Dual Citizenship (Sri Lanka) — ServiceLanka

🌐 Language:

📍 Toronto, Ontario, Canada

🏛 Embassy & Government Services

Sri Lankan
Dual Citizenship

Became a Canadian citizen and want to keep your Sri Lankan roots official? Sri Lanka allows dual citizenship for those who naturalised abroad. We handle the full application — forms, declarations, and Sri Lanka High Commission coordination — so you don’t lose a day to paperwork.

🌐 Support in: සිංහං · தமிழ் · English Sri Lanka Registry

Consultation

Free

These are government fees paid directly to the Sri Lanka government — our service fee is separate. We give you a full cost breakdown upfront.

Govt. fee (from SL)
LKR 25,000 (govt. fee only)
Govt. fee (from Canada)
USD 200 (govt. fee only)
Processing time
3 – 6 months
Authority
Dept. of Immigration, SL

Processing time

3 – 6 months

Govt. fee (from Canada)

USD 200

Govt. fee (from Sri Lanka)

LKR 25,000

Authority

Dept. of Immigration & Emigration, SL

Certificate issued

Dual Citizenship Certificate

Overview

Eligibility & types

Documents needed

How it works

FAQ

✅ Who we help

✓

Sri Lankans who have become Canadian citizens and want to retain their Sri Lankan citizenship

✓

People who renounced SL citizenship when naturalising and want to regain it

✓

Children of Sri Lankan parents born abroad who want to register as dual citizens

✓

Elderly applicants who find the embassy process overwhelming and need guidance

Those who lost citizenship under the 1948 Act may have additional steps — we’ll assess your case first

Your Canadian citizenship is unaffected — Canada fully permits dual nationality

🎁 What we do for you

✅

Eligibility check

We confirm which category applies to you and flag any complications before you spend money on fees

📄

Form preparation

We complete all Sri Lankan government forms accurately — no incorrect entries that cause delays

✍

Declaration & affidavit help

We guide you through the sworn declaration required as part of the application

🏛

High Commission liaison

We coordinate with the Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa on your behalf where needed

🔔

Application tracking

We follow up with the Department of Immigration in Colombo and keep you updated throughout

💬

Sinhala & Tamil support

All communication available in your language — no confusion, no miscommunication

🏭 Application categories

👤 Category A — Retention

You are still a Sri Lankan citizen but have also become a citizen of another country. You apply to formally retain dual status under the Citizenship Act.

Most common

🔁 Category B — Resumption

You were a Sri Lankan citizen but lost or renounced SL citizenship when you naturalised abroad. You apply to resume your SL citizenship.

Requires additional steps

👪 Category C — Descent (children)

You were born outside Sri Lanka to Sri Lankan parents. You can register as a Sri Lankan dual citizen by descent.

By descent

📜 Category D — Spouse of SL citizen

Non-Sri Lankans married to a Sri Lankan citizen may apply for dual citizenship after meeting residence and other requirements.

Eligibility varies

⚠ Key eligibility conditions

✓

You must have been a Sri Lankan citizen at birth or by registration before acquiring foreign citizenship

✓

You must be of good character — a declaration is required as part of the application

✓

Canada fully permits dual nationality — there is no Canadian restriction on holding SL citizenship alongside a Canadian passport

If you naturalised before 1987, your situation may be different — the law changed that year. We’ll check this for you.

Children born in Canada to Sri Lankan parents are not automatically SL citizens — they must apply separately

Dual citizenship does not automatically extend to your Canadian-born children — each person applies individually

🏮 Benefits of Sri Lankan dual citizenship

✓

Travel to Sri Lanka on your Sri Lankan passport — no visa required, no arrival restrictions

✓

Right to own land and property in Sri Lanka in your own name (non-citizens face restrictions)

✓

Access to Sri Lankan government services, hospital subsidies, and education for dependants

✓

Ability to vote in Sri Lankan elections (subject to registration)

✓

Pass Sri Lankan citizenship to your children more easily

You will hold both a Canadian passport and a Sri Lankan passport — use each in the appropriate country

🌎 How we work with you — step by step

⭐

Free consultation

We review your citizenship history, identify which category applies to you, and explain the process clearly in Sinhala, Tamil, or English. No jargon, no guessing. If your situation is complex, we tell you upfront.

Day 1 — Free

Personalised document checklist

You receive a checklist tailored to your category and situation. We guide you through sourcing documents that may need certified translations, apostilles, or notarisation in Canada.

Days 2 – 7

We prepare your full application

We complete all Sri Lankan government forms, draft your sworn declaration, and check every document for accuracy before anything is submitted. You review and approve before we send anything.

Days 7 – 14

Submission — High Commission or direct

We submit your application to the Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa or directly to the Department of Immigration in Colombo, depending on your category. We advise which route is faster and more straightforward for you.

Week 2 onward

Tracking & follow-up in Colombo

Processing happens at the Department of Immigration & Emigration in Colombo. We follow up on your behalf and update you on progress. You won’t be left waiting in silence for months.

Months 1 – 6

✓

Certificate issued & next steps

Once approved, you receive your Dual Citizenship Certificate. We guide you on how to use it — including applying for a new Sri Lankan passport using your dual citizenship status, and what to do at Sri Lankan borders.

Typically 3 – 6 months total

💬 Frequently asked questions

Will I lose my Canadian citizenship if I get Sri Lankan dual citizenship? ⌄

No. Canada fully recognises and allows dual nationality. Applying for Sri Lankan dual citizenship has no effect on your Canadian citizenship or passport. You will hold both — and use each in the appropriate country.

I became a Canadian citizen years ago. Is it too late to apply? ⌄

No, there is no time limit on applying for dual citizenship. People apply many years after naturalisation. What matters is your original Sri Lankan citizenship status — not how long ago you became Canadian. We’ve helped people apply after 20+ years.

Are my children born in Canada automatically Sri Lankan citizens? ⌄

Not automatically. Children born outside Sri Lanka to Sri Lankan parents can apply for dual citizenship by descent, but they must apply separately. Each child submits their own application. We handle family applications together to keep the process efficient.

What is the government fee for dual citizenship? ⌄

If applying through the Sri Lanka High Commission in Canada, the fee is currently USD 200 per applicant, paid directly to the Sri Lankan government. If applying directly in Sri Lanka, it is LKR 25,000. These are government fees only — our service fee is separate and quoted during your consultation.

Can I apply from Canada or do I need to go to Sri Lanka? ⌄

You can apply from Canada through the Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa. You do not need to travel to Sri Lanka. However, some complex cases (such as resumption after formal renunciation) may benefit from direct submission in Colombo. We’ll advise on the best route for your situation.

How long does processing take? ⌄

Typically 3 to 6 months, though it can vary depending on the category, workload at the Department of Immigration, and whether any additional documents are requested. We track your application throughout and push for updates when processing seems delayed.

I lost my old Sri Lankan passport. Can I still apply? ⌄

Yes, though it may require additional steps to establish your original Sri Lankan citizenship. Alternatives include old NIC (National Identity Card) records, birth certificate, or other immigration records. We’ll help you work out what documentation is available in your case.

What can I do with Sri Lankan dual citizenship that I can’t do now? ⌄

The most practical benefits are: travelling to Sri Lanka on a Sri Lankan passport (no visa needed, no entry restrictions), owning land and property in your own name in Sri Lanka, and passing citizenship to your children more easily. For many families, it also has personal and cultural meaning beyond the legal advantages.

🏆 Govt. fees only (2025)

From Canada (USD) USD 200

From Sri Lanka (LKR) LKR 25,000

Processing time 3 – 6 months

Certificate validity Lifetime

Authority Dept. of Immigration, SL

Not sure if you qualify?

Tell us when you became a Canadian citizen, your SL citizenship history, and whether you have children — we’ll confirm your category and options in a free call.

Related services

Our office

GTA Square
155–5215 Finch Ave East
Toronto, Ontario M1S 0C2
+1 416-666-5627
[email protected]

🏛Sri Lanka High Commission liaison included

💬Sinhala, Tamil & English support

📍Toronto office · Remote worldwide

🔔We follow up in Colombo — you don’t have to

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Sri Lankan
Dual Citizenship

Not sure if you qualify?

Ready to keep your Sri Lankan roots official?

Sri LankanDual Citizenship

Not sure if you qualify?

Ready to keep your Sri Lankan roots official?

Sri Lankan
Dual Citizenship