Individual Investor Residence Visa

Sri Lanka's Individual Investor Residence Visa is a long-term residence program for foreign nationals who wish to deploy capital into the Sri Lankan economy. Established under revised Immigration and Emigration Regulations gazetted in November 2023, the program offers two tiers: a 5-year visa for USD 100,000 and a 10-year visa for USD 200,000. Investors can choose from a broad range of approved investment vehicles including real estate, business operations, government securities, and equity holdings. The first visa under this program was issued in October 2025.

• Minimum investment of USD 100,000 (5-year) or USD 200,000 (10-year) deposited in a Visa Programme Foreign Currency Account (VPFCA)
• Recent police clearance certificate from home or domicile country (not older than 3 months)
• Medical clearance from an authorized local hospital (free of malaria, filariasis, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS)
• Health protection plan for the duration of the visa
• Passport valid for at least 6 months
• Security clearance form
• Must not engage in employment, trade, or business outside the scope specified in the visa without written permission

• Acquisition of immovable property in Sri Lanka, subject to other written laws
• Opening and operating a place of business as an overseas company
• Debt securities in Sri Lankan Rupee or designated foreign currency, with a minimum 5-year maturity, issued by the Government or Central Bank of Sri Lanka
• Term deposits in Sri Lankan Rupee or designated foreign currencies with a licensed commercial bank
• Voting shares in Sri Lankan companies (minimum 10% of the company's voting share capital), subject to the exclusions and limitations under the Foreign Exchange Act — e.g. pawn broking, coastal fishing and retail trade with under USD 5 million foreign capital are excluded, and certain sectors (tea/rubber/coconut, mass communication, education, freight forwarding, travel and shipping agencies) are capped at 40% foreign ownership unless higher BOI approval is granted

• Duly filled visa application form
• Request letter from the applicant
• Photocopy of passport (valid for at least 6 months)
• Confirmation letter from a licensed commercial bank stating the applicant's name, account number, account category (must be a VPFCA), and balance as at date
• Duly filled security clearance form
• Medical clearance report from an authorized local hospital
• Recent police clearance certificate from home or country of residence (not older than 3 months)
• Two recent passport-sized photographs
• Marriage certificate (if dependants included)
• Birth certificates of dependent children
• Investment proposal

The 5-year visa requires a minimum USD 100,000 investment. The 10-year visa requires USD 200,000 and is structured as an initial 5-year endorsement with an official letter from the Department of Immigration to extend for an additional 5 years upon confirmation of maintained investment. The investment must be maintained throughout the visa period; the Investment Project is reviewed every 2 years by the Department's Investigation Division. (Note: a USD 50,000 minimum balance / 50% first-year withdrawal rule appears in the Golden Paradise brochure and some secondary summaries, but is not stated in the current official Individual Investor guideline.)

Spouse and dependent children are eligible for the same visa category. Each dependant pays USD 200 per year in visa fees. Marriage certificates and birth certificates must be provided. Police clearance is required for the spouse, and medical clearance is required for all dependants.

Visa holders must comply with Sri Lanka's tax laws. Outward remittances allowed under prevailing regulations include any unutilized balance in the investor's special account, capital gains and income from investment, and sale proceeds of investments. Holders must not engage in political activities or activities prejudicial to the security of the country.

Applicants must first open a Visa Programme Foreign Currency Account (VPFCA) and an Inward Investment Account (IIA) with a licensed commercial bank recognized by the Central Bank. The minimum investment amount is deposited in the VPFCA. Once the bank confirms the deposit, the applicant submits the visa application with all required documents to the Department of Immigration at Battaramulla. Upon approval, a visa approval letter is issued stipulating rules and regulations.

Processing time: Approximately 5 working days following ministerial review

Fee: USD 200 per year per person

Applications can be submitted in person at the Department of Immigration and Emigration, 4th Floor, Battaramulla, or online through the Department's e-services portal.

Foreigners cannot purchase freehold land in Sri Lanka but may acquire condominiums and lease land for up to 99 years. Government debt securities must have a minimum maturity period of 5 years. Sri Lanka does not offer permanent residency, and there is no direct pathway to citizenship through this program. Any material changes in circumstances must be reported to the Department of Immigration within 2 months. To terminate the investment project, an investor must give 2 months' written notice, and an investor leaving Sri Lanka permanently must notify the authorities 14 working days in advance. Standard overstay penalties apply: USD 250 for 7-14 days and USD 500 for overstays exceeding 14 days.