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Investor Category Visa

Investor Category Visa

Sri Lanka offers an Investor Visa program to encourage foreign nationals to invest in the country. The Investor Visa allows individuals to enter and reside in Sri Lanka while managing their investments. The primary aim of the visa is to promote foreign investment in various sectors, including information technology, and tourism, among others.

  1. Eligible Persons
    • Foreign Nationals
    • Spouse and dependants of main applicant
  2. Making investments in Sri Lanka
    • Minimum Investment Amount
      • USD 100,000 – for a 5-year visa
      • USD 200,000 – for a 10-year visa
    • Fund Transfer Mechanism
      • a. First step
        Applicant shall open an Inward Investment Account (IIA) and Visa Programme Foreign Currency Account (VPFCA) with any licenced commercial bank (LCB) in Sri Lanka (List of Licensed Commercial Banks – https://www.cbsl.gov.lk/en/authorized-financial- institutions/licensed-commercial-banks)
      • b. Second step
        Funds shall be made to the credit of an IIA. Applicant may use funds from the account maintained outside Sri Lanka or the accounts maintained with the offshore banking business of a LCB in Sri Lanka. If the applicant already has balances in the IIA, he/she may use such funds for the permitted investments.
      • c. Subsequently, applicant may invest such funds through VPFCA.
    • Permitted investments
      • Investments in voting shares issued by companies incorporated in Sri Lanka under the Companies Act, No. 7 of 2007, as amended, subject to the ‘Exclusions’ and ‘Limitations’ specified in the Regulation No. 02 of 2021 issued under the provisions of Foreign Exchange Act No. 12 of 2017 (FEA). Such ‘Exclusions’ and ‘Limitations’ are specified in the Annex I of these guidelines. Investment of the applicant shall not be less than 10% of the voting share capital of the company.
      • Opening and operating places of business in Sri Lanka as an overseas company registered under the Companies Act, No. 7 of 2007, as amended, subject to the conditions specified in the Regulation No. 02 of 2021 issued under the provisions of the FEA. Such conditions are specified in the Annex II of these guidelines
      • Investments in debt securities denominated in Sri Lanka Rupees and any designated foreign currency, with the minimum maturity period of 5 years issued by;
                   i. Government of Sri Lanka and any other establishment under Government of Sri Lanka
                  ii. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka
      • Term Deposits in LKR or designated foreign currencies with any LCB.
      • Acquisition of Immovable Property subject to other written laws of Sri Lanka.

  3. All applicants are required to submit the following documents:

    1. Duly filled Visa Application Form
    2. Request Letter from the applicant
    3. Photocopy of Passport (valid for at least 6 months)
    4. Two recent passport-sized photographs
    5. Investment Proposal
    6. Marriage Certificate (for spouse)
    7. Birth Certificate (for dependants)
    8. Dully filled Security Clearance Form
    9. Medical Clearance Report
    10. Recent Police Clearance Certificate from the applicant’s home country or country of residence (not older than 3 months)
    11. Confirmation letter from the LCB indicating following information
      • Name of the applicant
      • Account Number
      • Account category: this should be a VPFCA
      • Balance as at date
  4. Visa Issuance Procedure
    1. Step 1 – Submission
      Submit the required documentation to the Department of Immigration and Emigration – Residence Visa Division.
    2. Step 2 – Evaluation
      Documents will be reviewed for eligibility and compliance.
    3. Step 3 – Approval and Visa Issuance
      Once approved, the visa endorsement will be issued on the applicant’s passport.
  5. Visa Duration
    • USD 100,000 – for a 5-year visa
    • USD 200,000 – for a 10-year visa
  6. Visa Fees
    1. Main applicant – USD 200 per year
    2. Spouse – USD 200 per year
    3. Each Dependant – USD 200 per year
  7. Terms and Conditions
    1. Visa endorsement is initially granted for 5 years. For applicants who have made a minimum investment of USD 200,000, an official letter will be issued by the Department of Immigration and Emigration to extend the visa for an additional 5 years.
    2. Notify the Department in writing of any material changes (investment details, personal particulars, etc.) within 2 months.
    3. Applicant should comply with all immigration laws, tax, and legal obligations in Sri Lanka.
    4. Refrain from any political or disruptive activities.
    5. The Investment Project will be reviewed every 2 years by the Department’s Investigation
      Division.
  8. Termination of Visa

    An investor must:

      1. Provide 2 months‟ written notice to terminate the investment project.
      2. Notify authorities 14 working days in advance if leaving Sri Lanka permanently.
      3. Transfer of funds shall be in line with the Directions issued under Foreign Exchange Act No.
        12 of 2017 (FEA).
  9. Contact & Inquiries

Department of Immigration and Emigration –Visa Division
“Suhurupaya”, Battaramulla, Sri Lanka