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The Sri Lankan government has announced it will update its entry requirements.
Key Points:
Additional Information: Children under the age of 12 are no longer required to have a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure to enter the country. More information regarding Sri Lanka’s entry and health requirements for its citizens, residents and foreign nationals can be found here.
BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.
Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.
The Sri Lankan government has implemented an Online Health Declaration system for arriving travelers and updated its quarantine requirements.
Additional Information: More information regarding Sri Lanka’s entry and health requirements for its citizens, residents and foreign nationals can be found here.
BAL Analysis: BAL will continue to monitor develops regarding resident visas and will provide more information as it becomes available.
Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.
The Sri Lankan government intends to increase the validity of resident visas to encourage foreign investments in the country.
Additional Information: The longer validity for resident visas is intended to spur economic activity and provide a better environment for foreigners to invest in businesses.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.
IMPACT – LOW
What is the change? Sri Lanka has waived visa fees for certain nationalities in an effort to boost tourism.
What does the change mean? Nationals from 48 countries, including Australia, China, Japan, the United States and EU member states, will not need to pay for a 30-day tourist visa from Aug. 1, 2019 until Jan. 31, 2020.
Background: India and China have been added to the list of countries whose citizens are now eligible for the visa fee waiver. Currently, foreign nationals of the following countries are eligible for a free tourist visa valid for up to 30 days: India and China have been added to the list of countries whose citizens are now eligible for the visa fee waiver. Currently, foreign nationals of the following countries are eligible for a free tourist visa valid for up to 30 days: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, China (People’s Rep.), Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland (Rep.), Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea (Rep.), Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, U.K. and Ukraine.
Analysis and Comments: The change is intended to boost tourism to Sri Lanka by waiving visa fees for tourists staying up to 30 days but does not change the visa application process.
Source: Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2019. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.
IMPACT – MEDIUM
What is the change? Foreign nationals are now required to complete a health exam and obtain a health protection plan before applying for residence permits.
Additional information: Applicants can make an appointment for a health checkup on this website. They then visit the In-bound Health Assessment Center in Colombo in order to complete the exam. Patients will be screened for tuberculosis, malaria, HIV/AIDS and filariasis. They can obtain a health protection plan at the health center in Colombo after their appointment. The exam and protection plan together cost the equivalent of US$75. Payments should be made in Sri Lankan rupees. New applicants should note that they must complete the health exam within seven days of arriving in Sri Lanka.
Analysis and Comments: Employers are encouraged to work closely with foreign nationals to ensure they complete the health exam and obtain the required health protection plan. Those who fail to do so will be unable to submit residence permit applications, including renewal applications.
Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2019. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.
What is the change? Sri Lanka’s Cabinet is considering amendments to its immigration laws that would address concerns by local professional associations about the high number of foreign professionals in the country.
What does the change mean? The regulations are expected to tighten the qualification requirements for foreign nationals and allow Sri Lankan professional associations to play a role in reviewing foreign professionals’ qualifications.
Background: Sri Lanka’s current immigration framework does not address qualifications of expatriate workers, but recent bilateral economic agreements the country has reached with India and Singapore have prompted concerns about larger numbers of foreign workers and how to regulate them.
BAL Analysis: If the amendments pass, they are expected to increase the vetting of foreign qualifications and lead to more selective issuance of work visas. At the same time, the changes are also intended to reduce processing red tape and expedite the residence visa process for expatriate professionals.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Sri Lanka. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.
Copyright © 2018 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.
What is the change? Sri Lanka is implementing a work permit process for companies that enter agreements with the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka.
What does the change mean? Private companies and state institutions may now apply for work permits through the Board of Investments, allowing them to bring in foreign professionals, technical experts, and skilled labor for short periods.
Background: Over the last decade, Sri Lanka’s economy has increased its per capita GDP and achieved a ranking as a “middle income emerging market” by the International Monetary Fund. The work permit process is aimed at attracting foreign skills that are unavailable in the domestic labor force.
Only companies that have entered into an agreement with the Board of Investment (BOI) of Sri Lanka will be eligible to apply. Companies must apply to the BOI for approval of specialized foreign workers. If the request is approved, the Immigration and Emigration Department will then issue a visa for a limited period.
BAL Analysis: The BOI process is a positive sign for employers. Note that the Sri Lankan government is likely to be more conducive to assisting companies in obtaining visas for foreign applicants who possess skills and expertise that are not available in the domestic workforce.
Copyright © 2016 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.