About Sri Lanka

Whether you’re looking to visit, live or work in Sri Lanka—we can support your immigration needs at every stage of your journey.

If you're a foreign national looking to visit, live, and/or work in Sri Lanka, several options are available.

• Business Visits: The rules surrounding permissible business activities are not clear. Aside from business meetings, business promotion, and exploring investment opportunities, typically permitted under a business visa, activities must generally be assessed by the Sri Lankan immigration authorities before travel. To conduct business, you'll typically apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization for Business (ETA) before travel. The ETA application is submitted online through the Department of Immigration and Emigration's website. On approval, you will receive an email confirmation to print and show to the immigration authorities when you enter Sri Lanka. ETAs are valid for 30 days initially and generally renewable for two additional 30-day periods or one 60-day period for a maximum duration of 90 days. Under exceptional circumstances, applicants may be granted an additional 90-day extension for a maximum stay of 180 days.
• Work Authorization: To work in Sri Lanka, you'll need to secure a Residence Visa (Employment Category). This visa is initially valid for one to two years and is renewable. Your sponsoring employer must obtain initial approval while you are outside of Sri Lanka. You are authorized to work once you get a Residence Visa after you enter Sri Lanka.
• Internships/Traineeships: There are no trainee/intern-specific work authorization categories in Sri Lanka.
• Self-employment: If you're an investor or entrepreneur, you may qualify for the Resident Guest Scheme  (RGC) Visa Programme. You must invest a minimum of USD 250,000 or a convertible foreign currency equivalent and deposit the funds in a special account in any commercial bank approved by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. Your spouse, dependent children, parents, or parents of your spouse can apply as dependents for this option. The maximum validity of the Resident Guest Scheme Visa is up to five years. (The DOIE has suspended issuing new visas under the RGC visa category. Only extensions are issued to the current RGC visa holders).

NOTE: The Sri Lankan government introduced various new long-term visa programs for qualified investors to apply for a long-term (5-10 years) 'Investor Visa.' This visa has yet to be implemented in Sri Lanka.

Fragomen can also consult on citizenship matters and, as permitted within the confines of local law, may be able to offer citizenship assistance.