Revision of the Age Limit for Dependents Applying for Dual Citizenship
The Department of Immigration & Emigration of Sri Lanka has informed that the age limit currently specified for unmarried children applying for dual citizenship as dependents of a principal applicant will be revised with effect from 01.10.2026.
New Age Limit:
Only children under the age of 21 years will be included as dependents in an application for dual citizenship with effect from 01.10.2026. No individual who has reached or exceeded the age of 21 years will be eligible to be included as dependent.
Applicants aged 21 years or above must select an eligible category and submit a separate application as a Main Applicant.
ශ්රී ලංකා ප්රජාතාන්ත්රික සමාජවාදී ජනරජයේ කොන්සල් ජනරාල් කාර්යාලය, මෙල්බර්න්, ඔස්ට්රේලියාව
இலங்கை சனநாயக சோசலிசக் குடியரசின் கொன்சுலர் அதிபதி அலுவலகம், மெல்பர்ன், ஆஸ்திரேலியா
The Consulate General Of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Melbourne, Australia
Education
As a rapidly growing upper-middle income nation, Sri Lanka is reliant on strong Human Capital to remain competitive within a global knowledge-based economy. Thus, Higher Education performs a key role in securing Sri Lanka’s economic success. The need for skilled, enterprising graduates, as well as a capacity for research & innovation, is met through the Higher Education System.
The state university sector comprises of 15 universities, 7 post-graduate institutes, and 14 other degree granting institutions. However, the capacity of this system is limited, and it is only capable of accommodating approximately 20% of the students who qualify for university admission every year.
The establishment of private sector Higher Education institutions is designed to meet the educational needs of students who are unable to attend state universities. This includes Higher Education brands such as Horizon Campus, the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), CINEC Institute of Higher Education, and the Academy of Multimedia Design & Technology (AMDT).
Investment & International Opportunities
Educational opportunities in Sri Lanka for international students range from Accounting and Management to Engineering & ICT. While the country currently offers Higher Education mainly for regional countries, the Ministry of Higher Education has outlined a vision to establish Sri Lanka as an international hub of excellence for higher education.
The formulation of the necessary legislation to regulate private sector Higher Education institutes has already been initiated by the government, and the establishment of private sector universities is expected to attract approximately 50,000 international students. At the same time, around 12,000 local students who leave the country for Higher Education are expected to be absorbed, thus protecting foreign exchange reserves and savings. International education institutions such as the University of Central Lancashire, UK, and the Raffles Education Corporation, Singapore, have already committed to invest in Sri Lanka.
Given that most major educational institutions are located in Colombo, international students have the opportunity to enjoy the city’s historic architecture & waterways, public parks, museums, restaurants, and shopping complexes. Information on how to obtain Sri Lankan student visa can be found on the website of Department of Immigration & Emigration, Sri Lanka.
Industry Sub-Sectors
More Information
For more information, please visit the following websites:
- Sri Lanka Export Development Board
- Sri Lanka Ministry of Higher Education
- University Grants Commission
- Sri Lanka Association of Non-State Higher Education Institutes
- Department of Immigration & Emigration
Contact Details
Sri Lanka Export Development Board
General Contact Information
| Address | Telephone | Fax | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 42, Nawam Mawatha, Colombo 01 | +94-11-2300705, +94-11-2300711 | edb@edb.gov.lk | +94-11-2300715 |
| Contact Person & Designation | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|
| Mr. Prabash Subasinghe – Chairman | +94-11-2300712 | chairman@edb.gov.lk |
| Mrs. Jeevani Siriwardena – Director General | +94-11-2300675 | dg@edb.gov.lkjeevani@edb.gov.lk |
| Ms. Dhanushka Ruwanpathirana – Export Promotion Officer (Education, Logistics, ICT/BPM) | +94-11-2300705, +94-11-2300711 (281) | dhanushka@edb.gov.lk |
Ministry of Higher Education
General Contact Information
| Address | Telephone | Fax | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18, Ward Place, Colombo 07 | +94-11-2694486, +94-11-2697133, +94-11-2697721, +94-11-2691378 | info@mohe.gov.lk | +94-11-2697239 |
University Grants Commission
General Contact Information
| Address | Telephone | Fax | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20, Ward Place, Colombo 07 | +94-11-2695301, +94-11-2692357, +94-11-2695302, +94-11-2675854 |
Office of the Chairman
| Prof.Mohan De Silva- Chairman | +94112696511 | chairman@ugc.ac.lk | +94114714565 |
| Ms.S.S.K.Gamage –Asst.Secretary | +94112672860 | sanduni@ugc.ac.lk |
Sri Lanka Association of Non-State Higher Education Institutes (SLANSHEI)
General Contact Information
| Address | Telephone | Fax | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka Association of Non-State Higher Education Institutes, PO Box 02, Malabe, Sri Lanka | +94-11-4365548 | secretary@slanshei.lk | +94-11-2413607 |
Department of Immigration & EmigrationGeneral
Contact Information
| Address | Telephone | Fax | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Immigration & Emigration, Suhurupaya, Sri Subhuthipura Road, Battaramulla, Sri Lanka | Hotline: 1962, +94-11-5329000 | controller@immigration.gov.lk | +94-11-2885358 |