COLOMBO, Oct. 27 – Passport applicants in Jaffna, Vavuniya, Kandy, Kurunegala and Matara will need an advance online appointment to be served at their regional passport office from Thursday, Oct. 29, the Department of Immigration and Emigration has announced.
The requirement covers both the one-day and the regular passport service at all five regional offices. Applicants must reserve a date and time on the department’s official website, www.immigration.gov.lk, before visiting. Those without a booking should not expect to be served.
The department’s headquarters at Suhurupaya in Battaramulla is exempt. It will continue to accept passport applications without appointments on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Changes to online applications
From the same date, the department’s “Apply Passport Online” service will be open only to people who have held a Sri Lankan passport before.
First-time applicants will have to apply in person. They can book an appointment at one of the five regional offices through the new system, or apply at the Battaramulla headquarters without a booking during its weekday hours.
Urgent service for online applicants
Applicants who are eligible to apply online can still choose between the normal and urgent services.
Those who pay the fee for the urgent service will be given a fingerprint appointment within two days. Their passports will then be delivered to their homes by Speed Post within three days of the fingerprints being taken, the department said.
