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Law
Immigrants and Emigrants Act No. 20 of 1948,
it's Regulations and subsequent amendments.
Prescribed
Authority
1. Controller of Immigration and Emigration,
Colombo.
2. Heads of Sri Lanka Missions abroad.
Types
of Visas
1. Multiple Entry
2. Residence
3.
Visit
4. Transit
5. Visas to Registrants under the Special Resident Guest
Scheme.
Hand Over Application | 1. | Multiple
Entry / Transit / Visit visa applications should be made to the nearest Sri Lanka
Mission. In the absence of such a mission arrangements could be made through the
Dept. of Immigration and emigration in Sri Lanka, to enter and stay in the country.
| | 2. | Applications
for the extension of above Visas should be made to the Dept. of Immigration and
Emigration | | 3. | Applications
for the extension of above Visas should be made to the Dept. of Immigration and
Emigration | Multiple Entry Eligibility
Being
a foreign national who desires to invest monetary capital or to engage in business
activities in Sri Lanka. [Documentary proof is required]
Period
of Validity
Up to One year Transit
Visas Eligibility
Being
a foreign national who desires to travel through Sri Lanka as an incident of his/her
journey.
Mode of Issue
Nationals of
countries listed in Schedule 'A' are given endorsements at the port of entry in
Sri Lanka. Others should obtain Transit Visas from Sri Lanka Missions abroad.
Period of Validity
Not exceeding 30
days. Resident Guest Scheme
The Resident Guest scheme now operative provides for the
grant of Resident Visa for Foreign investors approved by the BOI and professionals
who can make a contribution for the development of the country economically, culturally,
educationally or in any other field of activity on the recommendation of the relevant
Line Ministry for a period of 5 years. The details of this RGS can be accessed
online at http://www.immigration.gov.lk/.
Other categories of people who fail to satisfy the BOI/ or Line ministry.
Requirements to be considered under RGS are given 01 year resident visa also on
the recommendation as mentioned above.
However if the relevant Line Ministry
or BOI feels that the second category of persons who are allowed only one year,
should be given two years Residence visa at a time it could be accomodated. Guide
Lines
The Resident Guest Scheme has been introduced by the Sri Lanka
Government as a part of a package of incentives for prospective foreign investors
and professionals who would contribute to the economic and socio-cultural development
of the country. Implementing
Agency
The Implementing Agency of the Resident Guest Scheme consists
of Senior Officials of the Relevant Government Agencies. The Office of the Implementing
Agency is located at the Department of Immigration & Emigration [DIE], 23,
Station Road, Colombo 04 Sri Lanka. How
to Apply
The Resident Guest Scheme is open to all foreign nationals.
Any foreign investor / professional who could contribute to the economic and socio
- cultural enrichment of the country can make an application on form RGS I in
quadruplicate. Application forms are available
from
- Office of the Implementing Agency [DIE]
- Sri Lanka Missions abroad or
- Download from the website
An application should be accompanied by the
following documents.
a) Photocopies
of relevant pages of Passport (or Travel Document) that contain particulars of
the
applicant and dependents.
b) Photocopy of the marriage certificate
or marriage contract (if applicable)
c) Six photographs (6 x 5 cm)
d)
Details of educational and professional qualifications and experience (if any)
may be indicated in a separate sheet in quadruplicate. Successful
applicants will be required to undergo a medical examination and submit a report.
Dependents
A
qualified investor / professional can bring in his spouse, dependent children
and the parents of the applicant and / or his spouse. Remittances
A
potential foreign investor under this Scheme should remit a minimum of US $ 250,000
or an equivalent amount in any convertible foreign currency and deposit the funds
in a special account in a commercial bank approved by the Central Bank of Sri
Lanka. If an investor intends to commence any investment project jointly with
another foreign partner or partners, each such person should invest a minimum
of US $ 250,000 or an equivalent amount in any convertible foreign currency. A
further sum of US $ 35,000 should be deposited for each dependent accompanying
the investor. Interest will be paid on any unutilized balance held in deposit
at such rates as are determined by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka from time to
time. Documentary evidence to confirm the remittances to Sri Lanka should be furnished.
In addition to the initial deposits, an investor
should remit regularly sufficient funds for the upkeep of himself and his dependents.
A professional intending to reside in Sri Lanka
under the scheme is required to remit, to a Special Bank Account in Sri Lanka
for living expenses, a minimum of US$ 2,000/- per month for himself and US$ 1000/-
per month for each of his dependents, including spouse. Investment
Funds
remitted to Sri Lanka by any foreign investor should be invested in an approved
project. If no satisfactory progress is made by the applicant in making investment
in the country within the first two years of his residence in Sri Lanka, the Implementing
Agency may cease to make any further payments of interest on the credit balance
in the Special Account of the investor. Approved
projects for the purpose of this Scheme are
a)
New ventures subject to approval by the Board of Investment or a relevant Authority.
b)
Existing or new companies subject to approval by the relevant authority.
c)
Shares listed in the Colombo Stock Exchange. The
Board of Investment will provide every assistance needed by the foreign investors
to identify and make such investments. Special
Accounts
Foreign investors under this Scheme are permitted to open
two separate special accounts in any commercial bank in Sri Lanka as described
below
1. Resident Guest Foreign Currency Account
a) The remittances made to Sri Lanka for the
purpose of making investments in any approved project in Sri Lanka should be credited
to this account.
b) The Bank will pay interest during the initial period
of two years on the unutilized balance in the Account at a rate which will not
exceed the rate applicable to Non Resident Foreign Currency Accounts. Payments
of interest after the expiry of the two-year period will be subject to the approval
of the Implementing Agency.
c) Withdrawal form the Account for any purpose
other than investment, should be approved by the Implementing Agency.
d)
Interest paid on the balance in this Account may be transferred to the "Resident
Guest Rupee Current Account".
2.
Resident Guest Rupee Currency Account
a)
Remittances made for living expenses in Sri Lanka, income derived from investments,
sale proceeds of shares, etc. will be permitted to be credited to this account.
b)
Outward remittances from the account will be subject to prior Exchange Control
approval. Repatration of income capital
The
following outward remittances are allowed under the prevailing Exchange Control
and Tax regulations.
a) Any unutilized
balance in the special account of the investor.
b) Capital gains and
income from investment.
c) Sale proceeds of investments. Fees
In
addition to the resident visa fees and taxes charged by the Controller of Immigration
and Emigration, a sum of US $ 250 or an equivalent amount in any convertible currency
should be paid to the Implementing Agency as application processing fee. Duties
of Resident Guests
Resident Guests are required to;
a)
Notify the Implementing Agency in writing of any material changes in particulars
furnished in the
application within two
(2) months of such change.
b) Comply with Immigration and Emigration
formalities of the Sri Lanka Government.
c) Comply with tax laws
in Sri Lanka.
d) Comply with all the other laws and regulations
of Sri Lanka Government.
e) Refrain from any political or other
activity which is not in public interest or which might be prejudicial
to the security of the country. Termination
of Investment Project / Professional
Resident guests are required to:
a) give the Implementing Agency two (2) months
notice in writing of their intention to terminate their investment project / professional
service.
b) notify in writing of their intention to leave Sri Lanka
at least Fourteen (14) working days prior to their departure upon termination
of their investment project / professional service. Grant
of Citizenship
A Resident Guest who intends to obtain Sri Lankan Citizenship
may apply to the Implementing Agency on completion of three (3) years of residence.
Citizenship will be considered only on the basis of applicants contribution to
the economic development and socio - cultural enrichment of the country during
the period of residence. Application form designed for the purpose may be obtained
from the office of the Implementing Agency [DIE]. Application
processing fee may be sent by a Cheque / Bank Draft drawn in favour of the Controller,
Immigration and Emigration. Visas
Resident
Visa valid for five years will be issued to successful applicant / spouse and
dependents. Proof of satisfactory performance of the project investments, bank
statements etc. will be called for when extensions visa is requested after the
lapse of five years. Documentary evidence
for tax clearance from the Department of Inland Revenue and the recommendation
from the Board of Investment in the case of tax exempted project should be furnished
along with the renewal application. | 
