Immigration update: Sri Lanka | Visa and Travel Restrictions due to COVID-19

Visa and Travel Restrictions due to COVID-19

Department of Immigration and Emigration has issued visa and travel restrictions to prevent further COVID-19 outbreak.

Who will be affected

– Nationalities of the following countries: Austria, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Iran, Italy, Netherlands, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Spain and Sweden
– Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) facility temporarily suspended for all foreigners arriving in Sri Lanka from 14 March 2020 (12.20pm Sri Lanka Time)

Impact

– All types of Electronic Travel Authorizations (ETA)/ Entry Visas, Landing Endorsements, Multiple Entry Visas and Residence Visas already granted to the nationals of Italy, Iran and Republic of Korea will be temporarily suspended and those foreign nationals will not be allowed to enter Sri Lanka for two weeks with effect from 14th March 2020.
– All types of Electronic Travel Authorizations (ETA)/ Entry Visas, Landing Endorsements, Multiple Entry Visas and Residence Visas already granted to Canada will be temporarily suspended and those foreign nationals will not be allowed to enter Sri Lanka for two weeks with effect from 17th March 2020 – 23:59 hours (Local time in Sri Lanka) to 31st March 2020, 24:00 hours (Local time in Sri Lanka)
– All types of Electronic Travel Authorizations (ETA)/ Entry Visas, Landing Endorsements, Multiple Entry Visas and Residence Visas already granted to aforementioned other nationalities (except Republic Korea, Iran, Italy) will be temporarily suspended and those foreign nationals will not be allowed to enter Sri Lanka for two weeks with effect from 15th March 2020, 23:59 hours (Local time in Sri Lanka) to 29th March 2020, 24:00 hours (Local time in Sri Lanka).
– The ETA exempted countries; Maldives, Singapore, Seychelles will be included in the ETA system and exemption facility for such countries will be temporarily suspended with effect from 15th March 2020, 23:59 hours (Local time in Sri Lanka) until further notice. Foreign nationals of said countries, who wish to travel to Sri Lanka only for essential purposes, shall apply for their visa via online facilities through ETA website (www.eta.gov.lk). However, they may be subjected to the quarantine procedures which will be implemented as per the prevailing requirement of the country upon their arrival.
– Diplomatic, Official and Service passport holders are exempted from the above restrictions

Implementation

From Iran, Italy and South Korea

– Entry into Sri Lanka is suspended from 14th March 2020 for two weeks ending 28th March 2020.
– No passengers will be allowed to board during the aforementioned period in any of the flights destined to Sri Lanka for any passenger who is either originating from Iran, Italy or South Korea or who has been in any of those countries within the last 14 days.

From France, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Netherlands, Sweden and Austria

– All travel beginning from France, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Netherlands, Sweden and Austria to Sri Lanka will be banned from 15 March 2020 for two (2) weeks ending 29 March 2020.
– The ban will commence on all flights arriving after 15 March 2020 23:59hrs (Local Time in Sri Lanka) and end on 29 March 2020 24:00hrs (Local time in Sri Lanka)
– Accordingly, all airlines are strongly instructed not to board during the aforementioned period in any of their flights destined to Sri Lanka, any passenger who is either originating from the aforementioned countries or who has been in any of those countries within the last 14 days.

From the United Kingdom, Belgium and Norway

– All travel beginning from United Kingdom, Belgium and Norway to Sri Lanka will be banned for a period of 2 weeks with effect from 23:59hrs (local time in Sri Lanka) on 16 March 2020.
– The ban will commence on all flights arriving after 16th March 23:59hrs (Local Time in Sri Lanka) and end on the 30th of March 2020 24:00hrs (Local time in Sri Lanka)
– Accordingly, all airlines are strongly instructed not to board during the aforementioned period in any of their flights destined to Sri Lanka, any passenger who is either originating from the aforementioned countries or who has been in any of those countries within the last 14 days.

Santa Fe Analysis

In lieu of the latest measures rolled out, during the time taken to have a swab test results from the authorities, it is advisable to minimize contact with others as a precautionary measure.

For employers, it is advised to keep assignment start dates flexible for affected travellers and also to keep business travels to a minimum.

As COVID-19 continues to spread to more countries and infect more people, we recommend practicing hygiene and safety measures first.

Should you have any questions, please contact the following:

Roshni Ramachandran
India Immigration Manager
Santa Fe Relocation Services
Mumbai, India
Direct: +91 22 450 24527
Email: roshni.ramachandran@santaferelo.com

Paolo Longo
Regional Immigration Director – India, Middle East & Africa
Santa Fe Relocation
Johannesburg, South Africa
D: +27 (0) 10 595 2337
M: +27 (0) 83 677 7949
E: Paolo.longo@santaferelo.com

To read more immigration updates, click here

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Santa Fe Relocation Services is a global mobility company specialising in managing and delivering high-quality relocation services worldwide. Our core competence is providing services that help corporations and their employees relocate and settle in a new country, assisting them with immigration, home and school searches, language and cultural training, property rentals, and domestic and international household goods shipments. We provide these services to a consistently high standard, locally and globally. A key strength is our ability to manage these services through our own operations around the world. For more information, visit us at www.santaferelo.com

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