Visa Recommendation

ROLE OF THE MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT (MoIED) IN VISA RECOMMENDATION

The Ministry of Industries plays a vital role in facilitating the growth and development of the local manufacturing industry sector in Sri Lanka by supporting manufacturing investments and industrial operations. As part of its mandate to promote industrial development and ensure the smooth functioning of manufacturing industries, the Ministry assists in facilitating the entry and residence of essential foreign personnel (experts) required for industrial activities.

One of the key functions of the Ministry is the issuance of visa recommendations for foreign investors, executives, technicians, and skilled labourers engaged in manufacturing industries operating in Sri Lanka. These recommendations support the entry and extension of residence visas required for such personnel who contribute specialized expertise, technology transfer, and managerial capacity to the local industrial sector. Through this function, the Ministry ensures that industrial enterprises are able to access the necessary foreign expertise while maintaining compliance with national immigration policies and regulatory frameworks.

(Visa issuance is governed by Immigrants and Emigrants Act, No. 20 of 1948 (as amended)

MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT (MoIED) PROCEDURE ON RECOMMENDATION ISSUANCE OF EXTENSION AND RESIDENCE VISAS.

The MoIED recommends Entry and Residence visas for foreign investors, executives, skilled technicians, and technicians required for manufacturing industries operating under its purview. These recommendations are issued to facilitate the establishment, operation, and expansion of industrial enterprises that contribute to the development of the national manufacturing sector.

The Ministry issues recommendations for the entry and extension of visas for such foreign personnel engaged in manufacturing activities, subject to the provisions and restrictions outlined in Circular No. 01/2006 dated 11.09.2006 issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

To ensure efficiency and transparency in the process, visa recommendations are coordinated directly with the Department of Immigration and Emigration (through an email) in accordance with the prevailing immigration regulations and procedures.

Manufacturing industries requesting visa recommendations are required to ensure compliance with the applicable government regulations, relevant approvals, and operational requirements governing manufacturing industries in Sri Lanka.

COMPLIANCES FOR PROCESSING OF VISA RECOMMENDATIONS

Applicants must comply with the requirements applicable to the foreign investors, and recruitment of executives, technicians, and skilled labourers for manufacturing industries. The necessary documents and compliance requirements for visa processing are specified in the para 4 and para 8 of this guideline.

Manufacturing industries are requested to refer to the official visa application and compliance requirements available on the Ministry of Industries website and ensure that all required documentation and information are submitted accurately to avoid delays or interruptions in the visa recommendation process.

The Ministry may request additional supporting documents or clarifications where necessary to verify the eligibility of the enterprise and the foreign personnel for whom visa recommendations are sought.

DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS FOR VISA RECOMMENDATION

Manufacturing industries applying for visa recommendations through the MoIED are required to submit the documents listed under 4.1 & 4.2, together with the completed application and supporting documents relevant to the category of visa request.

General Requirements

The following documents must be submitted with all visa recommendation requests:

• Letter of request from the manufacturing industry
• Completed visa application

Entry / Residence Visa Applications

In order to allow sufficient time for processing by the relevant ministry officials, all required documents shall be submitted at least three (3) weeks prior to the expiry of the current visa and at least five (5) weeks prior to entry into Sri Lanka.

For Entry and Residence Visa recommendations for foreign investors, executives, skilled technicians, and technicians engaged in manufacturing industries, the following documents are required:

• Ministry of Industries Registration (First-time applicants)
• Company Profile
• Copies of passports of the applicant(s)
• Educational qualifications (for specialized positions/divisions)
• Previous work experience records
• Evidence of efforts made to recruit Sri Lankan nationals for the relevant vacancies
• Police Clearance Report obtained from the relevant country of residence
• Copy of the letter of appointment, contract agreement, or agreement issued by the recruitment agent
• Responsibility undertaking affidavit issued by the Board of Directors
• Copies of Employees' Provident Fund / Employees' Trust Fund payment receipts for the last three (03) months

• Marriage/Birth Certificate (for dependent visa applications).

Visa Extension Applications

 For visa extension requests, enterprises must submit the following documents:

• Ministry of Industries Registration (First time)
• Company Profile
• Copies of passports of applicant
• Copies of previous visa recommendation letter
• Police clearance report obtained from the relevant Sri Lankan police station (A Police Clearance Certificate issued within the preceding three (3) months is required)
• Copies of Employees Provident Fund (EPF)/ ETF Payment Receipts for the last 03 months
• Extended contract agreement

• Marriage/Birth Certificate (for dependent visa applications).

• Responsibility undertaking affidavit issued by the Board of Directors
• If the entry visa is being applied for a replacement for foreign employees who have left the company, pls provide following documents as well.

• A letter of request indicating the details of the employee who has left the company and details of the employee for whom the visa replacement is requested
• Copies of the passport and visa of the employee who left the company.

COMPANY ELIGIBILITY

 Manufacturing industry seeking visa recommendations through the MoIED must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• The company must be registered under the Ministry of Industry and entrepreneurship development
• The company must be actively engaged in manufacturing within Sri Lanka.
• The company must maintain valid operational status and comply with all applicable regulatory requirements governing manufacturing industries.
• The enterprise must demonstrate a genuine requirement for foreign investors, executives, technicians, or skilled Labour where the necessary expertise is not readily available in the local labour market.
• The company may maintain a minimum permanent local-to-foreign employee ratio of 10:1.

Requests to recruit expatriates above 60 years of age will be considered only under exceptional circumstances and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, particularly where technical expertise specialized is required for the manufacturing operation.