Work visas
Sri Lankan Employment Residence Visa
The main long-stay route for foreign nationals employed in Sri Lanka, including staff of Board of Investment companies, government-approved projects and private-sector employers.
Expert reviewed Official guidance referenced
Under review — check current rules
The one-year validity and ~USD 200 annual fee are indicative from the official pages and should be re-verified for the specific employment sub-category.
Important information
Immigration rules and fees can change. This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Always check the latest requirements on the official Sri Lanka government website before you apply.
On this page
- Official name
- Residence Visa — Employment category
- Route type
- Long-stay work / residence visa
- Sponsorship
- Requires employer / BOI / ministry approval
- Validity
- Typically issued for one year, renewable
- Confirm current duration with the Department
- Fee
- Around USD 200 per year for most residence categories
- From the official fee schedule; confirm current amount
Who it is for
- Professionals engaged on government-approved projects
- Employees of BOI-registered companies
- Bank personnel and approved private-sector employees
- Their accompanying dependants (via the dependant category)
Requirements
- A copy of the bio-data page of the applicant's passport
- Employer / BOI / relevant ministry sponsorship and recommendation
- Evidence of the employment or project engagement
- Health and other supporting documents as specified by the Department
How to apply
- Secure the qualifying employment and employer sponsorship
- Obtain the required project / BOI / ministry approvals
- Submit the residence-visa application to the Department in Colombo or Battaramulla
- Renew annually while employment continues
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official gov.uk sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.