Dual Citizenship is Applicable 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 citizenship of Sri Lanka is likely to cease can apply for dual citizenship as indicated below.
- Category of Resumption - 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
-
Category of Retention - A person who is having a desire to obtain citizenship in another country while intends to retain the citizenship of Sri Lanka.
Documents Required Under the Resumption Category
(a) Applicant’s original Birth Certificate or a certified copy of it.
(If the applicant is a citizen of Sri Lanka by registration, the relevant certificate or a copy of it)
(b) If the applicant is married, the marriage certificate or a certified copy of it.
(c) Legalized copy of a Swiss Citizenship Certificate (by Cantonal Chancellery) with an English Translation of the original. (must be legalized by Federal/Cantonal Chancellery)
(d) Legalized copy of Bio data page and the observation page of the Swiss Passport (by Cantonal Chancellery).
(e) A recent Police clearance report obtained from Swiss Authorities not older than 3 months in English or an English Translation of the original. (must be legalized by Federal/Cantonal Chancellery)
(f) Certified copies of Bio data pages and the observation pages of the previous Sri Lankan passports (if available).
(g) If Dual Citizenship applicant have changed name upon receiving foreign citizenship, it is mandatory to produce legal documents relating to name change along with applications (i.e change of name certificate/ deed poll/ statutory declaration etc)
Documents Required Under the Retention Category
(a) Applicant’s original Birth Certificate or a certified copy of it.
(If the applicant is a citizen of Sri Lanka by registration, the relevant certificate or a copy of it)
(b) If the applicant is married, the marriage certificate or a certified copy of it.
(c) Certified copy of Bio data page and the observation page of the current Sri Lankan passport.
(d) Certified copy of permanent residence visa.
(e) A recent Police clearance report obtained from Swiss Authorities not older than 3 months in English or an English Translation of the original.
Qualification Criteria for Applying for Dual Citizenship
Applicants may apply for the dual citizenship under one of the following qualifications.
1. An applicant who exceeds the age of 55 years (Original Birth Certificate or certified copy of it should be submitted).
2. An applicant who possesses the required academic or professional qualifications-an educational qualification of minimum one year diploma or higher or any professional qualification. (Applicant’s original Educational/Professional certificates or a certified copy of it should be submitted).
3. An applicant who owns immovable property/assets in Sri Lanka worth Rs. 2.5 million or above.
(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 or a certified copy should be submitted. Deed, valuation report and title reports for the same should be also submitted, along with above supporting documents).
4. 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). (A confirmation letter from the bank mentioning deposit will not be withdrawn within a period of 3 years should be submitted.)
5. 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). (A confirmation letter from the bank mentioning deposit will not be withdrawn within a period of 3 years should be submitted.)
6. An applicant who has invested USD 25,000/- above for 03 years under Treasury Bonds (TB) or Security Investment Accounts (SIA). (A certificate from the relevant authority confirming the investment will not be withdrawn prior to maturity should be submitted.)
7. The spouse of the applicant or an unmarried child under the age of 22 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.
(For the spouse, marriage certificate should be submitted. For an unmarried child born in Sri Lanka, Birth Certificate should be submitted. For an unmarried child born outside Sri Lanka, Citizenship Certificate should be submitted).
Download Application
Instructions to Fill the Application
1. To be completed in “BLOCK CAPITALS”.
2. Delete inapplicable word or words wherever * appears in the application.
3. Please mention “Not relevant” if particular information is not applicable.
4. Each member of the family has to submit a separate application along with 3 passport size colour photographs. Affix one of those photographs in the top right hand corner of the first page of the application.
5. Any applicant who belongs to one of the categories mentioned in section 1 of the application (A to G) can apply for dual citizenship. Please mark (√ ) in the relevant cage.
6. The statement in the application should be supported by an affidavit (page 6) made by the applicant before a Justice of the Peace or a Commissioner of Oaths.
Submission of Application
Applicants should visit the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Geneva in person and submit duly perfected applications with supporting documents.
Processing fee and other charges
Processing fee - 50 CHF per an application
Authentication fee for Swiss originated documents – 50 CHF per document
(Documents originated by the Swiss authorities have to be authenticated by the respective Cantonal offices in order to certify the documents by the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka in Geneva.)
Additionally, applicants have to provide certified English translations from the cantonal authorities of those documents which are not in English.
Upon the approval of the dual citizenship, applicants are subject to make following payments;
| Main applicant |
USD 2000.00 |
| Spouse of applicant |
USD 500.00 |
| Unmarried child below 22 years |
USD 500.00 |
The Department of Immigration and Emigration will notify the applicant to make the payment.
Important Links