DUAL CITIZENSHIP

CONSULATE GENERAL OF SRI LANKA MELBOURNE

If you visit us and submit your application for registration of your child’s birth at our counter, we will issue your child’s birth certificate on the same day. (This is applicable ONLY for the applications submitted within one year from the date of child’s birth)

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A person whose Sri Lankan citizenship has ceased or likely to cease under Sections 19, 20 or 21 of the Citizenship Act No. 18 of 1948 is eligible for Dual Citizenship of Sri Lanka.

1.Resumption – Section 19(2) of the said Act makes provisions with respect to persons whose citizenship of Sri Lanka has ceased upon obtaining the citizenship of another country, who thereafter desire to resume the status of a citizen of Sri Lanka.

2.Retention – Section 19(3) of the said Act makes provisions with respect to persons who desire to obtain citizenship in another country, while intending to retain the citizenship of Sri Lanka.

This is applicable to:

Applicants who apply for Dual Citizenship under “Retention” category and received Australian Citizenship prior to obtaining the Sri Lankan dual citizenship are required to inform the same to the Department of Immigration & Emigration by submitting a copy of the Australian Citizenship Certificate authenticated and a copy of the Australian Passport certified by the Australian Passport Office (APO) – Authentication Section situated at level 2, Collins Square, 747 Collins Street, Docklands. The category of the application of these applicants will then be changed into “resumption” on the Dual Citizenship Certificate.

Applicants who apply for Dual Citizenship under “Retention” category and received Australian Citizenship prior to obtaining the Sri Lankan dual citizenship are required to inform the same to the Department of Immigration & Emigration by submitting a copy of the Australian Citizenship Certificate and a copy of the Australian Passport. The category of the application of these applicants will then be changed into “resumption” on the Dual Citizenship Certificate.

Table of Contents

How to Apply

Application

How to fill the Application

Supporting Documents - Resumption of Sri Lankan Citizenship – Section 19 (2)

Supporting Documents - Retention of Sri Lankan Citizenship – Section 19 (3)

How to select eligible category

Payment

How to check the status of the application

Collection of Citizenship Certificate

Contact Details of the Department of Immigration & Emigration, Sri Lanka

Visiting Sri Lanka after obtaining Dual Citizenship

REGISTRATION OF BIRTH & CITIZENSHIP OUTSIDE SRI LANKA

We are pleased to assist you to register the birth and citizenship of your child under the:

Section 16 or Section 24 of the Birth Registration Act of Sri Lanka, and
Section 5(2) of the Citizenship Act of Sri Lanka.

This is applicable to:

Children born outside Sri Lanka, who are under 22 year of age and whose father and/or mother (at least one parent) was a Sri Lankan citizen or a dual citizen of Sri Lanka at the time of the child’s birth.

If father & mother both have become Australian Citizens at the time of the child’s birth, your child is not eligible for Sri Lankan birth registration. If only one parent had held the Sri Lanka citizenship (or dual citizenship) at the time of the birth of the child, that same parent should be the “declarant” of the birth.

How to Apply

Applications are accepted only at the Consular Counter, submitted by the applicants in person.

Applications are accepted at the Consular Counter, submitted by the applicants in person. To submit the application at the counter, it is required to take a prior appointment. You can obtain an appointment on any working day between 9.30am -1.30pm. For public holiday closures please visit here

Applicants over the age of 16 are required to visit the Consulate General to submit the application and sign the affidavit (page 6 of the Application) in the presence of an official of the Consulate General.
Applicants below the age of 16 are not required to visit the Consulate General to sign the affidavit. The main applicant is required to sign on behalf of these applicants who are under 16 and state their relationship in the application, (ex: Mother/Father) in the presence of an official of the Consulate General.

Sri Lankans residing in South Australia and Tasmania

Sri Lankans residing in South Australia and Tasmania can send their applications via post after signing the affidavit by a Justice of Peace (Page 06 of the application).

can certify applications from the Honorary Consul of Sri Lanka in Adelaide at the following address:

Application Form

Form “S”

For the Registration Form B6: A letter of explanation for late registration, addressed to the “Registrar General, Registrar General’s Department, Colombo,” should be attached.

How to fill the Application

The application must be completed in BLOCK LETTERS.
Please tick the category” Resumption” or “Retention”, as appropriate.
Please tick one of the eligible categories (Please see Question 1A – 1G), as appropriate. Please go to “How to select the eligible category” for guidance
Wherever * appears, please cut off the inapplicable word/s.
If a particular field is inapplicable, write NOT APPLICABLE or NOT RELEVANT.
Please do not countersign copies where the originals are already authenticated.
Link for information regarding document authentication/certification through the Australian Australian Passport Office (APO) -Authentication Section situated at level 2, Collins Square, 747 Collins Street, Docklands

https://www.dfat.gov.au/about-us/our-services/apostilles-authentications-certificates-of-no-impediment-to-marriage/Pages/apostilles-authentications-and-certificates-of-no-impediment-to-marriage

Name changes in supporting documents should be verified by a Name Change Certificate (authenticated by the relevant government authority) or by an Affidavit.

Specimen of the Affidavit

Supporting Documents - Resumption of Sri Lankan Citizenship – Section 19 (2)

For each of the following supporting documents, original document +1 set of Photocopies should be submitted [Photocopy of the Application Form “S” is not required]
Please refer checklist attached to the application prior to submission
All photocopies should be submitted in A4 size. Copies of both sides of each certificate/ card should be submitted. For passports; copies of the bio-data page and the observation page should be submitted.
Translations in lieu of originals are not accepted
Documents issued by institutes in Sri Lanka could be certified from the Consulate General if the original documents are submitted.
Documents issued by institutes in Australia should be authenticated/certified (as mentioned in the check list) by the Australian Passport Office (APO) -Authentication Section situated at level 2, Collins Square, 747 Collins Street, Docklands, Australia.
Documents issued by institutes in third countries (other than Sri Lanka or Australia) should be authenticated/certified by the government authorities concerned in that particular country

Supporting documents required:

Main Applicant	Spouse of Main Applicant	Unmarried Children (Applications submitted after reaching the age of 21 years & 6 months will not be entertained under this category)
3 Passport Size Colour Photographs – Affix 1 on the first page of application	3 Passport Size Colour Photographs – Affix 1 on the first page of application	3 Passport Size Colour Photographs – Affix 1 on the first page of application
Birth Certificate (Australian Birth Certificates not required to be authenticated)	Birth Certificate (Australian Birth Certificates not required to be authenticated)	Birth Certificate (Australian Birth Certificates not required to be authenticated)
Marriage Certificate [If Australian Marriage Certificate, authenticated by Australian Passport Office (APO) -Authentication Section situated at level 2, Collins Square, 747 Collins Street, Docklands in Australia*	Marriage Certificate [If Australian Marriage Certificate, authenticated by Australian Passport Office (APO) -Authentication Section situated at level 2, Collins Square, 747 Collins Street, Docklands in Australia]	Citizenship Certificate issued under Section 5(2) of the Citizenship Act No. 18 of 1948 (if child was born outside Sri Lanka)
Biodata & Observations Page of Sri Lankan Passport (if available)	Biodata & Observations Page of Sri Lankan Passport (if available)	Biodata & Observations Page of Sri Lankan Passport (if available)
Biodata & Observations Page of Foreign Passport and should have the validity of Six months from the date of submission of the application	Biodata & Observations Page of Foreign Passport and should have the validity of Six months from the date of submission of the application	Biodata & Observations Page of Foreign Passport and should have the validity of Six months from the date of submission of the application
Australian Citizenship Certificate	Australian Citizenship Certificate	Australian Citizenship Certificate
NAME CHECK ONLY CERTIFICATE issued by the Australian Federal Police (should have 3 months validity) Digital Certificate not accepted.	NAME CHECK ONLY CERTIFICATE issued by the Australian Federal Police (should have 3 months validity) Digital Certificate not accepted.	Applicable only for children above 16 years – NAME CHECK ONLY CERTIFICATE issued by the Australian Federal Police (should have 3 months validity) Digital Certificate not accepted.

*If only the main applicant submits documents, Marriage Certificate is NOT mandatory.

Supporting Documents – Retention of Sri Lankan Citizenship – Section 19 (3)

For each of the following supporting documents, original document +1 set of Photocopies should be submitted [Photocopy of the Application Form “S” is not required]
Please refer checklist attached to the application prior to submission
All photocopies should be submitted in A4 size. Copies of both sides of each certificate/ card should be submitted. For passports; copies of the bio-data page and the observation page should be submitted.
Translations in lieu of originals are not accepted
Documents issued by institutes in Sri Lanka could be certified from the Consulate General if the original documents are submitted.
Documents issued by institutes in Australia should be authenticated/certified (as mentioned in the check list) by the Australian Passport Office (APO) -Authentication Section situated at level 2, Collins Square, 747 Collins Street, Docklands, Australia.
Documents issued by institutes in third countries (other than Sri Lanka or Australia) should be authenticated/certified by the government authorities concerned in that particular country

List of supporting documents required:

Main Applicant	Spouse of Main Applicant	Unmarried Children (Applications submitted after reaching the age of 21 years & 6 months will not be entertained under this category)
3 Passport Size Colour Photographs – Affix 1 on the first page of application	3 Passport Size Colour Photographs – Affix 1 on the first page of application	3 Passport Size Colour Photographs – Affix 1 on the first page of application
Birth Certificate (Australian Birth Certificates do not need to be authenticated)	Birth Certificate (Australian Birth Certificates do not need to be authenticated)	Birth Certificate (Australian Birth Certificates do not need to be authenticated)
Marriage Certificate [If Australian Marriage Certificate, authenticated by Australian Passport Office (APO) -Authentication Section situated at level 2, Collins Square, 747 Collins Street, Docklands in Australia]*	Marriage Certificate [If Australian Marriage Certificate, authenticated by Australian Passport Office (APO) -Authentication Section situated at level 2, Collins Square, 747 Collins Street, Docklands in Australia]	Citizenship Certificate issued under Section 5(2) of the Citizenship Act No. 18 of 1948 (if child was born outside Sri Lanka)
Bio data & Observations Page of Sri Lankan Passport (Should have the validity of Six months from the date of submission of the application)	Bio data & Observations Page of Sri Lankan Passport (Should have the validity of Six months from the date of submission of the application)	Bio data & Observations Page of Sri Lankan Passport (Should have the validity of Six months from the date of submission of the application)
Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) Please submit the VEVO generated on the same date that you submit the application	Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) Please submit the VEVO generated on the same date that you submit the application	Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) Please submit the VEVO generated on the same date that you submit the application
NAME CHECK ONLY CERTIFICATE issued by the Australian Federal Police (should have 3 months validity) Digital Certificate not accepted.	NAME CHECK ONLY CERTIFICATE issued by the Australian Federal Police (should have 3 months validity) Digital Certificate not accepted.	Applicable only for children above 16 years – NAME CHECK ONLY CERTIFICATE issued by the Australian Federal Police (should have 3 months validity) Digital Certificate not accepted.

*If only the main applicant submits documents, Marriage Certificate is NOT mandatory.

Collection of the Birth Certificate

How to select the eligible category (Please refer Question 1A – 1G of the application)

For Each Supporting Document, original document +1 set of Photocopies should be submitted [Photocopy of the Application Form “S” is not required]
Please refer checklist attached to the application prior to submission
All photocopies should be submitted in A4 size. Copies of both sides of each certificate/ card should be submitted. For passports; copies of the bio-data page and the observation page should be submitted.
Translations in lieu of originals are not accepted
Documents issued by institutes in Sri Lanka could be certified from the Consulate General if the original documents are submitted.
Documents issued by institutes in Australia should be authenticated/certified (as mentioned in the check list) by the Australian Passport Office (APO) -Authentication Section situated at level 2, Collins Square, 747 Collins Street, Docklands, Australia.
Documents issued by institutes in third countries (other than Sri Lanka or Australia) should be authenticated/certified by the government authorities concerned in that particular country

If Applying Under Category 1A: As an applicant who exceeds the age of 55 years – the following supporting document should be submitted:

-Original Birth Certificate.

If Applying Under Category 1B: As an applicant who fulfils the academic/ professional qualifications (minimum 1-year diploma or higher or any professional qualification), following supporting documents should be submitted:

-For a Diploma Certificate, the duration of a minimum 1 year (or more) should be proven by submission of relevant documents.

-If academic qualification has been obtained from an institute in Sri Lanka, certificate could be certified from the Consulate General if the original documents are submitted

-If academic qualification has been obtained an institution in Australia, certificate should be authenticated by the Australian Passport Office (APO) -Authentication Section situated at level 2, Collins Square, 747 Collins Street, Docklands of Australia

-If academic qualification has been obtained from a foreign institution (other than Sri Lanka or Australia), authentication by the relevant government authority is required.

• If Applying Under Category 1C: As an applicant who owns assets/immovable properties in Sri Lanka worth Rs.2.5million or above, the following supporting documents should be submitted:

-Original Documentary proof of applicant’s assets should be submitted Eg; land or other immovable properties(*) in Sri Lanka worth of Rs.2.5million or above – certified copy of deed, original valuation report and title report with pedigree report for the same not older than 3 months should be submitted. Land or other immovable properties should be under the applicant’s name.

(* In case the property is a gift, the Gift Deed should have been registered under the name of the applicant 10 years prior to the date of application for Dual Citizenship.)

If Applying Under Category 1D: As an applicant who has a fixed deposit of Rs.2.5million or above for a minimum of 03-year period in any commercial bank approved by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka

-Original letter of Confirmation from the bank stating that the deposit of Rs.2.5 million or above under the applicant’s name will not be withdrawn from the relevant account for a period of 3 years for obtaining dual citizenship and a copy of the Fixed Deposit Certificate should be submitted. Fixed Deposit Account should be under the applicant’s name.

Important:

– The Original of the certificate of Fixed Deposit should be presented at the Consulate Counter with a photocopy

– The confirmation letter issued by the bank should be addressed to the “Controller General, Department of Immigration and Emigration, Colombo. The letter should explicitly confirm that the deposit is held for a minimum period of three (3) years.

If Applying Under Category 1E: As an applicant who has a fixed deposit of USD25,000/- or above for a minimum of 03-year period under Non-Resident Foreign Currency Account (NRFC), Resident Foreign Currency (RFC) or Senior Invest Deposit Account (SFIDA) in any commercial bank approved by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka

-Original letter of Confirmation by the bank stating that the deposit of USD 25,000 or above under the applicant’s name will not be withdrawn from the relevant account for a period of 3 years for obtaining dual citizenship should be submitted. Fixed Deposit Account should be under the applicant’s name.

Important:

-The Original of the certificate of Fixed Deposit should be presented at the Consulate Counter with a photocopy

-The confirmation letter issued by the bank should be addressed to the “Controller General, Department of Immigration and Emigration, Colombo. The letter should explicitly confirm that the deposit is held for a minimum period of three (3) years.

If Applying Under Category 1F: As an applicant who has invested USD 25,000/- or above for a minimum of 03-year period under TB (treasury Bonds) or SIA (Security Investment Account)

-Original letter of confirmation by the relevant authority confirming that the investment valued of USD 25,000 made by the applicant will not be withdrawn prior to maturity for obtaining dual citizenship should be submitted.

If Applying Under Category 1G: Qualifying by way of the spouse of the applicant or as an unmarried child under the age of 22 of the applicant. A spouse or children 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 in Sri Lanka is likely to cease.

-An authorization letter from the main applicant (mother/ father or spouse) giving authority to the applicant to apply under his/her Dual Citizenship and copy of Dual Citizenship Certificate of the main applicant should be submitted.

-If the main applicant has applied under someone else’s application, such authorization will not be granted. The main applicant may contact the Department of Immigration & Emigration, Sri Lanka indicating the Dual Citizenship Certificate number if further clarification is required.

-If application is submitted along with the main applicant’s application at the same time, an authorization letter is not required.

Payment

Application Processing Fee: AUD 100 [In addition, attestation fees will be charged for the foreign certificates (if any)]
Payable by Debit Cards if the application is submitted at our counter. Tap & Pay facility is not available.

Personal/Company cheques and Credit Cards are not accepted.

For applicants in South Australia and Tasmania – The relevant fee should be sent by Postal Money Order (Australia Post)/ bank draft drawn in favor of the “Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Melbourne”. The scanned copy of the payment receipt for the application will be emailed to the applicant once the application is processed.

Dual Citizenship Fee

When the application is approved and upon receipt of the confirmation letter from the the Department of Immigration & Emigration, the applicant can make the final payment online (online payment currency is US dollars) or to the Shroff counter of the Citizenship Division, Department of Immigration & Emigration Sri Lanka (9.00am – 3.00pm during the week days). Applicable fees are as follows:

Main Applicant: 2000 USD

Spouse of Applicant: 500 USD

Unmarried Children below the Age of 22: 500 USD

If the applicant is unable to make the payment personally in Colombo, an authorized person can make the payment on behalf of the applicant. The applicant should provide an authorization letter to him/her.

How to check the status of the application

Once the application is accepted by the Consulate General, it will be forwarded to the Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka and the applicant will be informed via email.
The Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka, will acknowledge the receipt of the application, by email, direct to the applicant.
Applicant is able to check the status of the application through following link once it is processed:
http://119.235.9.140:8080/Dual CitVisaStatus/index.faces
To do so, please use the reference number on top of the receipt issued by the Consulate General in the cage titled “Existing reference number”. Ex: AUS/MEL/DC/ (your Number) followed by date of birth.

Collection of the Dual Citizenship Certificate

Dual Citizenship certificates are awarded ONLY in Colombo. If applicants are unable to receive certificates in Colombo in person, they can nominate a person to receive the same on their behalf by informing the Department of Immigration in writing.

Contact Details of the Department of Immigration & Emigration, Sri Lanka

Citizenship Division

Department of Immigration & Emigration, Sri Lanka

T: +94 1153 290 000 Ext.9475

Email: accit@immigration.gov.lk

Citizenship Division

Department of Immigration & Emigration, Sri Lanka

T: +94 1153 290 000 Ext.9475

Email: accit@immigration.gov.lk

Visiting Sri Lanka after obtaining Dual citizenship

To travel to Sri Lanka after obtaining the Dual Citizenship using the Australian Passport, (in order to enter into Sri Lanka without visa) you should provide a copy of the dual citizenship certificate with your Australian passport, at the immigration counter at the point of entry. It is recommended to get the endorsement” HOLDER IS A DUAL CITIZEN” in your Australian Passport from the Department of Immigration and Emigration at Battaramulla while you are in Sri Lanka, if you wish to continue to use your Australian passport to visit Sri Lanka.

Contact

HONARARY CONSUL FOR SRI LANKA IN ADELAIDE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Dr. Charitha Perera
596, The Parade, Auldana, SA 5072, Australia
0412 552 541
08 8333 0764
charitha_perera@hotmail.com

Office Hours: Mon - Fri: 9:00 am - 4.45 pm

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