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Resident Guest Scheme investor — extension for existing holder

Sri LankaInvestment

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

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What investment option or options qualify?

Funds remitted by the investor must be invested in an approved project. Approved projects are new ventures approved by the Board of Investment or a relevant authority, existing or new companies approved by the relevant authority, and shares listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange. This route is only an extension for people who already hold the Resident Guest Scheme visa.

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What official minimum amount, tier or threshold applies to each relevant option?

The investor must have remitted at least US$250,000 (or an equivalent amount in any convertible foreign currency) into a special account at a commercial bank approved by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. For renewal, the updated Resident Guest Foreign Currency Account statement must show at least US$250,000 for the applicant and US$35,000 for each dependant. Separately, the government residence visa fee is US$200 per person for a one-year period.

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How long must the investment be maintained and what continuing ownership, investment or physical-presence conditions are important?

For renewal of the residence visa in the investor category, the documents include details of the project and proof of satisfactory performance of the project investments. If the investor makes no satisfactory progress in investing within the first two years of residence, the Implementing Agency may stop further interest payments on the special account balance. The investor should also regularly remit sufficient funds for the upkeep of himself and his dependants. The official source does not state a fixed minimum holding period or a physical-presence requirement.

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Limits of the record
  • The official source does not state a fixed minimum holding period or a physical-presence requirement.

Which family members can be included where officially stated, and what broad residence/work rights result?

Dependants can be included: for the renewal of the Resident Guest Scheme visa (Investor Category), the documents include a medical report for the applicant and dependant, a marriage certificate copy if married, and an updated RGFCA (Resident Guest Foreign Currency Account) bank statement showing a minimum of US$ 250,000 for the applicant and US$ 35,000 for each dependant. The official source does not state which relatives count as dependants or what work rights they receive.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The official source does not state which relatives count as dependants or what work rights they receive.

What status is obtained, how is it renewed, what longer-term residence/citizenship direction is officially stated, and what happens to the investment when relevant?

The holder keeps a Resident Guest Scheme residence visa, valid for five years from the issuing date; renewal applications go to the visa branch of the Department of Immigration & Emigration (4th floor). Holders must give two months' written notice before ending the investment project and at least fourteen working days' written notice before leaving Sri Lanka. Any unused balance in the special account, capital gains and income, and sale proceeds of investments may be sent abroad under the prevailing Exchange Control and Tax regulations. The official source does not state a route to permanent residence or citizenship.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The official source does not state a route to permanent residence or citizenship.

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

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