Last updated: 30 October 2026
This guide is for people who were born in Sri Lanka or hold Sri Lankan citizenship, and who have taken, or plan to take, the citizenship of another country. It explains in general terms how dual citizenship works and how to approach an application.
Who this applies to
Sri Lankan citizenship law is set out in the Citizenship Act, as amended. Dual citizenship allows a person to hold Sri Lankan citizenship together with the citizenship of another country. It is handled by the Department of Immigration and Emigration, which publishes the categories of people who can apply and the conditions attached to each.
The main groups are usually people who were Sri Lankan citizens and acquired another nationality, and in some cases their spouses and children. The exact categories, and any conditions on residence, can change, so read the department’s current notice before you begin. A person who is unsure which category applies should ask the department or the nearest Sri Lankan mission.
What you need
The documents requested differ between categories, but applicants are commonly asked for the following. Check the department’s current checklist, because requirements and the format of forms are updated from time to time.
- The completed application form for the relevant category.
- Proof of Sri Lankan citizenship, such as a birth certificate, a National Identity Card or a Sri Lankan passport.
- Evidence of the foreign citizenship, such as a foreign passport or naturalisation certificate.
- Marriage or birth certificates where a spouse or child is included.
- Passport-sized photographs to the specification given by the department.
- Certified translations of any document that is not in English, Sinhala or Tamil.
Step by step
- Find the department’s current notice on dual citizenship and identify the category that fits your situation.
- Download the application form for that category and read the instructions in full.
- Gather the documents listed on the form and make certified copies where the form asks for them.
- Submit the application as the department directs. Applicants living abroad should ask the nearest Sri Lankan embassy or high commission whether it accepts applications or forwards them to Colombo.
- Pay any fee only through the method named by the department, and keep the receipt.
- Respond promptly if the department asks for further documents, and keep a copy of everything you send.
- If the application is approved, you will receive a certificate or endorsement. Keep it with your travel documents, and ask the department how to have your Sri Lankan passport or identity card updated.
Costs and timing
Fees and processing times are set by the department and can change. This guide does not state a figure because none was confirmed on an official page when it was written. Check the current fee and the expected processing time on the Department of Immigration and Emigration website before you apply, and treat any figure quoted by a third party with caution.
Allow extra time if you must obtain documents from another country, have them certified or translated, or post them between countries.
Common problems
- Applying under the wrong category. Read the eligibility notice carefully before you fill in the form.
- Missing or unreadable documents. Make sure copies are clear and certified in the way the department requires.
- Names that differ between documents. If your name is spelt differently on your birth certificate and your foreign passport, include a deed poll, marriage certificate or other evidence of the change.
- Paying agents who promise guaranteed approval. The department decides each application, and no agent can guarantee an outcome.
- Rules of the other country. Some countries do not allow their citizens to hold a second nationality. Check the law of your country of citizenship before you apply, since Sri Lankan approval does not change it.
Where to get help
Start with the Department of Immigration and Emigration, which handles applications and publishes the current forms and notices. If you live abroad, contact the nearest Sri Lankan embassy, high commission or consulate for guidance on certifying documents and submitting an application. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs can also direct you to the right mission.
If your case is complicated, for example where a child was born abroad or a past citizenship decision is in dispute, consider consulting a lawyer qualified in Sri Lankan citizenship law.
Official sources
- Department of Immigration and Emigration of Sri Lanka: www.immigration.gov.lk
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka: www.mfa.gov.lk
- Sri Lanka Government portal: www.gov.lk
