Everything you need to know about Sri Lanka dual citizenship photo requirements, including exact dimensions, background color, and pose rules. This guide is for Sri Lankans who acquired foreign citizenship and wish to retain their Sri Lankan citizenship through the dual citizenship application process.
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Country | Sri Lanka |
| Document Type | Dual Citizenship Certificate |
| Photo Size | 35 × 45 mm (3.5 × 4.5 cm) |
| Resolution (DPI) | 600 |
| Head Size | Face occupies 70–80% of the photo; chin-to-crown distance approximately 32–36 mm |
| Background Color | Plain white |
| Printable | Yes — on matte or glossy photo-quality paper |
| Digital for Online Submission | Yes (JPEG format accepted) |
| Digital Photo Size | 827 × 1063 pixels (at 600 DPI) |
| Photo Paper Type | Matte or glossy photo paper |
| Color | Color only (black and white not accepted) |
| Number of Photos | 4 (2 pasted on forms + 2 additional) |
| Glasses | Not recommended; clear lenses only if needed |
| Expression | Neutral |
| Recency | Within 6 months |
Sri Lanka allows dual citizenship under the Citizens Act, enabling persons of Sri Lankan origin who have acquired foreign citizenship to retain their Sri Lankan citizenship. The dual citizenship photo must meet standard ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) requirements. Below is a comprehensive guide to ensure your photo is accepted.
Glasses are not recommended for Sri Lanka dual citizenship photos. If you must wear them, the following rules apply:
You don't need a professional studio. Follow these simple steps to take a compliant Sri Lanka dual citizenship photo at home using your smartphone.
Any modern smartphone camera (iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, etc.) is more than capable of taking a passport-quality photo. Make sure the lens is clean and the camera is set to the highest resolution.
Place your phone on a tripod or ask someone to take the photo for you. Selfies tend to have the wrong angle and distortion.
Stand facing a window with natural daylight for the best even lighting. Avoid direct sunlight, which creates harsh shadows. If using indoor lighting, use multiple light sources from different angles to eliminate shadows.
Wear your normal everyday clothing. Avoid uniforms and white tops that blend with the background. If you wear religious head coverings daily, you may keep them on as long as your full face is visible.
Make sure your hair does not cover your eyebrows, eyes, or cast shadows on your face.
Stand about 1.5 meters (5 feet) in front of the camera with your head facing directly forward. Keep your shoulders relaxed and your head level — not tilted. Ensure your entire face from chin to forehead is visible, with your shoulders also in the frame.
Keep your face relaxed with a neutral expression. Both eyes must be open and your mouth closed. No smiling, frowning, or showing teeth is permitted for Sri Lanka dual citizenship photos.
Comparison of acceptable and unacceptable Sri Lanka dual citizenship photos
A Sri Lanka dual citizenship photo must be exactly 35×45 mm (3.5×4.5 cm). The face should occupy 70–80% of the photo, with the chin-to-crown distance approximately 32–36 mm. There should be at least 3 mm of space from the top of the hair to the top edge of the photo.
Dual citizenship in Sri Lanka is a provision under the Citizens Act that allows persons of Sri Lankan origin who have acquired foreign citizenship to retain their Sri Lankan citizenship. The Certificate of Dual Citizenship is issued by the Department of Immigration & Emigration upon approval of the application.
Eligible applicants include persons of Sri Lankan origin who have acquired citizenship of another country, and children of dual citizens. Applicants must apply through the Department of Immigration & Emigration in Colombo or through Sri Lankan diplomatic missions abroad. Processing can take several months.
Glasses are not recommended for Sri Lanka dual citizenship photos. If you must wear them, only clear lenses without glare are allowed. Sunglasses and tinted lenses are strictly prohibited. Removing glasses is strongly advised to avoid rejection.
No. You must maintain a neutral facial expression with your mouth closed. No smiling, frowning, or showing teeth is permitted. Both eyes must be open and looking directly at the camera.
Yes! You can take your Sri Lanka dual citizenship photo with any smartphone. Simply upload it to PassportPhoto.help and our AI will automatically crop to the correct 35×45 mm size, remove the background, and ensure it meets all official requirements.
The background must be plain white, with no shadows, patterns, or objects visible. If you don't have a suitable background, our tool will automatically replace it with the correct white color.
You need to submit 4 identical photos with your Sri Lanka dual citizenship application. Two photos are pasted on the application forms and two additional photos are submitted separately. All photos must meet the same 35×45 mm size and quality requirements.
Source: Department of Immigration & Emigration — Sri Lanka
Last updated: 2026-05-04
