General Information for Passport Applicants

Information and Instructions

Please read the following information and instructions carefully before submitting your passport application.

·        Passport applications and relevant forms can be downloaded from the following link: https://hc-london.cwp-staging.econsulate.net/en/downloads

·        Instructions for completing the passport applications in Sinhala, Tamil and English are available on the Download page at this link.

·        We regret our inability to respond to individual queries relating to passport applications. All necessary information is available on our website under the relevant

         sections and the “Frequently Asked Questions” page.

·        If you have specific inquiries regarding the issuance, renewal, or alteration of passports that are not covered on the website, please contact us

         via email at  : passport@slhc-london.co.uk

·        We will endeavour to respond within 3 to 5 working days.

Passport Photographs

Passport applications must be accompanied by three (03) identical colour photographs, meeting the following requirements: Link for PDF

• Size: 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm
• White background
• Taken within three (03) months of the application
• The applicant’s appearance must be clearly identifiable.
• The background and clothing must not be the same colour.
• The face must be clearly visible without excessive makeup or visual effects.
• The forehead and ears must be clearly visible.
• The eyes must be clearly visible without spectacles.
• Applicants who wear caps or scarves for religious reasons may do so; however, the forehead, ears, and neck must be clearly visible, and no shadows should fall on the face.

A self-service photo booth facility is available at the High Commission premises at a cost of £8.00, payable by card.

Supporting Documents Guidelines

• Original documents must be submitted. Photocopies or English translations alone are not accepted as originals.
• Photocopies of all supporting documents must be submitted on single-sided A4 sheets.
• Copies of the current passport data page and all endorsement pages (pages 2, 3, 4, and 5) must be submitted.
• The High Commission advises submitting a fresh birth certificate obtained within 06 months to avoid unnecessary delays in processing the passport.
• If any supporting certificates or documents were issued outside Sri Lanka, the original certificate and its English translation (if applicable) must be attested by the relevant diplomatic mission in the UK or the Sri Lankan Mission accredited to the country of issuance.
• Sri Lankan Driving Licence is not acceptable as a substitute for the National Identity Card.
• The High Commission cannot guarantee that the Department of Immigration and Emigration will issue a new passport based solely on letters of explanation submitted by the applicant,in cases where a National Identity Card is required.

Submission of Passport Application

• Applicants are responsible for renewing their passports well in advance of the expiry date (at least before 06 months) or before all visa pages are used.
• Passport applications must be submitted in person.
• In exceptional circumstances, applications may be submitted by post. In such cases:
• If the applicant submits the application in person at the High Commission, certification of the application is done free of charge.
• Applications for passports in lieu of lost passports cannot be submitted by post. The applicant must attend an in-person interview with all required original documents.

Minor Applicants

• Both parents and the child must be present at the High Commission when applying for a minor’s passport.
• If the minor is unable to sign, a parent may write part of the child’s name in the signature box. Parents must not sign or write their own names in the child’s application form.
• The applicant declaration must be completed and signed. If the minor is unable to sign, a parent may sign the declaration on behalf of the child.

Passport Fees and Payment Details

*  Other applicable charges will apply.

• Method of Payment – Cash, Debit/Credit card, Postal Order (Postal Order should be drawn in favour of the Sri Lanka High Commission)
• Please note that personal cheques will not be accepted.
• An additional amount will be charged if photocopies are made at the High Commission. 
• Fees paid will not be refunded under any circumstances.

Instructions for sending the application by post

(Only if the applicant is unable to visit the High Commission in person, under extremely unavoidable circumstances)

• Applicants who wish to submit their passport application by post must send the completed and certified application form, together with:
• The applicant must sign the application form and supporting documents in the presence of a Solicitor. These documents must then be legalised by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) of the United Kingdom or the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, as applicable, before submission to the High Commission.
• Applicants must provide a self-addressed prepaid Special Delivery envelope (up to 500g) for the return of original documents and the payment receipt. If this is not provided, the original documents will be retained at the High Commission until collected in person or until a prepaid return envelope is provided.
• The High Commission is not responsible for documents lost or damaged sent by post.

Passport Collection

·        New passports are issued by the Department of Immigration and Emigration of Sri Lanka, Battaramulla. Processing times vary depending on 

         the Department’s verification procedures.

·        The High Commission forwards applications to the Department of Immigration and Emigration through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs every week.

·        The High Commission cannot guarantee passport issuance within a specific timeframe.

·        Once the new passport is received at the High Commission, the applicant will be notified via SMS and/or email.

·        Passports must be collected in person by the applicant. (Previous passport and the yellow-coloured payment receipt are required for collection)

·        For applicants under 16 years of age, a parent who submitted the application may collect the passport.

·        If the applicant is unable to collect the passport in person due to exceptional circumstances, the passport may be returned by post.

         The applicant must send:

         o    A written request

         o    The previous passport

         o    The original yellow payment receipt

         o    A self-addressed prepaid Special Delivery envelope

·        Applicants residing in Ireland must arrange passport collection through a courier service. Before arranging collection, applicants must send their previous

         passport and payment receipt  to the High Commission. Courier collection details must be emailed in advance.

·        The High Commission is not responsible for passports or documents lost or damaged sent by post.

·        Applicants are advised to check the “Alterations and Observations” pages of their new passport for any restrictions imposed by the Department of Immigration and Emigration.

Biometric Enrolment Requirement Upon Arrival in Sri Lanka

           With effect from 1st January 2018, bio metric enrolment (fingerprints and digital facial image) is mandatory for Sri Lankan passport holders aged 16 to 60 years who obtained

           their passport through the Sri Lankan High Commission in London.

           Biometric enrolment must be completed in person at the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Battaramulla upon the applicant’s first arrival in Sri Lanka.

           Biometric facilities are not available at the airport, and this process cannot be completed at the point of entry or departure.

           Failure to complete biometric enrolment will prevent the applicant from departing Sri Lanka.

Biometric Enrolment Procedure

Upon arrival in Sri Lanka:

• Report to the Primary Immigration Counter or the Chief Immigration Officer at the airport.
• You will be issued a Biometric Data Acquisition Form in duplicate, with a unique reference number and instructions.
• Complete and sign both copies of the form and submit them to the authorised officer. One copy will be returned to you.
• Submit the form to the Overseas Mission Division at the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Battaramulla or at one of the following regional offices:     Matara,Kandy, Vavuniya, Kurunegala & Jaffna
• After biometric enrolment, you will receive a system-generated receipt confirming completion. Please retain this receipt until you depart from Sri Lanka.
• There is no fee for biometric enrolment.
• The biometric enrolment process typically takes 30 to 45 minutes.
• Once biometrics are registered, the system will be updated, allowing you to depart Sri Lanka without restriction.