Sri Lankan Passports

New rules of issuing Passports

Collection of Biometrics from the Passport Applicants applying through Sri Lanka Diplomatic Missions from January 1, 2018

As per Section 35(a) of the Immigrants and Emigrants Act No 20 of 1948 as amended in 2015, the Department of Immigration and Emigration(DIE) is required to obtain biometrics from passport applicants. Accordingly, the Department will be introducing a new procedure to obtain the Biometrics of passport holders whose passport has been issued through Sri Lanka Diplomatic Missions after January 01, 2018. The procedure requires every passport holder who is in the age group of 16- 60 years to provide biometrics (fingerprints and digital face image) to the Department upon his/her first entry to Sri Lanka on the new passport.

• You are advised to provide your fingerprints prior to departure from Sri Lanka. Failure to complete this requirement may prevent you from departing the country.
• We advise that you plan your travel allowing sufficient time to provide biometrics to the department
• Department working hours: 8:00am to 2:00pm (Mon - Fri), except public holidays

Procedure for Biometric Collection

Step 1: On arrival, you should directly report to the Chief Immigration Officer (CIO), or the Immigration Officer at the primary counter will refer to the CIO.

Step 2: The CIO will issue you a Biometric Data Acquisition (BDA) Form with a unique number, in two copies. You are required to sign both forms, one of which will be given back to you. The BDA form should be produced at the Department for biometrics collection.

Step 3: You may reserve an appointment for biometrics submission via the online appointment reservation system or visit the Department of Immigration and Emigration head office or regional office.

Step 4: Visit the Overseas Mission Division of the Department of Immigration and Emigration (headquarters or regional office) and submit the BDA form.

Step 5: The officers will guide you on providing biometrics. The estimated time of completion of the biometric enrollment process is 45 minutes.

Step 6: Immediately after submission of biometrics, the Biometrics Declaration Form will be issued to the passport holder confirming that the collection of biometrics has been successfully completed. With the completion of this process, the system will automatically activate the passport, allowing your departure from Sri Lanka.

For more information about the new procedure for biometrics collection, please visit www.immigration.gov.lk, contact the nearest Sri Lankan Diplomatic Mission, or the DIE Offices on following numbers:

LOCATION	ADDRESS	PHONE
Colombo	Overseas Mission Division, 2nd Floor Department of Immigration and Emigration "Suhurupaya", Sri Subhuthipura Road, Battaramulla.	+94-11-5329230
Matara	9, Sri Vijaya Building, Rahula Road, Matara.	+94-41-5412212
Kandy	42/3, Sangaraja Mawatha, Kandy.	+94-81-5624470, +94-81-5624509
Vavuniya	JC 23, Outer Circle Road, Vavuniya.	+94-25-5676344
Kurunegala	129, Dambulla Road, Kurunegala.

Application for a new passport

It is advisable to obtain a new passport at least 6 months before the expiry of your current passport.

The validity of a passport cannot be extended beyond 10 years from the date of its first issue. If the passport does not have sufficient pages for visa endorsements, is 10 years old or lost, a new passport must be obtained. (Renewal of passport is no longer practiced)

Under normal circumstances it takes around 8 to 12 weeks to process a Passport application. Please note that the processing time may be varying by case by case. Applicants are advised to apply for new passports well in advance with all supporting documents to avoid inconveniences. If your passport is lost, please submit a Police report along with the application.

Inclusion of children in the parents' passports will no longer be allowed and the children will be issued separate passports. Children under 16 years of age also should obtain separate passports with the consent of both parents.

Notes:

According to the Sri Lankan Immigrations Regulations, Sri Lankan Citizens who have applied and gained refugee status or asylum in the USA are not entitled to a Sri Lankan passport and also to renew the validity of their existing passports. However, temporary travel documents will be issued to the following categories of Sri Lankans for the sole purpose of returning to Sri Lanka.

• Those who have applied for refugee or asylum status and awaiting the decision of the US government.
• Those who have applied for refugee or asylum status but have subsequently withdrawn their applications.
• Those who have given up their refugee or asylum status and decided to return to Sri Lanka.
• Those whose applications for asylum or refugee status have been rejected by the US government in which such status has been sought.

Instructions for filing applications

1. Application should be filled preferably in BLOCK letters.
2. Please ensure that the signatures are confined to the cages provided immediately below the photograph.
3. If the applicant doesn’t submit the application in person to the Consulate General, the signature of the applicant in the client undertaking section should be verified by a Notary, Medical Practitioner, Solicitor, Chief incumbent of Sri Lankan temple, Professor of University or a person of similar status living in the USA.
4. If your passport is lost, please submit a police report along with the application.
5. The application and original documents should be submitted along with photocopies.
6. Photographs
   • Should be 3.5cm x 4.5cm or 2" x 2".
   • Should be taken within 3 months.
   • The appearance of the applicant should be clearly idntifiable.
   • The background and the dress should not be in same color.
   • The face must be clearly visible without any makeup and other effects.
   • The ears and forehead must be clearly visible.
   • The photo should show the applicants' eyes clearly without spectacles.

Notes:

• This Embassy is not responsible for any document lost in the post.
• Submission of forged documents and making false declarations relating to citizenship is a punishable offence. Fees will not be refunded in these circumstances.
• Incomplete applications will be returned and consular fees will not be refunded.
• Applicants should produce their current passport and get it stamped by the Consulate General when collecting the new passport.

How to submit the application

You can submit the application to the consular division of the Consulate General by post or by hand. The Consular Division is open from Monday to Friday (9 am to 3 pm). Please make an appointment through (213) 823 4846 in advance. The physical and mailing address is as follows, 3250, Wilshire Blvd, Suit 2180 Los Angeles CA 90010

Documents Required

1. Duly filled Application (Click here for Application form K)
2. Three Photographs (Please see details above for photographs)
3. Most recent passport
4. Original Birth Certificate (Translations not accepted)
5. Original Dual Citizenship Certificate and a copy of Foreign Passport (If the applicant is a dual citizenship holder)
6. If you wish a profession to be included on the passport
   • If the profession needs a high level of qualifications, (Doctor, Engineer, Accountant, Quantity Surveyor, etc..) the applicant must provide Academic/professional certificates and letter of appointment/offer letter.
   • For other executive professions, a service letter should be provided.
   • For unskilled jobs (e.g., labor, housemade) no document is required)
   NOTE: If you wish not to include a profession on the passport, you may leave the profession field unfilled.
7. Original Marriage certificate (if you have changed your maiden name or wish to change your name after marriage.)
8. A document to prove continuation of Sri Lankan citizenship
   • Certified photocopy of A valid visa , valid permanent resident card, or An Affidavit (Annex II)
   • If the applicant is a Sri Lankan refugee or asylum seeker , the following should be submitted along with the affidavit (Annex II)
   • Letter on Cancellation of refugee state or asylum seeker rejection letter or case completed document
9. Copy of Sri Lankan National ID
10. Police Report and Form D (if the passport is lost)
11. Parent’s Consent letter (if the applicant is under 16 years age)
12. Parent’s Passport copies (if the applicant is under 16 years age)
13. If the applicant was born outside Sri Lanka, a copy of the Sri Lankan citizenship Certificate should be submitted along with the application. If such applicant is over 21 years old, he or she should submit a declaration renouncing the citizenship of the country of birth in addition to the citizenship certificate

The prescribed fee

• For M or N series passport holders - $ 158.00
• For L,K and J series passport holders - $ 373.00
• For Lost passports
  • If the passport number is available – $ 373.00
  • If the passport number is not available- $ 473.00
  • If the return of the passport is desired by mail, applicants may choose one of the following options and make payment together with the application fees as follows,
    • Within the State – $ 40.00
    • Out of State of California – $ 45.00

Fees may be paid by cash (only if application is hand delivered). The money orders or cashier's check should be made in favor of the "Consulate General of Sri Lanka". Please note that personal checks will not be accepted.

Processing time - 10 TO 16 weeks

Application for an Emergency Travel Document (NMRP)

An Emergency travel document valid for six months may be issued to enable a Sri Lankan national to return to Sri Lanka in case of an emergency in the following circumstances.

• The original passport is lost
• The original passport is expired

Documents Required

1. A letter requesting an Emergency passport.
2. Duly filled Application. (Click here for Application form K)
3. Form D (If passport is lost). (Click here for form D)
4. Three Photographs (Color, 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm or 2” x 2” ).
5. Expired passport or if lost copy of lost passport.
6. Original Birth Certificate.
7. Police report (If passport is lost).
8. Citizenship Certificate (If the applicant is a citizen by registration).
9. Certified photocopy of valid permanent resident card (If the applicant is a permanent resident in the USA).

The prescribed fee

• Non Machine readable Passport (NMRP) – $54.00
• NMRP-if previous travel document lost – $169.00

If the return of the passport is desired by mail, applicants may choose one of the following options and make payment together with the application fees as follows,

• Within the State – $ 40.00
• Out of State of California – $ 45.00

Fees may be paid by cash (only if application is hand delivered). The money orders or cashier's check should be made in favor of Consulate General of Sri Lanka. Please note that personal check will not be accepted.

Processing time - 1 week

Name change in passport after marriage

Documents Required

1. Duly filled Application. (Click here for form O)
2. Current passport.
3. Marriage Certificate. (Please note that marriage certificates which issued by a State should be authenticated by the Authentication office of the Department of State in the USA).
4. If the applicant is permanent resident, certified copy of permanent resident card.

The prescribed fee: $12.00

If the return of the passport is desired by mail, applicants may choose one of the following options and make payment together with the application fees as follows,

• Within the State – $ 40.00
• Out of State of California – $ 45.00

Fees may be paid by cash (only if application is hand delivered). The money orders or cashier's check should be made in favor of Consulate General of Sri Lanka. Please note that personal check will not be accepted.

Processing time - 2 weeks

Any other ammendments

Documents Required

1. Letter of request
2. Duly filled Application. (Click here for form O)
3. Current passport.
4. If applicant is permanent resident, certified photocopy of valid permanent resident card or a letter from the Bureau of Immigration and customs Enforcement (BICE) confirming whether he/she has not acquired US Citizenship.

The prescribed fee: $12.00

If the return of the passport is desired by mail, applicants may choose one of the following options and make payment together with the application fees as follows,

• Within the State – $ 40.00
• Out of State of California – $ 45.00

Fees may be paid by cash (only if application is hand delivered). The money orders or cashier's check should be made in favor of Consulate General of Sri Lanka. Please note that personal check will not be accepted.

Processing time - 2 weeks