whereTOemigrate
Get your free results
LK country scene

Foreign spouse of a Sri Lankan citizen residence visa

Sri LankaFamily

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

Official link

Explore pathways in Sri Lanka Read the five questions ↓

Which family relationships qualify?

A non-Sri Lankan spouse of a Sri Lankan citizen whose marriage has subsisted for more than six months at the time of application, and each dependent child of that non-Sri Lankan spouse.

See recorded sources
  • https://www.immigration.gov.lk/pages_e.php?id=18
    (i) Non Sri Lankan spouse of a Sri Lankan citizen whose marriage is subsisting for more than six months at the time of making the application; and (ii) Each of dependent children of the non Sri Lankan spouse referred to in item (i).

Who may sponsor or bring the family member, and what immigration/citizenship status must that person hold?

The sponsor is the Sri Lankan spouse, who must be a Sri Lankan citizen (birth certificate, or documents proving Sri Lankan citizenship if a citizen by registration); the Sri Lankan spouse's consent is required and the Sri Lankan spouse needs to visit the Department of Immigration and Emigration for an interview.

See recorded sources

What is important for proving marriage, partnership, parentage, custody, dependency or another qualifying relationship?

The marriage is proved with a marriage certificate attested by a competent authority in Sri Lanka or abroad, together with the Sri Lankan spouse's passport or National Identity Card; if divorced, the divorce decree, and if an ex-spouse is deceased, the death certificate.

See recorded sources

What important financial, accommodation, insurance or maintenance responsibilities apply?

The visa itself is issued free of charge for the spouse; a fee only becomes payable for dependent children once they reach 16 years of age, until they turn 22.

See recorded sources

How does the application work at a high level, what rights does the family member receive, how long does the status last, and how can it become independent or longer-term where officially stated?

First issuance is for one year. Extensions are granted 2 years at a time until 5 years of Spouse Visa are completed, and 5 years at a time thereafter, so continuing marriage progressively lengthens each renewal. The official source does not state the application process or the rights the visa gives.

See recorded sources

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

Explore more pathways in Sri Lanka · All pathways

Your story.
Your next step.

Explore pathways in Sri Lanka →