A 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 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 interests of the population. 

Important
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.  The fact that you wish to apply for Sri Lankan Residence Visa has to be mentioned when obtaining the entry visa and necessary supporting documents has to be submitted.

Visit Visas can't be considered for conversion into Residence

1. Head office of the Department of Immigration & Emigration, Colombo.
2. Download printable versions of the Application Forms here

How can I submit my Residence visa application ?
You can submit visa application to the Department of Immigration & Emigration, Colombo.

What are the documents I need to submit with my Residence visa application?
Request of the institution
Recommendation of the Ministry of External Affairs or relevant line ministry
If provided for, the agreement or agreement signed between Sri Lanka and the country in concern

What are the fees applicable to my Residence visa ?
Please click here for information about visa fees

What is the validity period of my Residence visa ?
Your residence visa is valid for two (02) years.
time period recomended by the line Ministry.
It can be renewed annually


How can I renew my Residence visa?
Applications for the extension should be made to the Department of Immigration and  Emigration with the recomondation of the respective Line Ministry.

Where can I get a Residence visa renewal Application Form?

1. Head office of the Department of Immigration & Emigration, Colombo.
2. Download printable versions of the Application Forms here

What are the other conditions applicable to renewal of my Residence visa?
Your intended stay in Sri Lanka should end at least two months before the expiry date of your travel document.      

E. Personnel Employ in a Private Company and their dependants

Where can I obtain a Residence visa application form?

1. Head office of the Department of Immigration & Emigration, Colombo.
2. Download printable versions of the Application Forms here

How can I submit my Residence visa application?
You can submit visa application to the Department of Immigration & Emigration, Colombo.

What are the documents I need to submit with my Residence visa application ?
Form 48
Form 65
Company Request
Memorandum of association & Article of association
Recommendation of Line Ministry

What are the fees applicable to my Residence visa ?
Please click here for information about visa fees

What is the validity period of my Residence visa ?
Your residence visa is valid for one year.
It can be renewed annually

How can I renew my Residence visa ?
Applications for the extension should be made to the Department of Immigration and  Emigration with the recomondation of the respective Line Ministry. 

Where can I get a Residence visa renewal Application Form?

1. Head office of the Department of Immigration & Emigration, Colombo.
2. Download printable versions of the Application Forms here

What are the other conditions applicable to renewal of my Residence visa ?
Your intended stay in Sri Lanka should end at least two months before the expiry date of your travel document.  

2. Investor Category

A. Who desires to invest monetary capital in Sri Lanka
Where can I obtain a Residence visa application form?

1. Head office of the Department of Immigration & Emigration, Colombo.
2. Download printable versions of the Application Forms here

How can I submit my Residence visa application ?
You can submit visa application to the Department of Immigration & Emigration, Colombo. 

What are the documents I need to submit with my Residence visa application ?
Form 48
Form 65
Memorandum of association & Article of association
Recommendation of Line Ministry & Board of Investment (BOI)
BOI Agreements.

What are the fees applicable to my Residence visa?
Please click here for information about visa fees

What is the validity period of my Residence visa ?
Your residence visa is valid for one year.
It can be renewed annually

How can I renew my Residence visa ?
Applications for the extension should be made to the Department of Immigration and  Emigration with the recomondation of the respective Line Ministry & BOI. 

Where can I get a Residence visa renewal Application Form ?

1. Head office of the Department of Immigration & Emigration, Colombo.
2. Download printable versions of the Application Forms here

What are the other conditions applicable to renewal of my Residence visa ?
Your intended stay in Sri Lanka should end at least two months before the expiry date of your travel document.

3. Religious Category

• Members of the Clergy

Where can I obtain a Residence visa application form ?

1. Head office of the Department of Immigration & Emigration, Colombo.
2. Download printable versions of the Application Forms here

How can I submit my Residence visa application ?
You can submit visa application to the Department of Immigration & Emigration, Colombo. 

What are the documents I need to submit with my Residence visa application ?
Members of Clergy
Request letter from Religious Organization
Recommendation of Line Ministry

4. Student category

• University  Students
• Students in Educational Institutions approved by the State
• Religious students

Where can I obtain a Residence visa application form ?

• Head office of the Department of Immigration & Emigration, Colombo.
• Download printable versions of the Application Forms here

How can I submit my Residence visa application ?
You can submit visa application to the Department of Immigration & Emigration, Colombo.

What are the documents I need to submit with my Residence visa application ?
For University Students
recommendation from Ministry of Higher Education (Link).
Letter from the university

For Other Students & guardians of students under 16 years of age
A request letter from the Academic institution
Recommendation from the relevant Embassy / High Commission
Encashment receipts to the value of US$  1500/- for a year per person
For religious Students
A request letter from the religious organization
Recommendation from the line ministry

What are the fees applicable to my Residence visa ?
Please click here for information about visa fees

What is the validity period of my Residence visa ?
Your residence visa is valid for one year or for a period recomended by the Institution/ High commission or Embassy. 
It can be renewed annually

How can I renew my Residence visa ?
For University Students
For Other Students & guardians of students under 16 years of age
A request letter from the Academic institution
Recommendation from the relevant Embassy / High Commission
Encashment receipts to the value of US$  1500/- for a year per person
Current year performance report of the student 

For religious Students
Applications for the extension should be made to the Department of Immigration and  Emigration with the recomondation of the respective Line Ministry.

Where can I get a Residence visa renewal Application Form?

1. Head office of the Department of Immigration & Emigration, Colombo.
2. Download printable versions of the Application Forms here

What are the other conditions applicable to renewal of my Residence visa?
Your intended stay in Sri Lanka should end at least two months before the expiry date of your travel document.  

5. Registered Indians covered by the 1954 Agreement.
Where can I obtain a Residence visa application form ?

• Head office of the Department of Immigration & Emigration, Colombo.
• Download printable versions of the Application Forms here

How can I submit my Residence visa application ?
You can submit visa application to the Department of Immigration & Emigration, Colombo. 

What are the documents I need to submit with my Residence visa application ?
Letter of request
Registration certificate
Marriage certificate
Birth certificates of children under 16 years of age

What are the fees applicable to my Residence visa ?
Please click here for information about visa fees

What is the validity period of my Residence visa?
Your residence visa is valid for one year.
It can be renewed annually

How can I renew my Residence visa ?
Applications for the extension should be made to the Department of Immigration and  Emigration. 

Where can I get a Residence visa renewal Application Form?

1. Head office of the Department of Immigration & Emigration, Colombo.
2. Download printable versions of the Application Forms here

What are the other conditions applicable to renewal of my Residence visa ?
Your intended stay in Sri Lanka should end at least two months before the expiry date of your travel document.

6. Ex - Sri Lankan and dependants

Residence visa request under this category will only be entertained upon continuous stay of 03 months from the date of final arrival to Sri Lanka only.

Where can I obtain a Residence visa application form?

• Head office of the Department of Immigration & Emigration, Colombo.
• Download printable versions of the Application Forms here

How can I submit my Residence visa application ?
You can submit visa application to the Department of Immigration & Emigration, Colombo. 

What are the documents I need to submit with my Residence visa application ?
Birth certificates or Birth registration under section 5(2) of the Citizenship Act
Citizenship certificates if citizen by registration
Marriage certificate if applicable
Birth certificates of dependants if applicable

What are the fees applicable to my Residence visa ?
Please click here for information about visa fees

What is the validity period of my Residence visa ?
Your residence visa is valid for one year.
It can be renewed annually

How can I renew my Residence visa ?
Applications for the extension should be made to the Department of Immigration and  Emigration with the recomondation of the respective Line Ministry.

Where can I get a Residence visa renewal Application Form ?

1. Head office of the Department of Immigration & Emigration, Colombo.
2. Download printable versions of the Application Forms here

What are the other conditions applicable to renewal of my Residence visa ?
Your intended stay in Sri Lanka should end at least two months before the expiry date of your travel document.

7. Family Members of a Sri Lankan

1. Foreign Spouse of a Sri Lankan
2. Dependant children holding foreign Passports

Where can I obtain a Residence visa application form?

1. Head office of the Department of Immigration & Emigration, Colombo.
2. Download printable versions of the Application Forms here

How can I submit my Residence visa application ?
You can submit visa application to the Department of Immigration & Emigration, Colombo. 

What are the documents I need to submit with my Residence visa application ?

Spouses

Residence visa request under this category will only be considered after 06 months of marriage life and upon continuous stay of 03 months from the date of final arrival to Sri Lanka following the fulfillment of necessary documentary proof.

Marriage certificate attested by a competent authority in Sri Lanka or abroad in support of the marriage
Birth certificate of Sri Lankan spouse and if the person is citizen by registration, Documents to prove citizenship certificate.
Passport or National Identity Card of Sri Lankan spouse.
If divorced, divorce decree if ex-spouse deceased, death certificate
Consent of Sri Lankan spouse

Children if not Sri Lankan
Birth certificates of children
Passport of applicant

What are the fees applicable to my Residence visa ?
Please click here for information about visa fees

What is the validity period of my Residence visa?
Your residence visa is valid for two (2) years.

How can I renew my Residence visa?
Applications for the extension should be made to the Department of Immigration and  Emigration with a Letter of consent from Sri Lankan spouse.  

Where can I get a Residence visa renewal Application Form?

1. Head office of the Department of Immigration & Emigration, Colombo.
2. Download printable versions of the Application Forms here

What are the other conditions applicable to renewal of my Residence visa ?
Your intended stay in Sri Lanka should end at least two months before the expiry date of your travel document.