Steps in Applying for Sri Lanka Religious Visa

Suppose you hope to work for any religious institution or organization in the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. In that case, you must hold a valid Sri Lanka Religious Visa, which has a distinctive application process.

Sri Lanka is a multicultural and religiously diverse country well known for its tolerance for different religious beliefs. The country is predominately Buddhist, with about 70% of its population following the teachings of Buddha. Islam, Christianity, and Hinduism are other religions practiced by the people in Sri Lanka. With a Sri Lankan Religious Visa, you can make a living while working for an organization or institution based on these religious beliefs.

This blog post has many resources to help you with the Sri Lanka Religious Visa application process, including its requirements and cost.

What is Sri Lanka Religious Visa?

A religious visa for the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a type of visa that permits its holder to enter the country as a religious worker. This visa is ideal for clergy members, including workers, volunteers, and interns.

To obtain a Sri Lankan Religious Visa, you must first get the approval of the Sri Lankan Department of Immigration and Emigration.

Remember that you can only use this visa to carry out religious duties in Sri Lanka, and it is not useable for other purposes.

Sri Lanka Religious Visa Fee

The cost of getting a religious visa for the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is US$250, payable every year of your stay in the country. This amount covers your visa application fee, including tax.

However, you should ensure paying the fee on time to hinder any chance of delayed processing.

Sri Lanka Religious Visa Requirements

Foreigners who intend to get a Sri Lankan Religious Visa need the following documents to facilitate application processing at the Immigration and Emigration Department or the Immigration Services Centre (ISC).

A filled-out Sri Lanka Religious Visa application form
One (1) duplicate of the applicant’s passport data page
The original copy of a letter of request from the host organization in Sri Lanka
A letter of visa recommendation from the Sri Lankan Line Ministry

How to Get a Sri Lanka Religious Visa

The foreign national and the employer must take specific steps toward obtaining a religious visa for the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

These steps are as follows.

Get a job offer from a Sri Lankan religious institution
Ask your employer to apply for entry visa approval
Once approved, the Department of Immigration and Emigration will alert the Sri Lankan embassy or consulate nearest to you
Visit a Sri Lankan embassy or consulate to endorse your passport
Travel to Sri Lanka
Take your passport to the Department of Immigration and Emigration for visa stamping

Step 1: Get a job offer from a Sri Lankan religious institution

As the initial step to take in becoming a religious worker in Sri Lanka, you have to secure employment with a Sri Lanka-based religious institution or organization.

Step 2: Ask your employer to apply for entry visa approval

Now that you hold a job offer from Sri Lanka, the next step involves asking your employer to help you complete the application process for a Sri Lankan entry visa. This requires them to visit the Sri Lankan Department of Immigration and Emigration.

Step 3: Once approved, the Department of Immigration and Emigration will alert the Sri Lankan embassy or consulate nearest to you

The Immigration and Emigration Department will assess your employer’s application for your Sri Lankan entry visa. Upon its approval, the department will inform the Sri Lankan embassy or consulate in your home country regarding its decision.

Step 4: Visit a Sri Lankan embassy or consulate to endorse your passport

Afterward, it would be best to endorse your passport at the Sri Lankan embassy or consulate in your country of residence. Take note that you cannot get the endearment if your passport has expired.

Step 5: Travel to Sri Lanka

At this time, you can travel to Sri Lanka. The immigration officers at the entry point will permit your entry for a particular period.

Step 6: Take your passport to the Department of Immigration and Emigration for visa stamping

As soon as you arrive in Sri Lanka, it would be best to visit the Immigration and Emigration Department to stamp your passport.

Top Religious Organizations in Sri Lanka

About 60 religious institutions and organizations are located in different parts of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

Some of them include:-

Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Badulla
St. Anthony’s Institute of Higher Education, Chilaw
Roman Catholic Metropolitan Archdiocese of Colombo
Nazareth Chapel of the Good Shepherd Convent
Hairiyya Arabic College
Jesuit Pre-novitiate, Sri Lanka
Polgasowita Temple
Mercy Education Complex
Dharuliman Institute
Horana Calvary
Bishop’s House
Zahriya Arabic College
Al- Hudha Quranic School
HBI Church
Assembly Hall Of Jehovah’s Witnesses
Susarana Buddhist Center
Fathima Muslim Ladies Arabic College
Joseph Catechetical Centre
Ayithiyamalai Shine of our Lady Perpetual Church
RC. Bishop house of Badulla
Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association, SL HQ
Dhanushka Vithanage Media Class
Holy Trinity Church
Fransiscan brother’s Pastoral Centre
Marist Brothers House
Fathus Salam Ladies Arabic College
St Barnabas Church
Seth Sarana Model Farm
Gurudwara Guru Nanak Trust
The Apostolic Church Of Sri Lanka
Dharus Salam Arabic College, Oddamavadi
Thalgahapitiya Church
Holy Cross Church
Sindhi Association Of Sri Lanka
Dharmadutha Centre
Salvatorians (Maria Home)
Kotagala Bible Baptist Church
Vajirārāma Vipassanā Training Centre
Buddhism Worship Place

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who needs to apply for Sri Lanka Religious Visa?

A Sri Lankan Religious Visa authorizes a foreign national to enter the country as a religious institution or organization worker. Your employer will have to take the most steps in getting this visa on your behalf. Hence, you only have to get an endorsement on your passport from the Sri Lankan embassy or consulate in your home country.

How long can I stay on Sri Lanka Religious Visa?

This visa allows its holder to stay in Sri Lanka for up to one year while working for a religious institute or organization. You cannot apply for a Sri Lankan Religious Visa through the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) online application system. In addition, this visa is unchangeable to another type.

What are the requirements for a religious visa to Sri Lanka?

To hold a Sri Lankan visa for the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, you must possess a few documents, as indicated below.

A filled-out Sri Lanka Religious Visa application form
A copy of the applicant’s passport bio-data page
A recommendation from the Sri Lankan Line Ministry
A letter of request from a Sri Lankan employer (can be either a religious institute or organization)

How much does a religious visa cost for Sri Lanka?

A Sri Lankan visa for religious workers costs US$250 (incl. tax) per year. Bear in mind that you cannot maintain your visa status without making payment for the fee yearly.

Is Sri Lanka Religious Visa easy to get?

Yes, it is pretty easy for a foreign national to get a Sri Lankan Religious Visa since the employer will have to undertake almost all steps on behalf of their new worker. As a foreign worker, you only need to visit the nearest Sri Lankan diplomatic mission for endorsement, depart for Sri Lanka, and get your visa stamped at the Immigration and Emigration Department upon arrival.

How long does it take to get Sri Lanka Religious Visa?

Generally, getting a religious visa for the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka can take a few weeks to one month.

What are the facts about Sri Lanka Religious Visa?

Before getting a religious visa for the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, you should consider the following things.

Employers need to apply for their workers’ religious visas.
It is impossible to change a religious visa for Sri Lanka.
A Sri Lankan Religious Visa holder must pay a fee every year.
Immediately after arriving in Sri Lanka, you must stamp your passport at the Department of Immigration and Emigration.

Where do I apply for Sri Lanka Religious Visa?

Sri Lankan employers can apply for their new worker’s religious visas at the Immigration and Emigration Department or through the Immigration Services Centre (ISC) in Sri Lanka. Undoubtedly, ISC offers an online application method, which requires filling out a form with relevant information.

Conclusion

To sum up, obtaining a Sri Lankan Religious Visa allows foreigners of all religions to enter the country. The visa also offers an excellent opportunity for its holder to learn more about Sri Lankan history and culture.

Even though the visa application process can be complex, you can still apply for it all by yourself without seeking professional help. The most important aspect is having an employer inclined to assist you with the process.

Thanks for reading!