New visa process and online services from today (17)

COLOMBO (News1st); The Department of Immigration and Emigration said a new visa process will be in effect from Wednesday (17).

The new visa system, related fees, requirements to be fulfilled, and the period of stay in the country were recently announced via a special gazette.

Details regarding the online method can be obtained via the official website, www.srilankaevisa.lk.

Controller General of Immigration and Emigration Harsha Ilukpitiya said applicants can submit visa applications online from several countries under the new system.

He added under the older system visa applicants needed to provide several documents and there was no mechanism to obtain biometric data.

He further said tourist visas can be obtained for six months through the new visa process.

Ilukpitiya said under the older system tourist visas were issued for one month, and extended up to two months.

He said student visas for foreign nationals will also be issued for the full period of studies, which could be up to four years, before their arrival.

He added that applicants can also apply for the nomad visa and medical visa, through the new online system.