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SRI LANKA: New Police Clearance, Letter of Guarantee and Health Assessment Requirements
September 9, 2019
Police Clearance
Effective immediately, all applicants for Ministry approval for residence visas must submit a police clearance certificate from their country of residence, duly authenticated and legalized by the Sri Lankan consulate in that jurisdiction.
Letter of Guarantee
Effective immediately, letters of request submitted in support of a residence visa application and signed by a Sri Lankan national on behalf of the company must in turn be supported by a letter of guarantee from two non-Sri Lankan national Directors, stating that the company has duly authorized a Sri Lankan to sign the letter of request.
Currently this requirement will only affect applicants whose residence visa recommendation is issued by the Department of Commerce and the Board of Investment Sri Lanka.
Health Assessment
Effective July 2019 (earlier than expected), all residence visa applicants must undergo a health assessment and enrol in a health protection plan introduced by the Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine before submitting new or renewal residence visa application to the Department of Immigration and Emigration (DOIE).
All applicants are required to make an appointment online for a health assessment at the Inbound Health Assessment Center (IHAC) in Colombo. They should bring their passport, their appointment number issued online and their Ministry recommendation letter, and will be charged the equivalent of USD 75 in Sri Lankan Rupees. The applicant will be screened for tuberculosis, malaria, HIV/AIDS and filariasis.
The health plan provided covers emergency care, primary outpatient care and treatment for diseases identified in the health assessment. Note that, if the applicant tests positive for any of the four diseases screened for in the health assessment, they can be admitted to a government hospital for treatment without any enforcement of deportation.
Our Advice
Employers who may be affected are encouraged to contact a Newland Chase immigration specialist for case-specific advice.
For general advice and information on immigration and business travel to Sri Lanka, please email us at [email protected].
