Resident visas of all foreigners extended till May 12

• Special travel arrangement for foreigners who wish to leave SL

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya  

The validity period of all types of visas issued to foreigners who are currently residing in Sri Lanka, has been extended till May 12, 2020 due to the spread of the Covid-19, the Immigration and Emigration Department said.  

Accordingly, the validity period of all types of visas had been extended for a period of 30 days from March 14 to April 12, 2020.  
The Department said that the procedure to pay the relevant visa fee and to get the visa endorsed in the Passport will be informed to the foreigners later. They have been informed to refrain from visiting the Department of Immigration and Emigration.  

“If they intend to leave the island during the aforementioned period, their journey will be facilitated by paying the relevant visa fee at the Airport without any penalty,” the Department said. 

 
The validity period of the acknowledgement issued for the applications already submitted to the Department of Immigration and Emigration to obtain visas, will also be extended for another period of 30 days till May 12, 2020.   
If any foreigner intend to leave the country during the given period, a request to obtain his/her passport along with a scanned copy of the acknowledgement and the flight ticket should be sent to the concerned traveller.