The Department of Immigration and Emigration has ended the prior online appointment system for the issuance of passports.

The Immigration and Emigration Department’s Controller General Harsha Ilukpitiya said the online appointment system ceased yesterday (17).

He further stated that passports were issued under a token system today and passports will be issued to those visiting the passport office in Battaramulla from today onwards.

Meanwhile, the Department of Immigration and Emigration is expected to introduce a new online system for the issuance of passports from the 1st of June 2023.

Harsha Ilukpitiya said under the new system, the public will be able to apply for their passports online from the comforts of their homes and will not be required to visit the Department of Immigration and Emigration.

50 Divisional Secretariats are to be assigned to obtain the fingerprints of the applicants, while the payments for the passports can be made online or via the Bank of Ceylon, he added.