VISA PROCESS

for International Students

Study In Sri Lanka

If you wish to study in Sri Lanka, you must obtain a valid Student Visa. The Sri Lankan Government issues student visas for full time study on the understanding that you have sufficient funds for study and living expenses for the duration of your stay in Sri Lanka. There are regulations that must be met before a student visa can be issued and these vary from country to country. Information about how to apply for your student visa can be obtained from your Education Agent or the nearest Sri Lanka High Commission or Diplomatic Mission in your country. Once you have been accepted to study at Thames College, you will be required to make payments for registration fee, 50% of course fees and visit visa application fee.

Eligibility

Student visa valid up to duration of the course is granted to foreign students coming to Sri Lanka to pursue a course of regular and fulltime academic studies in a recognized institution. Students under 16 years of age can apply visa for Parents / guardians to remain in the country.


Students MUST have Entry Visa before traveling to Sri Lanka. Approval for entry visa for students is processed only in Colombo by the Department of Immigration. Sri Lanka Diplomatic Missions are not issuing Entry Visa for students unless prior entry visa approval is given by the Immigration Department in Colombo.


Students under no circumstances use Online visa system (ETA) or tourist / business visa to travel to Sri Lanka. Change of visa types is NOT permitted in Sri Lanka.

Application Procedures There is three – step application procedure

  • Obtaining Entry visa approval from the Department of Immigration in Colombo
  • Collecting Entry Visa endorsement from the nearest Sri Lanka Diplomatic mission and travel to Sri Lanka
  • After arrival in Sri Lanka, collect student visa endorsement on passport at the Department of Immigration in Colombo Immigration Visitor Service Center in Colombo.

You can now apply Student Entry Visa at our Immigration Visitor Service Center in Colombo. Visitor Services Center has been fully approved and authorized by the Department of Immigration.


Applying at our Immigration Visitor Service Center is highly recommended if you are planning to invite foreign nationals to Sri Lanka. We also offer additional services such as document collection from door steps and delivering back Visa. We also offer special discounted rates for our clients seeking Visa extensions.

Document Requirement

  • Foreigner intending to study in Sri Lanka should first contact the education provider and seek admission to a study programme
  • Education provider should apply to the Department of Immigration for entry visa approval
  • The Department of Immigration notify the nearest Sri Lanka Diplomatic Mission of the entry visa approval
  • Foreigner reports to the nearest Sri Lanka Diplomatic Mission to obtains the Entry Visa endorsed on the passport
  • Foreigner arrives in Sri Lanka. At the port of entry, immigration may grant entry for specified period.
  • Upon entering Sri Lanka, before the expiry of the visa given at the port of entry, the passport of the foreigner should be referred to the Department of Immigration for stamping student visa on it.

Fee

Applicable government visa fee and tax for this visa type is Rs: 20,000.00 per year. For students enrolled in government Universities visa fee and tax is Rs: 10,000.00 per year