Sri Lankan nationality law details the conditions in which a person is a national of Sri Lanka. The primary law governing nationality regulations is the Ceylon Citizenship Act, which came into force on 15 November 1948. Any person born in Sri Lanka to a Sri Lankan parent is automatically a citizen by descent. Individuals born outside the country to a Sri Lankan parent are subject to an additional registration requirement at a Sri Lankan diplomatic mission. Foreign nationals who have Sri Lankan ancestry or are married to a Sri Lankan spouse may acquire citizenship by registration. Any other foreigner who holds a residence visa valid for at least five years and have been admitted into the Resident Guest Scheme by the government may also acquire citizenship by registration. Sri Lanka was previously a colony of the British Empire and local residents were British subjects. Although Sri Lanka gained independence in 1948 and Sri Lankans no longer hold British nationality, they continue to have favoured status when residing in the United Kingdom; as Commonwealth citizens, Sri Lankans are eligible to vote in UK elections and serve in public office there.