Sri Lanka Work Visa for Indians

About Sri Lanka Work Visa

Sri Lanka, a beautiful island in the Indian Ocean, offers various opportunities for professionals looking to work in diverse sectors. Obtaining a Sri Lanka work visa from India is essential if you plan to work there.

Documents Required for Sri Lanka Work Visa

Here is a checklist of the documents that you should have for your Sri Lanka work visa application.

Types of Sri Lanka Work Visa

The country offers only one type of Sri Lanka work visa, i.e. the Employment Visa. Here's a brief introduction to this visa.

Sri Lanka Work Visa Requirements

Here is a summary of the important Sri Lanka work visa requirements that you must follow for a successful application process.

• You must obtain an Entry Visa before traveling to Sri Lanka, regardless of your nationality or type of employment. The Department of Immigration processes this approval exclusively in Colombo.
• You should not apply for an Online visa system (ETA) or use a tourist/business visa for employment purposes, as changing visa types in Sri Lanka is not allowed.
• If you are a foreigner seeking employment, you must apply for an Employment Visa if you are:
  • A professional or expatriate whose services are needed for state-approved projects or projects under the Board of Investment.
  • Employed in banks or NGOs or associated with diplomatic missions, the UN, or inter-governmental organisations.
  • Working for private companies or engaged as foreign artists for performances in hotels and clubs.
  • A foreign national coaching national or provincial sports teams, a foreign sportsman engaged by clubs, or a foreign specialist chef.
• Your employer a should send you a letter confirming your employment and the terms of your contract.
• You need to provide the employer's business registration documents along with any applicable project agreements.
• A visa recommendation letter issued by the relevant ministry, government agency, or the Board of Investment (BOI) is required.
• You must include a copy of the data page from your passport.

How to Apply for Sri Lanka Work Visa for Indians?

The application for a Sri Lanka work visa from India can be made in three steps. Here's how to apply:

1. Obtain Entry Visa Approval:
   • First, ensure you have a valid employment offer or contract from an employer in Sri Lanka.
   • The employer must apply for entry visa from the Department of Immigration in Colombo.
2. Receive Notification: Once approved, the Department of Immigration will notify the nearest Sri Lankan diplomatic mission of the entry visa approval.
3. Collect Entry Visa: Visit the nearest diplomatic mission to obtain the Entry Visa on your passport.
4. Travel to Sri Lanka: Upon arrival in Sri Lanka, immigration authorities will grant you entry for a specified period at the port of entry.
5. Apply for Employment Visa: Before your entry visa expires, you must refer your passport to the Department of Immigration in Colombo to get the employment visa stamped.

Sri Lanka Work Visa Fees

You must pay the fee for processing your Sri Lanka visa application successfully. The following table outlines the same: