Residence Visa

  • Residence Visa is a permit for a non-Sri Lankan nationality to obtain residence facilities in Sri Lanka for special purposes.
  • The Residence Visa is issued under following main categories;
    • Employment category
    • Investor category
    • Religious category
    • Student category
    • Registered Indians covered by the 1954 Agreement
    • Ex-Sri Lankans and their dependents
    • Family members (i.e. spouse, children & dependants) of the Sri Lankan nationals who hold foreign nationality
  • To obtain a Residence Visa, it is necessary to arrive in Sri Lanka on an Entry Visa issued by a Sri Lankan Mission abroad with the concurrence of the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration of Sri Lanka.  Therefore, under any circumstance the Visit Visa including Tourist or Business ETA will not be considered for the conversion into Residence Visa.
  • Applicants of Brazilian or other nationals who reside in Brazil or other countries in South America can apply Entry Visa application through the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Brasilia along with relevant supportive documents under reference and the prescribed Entry Visa fee.
    • Duly completed ETA Entry Visa application form
    • Residence Visa approval letter from the Department of Immigration & Emigration of Sri Lanka
    • Copy of Copy of the bio-data/photo page of the passport with at least six (6) months validity from the date of arrival in Sri Lanka
    • 2 recent colour photographs with light blue or white background in size 4.5 cm x 3.5 cm (Forehead & both ears should be exposed) taken within last 6 months
    • Copy of the air ticket/travel itinerary
    • Details of the accommodation in Sri Lanka (hotel reservation, contacts etc.)
    • Letter of Invitation from the Sri Lankan host/partner company/personal and contact details of the local host/Documentary proof of purpose of Residence Visa
    • prescribed Entry visa fee
  • Further Details of the Residence Visa are available at the Department of Immigration & Emigration Website at: https://www.immigration.gov.lk/web/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=153&Itemid=198&lang=en