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 renewal process, 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 passport with a photocopy of the Bio data page. (Please see below for details*)
- Photo studio acknowledgement
- Original Birth Certificate of the applicant with a photocopy.
- Original National Identity Card of the applicant with a photocopy
- Marriage certificate with a photocopy where it is necessary (To confirm the name after marriage)
- Educational Certificate related to the profession and an acceptable document to confirm your 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 passport applicants including children should provide digital photographs through an Authorized photo studio
- Fingerprints will be collected from all applicants above 16 years at the head office and three regional offices in Sri Lanka.
- Applicants submitting passport applications through Sri Lanka Diplomatic Missions overseas could do so without providing fingerprints and digital photographs.
- Inclusion of children in parents passports will no longer be allowed and children will be issued separate passports.
- No Emergency Certificate (EC) shall be issued for applicants below 60 years.
How do I get a digital photograph?
To get a digital photograph you have to visit a photo studio authorised by the Department of Immigration and Emigration. To find out please visit their website and search for authorized studios list. When handing over the passport renewal documents you have to attach a receipt given by the authorized photo studio to certify you have taken a photograph as per their requirements. Usually, a photo studio will charge between 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 and Emigration is located at “Suhurupaya”, Battaramulla. You can easily visit this place using public transport or by three-wheeler or private car. If you use your vehicle you can find adequate parking.
Noted below are the bus route numbers 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