|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|||
|
INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS 1. APPLICATION FOR NEW PASSPORT (i) New Passport is normally issued when the validity of the current Passport has expired after 10 years from the date of its first issue or when the pages have been exhausted. Applications for a new Passport has to be made in duplicate on Form K, which can be obtained from this office by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope. All application forms are issued free of charge. Please refrain from sending e-mail requests for application forms. Presidents of Sri Lanka Associations in difference cities have also been issued with application forms, you may obtain same form them too please. (ii) When the application is duly completed (preferably in BLOCK LETTERS) signed and attested (please see instructions in regard to attestation in paragraph 4 below), it should be forwarded to this office with the following documents : (a) Current Passport (b) Birth Certificate (c) 3 recent good quality colour photographs - size 3.5cm x 4.5cm (without the white boarder). Two photos have to be pasted on the annexed Photo/Signature Card -IM 35(B). (One photograph has to be attested on the reverse - see paragraph 4 below). (d) Citizenship Declaration on Page 2 has to be completed and signed by the applicant, giving date and phone number. (e) A recent letter from the applicant’s present employer, describing the profession/occupation and the monthly income. (f) Clear Photocopy of Canadian Immigration Document (Landed Immigrant Certificate, Work Permit, Minister’s Permit, etc.) valid at the time of application. (g) A copy of the duly completed application. (h) Payment of C$183.00 (please see paragraph 7 below) (i) A self-addressed envelope 24cmx16cm for the return of the Passport. Please print full name and address legibly including postal code. DO NOT send stamps as postage is included in the fee. As all machine readable Passports are issued by the Controller, Immigration and Emigration in Colombo, all applications for new passports are forwarded to the Controller for issue. This procedure would take approximately 6 to 7 weeks. Therefore, please forward your application well in advance in order to receive the Passport in time. 2. APPLICATION FOR A REPLACEMENT PASSPORT IN LIEU OF A LOST PASSPORT (i) Application for a replacement Passport should be made on Form K in duplicate, which can be obtained from this office by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope. E-mail requests for application forms will not be entertained. The following documents should be forwarded to this office, together with the application : (a) Original and photocopy - Birth Certificate (b) Original and photocopy - National Identity Certificate (c) Original and photocopy - Marriage Certificate (if applicable) (d) Clear photocopy of Canadian Immigration Document (Landed Immigrant Certificate, Work Permit, Minister’s Permit, etc.) valid at the time of the application. (e) Police Report. If the applicant is not in the position to produce this document, it is his responsibility to produce a document from the Police Station in regard to the loss. (f) 3 recent good quality colour photographs - size 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm. Two photos have to be pasted on the annexed Photo/Signature Card - IM 35(B). (One photograph has to be attested on the reverse - see paragraph 4 below). (g) Citizenship Declaration on Page 2 has to be completed and signed by the applicant, giving date and phone number. (h) A recent letter from the applicant’s present employer, describing the profession/occupation and the monthly income. (i) A copy of the duly perfected application. (j) Form ‘D’ in duplicate (k) Payment of C$345.00 (with effect from December 2, 1996) (please see paragraph 7 below). (l) A self-addressed envelope 24cmx16cm for the return of the Passport. Please print full name and address legibly including postal code. DO NOT send stamps as postage is included in the fee. 3. APPLICATIONS FOR A REPLACEMENT PASSPORT IN LIEU OF A DAMAGED PASSPORT Application for a replacement Passport should be made on Form K in duplicate . The application procedure is the same as that for a lost Passport. However, a letter should be addressed to this Office explaining in detail the cause and the nature of the damage, together with the application and the damaged Passport. 4. ATTESTATION OF APPLICATION FORM AND PHOTOGRAPHS After the application form for a new Passport (including a replacement Passport) has been duly perfected and signed by the applicant, it has to be attested on Page 2, by a PERSON OF STANDING, preferably a doctor, who has personal knowledge of the applicant and who is NOT HIMSELF A MEMBER OF THE APPLICANT’S FAMILY. The attestor should fill in the relevant section in his own handwriting, stating the name of the applicant as it appears on Page 1 and also giving his own name, designation and address with telephone number and affixing his personal seal, if any, on the attestation. THE SAME ATTESTOR should also certify in his own handwriting on the reverse of one of the three identical colour photographs and the annexed Photo/Signature Card - IM 35(B) stating that it is a true photograph of the applicant, giving applicant’s name thereon as it appears in the attestation. AN APPLICATION WITH INCOMPLETE OR INACCURATE ATTESTATION WILL CAUSE UNDUE DELAY IN PROCESSING OR EVEN BE LIABLE TO BE REJECTED. 5. SEARCH LETTER FOR CANADIAN CITIZENSHIP Under Part 4, Section 20, Subsection 5 of the Citizenship Act of 1948, a Sri Lankan Citizen automatically ceases to be a Citizen of Sri Lanka once he obtains Citizenship of another country, unless he becomes a Dual Citizen. The High Commission, therefore, call upon the applicant to produce a letter from the Immigration/Citizenship Authorities that the applicant has not obtained Canadian Citizenship. (This is required in the case of those residents who have lived in Canada as Landed Immigrants for more than 4 years.) There is provision for an applicant to apply for Dual Citizenship. Application forms may be obtained from the High Commission by sending a stamped self-addressed envelope 24cmx16cm. 6. ALTERATIONS AND AMENDMENTS Attention should be given to the following when preparing the application : (a) Changes in the name When the name of the applicant as written on the application form differs in any way, including spellings, from that in the old Passport, such differences will be accepted only if they are supported by the originals of the appropriate legal documents such as Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate, Divorce Decree or duly amended Birth Certificate, as the case may be. (b) Endorsement of names of children (Form C) Names of accompanying children appearing in the old Passport will be endorsed in the new Passport upon submission of items (I), (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v) below, as required under new regulations set out by the Controller, Immigration and Emigration, Colombo. Names of children who are 16 years of age and above will not be endorsed. They will have to apply for separate Passports, with a letter of consent from the parent in whose Passport their names appear. In the case of a child born in Canada, his/her name will be endorsed in the new Passport only after the birth has been registered in this Office. A separate application should be made on Form C, which can be obtained from this Office. Such an application should be supported with : (i) The original Marriage Certificate of the parents. (ii) The original Birth Certificate of the child (iii) Letter of consent from the father for endorsement on the mother’s Passport, or vice-versa. (iv) Passport of the other parent, as applicable (for reference and return) (v) Three Passport size colour photographs of the child. The reverse of each photograph should be attested by the same person who attests the application of the parents for a travel document. Applicants should note that the prescribed fee will be payable in respect of every addition or amendment. 7. MODE OF PAYMENT All payments should be made by Money Order or Certified Bank Cheque, drawn in favour of the SRI LANKA HIGH COMMISSION. Personal Cheques are not accepted. A government official receipt will be issued for all payments made to the High Commission 8. REFUNDS In the event of an applicant’s inability to comply with the requirements laid down above, or if the application is withdrawn at a subsequent date, applicants are advised that no refund of the fees will be considered. IMPORTANT NOTICE Applications for new passports should ONLY BE SENT BY REGISTERED POST. (If the High Commission desires any clarification we shall communicate with you or require you to come for an interview). Please DO NOT WAIT till the last moment or last week to apply for a new Passport. Kindly start the process before 03 months of the date of expiry. Please check the validity of your travel document at regular intervals. YOU NEED NOT PERSONALLY VISIT the High Commission merely to hand over the application. Furthermore, now it takes nearly 6-7 weeks for a new Passport to be received from Colombo and another week for the applicant to receive the Passport from the High Commission by Registered Post. The Sri Lanka High Commission - Ottawa appreciates your on-going cooperation in Consular matters, and it is our objective to give you the best service now and in the future. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to talk to the Consular Division. THESE INSTRUCTIONS SUPERSEDE ALL PREVIOUS INSTRUCTIONS ON THIS SUBJECT March, 1999 Consular
Division
Note: The information provided by the publisher herein is of general nature, and should not be construed as legal advice. |
