Sri Lanka’s Visa Overhaul: Revolutionising Travel

Sri Lanka is proposing a radical upgrade in its visa framework, intending to boost the country’s credentials for foreign investments, and the arrival of tourists and digital nomads. Harsha Illukpitiya, the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration, introduced key enhancements, notably the elimination of visa extension hassles. The revamped system enables visitors to apply for visas covering their entire stay upfront.

Specific visa options include the Nomad Visa for online professionals, a 10-year Investor Visa, and a Permanent Residency Visa for those seeking long-term residency. Collaborating with VFS Global, a leading visa outsourcing company, the Department of Immigration and Emigration aims to simplify the application process for Sri Lankans worldwide. With these reforms, Sri Lanka aspires to attract three million tourists annually, fostering economic growth and positioning itself as an inviting hub for investment, remote work, tourism, and permanent residency. Localized tourist hotspots, for instance, an Ayurveda resort in Sri Lanka the likes of Heritance Ayurveda, stand to experience a significant boost in tourism as a result of increasing interest in such facilities.