One-day passport issuance service starts in 3 regional offices today

• Decentralised one-day passport service comes into effect in Kandy, Matara, and Vavuniya offices 
• Initially service is extended to 100 applicants who have already got an online appointment 
• Foreign employment seekers who have registered for one-day service at HQ can get priority via regional offices

The Department of Immigration and Emigration announced that the issuance of passports under the one-day service will commence from today (4) in Matara, Vavuniya, and Kandy regional offices. 

“At the beginning, this service will be given for only 100 applicants who have already reserved a date and time at the specific regional offices,” the Department noted, issuing a media notice.

Previously, the issuance of passports under one-day service was only possible at its head office in Battaramulla. The move to decentralise the one-day passport issuance service is a result of Investment Promotion Minister Dhammika Perera’s directive to the Department during his visit last week.

The Department in its notice reiterates that this service is for those who already registered with regional offices for the normal service through the website www.immigration.gov.lk and requests new applicants not to be present.

It also requests foreign employment seekers who have already registered for the one-day service at the head office to send a WhatsApp message to 0706311711 with documentary evidence to get priority.

The majority of the people who visit the Department’s head office daily was to obtain one-day service countrywide. Given the high transportation cost following the steep fuel hike, people had been waiting at the Department premises. Disgruntled people claimed they had to wait for over a month to get their passports.