Sri LankaFamily

Sri Lanka spouse visa

Residence Visa – Spouse of a Sri Lankan citizen (Residence Visa-5)

In short

The foreign spouse of a Sri Lankan citizen can live in Sri Lanka on a residence visa once the marriage has lasted more than six months. The first visa runs for one year and is free; it is then extended two years at a time until five years are completed, and afterwards five years at a time. The Sri Lankan spouse must consent and attend an interview.

checked 24 October 2026

Key facts

Maximum stay
1 year at first; then 2-year extensions up to 5 years; then 5 years at a time
Validity
Depends on passport validity
Fee
US$0Free for the spouse (Residence Visa-5); dependent children of the foreign spouse US$150 a year
Family
Dependent children can be included; children aged 16 to 22 pay a fee
Path to permanent residence
Permanent Residence Visa possible after more than five years of marriage
Where to apply
Department of Immigration and Emigration, Colombo

Who qualifies

The main category is the non-Sri Lankan spouse of a Sri Lankan citizen whose marriage has existed for more than six months, together with their dependent children. Separate categories cover a foreign spouse whose Sri Lankan partner has died and who has not remarried, a spouse who has lived in Sri Lanka continuously for at least ten years, and a spouse with children under 18 living separately; these three need employment approval and cost US$100 a year.

Documents

The file includes the marriage certificate attested by a competent authority, the Sri Lankan spouse's birth certificate (and certificate of citizenship if citizenship was acquired by registration), the Sri Lankan spouse's passport or national identity card, a divorce decree or death certificate if there was an earlier marriage, the Sri Lankan spouse's written consent and both passports. A marriage registered abroad should be attested before submission; children's birth certificates need an English translation attested by a competent authority.

Required documents

Identity

  • Passport and data-page copy of the foreign spouse

Family

  • Marriage certificate attested by a competent authority
  • Birth certificate of the Sri Lankan spouse (and citizenship certificate if by registration)
  • Sri Lankan spouse's passport or national identity card and written consent

Supporting documents (where they apply)

Family

  • Divorce decree or death certificate from any earlier marriage
  • Children's birth certificates with attested English translation

Interview and decision

Applications are submitted in Colombo and the Sri Lankan spouse must attend an interview. The Controller General decides, the length of the visa depends on the passport's validity, and the procedure may change if a Ministry of Defence security report is required. Renewals also need a consent letter from the Sri Lankan spouse and an interview.

Sri Lankan missions explain that the sponsor in Sri Lanka first applies to the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration, at least 45 days before arrival. After approval the Sri Lankan embassy or high commission concerned is authorised to issue an entry visa, and the residence visa is then issued in Sri Lanka.

  1. Make sure the marriage has lasted more than six months and has been legally registered and attested.
  2. Enter Sri Lanka on a 30-day tourist ETA or on an entry visa authorised by the Controller General.
  3. Complete the residence visa form and gather the marriage, identity and consent documents.
  4. Submit the application in Colombo; the Sri Lankan spouse attends the interview.
  5. Collect the one-year visa and renew it with a new consent letter and interview.
  6. After more than five years of marriage, consider applying for the Permanent Residence Visa.

Forms

Fees, renewals and permanent residence

The visa itself is free for the spouse. Dependent children of the non-Sri Lankan spouse pay US$150 a year. After the first year the visa is extended two years at a time until five years on a spouse visa are completed, then five years at a time. Once the marriage has lasted more than five years, the spouse may apply for the Permanent Residence Visa, which costs US$1,000.

Frequently asked questions

How long do we need to be married?

More than six months at the time of application for the spouse residence visa, and more than five years for permanent residence.

Is there a fee for the spouse visa?

No fee for the foreign spouse of a Sri Lankan citizen. Dependent children of the foreign spouse pay US$150 a year.

Does my Sri Lankan spouse have to come to the office?

Yes. The Sri Lankan spouse attends an interview at first issue and at each renewal and signs a consent letter.

What if my Sri Lankan spouse dies?

A widowed foreign spouse who has not remarried can hold a separate residence category (US$100 a year), and after a marriage of over five years may apply for permanent residence.

Official sources

Summarised from the official sources above. Rules, fees and processing times change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before you apply.

Other visa types for Sri Lanka

Visits and short stays

  • Tourist visa Maximum stay: 30 days from arrival; extendable inside Sri Lanka (published fee bands run to day 270)
  • Transit visa Maximum stay: 2 days
  • Medical treatment visa Maximum stay: Tourist ETA: 30 days, extendable; medical residence visa: one year or the period the doctor recommends

Business and self-employment

  • Business visa Maximum stay: 30 days on a business ETA; missions can issue business visas for up to 90 days; extensions in Sri Lanka up to day 180
  • Investor visa Maximum stay: 5 years (US$100,000) or 10 years (US$200,000)

Study and training

  • Student visa Maximum stay: One year per visa, renewable for the length of studies

Work

  • Work visa Maximum stay: One year or the period recommended by the authority, renewable
  • Digital nomad visa Maximum stay: Up to 12 months per visa, renewable annually

Residence

  • Permanent residence Validity: PRV card valid for up to 10 years, renewable (LKR 1,000 per card)

Online travel permits

Sri Lanka visa guide