Chameera De Silva, Head of Operations & Migrant Services at the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Sri Lanka, at Identity Week Europe 2026 will present IOM’s flagship Document Verification Solutions Program—a comprehensive, multi-methodology approach to identity and immigration document verification
Document fraud on immigration remains a significant challenge in immigration management, prompting States to increasingly rely on the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) for trusted migration support services, including document verification. The scope of IOMs document verification services varies according to immigration risk factors such as economic conditions, migration drivers, and the prevalence of counterfeit or fraudulently obtained documents. By ensuring that immigration decisions are based on authentic and credible information, document verification safeguards the integrity of migration systems, prevents identity fraud, and protects both States and genuine applicants from misrepresentation and abuse.
The broader vision of IOM’s Document Verification Solutions (DVS) programme aligns with IOM’s strategic objective of facilitating pathways for regular migration. Through the verification of non-travel documents submitted for visa and immigration purposes, the programme helps establish and strengthen legal migration pathways, supports informed decision-making, and reduces document fraud that can contribute to irregular migration. It also enhances border security and law enforcement efforts aimed at combating human trafficking, transnational crime, and other forms of migration-related fraud.
The DVS programme provides neutral, accurate, and objective, multi-methodology verification of documents submitted to IOM Member States, by verifying their authenticity and integrity. By doing so, it supports fair and consistent immigration decisions, improves processing efficiency, reduces administrative burdens, and reinforces public confidence in migration systems. The programme further assists visa, immigration, and consular offices by enabling faster, more reliable processing and helping to mitigate the use of fraudulent documentation.
Implemented in 2006, the IOM Sri Lanka DVS programme (DVSP) is the largest document verification programme within IOM globally. As of April 2026, it has verified more than 169,000 documents and identified numerous questionable records, including forged, fraudulently obtained, obsolete, untraceable, and otherwise misleading documents originating from Sri Lanka.
In 2021, the programme in Sri Lanka became the first DVS operation within IOM to receive ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System certification from the Sri Lanka Standards Institution on behalf of the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO). Following an exceptional compliance rate of 99.9% during its initial certification cycle, the programme was successfully recertified, with the current certification remaining valid through 2027.
The programme verifies a broad range of Sri Lankan-issued documents, including civil registration records, identity documents, legal and judicial records, academic qualifications, employment and business documents, financial records, police clearances, electoral records, and other official certifications. This comprehensive verification capability supports immigration authorities in assessing the authenticity and reliability of information submitted by applicants.
The IOM Sri Lanka verification team has received specialised training from national and international experts, including the Government Analyst’s Department of Sri Lanka, the United States Department of State, diplomatic missions, law enforcement agencies, and document fraud specialists. Team members are trained in document fraud detection, quality management systems, migration law, data protection, information security, client service delivery, and the prevention of fraud, corruption, sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment.
Beyond Sri Lanka, IOM delivers document verification services to Member States through its extensive global network of more than 550 field offices across 171 countries, positioning the Organisation as a trusted partner in the verification of non-travel documents and the promotion of safe, orderly, and regular migration.
Established in 1951, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) is the leading intergovernmental organisation in the field of migration and is committed to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and society. IOM is part of the United Nations system, as a related organisation.
IOM supports migrants across the world, developing effective responses to the shifting dynamics of migration and, as such, is a key source of advice on migration policy and practice. The organisation works in emergency situations, developing the resilience of all people on the move, and particularly those in situations of vulnerability, as well as building capacity within governments to manage all forms and impacts of mobility.
The Organisation is guided by the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, including upholding human rights for all. Respect for the rights, dignity and well-being of migrants remains paramount.
