Visitors who already possess a valid Sri Lankan passport or valid residence permit in Sri Lanka do not need a visa to enter Sri Lanka. Visitors for other than tourist purposes (i.e. diplomatic, business, journalist, etc.) must obtain visa prior to travel to Sri Lanka, irrelevant of length of stay.
Full Answer
What is a valid residence visa for Sri Lanka?
It is issued to persons of non-Sri Lankan nationality to whom it has been decided to extend residence facilities for the purpose of investment or otherwise, in circumstances where the prescribed authority is satisfied that their stay in Sri Lanka and the pursuit of their vocations are not prejudicial to the best ...
What is Sri Lankan residency?
An individual shall be a resident in Sri Lanka for a year of assessment if the individual: resides in Sri Lanka. is present in Sri Lanka during the year and that presence falls within a period or periods amounting in aggregate to 183 days or more in any 12-month period that commences or ends during the year.
What are the visa requirements for Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka Visa Requirements The requirements to get a Sri Lanka visa are: A passport that's valid for at least another six months from the date of entry. Proof financial means to sustain yourself during your stay. Proof that you will leave Sri Lanka before your allowed time is up (e.g. a return flight ticket).
What are the main two types of Sri Lankan visas?
A Tourist Visa is issued to bona-fide tourists who want to enter Sri Lanka for sightseeing, excursions, relaxation, visit relatives or yoga training for a short period of time. A Business Purpose Visa is issued to foreign nationals who visit Sri Lanka for business purposes for short period of time.
What is the meaning of residence visa?
A residence visa is issued to the foreigner when he/she is already inside the country having entered using the entry permit.
What is a residence permit?
A residence permit (less commonly residency permit) is a document or card required in some regions, allowing a foreign national to reside in a country for a fixed or indefinite length of time. These may be permits for temporary residency, or permanent residency. The exact rules vary between regions.
Can you travel to Sri Lanka without a visa?
To travel to Sri Lanka, each traveller needs to possess a valid visa (ETA). This ETA is valid for six months, allowing for a single entry into the country, with a maximum stay of 30 days. At the time of applying, no flight ticket needs to have been booked yet.
Do I need a visa for Sri Lanka with a British passport?
British citizens do not need to apply for a visa in advance to visit Sri Lanka. Travelers who have got the ETA online before traveling and present the passport they registered will be issued with a Sri Lanka visa on arrival and will be allowed to enter the country.
How much is Sri Lanka visa on arrival?
Methods of Submission of ETA Application.All Other Countries*By Third partyUS$ 35*At Sri Lanka Overseas MissionsUS$ 35*At the head office of the Department of Immigration & Emigration, ColomboUS$ 35*On arrival at the port of entry in Sri LankaUS$ 402 more rows
How long is a Sri Lanka visa valid for?
30 daysThe standard validity period of the Sri Lanka visa is 30 days. This holds for both business as well as tourist visas (read here who these visas are meant for). This period starts from the moment that the traveller reports at the passport check after arrival in Sri Lanka.
How long can you stay in Sri Lanka?
A visitor wishing to stay more than 30 days in Sri Lanka, may apply for an extension. The short term visit visa may be extended maximum up to 270 days from the the date of arrival in three consecutive instances as grant 30 days on entry , 60 days at first extension and 90 days for second and third instances.
Can I stay in Sri Lanka for 6 months?
If you seek an extension to your tourist visa, maximum duration for extension you can ask for is six months. Other visas are extended depending on the reason and the length recommended by the respective Sri Lankan Government Ministry or organizations.
Who are considered as non residents in Sri Lanka?
Residents & Non ResidentsSri Lankan citizens.Foreigners married to Sri Lankan citizens, if they have stayed more than 183 days in Sri Lanka during last 12 months.Sri Lankan citizens who have left the country temporary i.e. not more than 182 days.Sri Lankan citizens who live in foreign countries on student visas.More items...•
How can I get Sri Lankan citizenship?
Citizenship can be obtained through marriage by the spouse or the widow/widower of a citizen of Sri Lanka by descent or registration. Persons who have rendered distinguished public service or are eminent in professional, commercial, industrial, or agricultural life, may be granted citizenship through naturalisation.
How long can you stay in Sri Lanka on a tourist visa?
The standard validity period of the Sri Lanka visa is 30 days. This holds for both business as well as tourist visas (read here who these visas are meant for). This period starts from the moment that the traveller reports at the passport check after arrival in Sri Lanka.
Can an Australian live in Sri Lanka?
Australian travelers must check they meet the Australians' visa requirements before submitting the online ETA application. The main conditions for them to obtain the ETA for Sri Lanka include the following: An Australian passport with a validity of 6 months (180 days) on the date of arrival. A valid credit or debit ...
What is a residence visa?
RESIDENCE VISA is a permit for a non-Sri Lankan to obtain residence facilities for special purposes. It is issued to persons of non-Sri Lankan nationality for whom it has been decided to extend residence facilities for the purpose of investment or otherwise, in circumstances where the prescribed authority is satisfied that their stay in Sri Lanka and the pursuit of their vocations are not prejudicial to the best interests of the population.
Is there a paid job in Sri Lanka?
No paid or unpaid employment while staying in Sri Lanka
Does Sri Lanka welcome foreigners?
Sri Lanka welcomes senior foreign nationals who wish to a prolonged stay in Sri Lanka on Residence.
Can I withdraw my fixed deposit in Sri Lanka?
Applicants under this scheme may withdraw their entire fixed deposit anytime should they decide to terminate their stay in Sri Lanka. However, they must obtain prior approval from the Controller of Exchange in Sri Lanka through the Controller General of Immigration Emigration to withdraw funds. Interest gain from the fixed deposit can be withdrawn and spend for the applicants upkeep.
Looking for a Residence Visa for Sri Lanka?
Then look no further, we can help. We have over 7 years experience in obtaining residence visas for foreigners.
Our most popular visa is the Working Visa
Some may call this a Business Visa, but it is the same. This is available to any foreigner subject to approval.
The Health Protection Plan
All Residence Visa applicants are required to undergo a Health Assessment as part of the Health Protection Plan introduced by the Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine (MoH) before submitting Residence Visa (new entry or renewal) application to the Department of Immigration & Emigration (DIE) of Sri Lanka, with effect from 03rd June 2019.
Sri Lanka Visa Requirements (ETA)
If you are looking to get an ETA visa for Sri Lanka, then you must fulfill the requirements below:
Eta Applications Requirements
Before filing an application for a visa to Sri Lanka, you must meet the following requirements:
Validity of Sri Lanka Visa
The Sri Lanka visa has a usual validity length of 30 days. This time period begins when the passenger reports to the passport check after arriving in Sri Lanka. When applying for a visa, you will be asked about your planned arrival date. The tourist has a maximum of 90 days to arrive in Sri Lanka before or after this date.
Extending The Validity
All travelers who seek an extension with good faith will be allowed one for a maximum stay of 90 days. Regardless, it is impossible to predict whether or not an extension will be granted.
Apply At Least 90 Days Ahead of Time!
Sri Lanka’s Department of Immigration and Emigration only considers applications from travelers who arrive in the country within 90 days after submitting them. The application is processed normally 90 days prior to arrival. Applicants do not need to be concerned about this because it occurs automatically.
At a Glance
The Sri Lankan government will be introducing new rules that will result in increased visa validities and relaxed requirements for Residence Visas. The changes include:
The situation
The Sri Lankan Parliament introduced amendments that will result in increases to the current visa validity periods available to foreign nationals and certain relaxed application requirements.
Background
Benefits for foreign nationals. The amendments mark the second time this year that the Sri Lankan government introduced changes that benefit foreign nationals. The first changes implemented in October extended visa validities and created new visa options, including a digital nomad visa.
Looking ahead
It is likely that the Sri Lankan government will introduce more benefits for foreign nationals seeking to stay and work in Sri Lanka such as longer durations for visas, and relaxed rules that would attract more foreign businesses to invest in Sri Lanka.
