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Visas for Sri Lankans Travelling Abroad (Where to Apply and What to Prepare)

Verified · 8 Nov 2026Partly online

Visas are issued by the country you are going to, not by the Sri Lankan government, so the rules, fees and documents depend on that country and on why you are travelling. Check the destination's official immigration website or its embassy in Colombo, apply online or through the embassy or its visa application centre, and only use the official sites. You need a valid Sri Lankan passport. Some visas also ask for Sri Lankan documents, such as a police clearance report or certificates attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. If you are going abroad to work, you must also register with the SLBFE before you leave.

At a glance

Where
The destination country's official immigration website
+ 1 more place
Online?
Partly online

Do you need this?

When you need it

  • You are planning a holiday, business trip, family visit or studies abroad.
  • You have a job offer abroad and need a work visa.
  • A visa application asks for Sri Lankan documents such as a police report or attested certificates.

Who can apply

  • Each country decides which visa you need, if any, based on your nationality and the purpose of your trip. Check its official website before booking.
  • Sri Lankans need a short-stay Schengen visa for the European Schengen countries (EU Regulation 2018/1806, Annex I).
  • People going abroad for employment must register with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) as well as getting the work visa.

Documents you need

Documents to bring

0 of 6 ready

  • Check how long it must be valid beyond your stay, and how many blank pages are needed, on the destination's website.

Only if…

Process at a glance

  1. Step 1
    Make sure your passport is ready

    Get or renew your Sri Lankan passport first. Visa applications need the passport number, and many embassies keep the passport while the visa is processed.

  2. Step 2
    Check the destination's official visa rules

    Use the country's government immigration website or its embassy or high commission in Colombo (see the list below). It tells you whether you need a visa, which type, the fee and the documents.

  3. Step 3
    Get Sri Lankan documents ready

    If asked, get a police clearance report and have certificates attested by the Consular Affairs Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Start early, as these take time.

  4. Step 4
    Apply

    Apply online, at the embassy, or at the visa application centre the embassy names. Some countries need you to give fingerprints and a photo in person.

  5. Step 5
    Before you travel

    Check the visa's dates, number of entries and conditions. If you are travelling for work, register with the SLBFE before you leave.

  6. You're done

Step by step

  1. Step 01

    Make sure your passport is ready

    Get or renew your Sri Lankan passport first. Visa applications need the passport number, and many embassies keep the passport while the visa is processed.

  2. Step 02

    Check the destination's official visa rules

    Use the country's government immigration website or its embassy or high commission in Colombo (see the list below). It tells you whether you need a visa, which type, the fee and the documents.

  3. Step 03

    Get Sri Lankan documents ready

    If asked, get a police clearance report and have certificates attested by the Consular Affairs Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Start early, as these take time.

  4. Step 04

    Apply

    Apply online, at the embassy, or at the visa application centre the embassy names. Some countries need you to give fingerprints and a photo in person.

  5. Step 05

    Before you travel

    Check the visa's dates, number of entries and conditions. If you are travelling for work, register with the SLBFE before you leave.

Where to go

  • The destination country's official immigration website

  • The country's embassy or high commission in Colombo, or the visa application centre it names

More detail

Official visa websites for common destinations

Always check the official site. Visa agents and other websites may be out of date or charge extra.

For other countries, contact the country's embassy or high commission in Colombo, or the one accredited to Sri Lanka.

Common problems

Someone offers to "guarantee" a visa for a fee.
Only the destination country decides on a visa. Apply through its official website, embassy or named visa centre, and for jobs abroad use only an SLBFE-licensed recruitment agency.
My passport expires soon.
Renew it before applying. Many countries refuse a visa if the passport doesn't stay valid long enough after the trip.
The embassy wants my certificates attested.
Get them attested by the Consular Affairs Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (e-DAS).
I found a website that looks official but charges extra.
Fake visa websites copy official ones. Use only the sites listed below or the ones the embassy names.
My visa was refused.
Read the refusal letter. It says whether you can appeal or apply again, and what was missing.

FAQ

Does the Sri Lankan government issue visas to other countries?
No. Visas are issued by the country you are visiting, through its immigration website, embassy or visa centre.
Do Sri Lankans need a visa for Europe?
Yes, for the Schengen countries a short-stay Schengen visa is needed (EU Regulation 2018/1806, Annex I). Apply to the country you will mainly visit.
Where can I find which countries Sri Lankans can visit without a visa?
Check each destination's official immigration website, because rules change. Don't rely on unofficial lists.
Do I need anything from Sri Lanka to work abroad?
Yes. Besides the work visa, register with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment before you leave.

Official sources

Checked against these official pages8 Nov 2026

Independent, not official

HowToSriLanka.lk is an independent information platform and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Government of Sri Lanka.

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