Sri Lanka Passport and Visa Photo: Requirements and Size

If you're a Sri Lankan citizen looking forward to your upcoming holiday, it's crucial to verify the expiration date of your passport. An expired passport means you must obtain a new one for international travel, as it's impossible to journey abroad without one. Moreover, numerous countries mandate Sri Lankan citizens to secure a visa for entry. Fortunately, the procedure to acquire both a new passport and visa is straightforward.

With our expert help, you can find out if you qualify for an electronic visa to travel, and apply, by using our visa checker tool on the homepage.

Sri Lanka passport/visa photo requirements and size

• Sri Lanka passport photo size: 45mm in height and 35mm in width.
• The photo must be in full color.
• Head position: straight, looking at the camera.
• Recency: taken no more than 6 months ago
• Background: plain white only
• Smile: a neutral expression is required.
• Eyes: must be clearly visible.
• Blurred pictures will be rejected.
• Glasses: acceptable only if they do not obscure the eyes and there is no glare in the photo.
• Headwear is not allowed. Exceptions are made for religious/cultural purposes.
• Resolution (pixels): at least 600 dpi
• Dress code: Your clothes must contrast with the background, so avoid white tops.
• Beard: permitted if it represents your everyday appearance
• Number of photos necessary per passport application: 3

Sri Lanka passport photo size requirements guide

Sri Lanka passport/visa photo - Tips for taking a great photo

Now that we have detailed the most important requirements of the Sri Lanka passport photo, lets move on to describe the top tips to follow when taking a passport or visa photo at home.

• The background of the photo has to be white and solid, with no lines or decoration. You can take your photo against a white wall. If you don't have access to one, you can hang up a white bedsheet in the background, making sure it has no creases. What’s important here is that your background is free of colors, patterns, and shadows.

• The light should be in front of you when you take your own passport or visa photo. That way, your face will not be obstructed by shadows. Make sure that the intensity of the light is not too high or too low.

• In the picture, the head must be kept straight. Your face has to be perpendicular to the camera. Since both sides of your face must be equally visible, do not rotate your head in any direction.

• Do not smile in your passport or visa photo, and avoid making any facial expressions other than a neutral look. For the best result, relax your face when you take the picture.

• Your eyes must be perfectly visible. It's recommended that you remove prescription glasses. The only way you can keep them on is if the frames are clear and there is no flash reflection in the picture. On that note, glasses with tinted lenses are not allowed.

• Headwear is not permitted, as a rule. However, if you cover your head for religious purposes, you are allowed headwear in your passport or visa photo. This exemption has its own conditions. For one, your face has to be visible from top to bottom. And two, your headwear cannot create shadows on your face.

• If you normally have a beard, it is not mandatory that you shave it off for your picture.

Sri Lanka passport/visa photo requirements and size for babies

When you’re traveling with children, they will also need their own individual passport and visa. So, you must procure passport and visa photos for them, too. Here are a few tips to help you prepare the photo:

• Your child must be awake when you take their picture, and their eyes must be visible.
• Your child cannot have headwear in the passport or visa photo. You must also remove their pacifier (if applicable)
• You cannot appear in your baby’s photo. So, if you decide to hold your baby during the photoshoot, you must ensure that not even your hands are visible.
• For comfort purposes, you can take the photo of your child while he/she sits in a car seat. If this is how you want to proceed, make sure that the backrest of the chair is covered with a white sheet. The white background rule applies to children as well.
• For the same reason, you have to put a white layer underneath the child if your plan is to photograph him/her from above while lying down.

References

• http://www.immigration.gov.lk/
• http://embassyofsrilankauae.com/downloads/consular/Passport_Photo_Requirment.pdf
• iVisa Photos
• iVisa.com

If you're ready to travel with your new passport, why not check out the visa requirements and apply for a visa with us!