Online applications for passports are allowed from January

December 01, 2022 – Colombo: The Department of Immigration and Emigration said that the online submission of applications for new passports would be allowed from next January.
Speaking at a press conference, Immigration and Emigration Controller General Harsha Ilukpitiya at the Department of Government Information, the applicants would be able to scan and upload the necessary documents and fill out an online application to obtain new passports when the new system is implemented.
“The applicants can do it from their home. They only need to visit the Department to give their fingerprints. The department hopes to set up 50 front offices covering all districts. An online appointment will be given to the applicant to go to the nearest front office to give their fingerprint. The prevailing congestion in obtaining passports will ease when the new system is implemented.
The facilities to make online payments and to deliver the passport to home through courier service for one-day applicants and the post for normal applicants would be made. He said that the studios registered under the Department would also facilitate the online submission of applications.
With the sudden demand for new passports, Immigration and Emigration Controller General Harsha Ilukpitiya pointed out that his department issues about 2,500-3,000 passports daily under One-Day Service, exceeding its normal capacity. “The Department commences work at around 6.30 am, and our officers continue to work until 7 to 10 pm to meet the demand. However, we discovered through a survey that only 20-30 percent of those who obtained passports had gone abroad. We request not to queue up for passports if there is no immediate plan to go overseas,” he remarked.
The Controller General also said that the Department had arrested 99 people this year for attempting to travel abroad producing fake documents. The arrested persons have been handed over to the CID for further investigations.
Clarifying the revision of charges for Dual Citizenship, the Controller General said that the fee was indicated in USD as the Rupee depreciation had resulted in a loss to the Department. “This is not an increase in the fee. The fee was Rs 350,000 (USD 1950) when one USD was about Rs 180. We have now adjusted it at USD 2,000, but this means an increase in Rupee terms,” he explained. The Department has also made facilities for tourists to obtain a one-year visa or five-year visa with multiple entry facilities to promote tourism, and long-term residential visas spanning for 5-10 years for investors, who deposit USD 200,000 or more in a state bank or invest in Condominiums, Treasury Bills, Treasury Bonds or Stock Market.