passport (Both the Bio page and Observation page should be included)

8. Duly certified Canadian citizenship card/certificate

9. Criminal Record Check obtained from the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) within 03 months from the date of issue.

10. If there are any differences in names or other details between Sri Lankan and Canadian documents, a duly certified affidavit must be submitted clarifying the discrepancies

11. Appropriate payment: CSD 40/- as processing fee and CAD 65/- for each foreign document for attestation (Duly attested Canadian birth certificate, passport, citizenship card/certificate, foreign educational certificate, Canadian/foreign marriage certificate, affidavit) 

Note:-

1. A Sri Lankan birth certificate is mandatory for Dual Citizenship registration. If children of Sri Lankan parents born outside Sri Lanka are not yet registered under the Ceylon Citizenship Act No. 18 of 1948, as a first step, they must register their birth and citizenship. Please click the following link for further information on their registration. https://www.torontoslcg.org/ottawa2/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=139&Itemid=1
2. Incomplete applications will be returned by the High Commission.
3. Fees will not be refunded under any circumstance, after issuance of an official receipt
4. The application together with related documents should be submitted as a complete package to avoid delays in processing.

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