Sri Lanka Photo Requirements for Passports, Visas, and IDs
Get the right photo for your Sri Lankan passport, national identity card, driving licence, residence visa, or ETA using simple steps. You can use the tool above to crop your image correctly.
Documents Covered for Sri Lanka
When you apply for official paperwork in Sri Lanka, you must provide a photograph that matches specific guidelines. This page covers five main documents issued by different government departments. You need a photo for your Sri Lankan passport[1], national identity card[2], driving licence[3], residence visa[4], and Electronic Travel Authorization or ETA[5].
Each document has its own application channel and submission rules set by the government. Knowing these rules helps you avoid delays in your application process.
Dimensions and Size Rules
All five documents share a common dimension of 35x45 mm. However, the official backing of this size varies by document type. For the national identity card and the residence visa, 35x45 mm is an official requirement[2][4].
For the passport, driving licence, and ETA, 35x45 mm is a common size used by applicants, but the official sources do not list a single mandatory size[1][3][5].
Head Height Requirements
When framing your photograph, you might look for specific head height measurements. For all five Sri Lankan documents listed here, the official sources do not set a specific head height rule[1][2][3][4][5].
Because the authorities do not provide an exact measurement for the distance from your chin to the top of your head, center your face naturally in the frame. Keep your head straight and look directly at the camera lens.
Submission Formats: Digital and Printed
How you submit your photo depends entirely on the specific document you request. For a passport and an ETA, you must submit your photo in a digital format[1][5].
A residence visa application requires a printed photo[4]. For a national identity card, the department asks for an ICAO-standard photo[2]. For a driving licence, the photo is taken during the online process; offline applications require two passport-size black-and-white photos with a white background[3].
Practical Tips for Taking Your Photo
You do not need professional studio equipment to take a valid application photo. Stand facing a bright window to get natural, even lighting on your face without harsh shadows.
Ask a friend or family member to take the picture instead of taking a selfie, because selfies often distort facial features. Keep the camera at your eye level about one to one and a half meters away from your face.
Preparing Your Print Sheet
If your application requires a printed photo, you do not need to print single photos at high costs. You can arrange your cropped 35x45 mm pictures onto a standard four by six inch photo sheet.
Take this digital sheet to any local photo kiosk or print shop and print it as an ordinary snapshot. Cut the photos out carefully using scissors or a paper cutter.
Frequently asked questions
What size should my Sri Lankan passport photo be?
The common size used for a Sri Lankan passport photo is 35x45 mm, though the Department of Immigration and Emigration does not set a single official size[1].
Can I submit my residence visa photo digitally?
No, residence visa applications require a printed photograph according to the Department of Immigration and Emigration[4].
Is there a specific head height rule for the national identity card?
No, the Department for Registration of Persons does not set a specific head height requirement for identity card photos[2].
How do I submit my ETA photo?
You must submit your Electronic Travel Authorization photo in a digital format online[5].
Can I use digital or printed formats for a driving licence?
Yes, you can use both digital and printed submission methods for a Sri Lankan driving licence photo[3].