Sri Lanka grants first individual investor residence visa

1 October 2025 07:46 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 14 Bookmark

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Sri Lanka has issued its first residence visa under the Individual Investor Category, introduced under the amended Immigration and Emigration Regulations (Extraordinary Gazette No. 2360/24 dated 27 November 2023).

The visa was granted to Dr. Prey Drechsel, a German national, by Hon. Ananda Wijepala, Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs.

Under the scheme, foreigners can obtain a 5-year residence visa by investing US$100,000, or a 10-year visa for US$200,000, or the equivalent in foreign currency. Applicants are required to open a Visa Programme Foreign Currency Account (VPFCA) in a licensed Sri Lankan bank to deposit the investment.

The program is designed to attract foreign investment by providing a streamlined pathway for investors to live and invest in Sri Lanka.

Comments - 14

maha Wednesday, 01 October 2025 08:33 PM

good move ..

11 36

janu kimatrai Wednesday, 01 October 2025 08:37 PM

strange final para.

9 2

Ajeet De Soyza Wednesday, 01 October 2025 08:38 PM

what is the last line about?

0 5

Very good Wednesday, 01 October 2025 08:43 PM

Good move! Hope Gov and BOI make strong incentives for investment and monitor that investors benefit the country fully in compliance with their proposals. We warmly welcome investment.

8 35

Li Wednesday, 01 October 2025 08:44 PM

This is a good idea but we must make sure they are good people

5 40

Dev Wednesday, 01 October 2025 10:19 PM

Exactly , hope they are not like Arthur C Clarke .

51 12

Satya Sakya Wednesday, 01 October 2025 08:47 PM

This reflects the level of interest and confidence foreign nationals currently have in Sri Lanka—even though the actual investments remain quite minimal, around just USD 100,000 or 200,000. After nearly two years, only a single investor from the West has shown up under a scheme introduced by Ranil’s government. Interestingly, no Indian or Chinese nationals have participated, despite their countries being Sri Lanka’s largest investors. Some argue that the new government should focus on attracting Western investors and reduce its dependence on China and India. However, so far not a single Western nation has shown readiness to make substantial investments in any sector—perhaps due to the left-leaning policies of the current government.

27 25

Adwani Friday, 10 October 2025 08:17 PM

@Satya Sakya - The main reason for the lack of interest in SL investment is, that an investor would find it difficult to take back the proceeds or withdraw investment, This is what happened to bond buyers sometimes back.

0 0

Lanka Wednesday, 01 October 2025 08:53 PM

What a beautiful service is this and it is good for the country to recover soon and pay off my debts We need people of good character and good investment to take off our economic growth: But make sure to take back all Lankan expatiates

9 16

Shami Wednesday, 01 October 2025 09:28 PM

This should very well managed, Germany is country with a lot a bad history and their present day backing of the genocide in Gaza shows who German people are... So be very careful you do not want people with bad track record buying property in SL. Be very careful..

23 26

Ghaus Wednesday, 01 October 2025 09:31 PM

KYC and proper investor onboarding systems should be in place if not people will bring in black money to invest and make all sorts of illegal activities.

4 17

Dr Tissa Fernando Wednesday, 01 October 2025 10:17 PM

This idea was initiated by Dhammika Perera when he was a Minister for a short time and enacted by Ranil Wickamasinhe. Thanks for their efforts.

18 34

Paul Cole Thursday, 02 October 2025 02:42 PM

the "beach boys" better get lubed up for the incoming foreigners...stds to the fore....!!!

6 4

Monitor these people closely Wednesday, 15 October 2025 09:55 PM

How do you stop paedos from coming here? Let’s not forget how foreigners ran paedophile rings here!

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