LK
Sri Lanka · Investor visa · apply in country
Residence visa for a foreign national who invests at least USD 100,000, or USD 200,000, through a Visa Programme Foreign Currency Account. The visa is endorsed for five years. At USD 200,000 the department issues a letter extending it by another five years. The spouse and dependants can be included.
| Type | Tier / zone | Min amount | USD equivalent | Holding | Returnable | Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Company capital | 5-year | USD 100,000 | $100,000 | 5 yr | Yes | Optional |
| Business | 5-year | USD 100,000 | $100,000 | 5 yr | Yes | Optional |
| Government bonds | 5-year | USD 100,000 | $100,000 | 5 yr | Yes | Optional |
| Bank deposit | 5-year | USD 100,000 | $100,000 | 5 yr | Yes | Optional |
| Real estate | 5-year | USD 100,000 | $100,000 | 5 yr | Yes | Optional |
| Company capital | 10-year | USD 200,000 | $200,000 | 10 yr | Yes | Optional |
| Business | 10-year | USD 200,000 | $200,000 | 10 yr | Yes | Optional |
| Government bonds | 10-year | USD 200,000 | $200,000 | 10 yr | Yes | Optional |
| Bank deposit | 10-year | USD 200,000 | $200,000 | 10 yr | Yes | Optional |
| Real estate | 10-year | USD 200,000 | $200,000 | 10 yr | Yes | Optional |
One permitted investment at the tier minimum is required. The choices are voting shares of at least 10% of a Sri Lankan company, a place of business of an overseas company, government or Central Bank debt securities with at least five years of maturity, a bank term deposit, or immovable property allowed by other laws. Funds go first to an Inward Investment Account and then through the Visa Programme Foreign Currency Account at a licensed commercial bank. The project is reviewed every two years. Ending it needs two months' written notice, and a permanent departure needs 14 working days' notice. Repatriation follows the Foreign Exchange Act. The fee is USD 200 a year for the holder, the spouse and each dependant. The file needs a passport valid for six months, a police clearance not older than three months, a security clearance form, a medical clearance report, and a bank letter confirming the Visa Programme Foreign Currency Account balance. There is no income test and no published child age. From 1 April 2025, section 69(1A) of the Inland Revenue Act says a holder of an Investor Category Residence Visa is not a tax resident. Sri Lanka-source income is still taxed. Foreign-source income is not. Gains on Sri Lankan investment assets are taxed separately. The visa is not permission to take employment with someone else. Managing the investment and operating the permitted business are allowed. A condominium can be bought under the land-alienation rules. Freehold land generally cannot. The first visa under the 2025 guidelines was issued on 1 October 2025. Golden Paradise and the Resident Guest Scheme are separate programmes.
Sri Lanka also offers a digital nomad visa for remote workers
Last verified Oct 9, 2026 Last changed Oct 10, 2026 Source
Added
created. Active investor residence visa, USD 100,000 for five years and USD 200,000 for ten years, fee USD 200 a year, holder treated as non-resident for income tax from 1 April 2025 (https://www.immigration.gov.lk/content/files/visa/Guideline%20Investor%20Visa%20Category%20doc%202.pdf).
Your feedback has been submitted. We read every message.
You've reached the page limit for guests. Signing up is free.
Already have an account? Log in