Every employment visa applicant needs to have an Entry visa before they travel to Sri Lanka. The employment entry visa can be only processed in Colombo by the Departments of Immigration.
According to the rule and policy, no employment Entry visa will be issued unless the immigration department approves the prior visa. The employment seekers are not allowed under any circumstance to travel in Sri Lanka with a tourist visa.
A foreigner must have employment visa if they want to be employed in the following organization – Banks, Non-Government Organization, Privates Companies, Volunteers, employed in any projects under BOI of Sri Lanka and employed in any diplomatic mission.
Firstly, obtain Entry visa approval from Colombo Immigration Departments. Next, collect the visa approval from the embassy of Sri Lanka and travel in Sri Lanka.
Once you arrived in Sri Lanka collects the Employment Visa endorsement from the Colombo immigration departments.
The applicant must fill up the visa application form with relevant information, Collect the conformation latter from the employer, along with business registration, agreements paper, projects document, recommendation letter and a copy of passport must need to submit it to the immigration service center.
Skill people, employees of non-government or private companies, dependents of personnel, expatriate can apply for this visa. Besides, embassy people, government agency, United Nation staffs can also apply.
There are mainly four types of visa available with Sri Lank. Such as-
| Category | Visa Fees in Rs | Tax in Rs |
| 12-month validity | Three times than normal Fee | 10000 |
| Visit visa for 3 months | Normal fee | No tax |
| Visit visa for 3 to 6 months | Normal fee | 10000 |
| Visit visa for 6 to 9 months | Normal fee | 10000 |
| For Transit Visa please - Click here to find more information. |
| Personnel whose services are required for projects approved by the State | 10000 | 10000 |
| Personnel who’s is employed under the BOI of Sri Lanka | 10000 | 10000 |
| Volunteers | Few (under certain condition) | No Tax |
| Clergy members | Free | No tax |
| Foreign investors who is engaged in business in Sri Lanka | 10000 | 10000 |
| Someone who is attached to NGO | Free (under certain condition) | No tax |
Conclusion
Unless you have Sri Lankan citizenship, you must have approved prior visa before you can entre in Sri Lanka. You can obtain the visa from the Sri Lankan embassy that is in your home country.
However, it’s not complex getting a Sri Lankan visa if all the requirement paper is submitted accordingly.
In most case the employment visa/work permit is required for foreign investors who incorporate business in Sri Lanka. The visa fess is very reasonable compared to other country.
If you think of starting business in Sri Lanka contact us. We help foreign investors to setup business in any foreign nation. Well, you need to know now about company registration form 1 in Sri Lanka.
Related information is as follows
