To obtain a Residence Visa, the applicant must enter Sri Lanka on an Entry Visa issued by a Sri Lanka diplomatic mission abroad. Entry visa will be issued by the Embassy only upon approval by the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration. Relevant Organization, Institution, NGO or Company in Sri Lanka should submit the application for resident visa on behalf of the applicant directly to the Controller General, Immigration and Emigration (CG, I & E). The CG, I & E will then authorize this Embassy to issue Entry Visa to the applicant.

The procedure to obtain a residence visa is as follows:

• An authorized representative in Sri Lanka must submit the Residence Visa application on your behalf to the Department of Immigration & Emigration. For detailed information on Residence Visa requirements and guidelines, Please visit
• To download the Residence Visa application form for submission to the Department of Immigration & Emigration Sri Lanka, use the following link: Click here

Once the approval has been granted by the Controller General of Immigration & Emigration for your entry, the Entry visa will be issued by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Stockholm.

Documents required to obtain an Entry Visa at the Embassy:

• A copy of the Entry Visa approval notice of the  from the Department of Immigration & Emigration of Sri Lanka
• Duly completed Entry Viss application form
• Passport – the validity of the passport must be at least six months beyond the date of entry into Sri Lanka.
• Two passport-size photographs

Processing time: 1-2 business days (only when the Entry Visa approval notice is available).

Important : A Tourist Visa cannot be converted into a Residence Visa.