Only photos taken by a studio registered with the Department for Registration of Persons are used. The studio takes an ICAO-standard photo in the department's software and gives you only the Photo Reference Slip it issues, which goes with your application. The photo is valid for 6 months, and the most a studio may charge is Rs. 400. Source: drp.gov.lk, checked 5 Oct 2026.
For the Sri Lanka NIC photo, a studio registered with the Department for Registration of Persons takes it and gives you a Photo Reference Slip.
| Who makes the photo | A studio registered with the Department for Registration of Persons takes it and gives you a Photo Reference Slip. |
|---|---|
| Size (official rule) | Not published (a registered studio takes the photo in the department's software) |
| File size | No file for you to upload |
| Background | Not published; set by the registered studio |
| Source | drp.gov.lk |
| Checked | 5 Oct 2026 |
No. Only photos taken by a studio registered with the Department for Registration of Persons are used. The studio takes an ICAO-standard photo in the department's software and gives you only the Photo Reference Slip it issues, which goes with your application. The photo is valid for 6 months, and the most a studio may charge is Rs. 400.
For the Sri Lanka NIC photo, a studio registered with the Department for Registration of Persons takes it and gives you a Photo Reference Slip. The official size rule: Not published (a registered studio takes the photo in the department's software).
Background: not published; set by the registered studio. An ICAO-standard photo taken within 6 months is needed for a first NIC (from age 15), a new NIC in place of a lost one, an amended NIC and a dual citizen's NIC.
On drp.gov.lk. We checked them on 5 Oct 2026.
Source: drp.gov.lk, checked 5 Oct 2026. Rules can change, so confirm on the official page before you apply.