Sri Lanka issues first investor residence visa

Thursday, 2 October 2025 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananda Wijepala (left) presents Sri Lanka’s first Individual Investor Category resident visa to Dr. Prey Drechsel of Germany

The Government yesterday issued Sri Lanka’s first residence visa under the Individual Investor Category, introduced through the amended Immigration and Emigration Regulations published in November 2023.

The visa was awarded to German national Dr. Prey Drechsel by Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananda Wijepala.

The scheme allows foreign nationals to qualify for a five-year visa with an investment of $ 100,000, or a 10-year visa with $ 200,000. Investments must be deposited in a Visa Programme Foreign Currency Account (VPFCA) at a licensed Sri Lankan bank.

The initiative is intended to attract foreign capital by linking long-term residency to direct investment in the country.