Sri Lanka visa photos and the Department of Immigration and Emigration
The Department of Immigration and Emigration (DI&E), headquartered at Suhurupaya in Battaramulla, sets the photo standard for every Sri Lankan visa category that requires an applicant-supplied image. The same 35 by 45 mm colour print is used for Multiple-Entry Visit Visas, Residence Visas processed at DI&E headquarters, and Entry Visas handled by most Sri Lankan Overseas Missions, including the High Commissions in London, Dhaka, Canberra, and the UAE. The Sri Lankan Embassy in Washington D.C. is the documented exception and requires a 2 by 2 inch (51 by 51 mm) print instead.
Submission channels are run directly by DI&E and its missions, with no third-party visa application centre in the loop. Long-stay applicants either visit DI&E headquarters in person, mail or walk prints into the relevant High Commission or Embassy, or upload a digital image to the eservices.immigration.gov.lk portal when extending a visit visa in country. The short-stay ETA route at eta.gov.lk does not collect a photograph at all, so this page applies only to Entry Visas, Residence Visas, Multiple-Entry Visit Visas, and in-country extensions.
DI&E officers and consular staff reject photographs that fail the published rules on expression, eye visibility, ears, headwear, and print quality, which delays the application and forces the applicant to resubmit. The studio instructions DI&E issues to registered Sri Lankan photographers are the closest thing to a public technical standard, and missions apply them strictly. Meeting them on the first submission is the difference between a same-day counter decision and a return trip.
What the Department of Immigration and Emigration expects in your photo
The DI&E and Sri Lankan Overseas Missions enforce a consistent set of subject-side rules for long-stay visa photos. Follow them so your application is not held up at intake.
Expression & pose
- Neutral expressionHold a relaxed, neutral expression with the mouth closed. Smiling, frowning, and raised eyebrows are not accepted.
- Eyes open and forwardBoth eyes must be fully open and looking straight at the camera. Squinting or half-closed eyes will be rejected.
- Straight head positionFace the camera squarely with the head upright. Do not tilt, turn, or angle the head.
- Shoulders squareKeep the shoulders level and facing forward so the full frontal face is centred in the frame.
Eyewear & lenses
- No eyeglassesDI&E’s instructions to registered photo studios require the eyes to be clearly visible without spectacles. Remove prescription glasses before the photo is taken.
- No sunglasses or tinted lensesSunglasses and any tinted or coloured lenses are prohibited. Eyes must be plainly visible and unobstructed.
Hair & face
- Hair off the faceHair must not fall across the eyes or cover any part of the face. Tuck longer hair behind the ears where possible.
- Both ears visibleThe Sri Lankan High Commission in Dhaka and DI&E framing practice require both ears to be visible in the photo.
- No bangs over foreheadBangs or fringes that obscure the forehead or eyebrows are not accepted. The full forehead should be visible.
Headwear
- Religious or medical onlyHead coverings are permitted only when worn daily for religious or medical reasons. Casual hats, caps, and fashion headbands are not allowed.
- Face must remain clearAny permitted head covering must not cast a shadow on the face and must not obscure the forehead, cheeks, chin, or jawline.
Clothing
- Everyday clothingWear normal street clothing. Uniforms and camouflage patterns are not accepted for visa photos submitted to Sri Lankan missions.
- Avoid white topsBecause the background is white, avoid plain white shirts or tops that would blend into the backdrop.
Photo quality
- No red-eyePhotos showing red-eye from flash reflection will be rejected. Eye colour must appear natural.
- Sharp, in focusThe subject must be sharply in focus with natural skin tones and no motion blur from the applicant moving during capture.
Dimensions, resolution & background.
Head position & camera distance.
- Head height, measured from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head, must be between 33 mm and 36 mm (roughly 73–81% of the photo height).
- Eyes must sit between 21 mm and 25 mm from the bottom of the photo.
- The head must be centered horizontally in the frame with a small symmetrical margin on each side.
- Both shoulders must be square to the camera and visible. Three-quarter angles or rotated torsos are not accepted.
- The full face from chin to crown must be inside the frame with proper top margin.
How recent the photo must be.
Your visa photo must have been taken within the last six months. A new photo is required sooner whenever your appearance has changed in a way that makes the old photo no longer recognizable.
You need a new photo if you’ve had…
- Facial surgery or a major change to facial structure
- A significant gain or loss of weight that visibly changes your face
- Large facial tattoos or piercings added or removed
- A gender transition that has changed your appearance
You do not need a new photo just because of…
- A new hair color
- Growing or removing a beard or moustache
- Ordinary, minor aging
- A new hairstyle that still leaves the face fully visible
Other things to know.
A few things about Sri Lankan visa photos catch applicants out, because the rules depend heavily on which visa you are applying for and where you file it.
No photo for short-stay ETA
Sri Lanka’s standard Electronic Travel Authorization for tourist, business, and transit visits up to 30 days does not require an applicant-submitted photo. This 35 by 45 mm spec applies to long-stay Entry Visas, Residence Visas, Multiple-Entry Visit Visas, and in-country visa extensions.
Washington D.C. size variant
The Sri Lankan Embassy in Washington D.C. requires 2 by 2 inch (51 by 51 mm) prints instead of the standard 35 by 45 mm format. If you are filing through the U.S. embassy, switch to the square size before printing.
Ignore stale VFS guidance
A separate VFS Global e-visa portal at srilankaevisa.lk briefly required digital photo uploads between April and August 2024. The Supreme Court suspended that contract and the original eta.gov.lk system was restored, so guidance written during that window is out of date.
Visa-on-arrival has no photo step
Applicants entering through Bandaranaike International Airport on a visa-on-arrival do not submit a photograph. Immigration officers capture a facial image on site as part of border processing.
Take your Sri Lanka visa photo at home in three steps.
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Print-quality requirements for in-person submissions.
When you submit a printed photo at a visa application centre, the paper, finish, and ink all matter. The points below cover the standards most consular missions accept.
- Print on photographic-quality paper at 300 DPI minimum.
- Use a matte or semi-gloss finish; high-gloss can produce reflections that confuse biometric scanners.
- Do not retouch, crop, or alter the photo after printing.
- Bring at least two identical prints when the submission channel calls for paper photos.