Granting of Dual Citizenship – Administrative procedure for accepting Dual Citizenship applications

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

1. Resumption - 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.

2. Retention - 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.

• Duly filled application (download)
• Certificate of good conduct / Background check (formerly knows as good conduct certificate) obtained from the nearest Local  Police Department (not older than 03 months)
  • Children under 16 years are exempted from this requirement
• Sri Lankan Birth Certificate
• Marriage Certificate (for spouse's application)
• 03 Photographs (standard photo format)
• Declaration form (download) – Statement to be made by parents when they are not citizens of a foreign country and applying for dual citizenship only for their children under 21 years old.

In addition to the above-mentioned documents, you must submit the following documents:

For Resumption

• Valid U.S. passport & naturalization certificate (If the applicant is a citizen of U.S.)
• Sri Lankan passport (if available)
• Sri Lankan National Identity Card (if available)

• U.S. permanent resident card (If the applicant is a permanent resident of U.S)
• Valid Sri Lankan passport
• Sri Lankan National Identity Card (if available)

• Criteria                        - An applicant who exceeds the age of 55 years at the time of the submission of the application.
• Documents                  - No additional documents required.

​For Category – B (Professional/Academic)

• Criteria                        - An applicant who possesses the required academic or professional qualifications (an educational qualification of a minimum one-year diploma or higher or any professional qualification.)
• Documents                  - Original Academic / Professional certificates. (Minimum one-year diploma or higher or any other professional qualification.)

For Category – C (Assets / Properties)

• Criteria                        - An applicant who owns immovable property/assets in Sri Lanka worth Rs. 2.5 million or above. The valuation of the applicant’s portion should be clearly mentioned for jointly owned properties and assets. (Property/assets must be owned prior to obtaining foreign nationality.)
• Documents                  - Original documentary proof of applicant's assets such as; land or other immovable properties in Sri Lanka worth of Rs. 2.5 million or above. Originals of the deed, valuation report and title report with pedigree for the same not older than 3 months should be submitted.

For Category – D (Fixed Deposit of Rs. 2.5 million or above)

• Criteria                        - 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). Deposits made on finance companies are not acceptable in this circumstance.
• Documents                  - A confirmation letter from the bank stating that the deposit is a lien for 3 years for the purpose of obtaining Dual Citizenship.

For Category – E (Fixed Deposit of USD 25,000 or above)

• Criteria                        - 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
• Documents                  - A confirmation letter from the bank stating that the deposit is a lien for 3 years for the purpose of obtaining Dual Citizenship.

For Category – F (Treasury Bond (TB) or Security Investment Account (SIA) valued of USD 25,000 for minimum 3 years period)

• Criteria                        - An applicant who has invested USD 25,000/- above for 03 years under Treasury bonds (TB) or Security Investment Accounts (SIA)
• Documents                  - A certificate from the relevant authority confirming the investment will not be withdrawn prior to maturity for obtaining dual citizenship.

For Category – G (spouse of the applicant or unmarried children under the age of 22 of the applicant)

• Criteria                        - The spouse of the applicant or unmarried children under the age of 22 years 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.
• Documents                  - Following documents should be submitted:
  • The original marriage certificate (for Spouse)
  • The original birth certificate (for an unmarried child – born in Sri Lanka)
  • The original consular birth certificate and the original citizenship certificate issued under section 5(2) of the Citizenship Act No. 18 of 1948 (for an unmarried child - born outside Sri Lanka) should be submitted.

• Applications for unmarried children should be submitted prior to completion of the age of 21 years and 06 months. If his/her age is more than 22 years at the time of making payments he/she should submit applications again under the other category. (Category A - F).
• Applications for unmarried children who have completed the age of 21 years and 06 months will not be entertained under this category with effect from 01 July 2019.

 

• Upon receipt of the complete application, the Mission will issue application reference number to each applicant. The reference number can be used for further inquiries through the Mission.
• Submission of forged documents and making false declarations relating to citizenship is a punishable offense. Fees will not be refunded in these circumstances.
• Incomplete applications will be rejected.
• All original documents must be submitted along with photocopies.

• Application processing fee                               –  USD 30.00 (Per application)
• Citizenship fee
  • Main applicant                                       – USD 2,000/=
  • Spouse of the applicant                         – Rs. 57,500.00
  • Unmarried children below 22 years          – USD 500/=

Card payments are not accepted.

• Domestic Mailing Fee - Federal Express (FedEx)                – USD 20.00 (within the United States)
• International Mailing Fee - Federal Express (FedEx)           – Relevant Country Rate

 

For inquiries and further assistance,