Renew / Apply for Sri Lankan Passport

**Following information were extracted from SLHCAUST and simplified for easy understanding**

[1] Who is Eligile?

Sri Lankan citizen by descent or by registration, holding Permanent Residence (PR) Certificate OR valid visa for Australia or dual national of both Sri Lanka and Australia.

[2] Where to apply?

Residence of Victoria should forward your application to:

Sri Lanka Consulate General in Melbourne
Suite 536, No 1 Queens Road,
Melbourne, VIC,3004
Australia

Telephone: +61 3 9290 4200
Fax: +61 3 9867 4873

Email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web: http://www.slcgmel.org

[3] How does this process work?

1. You submit passport application form (Form K- I.E. 35) along with all supporting documents
2. Pay the application fee of $180 and obtain a receipt
3. SL high commission forwards your application to Department of Immigration and Emmigration of Sri Lanka
4. You receive the pasport within 12 weeks
5. You provide your fingerprint to Department of Immigration and Emmigration of Sri Lanka on your next arrival to Sri Lanka

[4] What are the steps to be taken and documents required to be submitted to apply for a new passport?

1. Duly filled application form K-I.E.35 (Download HERE)
2. Two certified photocopies of data page and alteration page of your current passport (Compolsary)
3. Two certified photocopies of your Original Birth Certificate (Issued by the Registrar General, District Registrar, Divisional Registrar only)
4. Two certified photocopies of your Original Citizenship Certificate (If you are not a citizen of Sri Lanka by decent)
5. Two certified photocopies of your Original Marriage Certificate (If your name has changed consequent to marriage)
6. Two certified photocopies of court order (In case of divorce)
7. Two certified photocopies of National Identity Card (Optional - Only if available)
8. Two certified photocopies of Dual Citizenship Certificate (Compolsary for dual national)
9. Two certified photocopies of data page of Australian passport (Compolsary for dual national)
10. Two certified photocopies of Professional or educational certificates (Optional - If you want to include your profession in the passport)
11. Two certified photocopies of Enrolment letter from the University/Institute/College/School (Optional - If you want to include your status as student)
12. Original "VEVO" [Visa Entitlement Verification Online] from the Department of Immigration and Border Protection in Australia obtained less than a week prior to submitting the application (Compolsary for Australian Visa holders)
13. Request letter with all contact details Address, telephone number, and email address. (Compolsary)

[5] Who can certify the documents

1. Your Solicitor or

2. Justice of Peace in Australia or

3. Your Medical Practitioner [GP]

[6] Fees

Application fee: AUD 170

Postage: AUD 10

Total: AUD 180

Important note:

a. Only cash payment will be accepted.  Payment by money order, Bank draft, direct bank transfer can be done with prior arrangement with Sri Lanka Consulate General in Melbourne

b. In case of expired passports, an additional fee of AUD 5.00 will be added for each year from the date of expiry.

[7] Photographs

Photograph size should 4.5 x 3.5cm, full colour with light background and must be taken within three months prior to submit the application. You need three photoghaphs. Passport size photos taken in Australia Post will meet all the requirements.

Note: Photo affixed on page 2, must be attested by the same person who certified your documents. The attestation seal and signature of the attester must cross the photograph as well as application form. (Please see sample below)

Important tips to avoid unnecessary delays

1. Q19 - Signature of applicant: Signature of the applicant has to be placed inside both cages without touching the border of the cage. For minors who are unable to sign, parents can write a part of the child’s name in the signature cages. (Please see sample below)

2. Q20 - Declaration of the applicant: Applicant must fill and sign the declaration. If the applicant is unable to sign, a parent can sign the declaration.

3. Q21 - Certificate regarding the applicant: This must be filled by the same person who certified your documents (Honorary Consul/JP/ GP/ Solicitor).

4. You must bring ALL original documents along with the certified photocopies. Original documents will be returned to the applicant once the application is successfully submitted.

5. Translations will not be accepted as originals

6. All photocopies should be on A4 size paper

** If you are a visa holder of Australia (i.e. Permenant Resident of Australia), you must notify Department of Immigration of Australia and update your new passport number.  You can do this by either:

> Online through your ImmiAccount OR
> Complete Form 929 Change of address and/or passport details (251KB PDF) and email it to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

You must provide a scanned copy or photograph of the biographical page of your new passport with the completed form. The biographical page of your passport is the page that contains your photograph, personal details and the issue/expiry dates.

[8] Final Step

You MUST submit your Biometrics for passports on your next entry to Sri Lanka. The collection of biometrics (fingerprints and digital facial image) from passport applicants has been made mandatory with effect from 1stJanuary 2018 by the Department of Immigration and Emigration of Sri Lanka. Departure from Sri Lanka will be allowed only after completion of this requirement.

[A] Who should submit?
All Sri Lankans between the ages 16-60 years applying for a Sri Lankan Passport.

[B] What is the procedure for Biometric Collection upon arrival in Sri Lanka?
1. On arrival directly report to primary Immigration counter or to the Chief Immigration Officer [CIO] and he/she will issue a system generated Biometric Data Acquisition Form [BDA] and a photocopy of it with:
a. A unique reference number.
b. A guidance note.
2. The applicant has to fill and sign both system generated and duplicate Forms [BDA] and produce it to the Senior Authorized Officer at the collection desk.
3. One copy of the BDA will be returned to the applicant, to be produced to the Department [DIE] at the time of biometric enrolment.
4. Other copy will be retained at the airport.

Note:
Biometrics cannot be provided at the airport prior to departure

Once your in the country make an appointment for fingerprints submission as soon as possible via online HERE.

[C] Where Can I provide the Biometrics?
Passenger reports to the DIE Head Office or any regional office:

Colombo:
Overseas Mission Division
2nd Floor, ‘Suhurupaya’
Department of Immigration and Emigration,
Sri Subhuthipura Road,
Battaramulla.
Tel. +94 11 5329230

Matara:
No.9 Sri Vijaya Builiding,
Rahula Road,
Matara.
Tel. +94 415412212

Kandy:
42/3 Sangaraja Mawatha,
Kandy
Tel. + 94 81 5624470, +94 81 5624509

Vavuniya:
JC 23, Outer Circle Road,
Vavuniya
Tel. +94 25 5676344

Kurunegala:
129, Dambulla Road,
Kurunegala
Tel. +94 37 5550562, +94 37 5550563

Please note that the working hours for DIE are 8.00 am -2.00pm – Monday to Friday except public holidays.

Important facts

1. No payment is required for biometrics.
2. Completion of biometric enrolment process will take approximately 45 minutes.
3. Upon providing biometrics, Department will issue a system generated receipt to confirm completion of biometrics acquisition process.
4. After completion of this process, the system will be automatically activated/updated facilitating the departure of the applicant from Sri Lanka.
5. Recommend Passenger to retain the receipt until departure from Sri Lanka.