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Are you an international student wanting to work in Sri Lanka? Do you want to know the answer to this question- can international students work in Sri Lanka? You have come to the right place! This blog covers everything you need to know about working in Sri Lanka. You will learn about the working hours, the kind of work permitted during studies, the availability of a post-study work permit, and the residence visa. Keep reading to get your answers.
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Can International Students Work in Sri Lanka? An Overview
If you are an international student you can take up non-paying work activities in the country. For example, volunteering. You can also take up a paid or unpaid internship. However, you must ensure that your work does not interfere with your studies. However, you are only allowed to work part-time. You cannot work full-time. You must get an appropriate visa for full-time work.
Types of Work Allowed for International Students
Can international students work in Sri Lanka? Yes. International students wanting to study in Sri Laka need to get a ‘Residence visa for educational purposes’. This visa is valid for 1 year or for the duration of your studies. While you hold this visa, you are permitted to undertake the following types of work-
- Volunteering (paid or unpaid)
- Internships (paid or unpaid)
This can be a part of your course or not. You are permitted to work as a part-timer.
What are the Working Hours in Sri Lanka?
The working hours permitted in Sri Lanka for international students are as follows:
| Particulars | Working Hours Permitted |
| Part-time working hours permitted for international students | 20 hours per week |
Note– Sri Lanka has not defined what the part-time working hours in the country are. However, part-time work is generally for 20 hours a week in almost every country.
Who is Eligible for Post Study Work Permit in Sri Lanka?
No one. Sri Lanka does not issue post-study work permits to international students. Therefore, you cannot stay back in the country. After you have completed your studies you must return to your home country. Can international students work in Sri Lanka after graduation? After graduation, you must get a ‘Residence Visa for Work’. This is both an authorisation to work and stay in the country.
Can Indians Work in Sri Lanka Without a Visa?
Indians, just like any other nationality, are considered ‘foreigners’. Therefore, you need to get a ‘Residence Permit for work’. The residence permit for work is both an authorization to stay and work. This permit will allow you to work in the country for a year. Based on the duration of your employment contract,t you can renew the same.
| Visa | Validity | Renewability |
| Residence Permit for Employment Purpose | 1 year | Yes (Every year) |
Is there a Sri Lanka Work Permit?
No. Sri Lanka does not issue a separate work permit. The Residence Permit for Employment Purposes also authorizes you to work in the country. Therefore, you do not have to wait for approval for a work permit. You can travel with your visa and start working in the country.
Am I Eligible for a Sri Lanka Work Visa?
Can international students work in Sri Lanka after graduation? Yes. Even if you have completed your studies in India you can work in Sri Lanka. To do this, you need a Sri Lanka work visa. The work visa is available to you if you meet the following criteria-
- You must have a job offer and an employment contract with a recongised employer
- You have applied for a work permit and obtained the same
- You are either approved up the government for Project Professional services, or you are an expatriate personnel employed in projects (as per the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka)
- Otherwise, you must be employed at a bank or a Private Sector company
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What are the Documents Required for a Sri Lanka Work Visa?
Can international students work in Sri Lanka after graduation? Yes. You can. However, you must submit the following documents for the visa application process.
| Documents Required ( if you are a project personnel | Documents Required (if you are employed in projects as per BOI) |
| Project Office Request | BOI certificate |
| Line Ministry OR Dept. of External Resources letter of recommendation | BOI Agreement |
| Passport copy (bio-data page) | Request Letter from the representing organisation |
| Original passport | Company Registration certificate |
| Recommendation from BOI | |
| Details of the Board of Directors of the Company | |
| Your passport copies (bio-data page) | |
| Article of Association of the Company | |
| Health Protection Plan | |
| Project details | |
| Your original passport |
| Documents Required (if you are employed at a Bank in Sri Lanka) | Documents Required (if you are working at a private sector/ company) |
| Bank Request | Request letter from the private company |
| Passport copy (bio-data page) | Company Board of Directors details |
| Passport | Article of Association of the Company |
| Health protection plan | Company Registration Certificate |
| Bank Request | Line Ministry Recommendation |
| Passport copy (bio-data page) | |
| Health Protection plan |
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How to Apply for a Sri Lanka Work Visa From India?
Can international students work in Sri Lanka after graduation? Yes. You can apply for a work visa. The work visa application process is as follows-
- First, visit the Department of Immigration & Emigration, Colombo website
- Download the visa application form, and fill out the same
- Gather the relevant documents. Your employer must provide the company-related documents you need. You must also gather the documents you must provide from your side.
- Apply to the Department of Immigration & Emigration, Colombo.
- Wait for visa application processing. Once the processing is over you will be informed of the same.
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Sri Lanka Work Visa Processing Time, Fees, and Validity
Can international students work in Sri Lanka? Yes. You can work with a Residence Visa for employment. We have provided the Sri Lanka work visa processing time, validity, and visa fees below:
| Visa | Sri Lanka Work Visa Processing Time | Sri Lanka Work Visa Fees | Sri Lanka Work Visa Valditiy |
| Residence Visa (for employment Purpose) | 1-2 months | USD 200 | One year or period recommended by the relevant authority |
Can I Renew My Sri Lanka Residence Visa for Employment?
Yes. You can renew your residence Visa for employment. You can apply to the Department of Immigration and Emigration. Moreover, the residence visa application must be made before 2 months before the expiry date of your current residence visa. The application for the Sri Lanka Residence Visa renewal must be made at the Head office of the Department of Immigration & Emigration, Colombo.
Do I Need to Get a Residence Permit for Sri Lanka?
No. You do not have to get a separate residence permit for Sri Lanka. The Residence Visa for Employment also serves as your residence permit. This means that you can also stay in the country with this visa. Therefore, you do not have to apply for a separate residence permit. Your employer must be sponsoring your Residence Visa for employment, and you must get approval for the same from the concerned authorities.
FAQs
No. You are not permitted to work in Sri Lanka without a visa. To start working, you need to apply for a residence visa for employment. The employer applies for this visa on your behalf.
Yes. Foreigners can work in Sri Lanka. You are permitted to work in the country if you get a Residence Visa irrespective of your nationality. The Department of Immigration and Emigration processes your application.
You are legally authorised to work in Sri Lanka if you have a Residence Visa for employment. A Residence Visa for employment is both an authorisation to work and to travel to Sri Lanka. This means you do not have to get a separate work permit.
The cost of a Sri Lankan student visa is around USD 200 per year. This is the visa application fee. However, apart from this fee you need to have funds to pay your tuition fees and living expenses in the country.
Although several countries allow visa-free entry for tourists, it does not mean you can work. You need to get a work permit or a visa (that also acts as a work permit) to work. Otherwise, the country might require some kind of permit. There is no way you can work outside India without a work permit. It is considered illegal. The work permit is the authorisation from the country or a kind of permission to engage in economic activity.
We hope you now have the answer to your question-Can international students work in Sri Lanka? Want to apply for a Visa for your study abroad journey? Drop us a comment in the section below, or visit our visa page for more such articles. You can also connect with a visa expert at Leverage Edu, and we will guide you on your dream journey!
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