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Sri LankaWork permitsLast checked October 17, 2026

Residence visa - employment category

Foreigners employed in Sri Lanka get a residence visa in the employment category. It covers professionals on government-approved projects, staff of Board of Investment (BOI) projects, bank staff, staff of registered private companies and staff in Colombo Port City, plus their dependants. The application needs a request from the employer and a recommendation from the BOI, the Central Bank or the relevant line ministry. The visa is valid for one year or the period recommended, and can be renewed.

See requirements ↓
1 entry rule for Sri Lanka based on recent travel

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Life in Sri Lanka

Money

3

Currency

Sri Lankan Rupee

LKR

Sri Lankan Rupee

Cost of living

27

Price level · US = 100

World Bank price levels, 2025

Tax

6–36%

Income tax (national)

Personal relief LKR 1.8 million; 36% applies to income above about LKR 4.3 million (gross of relief).

Official rates, 2026/27 · headline only

Living

1

Happiness

4.0

#132 of 145 countries

World Happiness Report 2025

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Who it’s for

Foreign employees of BOI companies, government-approved projects, banks, registered private companies or Port City businesses, and their dependants.

Eligibility

  • Covered employers

    Your employer must be one of the listed types of organisation.

    • Projects approved by the government, or projects under the Board of Investment (BOI)
    • Banks
    • Registered private companies or institutions
    • Colombo Port City
    Official wording

    Projects approved by the government; projects under the Board of Investment (BOI); banks; registered private companies or institutions; Colombo Port City.

  • Recommendation

    You need a recommendation from the body that matches your type of employer.

    • BOI staff: BOI recommendation
    • Bank staff: Central Bank of Sri Lanka recommendation
    • Private-company staff: line ministry recommendation
    • Project staff: line ministry or Department of External Resources recommendation
    Official wording

    BOI staff need a BOI recommendation. Bank staff need a Central Bank of Sri Lanka recommendation. Private-company staff need a line ministry recommendation. Project staff need a line ministry or Department of External Resources recommendation.

  • Health Protection Plan

    Take the Ministry of Health's Health Protection Plan before applying for a residence visa, unless you are exempt.

    Since 03/06/2019
    • Exemptions exist
    Official wording

    Since 03/06/2019 residence visa applicants must take the Ministry of Health's Health Protection Plan before applying, unless exempt.

A sneak peek at what's inside

  • Document checklistRequest letter from the company or institute
  • FeesResidence visa - employees (Residence Visa 1)
  • Steps to applyThe employer gets the recommendation from the BOI, Central Bank or line ministry

The full requirements are for members

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  • 6 documents
  • 1 fee
  • 4 steps
  • Processing times and conditions
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