A growing number of foreign nationals—mainly from Israel, India, Russia, and Ukraine—are reportedly engaging in business activities and employment in Sri Lanka using visas obtained in violation of the guidelines set by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), the Daily Mirror reports.
An official from the Tourism Ministry stated that the SLTDA has established strict visa issuance guidelines for foreign nationals entering the country for tourism, investment, or work in the hospitality sector.
While the SLTDA permits work visas for specific roles such as chefs, managers, and therapists—usually at high-standard hotels and restaurants—many foreigners are found working in small eateries, allegedly through visa approvals obtained without SLTDA oversight.
The official explained that certain well-established foreign nationals in Sri Lanka help others secure resident visas by bypassing legal procedures, often with the help of corrupt immigration officers.
In cases of investment, foreign nationals are required to pay the Tourism Development Levy and maintain deposits in International Resident Accounts (IRA), but there are instances where these rules are flouted to obtain one-year resident visas.
These foreign workers often provide services to tourists from their own countries and receive payments through international digital platforms, depriving Sri Lanka of valuable economic revenue.
Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala commented that any foreigner found violating visa conditions would face deportation, and said stronger measures are being introduced to tighten enforcement.
