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Sri Lanka/Canada: The procedure for issuing passports to nationals of Sri Lanka at the High Commission in Ottawa; documents necessary to obtain a passport; whether the documents are verified

The First Secretary of the High Commission of the Democratic Republic of Sri Lanka in Ottawa stated that, although the High Commission in Ottawa issued passports in the past, they now receive and screen applications before sending them to the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Sri Lanka to be processed and issued (23 May 2003). The onus is on the High Commission to first establish that the applicant is not a national of another country (Sri Lanka 23 May 2003). However, dual citizenship is now recognized by Sri Lanka (ibid.). An applicant must submit the following documents to the High Commission in Ottawa in order to obtain a passport:

– Completed application form (see attached documents)

– Current passport

– Birth certificate (essential document)

– Three photographs, including one that has been certified by a doctor, lawyer, or other professional

– National identity card (non-essential document)

– Letter from the applicant's present employer, describing his/her profession and monthly income

– Documentation from Citizenship and Immigration Canada attesting to the applicant's current status in Canada (e.g., landed immigrant certificate, work permit, Minister's permit, etc.)

– Processing Fee (ibid.)

After being reviewed by the High Commission in Ottawa, the identity documents are photocopied and sent, along with the application form, to the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Sri Lanka for verification (ibid.).

The average processing time to obtain a regular passport is five to six weeks (ibid.). However, six-month emergency passports are issued at the High Commission and take approximately fourteen days to process (ibid.). In some cases, an emergency passport may be issued over the counter, such as when the applicant has come from outside of Ottawa (ibid.).

For further information regarding Sri Lankan passports, citizenship and visas, please consult the Website of the Department of Immigration and Emigration at <http://www.immigration.gov.lk/>.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Reference

Sri Lanka. 23 May 2003. High Commission of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. Personal interview with the First Secretary.

Attachment

Sri Lanka. n.d. "Issue of Passports Instructions to Applicants." High Commission of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.