RESUMPTION/RETENTION OF SRI LANKAN CITIZENSHIP (DUAL CITIZENSHIP)

The Citizenship (Amendment) Act No. 45 of 1987 provides for the resumption or retention of Sri Lanka citizenship (Dual Citizenship) whilst being a citizen of a country other than Sri Lanka. A Sri Lankan citizen could apply to resume his/her Sri Lanka citizenship after obtaining the citizenship of another country or apply to retain his Sri Lankan citizenship before obtaining the citizenship of another country.

Dual citizenship would be granted only on applications, made on Form CIT/19 (A) / Registration 23A in duplicate and directed to the Controller, Citizenship Division, Ministry of Internal Administration, Department of Immigration and Emigration, Colombo 10 or the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington DC, USA by Registered Post. The addresses are given below:

The Controller,
Citizenship Division,
Ministry of Internal Administration,
Department of Immigration and Emigration,
No. 41, Ananda Rajakaruna Mawatha,
Colombo 10,
Sri Lanka.

Phone: 94-11-5329000 Hunting Line
Fax: 94-11-2674621
E-Mail: controller@immigration.gov.lk
Web Site: www.immigration.gov.lk

The Embassy of Sri Lanka,
2148, Wyoming Avenue NW,
Washington DC 20008

For further details, please visit the website of the Department of Immigration & Emigration -
(http://www.immigration.gov.lk/html/citizenship/dual_citizenship.html)

To obtain an application form,

Please click here to download form in PDF format.

Please click here to download form in MSWord format.

Dual Citizenship Instructions

1. Each member of the family has to submit a separate application.
   
   
2. 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.
   
   
3. There should be forwarded with the application any documentary evidence available to prove the facts set out therein particularly the statements made in columns A3 (a),(b), A4 (a), (b), B3, B4, B5 (b)(1), B6 (9), C1, C2,C3 & C4 of the application form.
   
   
4. The applicant may be required to supply further information and proof as may be necessary.
   
   
5. Documents required for the Dual Citizenship
   
   (a) Applicant’s Original Birth Certificate and a copy.
   
   (b) If the applicant is a citizen of Sri Lanka by registration, the relevant certificate and a copy.
   
   (c) If applicant is married, The Marriage Certificate and a copy.
   
   (d) Applicant’s Foreign Citizenship Certificate/ Foreign Travel Document/ Permanent Residence Visa.
   
   (e) Applicant’s current and / or previous Sri Lankan Passports and copies or an affidavit.
   
   (f) If applying under professional category, applicant’s Educational/Professional Certificate and a copy (minimum a degree from a recognized University).
   
   (g) If applying under wealth category, 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 a copy. Deed Valuation report extract and Title report for the same should be also submitted.
   
   (h) If applying under 2.5 million category original of the documentary proof minimum one year Fixed Deposit in a bank in Sri Lanka of an amount not less than 2.5 million.
   
   (i) If applying under age category, applicants over 55 years of age original birth certificate and a copy should be submitted.
   
   (j) If applying under fixed deposit US$ 25,000/- category, original of a fixed deposit certificate and a copy exceeding US$ 25,000 for a three years period in a bank in Sri Lanka.
   
   (k) If applying under fixed deposit US$ 50,000/- category, original of a fixed deposit certificate and a copy exceeding US$ 50,000 for a three years period in a bank in Sri Lanka
   
   (l) If the documents referred to above are submitted without originals, they should be attested by the Sri Lankan Mission accredited to that country, or the nearest Sri Lankan Mission or Consulate of the country of domicile or Solicitor or Justice of Peace in the country of domicile.
   
   
6. Dual Citizenship Fee
   
   (a) According to the application for, if applying under A1 (a)(b)(c) and (d) the Dual Citizenship fee as follows.
   
   (I) Principal Applicant Rs (SL) 200,000.00
   (II) Spouse Rs (SL) 50,000.00
   (III) Child under 18 years of age when applying with parents Rs (SL) 50,000.00
   (IV) Child over 18 years of age with parents application Rs (SL) 200,000.00
   
   
   (b) If applying under A1 (e) the Dual Citizenship fee is Rs (SL) 200,000.00 for entire family irrespective of the number of family members.
   
   (c) If applying under A1 (f) the Dual Citizenship fee is free for entire family irrespective of the number of family members.
   
   Please click here for more information.
   
   
7. A person who, for the purpose of procuring anything under citizenship Act, No 18 of 1948 makes any statements which he knows to be false in the material particular is guilty of an offence which is punishable with imprisonment of either description for a term not exceeding
   three months.
   
   
8. When the documents are legalized by US lawyers, it is necessary to authenticate the lawyer’s endorsement by the seal of the State government where the applicant resides confirming that the lawyer is registered and recognized by that State. The State seal should in turn be certified by the US Department of State in Washington DC before it is sent to the Embassy for authentication.
   
   
9. The Embassy charges a fee of $ 30.00 for authentication of the documents.
   
   
10. If the documents are to be returned to the applicant by mail the postage fee for one of the following options should be included.

    Please send a money order or a certified check. Please note that Personal Checks will not be accepted.

    US Postal Express - $ 18.00
    Federal Express - $ 20.00
    International mailing fee - $ 35.00
    

11. Authenticated application with affidavit duly signed should be sent to the Secretary, Ministry of Internal administration (Citizenship Division) in Sri Lanka.
    

12. The Embassy will forward applications for dual citizenship to the Ministry of Internal Administration in Sri Lanka if a specific request is made by the applicant. In this case the application will be forwarded by the Embassy with a covering letter addressed to the Secretary, Ministry of Internal Administration and a copy of the letter will be sent to the applicant for information.
    

13. Once the application for dual citizenship is approved, the relevant fees should be paid to the Citizenship Division of the Ministry of Internal Administration.

    Please note that the applications for dual citizenship are also processed by the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in New York and the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Los Angeles.
    
    
14. For further information please contact the Consular Division of the Embassy of Sri Lanka, Washington DC.
    
    Notes
    
    i. This Embassy is not responsible for any document lost in the post.
    
    ii. Submission of forged documents and making false declarations relating to citizenship is a punishable offence. Fees will not be refunded in these circumstances.
    
    iii. Incomplete applications will be rejected.