The following steps to be followed to obtain a Sri Lankan residence visa - work permit,
- Obtaining recommendation from the relevant line ministry (the ministry which the scope of work/business of the applicant comes under)
- Application for entry permit/entry visa
- Health Assessment process
- Stamping of residence visa (work permit)
Kindly note that it is essential to identify the relevant line ministry to which the applicant should proceed in order to obtain the recommendation letter. Each line ministry will have a list of required documents that need to be submitted along with the application form requesting the issuance of a recommendation letter. It is advisable that an application for the recommendation to be issued for any dependent should be lodged along with the main applicant’s request.
Once the recommendation letter is issued the applicant should enter Sri Lanka on an entry clearance. The request for entry clearance should be made to the Department of Immigration and Emigration and the entry clearance/visa will be forwarded by the Department to the Sri Lankan Embassy of the Country in which the applicant holds citizenship for stamping of the applicants’ passport with entry visa. This process may take a maximum of 1-2 weeks.
An entry visa will be valid for a period of one month during which the applicant should make an application for residence visa at the Department of Immigration and Emigration in order to obtain a residence visa - work permit. This can usually be obtained within 4-5 working days.
Generally, a residence visa (work permit) is valid for a period of one year and can be extended/renewed for a further period of one year.
