ISSUANCE OF A NEW PASSPORT IN LIEU OF A CURRENT / EXPIRED PASSPORT

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Renewal of passports and issue of new passports to Sri Lankans granted refugee/asylum status in the UK.

According to new Sri Lankan Immigration Regulations Sri Lankan citizens who have applied and gained refugee status or asylum in the UK are not entitled to a Sri Lanka passport and also to renew validity of their existing passports with immediate effect.

However, temporary travel documents will be issued to the following categories of Sri Lankans for the sole purpose of returning to Sri Lanka. 

1.            1. Those who have applied for refugee or asylum status and awaiting decision of the UK government.

2.            2. Those who have applied for refugee or asylum status but have subsequently withdrawn their applications.

3.            3. Those who have given up their refugee or asylum status and have decided to return to Sri Lanka.

4.             4. Those whose applications for asylum or refugee statues have been rejected by the UK government in which such status has been sought.

Sri Lanka High Commission

London.

4^th April 2011

Application forms can be obtained

	From the Consular Division, of this mission between 9.30 a.m. & 1.00 p.m.
	By sending a self addressed, stamped envelope (9' x 6') with a request letter
	Download Application form or view all related forms and documents required

Validity of a passport cannot be extended beyond 10 years from the date of its issue. If the passport is due to expire after 10 years or if there are no pages for visa endorsements or the photograph of the applicant appears different, a new passport should be obtained. Applications for new passports should be made well in advance of the expiry of the current passport.

New passports can also be issued for children who are already included in the parent's passports or for those who were born in UK and have obtained the Sri Lanka Birth Certificate and Sri Lanka Citizenship certificate issued by the Citizenship Division in Colombo, after registering their birth at this High Commission.

Note: If the child was born outside Sri Lanka please follow the instructions in the section "Registration of birth outside Sri Lanka" in the High Commission website before applying for a new passport.

All incomplete applications will be returned and payment will not be refunded.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

IMPORTANT - All certifications /attestations in the application should be done only by a Solicitor or Medical Practitioner (GP)

Attester's official frank / seal must be placed below the signature.

Four (4) identical copies of colour photographs of size 3.5cm x 4.5cm, with direct face (both ears must be visible) and in a light coloured background without the outer border to be affixed to the forms IM35 and IM 35 B.

Form "K" - IM 35
Complete all cages from 1-20 of page one and place the signature of the applicant below and paste one photograph on the top right hand box. Another photograph certified overleaf by the attester with his/her signature and frank/seal should be attached to the first page of the application.

Declaration of the applicant - ( page 2)
The declaration should be signed by the applicant and attested by a Solicitor or Medical Practitioner(GP).

Photo/Signature Card (IM35 B)

• The two remaining photographs should be pasted within the borders of the 2 cages. Do not staple or pin.

• The signature of the applicant should be placed well within the 2 cages.

• This form should be attested by the same person who has signed the declaration of the applicant.

• The Attester's signature and seal should be placed over the "Verification Photograph" as well as below the declaration.

DOCUMENTS TO BE ATTACHED
ORIGINAL documents (i) to (viii) to be submitted with 2 PHOTOCOPIES each.

The documents issued by the Government of Sri Lanka (original Birth and Marriage certificates) will be retained by this High Commission and released with your new passport.

(i) Birth Certificate issued by the Registrar General, District Registrar, Divisional Registrar. Photocopies certified by other parties and translations will not be accepted.

(ii) if the applicant was born outside Sri Lanka, the Citizenship Certificate issued by the Citizenship Division in Colombo. If an applicant born outside Sri Lanka has reached 18 years, he/she should submit the Citizenship Certificate with the endorsement made by the Citizenship Division on the reverse of the certificate regarding the applicants continuation of the Sri Lankan nationality.

(iii) Visa

• A document from the Home Office relating to your present visa status in the UK or Ireland (if not already stamped on the passport)

• If you have 'indefinite leave to remain visa in the UK or settlement visa for more than one year.

you are required to submit a letter from the Immigration & Nationality Department in UK, to confirm that you have not acquired or have not applied for UK Citizenship. Forms to be used for this purpose can be downloaded from Home Office web site (www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk). This form should be completed and posted by you to the Immigration & Nationality Department in UK with their fee. This confirmation should be submitted along with your application for a new passport. The letter should have been obtained not later than six months from the date of submitting this application.

(iv)  Original previous Passport with the copies and Original National Identity Card with the copies - (Compulsory)

(v)  If you are a Dual Citizen - the Dual Citizenship Certificate & copy of your UK passport.

(vi) If you wish to change the name consequent to marriage - Original Marriage Certificate.
      (Photocopies / copies certified by other parties / translations will not be accepted)

(vii) For the inclusion of profession - Original professional certificate and a letter from the employer confirming the title.

(viii) Current passport (M, N series only) should be submitted along with two sets of photocopies of the following pages:

1. Photo page
2. Endorsement / Alteration pages
3. Valid visa pages - UK/Ireland visa
4. Pages relating to particulars of children

5. Proof of address (UK/Ireland): utility bill, UK/Ireland driving licence, bank statement.

INCLUSION OF CHILDREN INTO THE PARENTS' NEW PASSPORT
Children below the age of 16 can be included into the parents' new passports. This can only be done at the time of applying for a new passport.

• Form IM 35 C to be completed and signed by the parent applying for the passport

• Four colour photographs size 2.5 cm x 3.5 cm. Two photos to be affixed within the two cages for each child. The right hand side photograph and the relevant place at the bottom to be attested by a Solicitor or GP. The remaining photograph to be attach to the form IM 35C.

• The following Original documents are to be submitted together with two photocopies.

1. Child's Sri Lanka Birth Certificate issued by the Registrar General, District Registrar, Divisional Registrar should be submitted. Photocopies / copies certified by other parties / translations will not be accepted.

2. If the child was born outside Sri Lanka the Citizenship Certificate.

3. Parent's marriage certificate.

4. Passport of parents with photocopies of the following pages.

a. Photo page

b. Pages relating to particulars of children

c. Visa pages - UK/Ireland visa

d. Endorsement / Alteration pages

     v.   Consent letter signed by the father for the inclusion of the child in the mother's

passport or vice versa if it is to be included in the father's passport. Death Certificate in case of either parent's death, Divorce Certificate/Court decision together with the order of Custodianship of the child if parents are divorced.

SEPARATE PASSPORTS FOR CHILDREN
A separate application should be submitted for each child. All instructions mentioned under the 'Application Form' on Page 1 should be followed. If the applicant is below 16 years one of the parents can sign the application on behalf of the child.

Following ORIGINAL documents (i to v) should be submitted along with 2 PHOTOCOPIES

1. Child's Sri Lanka Birth certificate issued by the Registrar General, District Registrar, Divisional Registrar should be submitted. Photocopies / copies certified by other parties / translations will not be accepted.

2. If the child was born outside Sri Lanka the Citizenship Certificate.

3. Parent's marriage certificate.

4. In case of a guardian applying for a passport for a child, the legal document to prove the guardianship.

5. Passports of parents with photocopies of the following pages or an affidavit if the passport of either parent is not available.

a. Photo page

b. Pages relating to particulars of children

c. Visa pages - UK/Ireland visa

d. Endorsement / Alteration and Observation pages

     vi.   Consent letter signed by both parents to issue a separate passport for the child. Death

Certificate in case of a spouse's death, Divorce Certificate/Court decision together with  the order of Custodianship of the child if parents are divorced.

PAYMENT DETAILS

• Fee - When the applicant produces the previous travel document (M, N Series) - £ 100/-

• No additional charges if the children are added while obtaining a new passport.

• For deletion of children from an existing passports a fee of £7.00/- will be charged.

• Payment should be made in Cash at the counter or by Postal Orders/ Bankers Draft drawn in favour of the "Sri Lanka High Commission" if sent by post. Personal cheques and credit cards are not accepted.

ONCE YOUR APPLICATION IS ACCEPTED;

1. It will be forwarded to the Overseas Missions Division of the Immigration and Emigration Department in Colombo. If all the required documents are submitted, it normally takes around 8-10 weeks to receive the new passport. The High Commission cannot guarantee the issuance of a passport within a specific period.

   Note: During the processing of new passports the Controller Immigration and Emigration cancels the old passport and therefore applicants are advised to refrain from travelling to Sri Lanka until the receipt of the new passport.

2. Once we receive your new passport at this mission you will be informed in writing or by phone. You are required to bring the current passport/emergency passport (if retained by you) along with your Cash Receipt to this High Commission on any working day between 9.30 a.m. & 1.00 p.m. in order to collect your new passport.

3. If you are unable to collect the new passport personally you should authorise your representative in writing to collect your passport on your behalf. The representative should provide an authorisation letter along with the Cash Receipt and his/her identification.

4. If the new passport is to be returned to you by post, you should provide a self-addressed prepaid special delivery envelope to the weight of 500g along with your application form. Note: The High Commission will not take any responsibility for documents lost in the post.

SUBMISSION OF FORGED BIRTH CERTIFICATES OR ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS AND MAKING FALSE DECLARATIONS RELATING TO THE CITIZENSHIP STATUS IS AN OFFENCE. SUCH CASES WILL BE REPORTED TO RELEVANT AUTHORITIES AND PAYMENTS WILL NOT BE REFUNDED.

Forms to be downloaded as necessary

	Form K IM 35 - (2 pages) - Application data page and Declaration page
	IM 35 B - (1 page) - Photo/Signature card
	Download Form NQ (Part 1 & 2) from Home Office web site (www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk)  - to be sent to the Home Office, Liverpool with regard to the citizenship status
	IM 35 C - (2 pages) - Inclusion and/ or deletion of children
	Consent letter by one parent to include a child in the other parents passports - (1 page)
	Consent letter by the parents for children applying for a new passport - (1 page) - for applicants below 18 years