Sri Lanka has issued its first Individual Investor Residence Visa under the revised Immigration & Emigration Regulations (Gazette No. 2360/24, November 2023)1. The first visa of its kind was granted on 1 October 2025, and this marks the country’s active rollout of a programme designed to attract foreign capital and long-term business presence.2
WHY THIS MATTERS
This new visa category prioritises individuals making substantial financial contributions. The programme aims to attract foreign investment while providing an expedited immigration pathway for entrepreneurs, investors, and business professionals who, if eligible, will be granted an Investor Residence Visa in Sri Lanka.
More Details
- The new scheme provides for:
- 5-year visa with a USD 100,000 investment (in foreign currency).
- 10-year visa with a USD 200,000 investment (in foreign currency).
- Funds must be deposited in a Visa Programme Foreign Currency Account (VPFCA) with a licensed Sri Lankan bank.
- A confirmation letter from a commercial bank recognised by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
- Eligible Persons: Investor, spouse, and dependents.
- Visa Fees: USD 200 per annum per applicant.
Additional details from the government are anticipated.
KPMG INSIGHTS
As this visa category is relatively new and there may be some questions about eligibility, conditions, and next steps, individuals seeking further information or assistance with applications may reach out to their usual immigration adviser or a member of the global immigration team with KPMG in Sri Lanka (see the Contacts section).
KPMG in Sri Lanka will continue to monitor developments and endeavour to provide updates in future to readers of GMS Flash Alert.
FOOTNOTES:
1 Regulations were made as per the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers received for the Cabinet Paper No. 23/1593/626/016 of 29.08.2023 on “Simplification of the Existing Visa methodology of the Department of Immigration and Emigration” and the regulations were adopted by Parliament and published in the Extraordinary Gazette No. 2360/24 of 27.11.2023, as contained in "Performance Report 2023"(see the section "Simplification of Visa Methodology") from the Department of Immigration and Emigration at: https://www.immigration.gov.lk/content/files/reports/performance_report_2023_english.pdf .
See Embassy of Sri Lanka in the United States: “Sri Lanka issues first individual investor residence visa” (02 October 2025).
2 See "Sri Lanka grants first individual investor residence visa" published in The Daily Mirror (online) (01 Oct 2025) at: https://www.dailymirror.lk/print/breaking-news/Sri-Lanka-grants-first-individual-investor-residence-visa/108-321097
See "Sri Lanka issues first investor residence visa" published in the Daily FT (online) (2 October 2025) at: https://www.ft.lk/business/Sri-Lanka-issues-first-investor-residence-visa/34-782479
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Contacts
Kamaya Perera
Partner- Head of Management Consulting & Technology, Deputy Head of Advisory & PPC
KPMG in Sri Lanka
Disclaimer
* Please note the KPMG International member firm in the United States does not provide immigration or labour law services. However, KPMG Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.
The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in Sri Lanka.
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