The Sri Lankan Passport is an important travel document issued by the Department of Immigration and Emigration. It is a reliable proof of citizenship and identification whether inside or outside Sri Lanka. It not only allows the holders to travel abroad but also ensures their rights to ask for help from a Sri Lankan consular in a foreign country. The newest version is equipped with a machine-readable RFID chip that carries biometric information to prevent identity theft and fraud. Sri Lankan Passport is valid for 10 years for adults, and 3 years for minors unless otherwise requested by parents. It is suggested to pay attention to the expiry date on your existing passport and renew it in time in case your trip is delayed or you are rejected entry into another country.
In this passage, we are going to talk about Sri Lankan passport renewal requirements, cost, processing time, how to renew a passport in Sri Lanka or abroad, and how to get it as quickly as possible.
When Should You Renew Sri Lanka Passport?
It is said that passport holders can renew this booklet at any time, but please note that the remaining validity will not be transferred to the new one. In the following conditions, renewal is mandatory.
- The current passport has expired.
- The remaining validity is less than required by your destination country (usually 6 months).
- The pages of the existing passport are or will be exhausted.
- The old passport is physically damaged.
- You have changed your name, gender, appearance or other essential personal details.
- In the case of a lost or stolen passport, a replacement is required.
How Much Is Sri Lanka Passport Renewal
According to the passport type and how fast you want to get it, renewal fees will differ. Check how much you should pay in the following chart. Acceptable payment methods include cash, VISA or Master cards Debit or Credit Cards.
| Passport types | Processing fees for renewal (LKR.) |
| Passport with 10-year validity (normal service) | 5,000 |
| Passport with 10-year validity (urgent service) | 20,000 |
| Emergency Certificates (normal service) | 500 |
| Minor’s passport (normal service) | 3,000 |
| Minor’s passport (urgent service) | 9,000 |
Please note that an emergency certificate is not a formal passport which is only issued to Sri Lankan Buddhist Pilgrims visiting India and Nepal and is valid for 2 years.
How Long It Takes to Renew Sri Lanka Passport
The processing time depends on where you apply from, and the service you choose. In Sri Lanka, it takes about 30 working days to deliver on a normal basis while you will receive it on the same day of application on an urgent basis. When applying from abroad, it will take 8-12 weeks.
Documents Required for Passport Renewal
Being well-prepared will help speed up your application, so it is necessary to learn about the supporting documents for passport renewal which are listed below.
- Application forms can be obtained at the head office or regional offices of the Department of Immigration & Emigration in Battaramulla, Sri Lankan embassy and consulates, or online
- Current passport (original copy and a photocopy of the personal information page)
- Birth certificate (both original copy and a photocopy)
- Colored 35X45 mm photos as per Sri Lankan passport photo guidelines
- Sri Lankan National Identity Card (NIC), original copy and a photocopy
- Marriage certificate (if applicable), both an original copy and a photocopy
- Samanera certificate or Higher Ordination certificate (for Buddhist priests)
How To Renew a Passport in Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan passport renewal application can be done online or in a physical office. Here are detailed instructions in this section.
Renew Passport Online
Only those above 15 years old can access online services. The following is a step-by-step guide.
- Go to the Department of Immigration & Emigration portal and click on the “Apply Passport” button. You can also click on the “Instructions” button to watch a video made by the authority.
- Choose “New Passport” Section and read the instructions that explain eligibility, requirements, application process, payment, etc. If you have never used this service before, create an account first.
- Register with a valid phone number. If you already have an account, just log in.
- Choose the application type (One-day Service or Normal Service) and preferred location.
- Enter photo acknowledgment number, name, ID number and other basic information.
- Choose the preferred date and time to make an appointment and submit the required documents in JPEG format and less than 5MB.
- Receive an “online passport appointment notice” and an SMS notice that informs you of the application reference number.
- Pay the renewal fees online. An SMS will be sent to verify the successful payment.
- Attend the appointment to submit fingerprints, signatures, and sometimes, photographs.
Renew Passport in Person
If it is not convenient for you to access the online service, you can submit all applications to a Department of Immigration & Emigration office. The General office is located in Battaramulla while the regional offices are in Kandy, Matara, Vavuniya and Kurunegala. You can check the location map to learn about how to go there. For normal processing applications, please attend from 8.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon. The offices don’t work on weekends and public holidays.
Renew Sri Lankan Passports for Kids or Seniors
Minors refer to those under 16 years old. Whether you are a minor or the parent of a minor, please note that minors must be accompanied by parents or legal guardians no matter when they want to apply for the first passport or renew an expired one. Minors can also renew passports online or in person, but the documents required for a passport are slightly different from those for adults. Please check them below.
- Birth certificate of the child applicant (birth certificate of the applicant)
- Existing passport of the child applicant (original copy and a photocopy of bio-data page)
- Digital photo with photo studio acknowledgment
- Parent’s passport (original copy and photocopies of the bio-data page and the child page) or the parent’s National Identity Card
- Consent Letter from the parents or the legal guardian
- Certificate of Adoption, court order of adoption, and a letter from the Commissioner of Probation and Child Care (for an adopted child)
There are no special requirements for senior applicants aged 60 years old and above. The biggest difference is that passport applicants above 16 and under 60 are waived to provide fingerprints.
How to Renew Passports Outside Sri Lanka
According to the Department of Immigration and Emigration (Sri Lankan Identity Overseas), Sri Lankan citizens can renew their passports through the local Sri Lankan Mission when they are not inside the country. Supposing that there is no Sri Lankan mission in your resident country, go to the nearest country with one. Overseas applications will be processed by the Overseas Missions Branch at the Head Office of Department of Immigration and Emigration Immigration.
To renew a passport at the Sri Lanka Diplomatic Missions, please follow the instructions below.
- Fill out the Passport Application Form (Form ‘K’- 35 A) which can be obtained from the Sri Lanka Diplomatic Mission/ Consular division and online.
- Gather supporting documents. When renewing for minor applicants under 16 years old, an extra Parent’s Consent Letter should be included.
- Pay the renewal fees. Acceptable payment methods vary from country to country. Please contact the officer and check the latest news.
- Hand over the completed filled Form ‘K’- 35 A to the Sri Lanka Embassy / Consulate Office along with all required documents.
- The officer will give you a special Instruction Note on receiving your applications which guides to through the rest of the procedures.
- If you receive a renewed passport from abroad since January 1st, 2018, your fingerprints will be captured at the Port of entry on the first visit to Sri Lanka.
How to Expedite Sri Lankan Passport Renewal?
Supposing that you are in urgent need of a passport, you can pay extra fees for urgent services. In this case, your passport will be issued after 3 days of fingerprint capturing. The application process is similar to that of normal service. The quickest way is to renew online. Make sure to choose “One-day Service” for Application Type. It is still required to provide biometrics at a physical service location. Please note that opening hours for urgent basis applications range from 7.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon.
FAQs
💡 How can I receive my passports?
The urgent service applicants will be facilitated to receive passports by courier service while normal service applicants by registered post.
💡 Can my children be included in my passport?
No. Inclusion of children in parent passports is no longer allowed. Every individual must hold a separate passport despite their age.
💡 Can I reschedule my passport appointment?
Yes. Please choose the “Choose Appointment” Section on the online application portal. Log in and select another available date and time.
💡 Can I cancel a passport appointment?
Yes, but there is no such option online, so you should visit the regional office on the scheduled date of the appointment and tell the officer to cancel it for you. If you cannot attend the pre-scheduled appointment, we suggest you reschedule it online, unless you are sure you don’t need to apply anymore.
Summary
Let’s make a summary. The solutions for how to renew a passport in Sri Lanka are quite simple, as long as you have learned about the documents required for passport renewal, cost, processing time, and types of services. In Sri Lanka, it is allowed to renew a passport online and submit biometrics at a Department of Immigration & Emigration office. In a foreign country, Sri Lankan citizens can renew their passports in person at the Sri Lankan embassy and consulates. If you do need a passport urgently, pay extra fees for same-day service.
📖 Further Reading: The Complete Guide to Sri Lanka Passport Appointment
Dolores Xiao