How quickly can international travelers get a passport before traveling to Sri Lanka?

In one case, a 10-year biometric passport was issued in three weeks. If flights are already booked, note that an airline may charge a fee to update passport details on the reservation.

For a potentially faster option, apply for a 5-year passport: it does not require biometrics and is often processed more quickly. Submit the application as soon as possible.

When applying for a 10-year biometric passport, you can book the photo appointment at any MFC office offered by the system rather than only your local branch; another area may have earlier availability. MFC reception staff may also help identify faster appointments.

One practical approach is to apply simultaneously for a 10-year biometric passport and a 5-year non-biometric one. In the reported case, both documents for a child were issued on the same day before the holidays.