Immigration dept. to launch online passport appointment system

1 November 2024 07:19 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 16 Bookmark

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Colombo, November 01 (PMD) - The Department of Immigration and Emigration has announced plans to introduce an online appointment system for passport applications, set to launch in the coming weeks.

The department also confirmed it currently holds 50,000 blank passports in stock, with an additional 100,000 passports expected to arrive in November.

A further 150,000 passports are anticipated in December, ensuring ample availability for those applying in the coming months.

Comments - 16

B P Friday, 01 November 2024 08:33 PM

Who stopped the on-line system introduced earlier and functione well?

3 25

johan Friday, 01 November 2024 11:14 PM

This is a must. When limited appointment is full for a particular day, they have to choose a convenient date in the calendar if there is any left over appointments to fill.

0 5

Mohamed Fouze Mohamed Fallil Saturday, 02 November 2024 06:01 AM

How about a system to clear the huge backlog of applications for new Sri Lankan passports forwarded through the Sri Lanka High Commissions in Foreign Countries ?

1 7

Money money Saturday, 02 November 2024 08:20 AM

Crowds outside means hancy pancy for the staff working inside. Money money money from the poor people.

1 5

Jagath Leanage Saturday, 02 November 2024 08:30 AM

Glad to hear that. Better late than never.

1 4

Fernando Saturday, 02 November 2024 09:39 AM

Online application system is a must. Also please make arrangements to keep the gate clear for those who have appointments to enter the premises without a hassle.

1 5

Sumedha Saturday, 02 November 2024 11:28 AM

There was an online system before for appointments which was working well. This is not new

1 10

Gerard Gladwyn Saturday, 02 November 2024 03:34 PM

With a population of mere 22 million and the validity of a passport for ten years, it is puzzling why the passport department is overcrowded every day throughout the year. Does the department issue dozens of passports to every Sri Lankan? In most of the countries that I have visited, issuance of passports and other personal documents is done over the counter within a matter of minutes. Is the Sri Lankan bureaucracy outdated in every aspect, even in this digitized era? I wonder!

1 7

WE NEED TO OVERHAUL THE IMMIGRATION DEPT REPLACING THOSE WHO HAVE NOT OR DO NOT PERFORM WITH EDUCATED YOUNG BLOOD AND BELIEVE ME THERE WILL BE NO QUEUES. Saturday, 02 November 2024 04:50 PM

ONLINE PASSPORT APPOINTMENT ARE A POSSIBILITY ONLY IS IT IS DONE ON CAMERA, THIS MEANS THE IMMIGRATION DEPT CAN SEE AND HAS RECORDS OF ALL ONLINE APPTS AND IF THERE IS A ISSUE LATER, DETAILS CAN BE TRACED, THIS IS TO ENSURE THAT THE APPLICANT IS ONE OF THE SAME PERSON. ALL APPLICANTS NEED TO FIRST GIVE ALL THEIR DETAILS TO THE OFFICER MANNING THE ONLINE SYSTEM AND ONCE ALL THE INFO IS CHECKED AND FOUND TO BE AUTHENTIC THE APPLICANT CAN FILL OUT A FORM ONLINE AND A DECISION CAN BE MADE TO ISSUE A PASSPORT. WE HAVE TOO MANY SCAMS, FRAUADS AND OTHERS AND NEED TO ENSURE THIS DOESN'T TURN INTO A SCAM. PHOTO ID IS A MUST FOR ALL THOSE APPLICANTS FOR OBVIOUS REASONS.

0 1

Tissa Fernando Saturday, 02 November 2024 07:03 PM

Gota introduced this online system when he came into power but after the election thieves took over and messed everything up. Hope it does not happen again.

1 4

Disappointed Citizen Saturday, 02 November 2024 10:16 PM

Please stream line the process: There are multiple desks where the same function is performed: 1. Line up and climb the stairs: check documents: 2. Line up and check the documents: 3. Final documents checked at 3rd counter 4 if there is a problem ; sent to a another office where there is no line but your folder is stacked and a very powerful lady makes a decision ; go home and come again tomorrow 5 next day go and pay the fees at another counter where the military helps maintain the line 6. Passport issued. This was my experience for a 1 day passport after paying 20,000 Most painful is step 4 which is arbitrary, obnoxious and disrespectful NOW an additional check added for document check on the street by the police! PLEASE PUBLISH THIS

0 4

Nimal Pereira Saturday, 02 November 2024 10:21 PM

On line system was stopped because people were getting multiple SIM cards and using multiple accounts. This is easyly handled through the computers. Set it up so that people can sign up only with their ID card number. Multiple phone numbers with the same ID cards will be flagged and such account holders will be banned from getting passports for 5 years! Computers can be programmed very easily to do this. Use technology and spare the agony for law abiding citizens

0 6

Shera Sunday, 03 November 2024 07:20 AM

Start having mobile passport service or set up field offices. Then again, who can be trusted?

0 1

Sambo Sunday, 03 November 2024 08:09 AM

This is the best option where one can make an appointment on line and not come at 3 or4 in the morning and stand in queues for hours. This was there before but they never continued with it.

0 1

Jsnita P Nugegoda Sunday, 03 November 2024 07:56 PM

Serving the nation Chaos as queues mount and passport officials ignore citizens and fail to address poor communication and process I fully endorse AJ Weerasinghes views on 1 Nov. I came specially from abroad to renew my passport which is my birthright and I was shocked at the laissez faire attitude of officials who are clearly distanced from the from the front line. I queued for 5 hours and did not get a token. I saw people with young children and others who had specially taken the day off work, all patiently waiting in the rain and sun with no food and drink or sanitary facilities or anyone showing any concern to provide advice. The current system needs a complete overhaul with customer service training for all involved in the process to help people through the chaos. The current philosophy of let them wait - even after the tokens were finished, and come back tomorrow and day after has got to stop.

0 1

Kapila Disanayake Monday, 04 November 2024 01:11 AM

Just like one of the earlier people said make the process streamlined. There is so much redundancy in the process. I came back to the country from abroad and came directly from the airport and joined the queue at 2.30 AM. I work in a western country where a passport can be obtained from the local post office! It took me three days to get my one day passport after paying 20000. The immigration staff is heartless and treat people like garbage. These are the same people who go on strike at the drop of a hat. I really hope the new president will succeed in digitizing the government and get rid of this dead wood.

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