What is the Sri Lanka Golden Visa?
The Sri Lanka Golden Visa, officially the Golden Paradise Residence Visa, is a 10-year residence visa for foreign investors and their eligible family members. Qualification is based on depositing a minimum of USD 200,000 into a Golden Paradise Foreign Currency Account (GPFCA) at a bank licensed by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. The Department of Immigration and Emigration describes the visa as allowing holders to invest, live and study in Sri Lanka. It does not automatically lead to citizenship, and the final decision always rests with the authorities.
How much does the Sri Lanka Golden Visa cost?
The core financial requirement is a USD 200,000 deposit into a GPFCA, which remains your capital rather than a fee. The government visa fee is USD 2,000 for the full 10-year period. On top of that, expect third-party costs: police clearance certificates, a medical report from an authorised local hospital, certified translations, bank charges, and any professional fees for legal, tax or property advice. Up to 50% of the deposit may be withdrawn after the first year.
Who can apply?
Foreign nationals who can deposit at least USD 200,000 into a Golden Paradise Foreign Currency Account, provide a police clearance report from their country of domicile issued within six months, and pass a medical examination at an authorised local hospital clearing them of Malaria, Filariasis, Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. Applicants must also pass a security clearance. Meeting the published requirements does not guarantee approval; the Department of Immigration and Emigration makes the final decision.
Can family members be included?
Yes. The spouse and dependants of the primary applicant are eligible under the same programme. Required documents include the marriage certificate, police clearance for the spouse from their country of domicile, and birth certificates for dependants, with certified English translations where applicable. The current official programme page does not publish a specific age limit for dependants. We recommend confirming directly with the Department before planning an application involving older children.
Can applicants buy property in Sri Lanka?
Yes, within Sri Lankan property law. The official programme page lists condominium purchase and leasing of land and buildings among the permitted investment activities for visa holders. Note that foreign freehold ownership of land is generally restricted in Sri Lanka; condominium units above the ground floor and long-term leases are the typical routes. Property purchase is a privilege of the visa; the qualification itself is the GPFCA deposit, not a property purchase.
How long does the process take?
The Department of Immigration and Emigration does not publish a guaranteed processing time for the Golden Paradise Residence Visa. Reported timeframes vary with document completeness, bank processing for the GPFCA, police clearance turnaround in your home country, and the security clearance stage. Treat any specific timeframe quoted by third parties as an estimate, not a commitment, and plan buffers around document validity windows such as the six-month police clearance limit.
Can the investment be withdrawn?
Partially, and eventually in full. After completing the first year from the visa issue date, the investor may withdraw up to 50% of the minimum investment amount. The remaining balance stays in the GPFCA for the visa period. If the visa is cancelled, which the Department entertains upon written request, the investment is released for the holder, spouse and dependants.
Does the visa lead to citizenship?
No, not automatically. The Golden Paradise Residence Visa is a residence programme, not a citizenship-by-investment programme. Sri Lankan citizenship follows separate legislation with its own criteria and discretionary decisions. Long-term residence may form part of a broader picture if you later pursue other status, but nothing in the published Golden Paradise material creates a right to citizenship. Seek qualified legal advice for citizenship questions.
Can holders work in Sri Lanka?
The current official programme page describes the visa as permitting holders to invest, live and study in Sri Lanka. Earlier programme communications referenced broader rights, so the position on employment is not clearly published today. Before accepting local employment, seek written confirmation from the Department of Immigration and Emigration or qualified immigration counsel. Running or investing in a business through the approved investment routes is expressly contemplated by the programme.
Is the programme still open?
Yes, as of our last verification on 16 July 2026 the Golden Paradise Residence Visa programme page remains live on the Department of Immigration and Emigration website with active application forms and a dedicated contact address (goldenparadise@immigration.gov.lk). Programme terms can change; the minimum investment has already been revised once, from USD 100,000 at launch to USD 200,000, so always confirm current conditions against the official source before committing funds.
