They say a passport is a window to the world. Sometimes, all you need is a passport, money and a mobile phone to visit another country. Next to the national identity card and the driving license, the most popular identity is a passport. This is one of the reasons why the Department of Immigration and Emigration, popularly called the passport office in Sri Lanka, is a hive of activity on any weekday. Did you know that you have to renew your passport every 10 years? To know more about the passport renewal process in Sri Lanka, please read below.
Who can renew a passport in Sri Lanka?
Any Sri Lankan citizen living in Sri Lanka holding a valid Sri Lankan passport has to get in touch with the Department of Immigration and Emigration, to renew his or her passport.
What is the validity of a Sri Lankan passport?
A Sri Lankan passport is valid for only 10 years and cannot be extended beyond that.
When to apply for a new passport?
Your passport has an expiry date. It is prudent to do the passport renewal a few months before the expiry. This is practical as you cannot apply for a visa if the passport expiry date is very near.
How long will the passport renewal process take?
Provided you handover all documents in the manner requested by the Department of Immigration and Emigration, you can get your new passport same day or within 2 weeks by post (normal service)
How much will the passport renewal cost?
If you are not in a hurry for the new passport you can go for the normal service. This would cost Rs. 3500 and your new passport will arrive by post within 2 weeks. However, if you are in a hurry you can opt for the one day service. This will cost Rs. 15,000.
What are the working hours of the Department of Immigration and Emigration?
For the passport renewal process, the completed application can be handed over under normal service between 8.00 am and 1.30 pm. Urgent basis applications (one day service) between 7.00 am and 1.30 pm. Please note this service is available only on weekdays.
Where can I apply for the renewal of the passport?
You can submit all passport applications to the Passport Division (Level 01 – Normal Service / Level 02 – Urgent Service) of the Department of Immigration & Emigration located at “Suhurupaya”, Battaramulla. If you are out of Colombo, you can hand over the application to the regional offices located in Kandy, Matara, Vavuniya and Kurunegala. Also, if you are overseas you can handover the application to overseas Sri Lankan Missions ( in other words Sri Lankan embassies )
Required documents to be submitted to apply for a new passport (All Countries)
For the passport renewalprocess,the following documents have to be handed over to the Department of Immigration and Emigration.
Along with the below documents, it is mandatory to hand over the passport application form (Form K35 A). This form can be downloaded from the Department of Immigration and Emigration website (http://www.immigration.gov.lk)
- Current passportwith a photocopy of the Bio data page. (Please see below for details*)
- Photo studioacknowledgement
- Original BirthCertificate of the applicant with a photocopy.
- Original NationalIdentity Card of the applicant with a photocopy
- Marriagecertificate with a photocopy where it is necessary (To confirm the name aftermarriage)
- EducationalCertificate related to the profession and an acceptable document to confirmyour service and photocopies thereof.
*If you already have a valid passport it should be submitted along with the application.
Important information pertaining to the passport renewal process.
- All passportapplicants including children should provide digital photographs through an Authorized photo studio
- Fingerprints willbe collected from all applicants above 16 years at the head office and threeregional offices in Sri Lanka.
- Applicantssubmitting passport applications through Sri Lanka Diplomatic Missions overseascould do so without providing fingerprints and digital photographs.
- Inclusion ofchildren in parents passports will no longer be allowed and children willbe issued separate passports.
- No EmergencyCertificate (EC) shall be issued for applicants below 60 years.
How do I get a digital photograph?
To get a digital photographyou have to visit a photo studio authorised by the Department of Immigration andEmigration. To find out please visit their website and search for authorizedstudios list. When handing over the passport renewal documents you have toattach a receipt given by the authorized photo studio to certify you have takena photograph as per their requirements. Usually, a photo studio will chargebetween Rs 450 “ Rs 500 for this service.
| Below is a snapshot of how respective photo studio details appear on the Department of Immigration and Emigration website |
How to visit the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Colombo.
The passport office, also called the Department of Immigration andEmigration is located at“Suhurupaya”, Battaramulla. You can easily visit this place usingpublic transport or by three-wheeler or private car. If you use your vehicle youcan find adequate parking.
Noted below are the bus routenumbers for easy reference if you are planning to go there by bus:
Tip: Don™t hand over your valuable documents to any third party outside the passport office promising you a new passport. This is an organized scam