Sri Lankan Passport Application Guide 2026 - Complete Process

Who Can Apply for a Sri Lankan Passport?

You are eligible to apply for a Sri Lankan passport if you are:

• A Sri Lankan citizen by descent - Born to at least one Sri Lankan parent
• A Sri Lankan citizen by registration - Naturalized citizen of Sri Lanka
• A dual citizen - Holding both Sri Lankan citizenship and citizenship of another country

Types of Passports Available

1. Ordinary Passport (Dark Blue Cover)

• Valid for 10 years for adults (16 years and above)
• Valid for 3 years OR 10 years for children under 16 (parents can choose)
• Used for regular travel, tourism, business trips, and personal purposes
• Most commonly issued passport type

2. Official Passport (Red Cover)

• Issued to government officials traveling on official duty
• Valid for the duration of official assignment

3. Diplomatic Passport (Maroon Cover)

• Issued to diplomats and high-ranking government officials
• Provides diplomatic privileges and immunities

This guide focuses on the Ordinary Passport application process, as it applies to most Sri Lankan citizens.

Application Methods

There are two main ways to apply for a Sri Lankan passport:

Method 1: Online Application (Recommended) ✅

Method 2: Walk-in Application

• Visit any Immigration Department office directly
• Collect and fill physical application form K-35A
• Submit documents and pay fees at the counter
• Longer waiting times expected

Step-by-Step Online Application Process

Before You Start - Requirements Checklist

Make sure you have the following ready before starting your online application:

• Valid mobile phone number (for SMS notifications)
• Valid email address
• Credit/debit card OR bank account (for online payment)
• National Identity Card (NIC) - if you're 16 years or older
• Birth certificate (original)
• Current/expired passport (if renewing)
• Scanned copies of documents for upload

Step 1: Register and Create Account

1. Visit the official online portal: https://eservices.immigration.gov.lk/onlinetd/OnlineTD/
2. Click on "New Application" or "Register"
3. Enter your mobile number and create a password
4. You will receive an OTP (One-Time Password) via SMS
5. Enter the OTP to verify your mobile number

Step 2: Fill Out Online Application Form (K-35A)

1. Log in to your account
2. Select "New Passport" or "Renewal" as applicable
3. Fill in all required fields carefully:
   • Personal information (full name as per birth certificate)
   • Date of birth and place of birth
   • NIC number (if applicable)
   • Current address and contact details
   • Parents' information
   • Emergency contact details
4. Upload scanned documents (birth certificate, NIC, current passport if renewing)
5. Double-check all information for accuracy

Step 3: Pay Application Fees

You have two payment options:

• Option A: Online Payment (Recommended) - Pay immediately using credit/debit card or online banking
• Option B: Bank Payment - Generate payment voucher and pay at designated bank branches (People's Bank, Bank of Ceylon)

Step 4: Receive Reference Number and Appointment

• After successful submission and payment, you'll receive a Reference Number via SMS and email
• An appointment date and time will be assigned for biometric data collection
• You can also select your preferred location for data collection
• Save your reference number - you'll need it to track your application

Step 5: Visit for Biometric Data Collection (Mandatory)

Where to Go:

• Department of Immigration & Emigration Head Office, Battaramulla
• Regional Offices: Kandy, Matara, Kurunegala, Vavuniya
• Selected Divisional Secretariat (DS) offices with DRP units

What They'll Collect:

• Fingerprints from all 10 fingers (digital scanning)
• Digital photograph (taken at the office - no need to bring photos if applying at biometric centers)
• Your signature (digital capture)

What to Bring to Your Appointment:

• Your application reference number (printed or on mobile)
• National Identity Card (NIC) - original
• Birth certificate - original
• Current/expired passport (if renewing) - original
• Payment receipt (if paid at bank)

Step 6: Application Processing

After biometric data collection, your application enters the processing phase:

• Normal Processing: 8-12 weeks (approximately 2-3 months)
• Urgent Processing: Same day or 1-2 days (available at Head Office, Battaramulla and Passport Office, Jaffna)

You can track your application status online using your reference number at: https://eservices.immigration.gov.lk

Step 7: Collect Your Passport

• You'll receive an SMS notification when your passport is ready for collection
• Visit the same office where you submitted biometric data
• Bring your reference number and NIC
• Sign the collection register and receive your passport
• Verify all details in the passport before leaving the office

Documents Required - Complete Checklist

The required documents vary depending on whether you're applying for a new passport, renewing, or applying for a child. Here's the complete breakdown:

For First-Time Applicants (New Passport)

1. Completed Application Form (K-35A)

• Download from: www.immigration.gov.lk
• Fill in ENGLISH BLOCK CAPITALS only
• No corrections or overwriting allowed - use a new form if you make mistakes
• If applying online, form is filled digitally

2. Birth Certificate ✅

• Original document required (not photocopy or certified copy)
• Must be in Sinhala, Tamil, or English (official languages)
• If applying online, recent birth certificates are preferred but older ones are accepted
• If name has been altered on birth certificate, must be certified within last 6 months

3. National Identity Card (NIC) ✅

• Original NIC + 1 clear photocopy
• Mandatory for all applicants 16 years and above
• If you don't have NIC yet (e.g., applying from abroad), submit a letter of explanation
• Both old format (9 digits + V/X) and new format (12 digits) accepted

4. Photographs (for manual applications)

For manual/walk-in applications, provide 4 identical photographs with these specifications:

• Size: 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm (35mm x 45mm)
• Recency: Taken within last 3 months (14 days for biometric passports)
• Background: Light-colored (preferably light blue or light grey - NOT white)
• Face position: Looking straight at camera, neutral expression
• Head covering: Not allowed unless for religious reasons (face must be clearly visible)
• Spectacles: Not allowed
• Visibility: Both ears and forehead must be clearly visible

For Passport Renewal (Expired or Expiring Passport)

In addition to all documents listed above for first-time applicants, you also need:

Current/Expired Passport ✅

• Original passport
• Photocopies of: Data/Bio page (pages 2-3), Observations/Alterations page (pages 4-5), Any pages with visas or stamps (recommended)

For Children Under 16 Years

All standard documents listed above, PLUS:

Parental Consent Letter ✅

• Both parents must sign the consent form
• Download official format from immigration.gov.lk
• Both parents OR legal guardian must accompany the child during application submission

Parents' Passports

• Photocopies of both parents' passport bio data pages
• If parents don't have passports, photocopies of NICs

Special Circumstances Documents

If one or both parents are abroad:

• Consent letter certified/attested by Sri Lankan Embassy or Consulate in that country

If parents are divorced:

• Divorce certificate
• Court custody order showing legal guardian

If child is adopted:

• Adoption certificate/order from court
• Adoptive parents' documents

Passport Fees 2026

Here are the current passport fees for Sri Lankan citizens as of February 2026:

Adults (16 Years and Above)

Children (Below 16 Years)

Lost or Stolen Passport Replacement Fees

Additional Fees

• Photo fee at DS offices: Rs. 350 (if submitting biometrics at Divisional Secretariat)
• Courier service: Available at additional cost (optional)

Processing Time

Normal Processing

• Timeline: 8-12 weeks (approximately 2-3 months)
• Availability: All Immigration offices and DS units
• Recommendation: Apply at least 6 months before planned travel or before current passport expires

Urgent Processing

• Timeline: Same day (if submitted before 10:00 AM) or 1-2 days
• Availability: Head Office, Battaramulla and Passport Office, Jaffna (not available at other regional offices)
• Fee: Double the normal fee
• Requirements: Must show valid reason (travel ticket, visa appointment, emergency)

Factors That May Delay Processing

• Incomplete or incorrect documentation
• Name discrepancies between documents
• Missing biometric data
• Pending verification from Grama Niladhari or police
• High application volume during peak seasons (December-January, April, June-August)

Where to Apply - Office Locations

Department of Immigration & Emigration - Head Office

Regional Immigration Offices

Special Situations

Applying from Overseas

If you're currently living abroad and need to apply for or renew your Sri Lankan passport:

• Contact the nearest Sri Lankan Embassy or Consulate in your country
• Processing time is typically 12-14 weeks (longer than domestic applications)
• Fees vary by country - check with your local embassy
• You may need to provide additional documentation (proof of residency abroad, etc.)

Lost or Stolen Passport

If your passport has been lost or stolen, follow these steps:

1. File a police complaint immediately - Bring your passport number if you have it recorded
2. Get a copy of the police report
3. If abroad: Contact the nearest Sri Lankan Embassy/Consulate to obtain an Emergency Certificate (EC) or Non-Machine Readable Passport (NMRP) for return travel to Sri Lanka
4. Apply for replacement passport in Sri Lanka with police report, all standard documents, and payment of applicable fine + passport fee

Name Change (Marriage or Legal Change)

After Marriage:

• Submit original marriage certificate along with standard renewal documents
• Birth certificate should still show maiden name
• New passport will show married name

Legal Name Change:

• Submit birth certificate with altered/changed name
• Birth certificate alteration must be certified within last 6 months

Damaged Passport

• Submit the damaged passport with your application
• Provide an explanation letter describing how the damage occurred
• Follow standard renewal process
• No fine is charged for damaged passports (unlike lost passports)

Important Tips for a Smooth Application

✅ DO:

• Apply well in advance - ideally 6 months before travel or expiry
• Double-check all information on the form matches your documents exactly
• Bring original documents AND clear photocopies
• Keep your reference number safe and accessible
• Arrive on time (or even early) for your biometric appointment
• Verify all details in your new passport before leaving the collection counter
• Make photocopies of your passport data page and keep them separately when traveling
• Note down your passport number, issue date, and expiry date somewhere safe

❌ DON'T:

• Submit photocopies or translations instead of original documents
• Wear spectacles in passport photos
• Miss your biometric appointment (you'll need to reschedule and this delays processing)
• Wait until the last minute to apply
• Make corrections or overwrite on application forms
• Assume you can get urgent service at other regional offices (urgent service only at Head Office, Battaramulla and Jaffna)
• Travel with a passport expiring within 6 months (many countries won't grant visas)

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Passport Guides

For more detailed information on specific topics, check out these comprehensive guides: