Check with the office. The official pages for this service leave out some details, or are older than a year. Use this page as a starting point and confirm fees and documents before you apply.
Former Sri Lankan citizens can resume, and current citizens acquiring another nationality can retain, Sri Lankan citizenship. Applicants must qualify under categories such as age over 55, qualification, property or a qualifying deposit or investment, and may hold only one other nationality or residence.
Where to apply in Australia
Sri Lanka High Commission, Yarralumla (Canberra, ACT) for ACT, NSW, QLD, WA and NT (and NZ and Pacific states); Sri Lanka Consulate-General, Melbourne for VIC, SA and TAS. Honorary consulates (Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth) are used to certify documents for postal applications.
Canberra covers ACT, NSW, QLD, WA, NT and Pacific states; Melbourne covers VIC, SA, TAS. Counter hours 9:30-13:30 Mon-Fri. Melbourne's site announced that from 1 October 2026 only unmarried children under 21 are included as dependants.
Contact details for every office are on the page of the embassy and consulates of Sri Lanka.
How to apply
Complete the application and checklist for the route (resumption or retention) | lodge in person with originals (returned same day) or post certified copies, with postal applications stamped by a Sri Lankan honorary consul | the mission forwards the file to the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Colombo | certificates are issued only in Colombo
Documents you need
- Application in duplicate with three photos per applicant
- Original birth certificate plus two copies
- Marriage certificate if married
- Police clearance dated within three months
- Previous Sri Lankan passport
- Resumption: foreign citizenship certificate and foreign passport pages, authenticated
- Retention: current Sri Lankan passport and permanent residence grant notice
- Category evidence (A-G)
Fees and processing time
- Official fee: citizenship fee paid to Sri Lanka's Immigration Department USD 2,000 main applicant, USD 500 spouse, USD 500 per unmarried child under 22
- Other charges: consular attestation fee (AUD 100 per qualification certificate for category B); application processing fee in a separate document (amount not read)
Good to know
Dependant age limit differs between the Canberra page (under 21 years 6 months) and Melbourne's notice (under 21 from 1 Oct 2026). Page shows no publication date (footer only '2026').
Official sources
Check before you apply
This page summarises information published by Sri Lanka's official channels, last checked on 24 octubre 2026. Fees and requirements can change at short notice, so confirm with the office that will handle your case.
Spotted a change? Let us know.
More services of Sri Lanka in Australia
- Certification and attestation of documents, powers of attorney and translations
- Driving licence services for Sri Lankans abroad
- Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) and visas for Sri Lanka
- Emergency passport (NMRP) - one-way return to Sri Lanka
- Marriage notice and registration
- Passport - new or renewal (adult)
- Passport amendment - change of name
- Passport amendment - change of profession
- Passport for a minor (under 16)
- Passport replacement - lost or stolen
- Pensioners' life certificate
- Police clearance certificate
- Registration of a birth abroad (with citizenship registration)
- Registration of a death abroad
- Repatriation of remains or ashes to Sri Lanka