PROCEDURE FOR RECOMMENDATION OF RESIDENT VISA TO EXPATRIATES IN HOTELS, RESTAURANTS, TRAVEL AGENCIES AND OTHER TOURISM RELATED SECTORS:

1. Objectives:

To facilitate the industry to carry out their business to employ expatriates where suitable and qualified people are not available locally

1.1 To create opportunity for skill development and cross exposure.

•  To encourage product development and diversification .

2. Pre-condition for visa applications :

To obtain a Resident Visa,

•  The Establishment should posses a valid licence of the Sri Lanka Tourist Board.

•  The establishment should have paid the Tourism Development Levy upto the last quarter.

•  The establishment should prove to the Sri Lanka Tourist Board that they have made an attempt to fill the vacancy locally.

•  Request for resident visa is not entertained if the applicant is already in the country on a Visit Visa as it contravenes Immigrants & Emigrants Act No: 20 of 1948 and its regulations and subsequent amendments .

3. Visa Recommendation Procedure :

•  Establishments requesting for expatriate viza should have been registered and licenced with the Sri Lanka Tourist Board prior to submission of application .

•  The vacancies for which expatriate are to be recruited should be advertised in local news papers both Sinhala / English .

3.3. In the event of no local applicants are suitable for the position advertised , a report of same should be submitted to the Board for the observations of the panel .

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•  Following categories may be exempted from 2.3 and 3.2 of the above, for recommendation of Resident visas:

•  Hotels

I General Manager

II Executive Chef

III Food and Beverage Consultant.

(b)Restaurants

Authentic , Speciality Restaurants serving ethnic food .

I Speciality Chef

( Maximum of 02 persons per establishment )

(c ) Travel Agencies / Tour Operators

I Resident Managers / Resident Representative

II Tour Leaders

( Viza recommendation is made only to conduct tours with the

assistance of a National Tourist Guide Lecturer registered with the

Sri Lanka Tourist Board.)

•  In the case of any other Specialized Tourist Services, the Board my

consider recommending visa depending on the importance of the job profile .

•  Formal request to be made along with the credentials of the individual concerned on an application form to be duly filled and submitted to the Board in advance of signing the contract.

•  The application submitted will be perused by a panel comprising :

a) Director / Assistant Director - Corporate Services

b) Senior Lecturer - Food & Beverage Operation

c) Senior Lecturer - Professional Cookery

•  On perusal of the documents, if accepted the valid contract signed with the individual concerned to be submitted to the Board.

7. Processing fees are payable on remuneration paid to the individual expatriate

a) 1. Monthly salary upto US $ 1000 or equivalent - Rs.10,000/=

2. Monthly salary between US $ 1000 – 2000 or equivalent - Rs.20,000/=

3. Monthly salary over US $ 2000 - Rs.30,000/=

b) For Spouse of the expatriate and children over 12 years to be paid Rs. 5,000 per

individual

•  Registration fees for Resident Manager and Tour Leader for a period of Six months will be Rs. 7,500/=

•  The family visa is recommend for the Spouse and the children and they should not engage in any gainful employment in Sri Lanka.

•  Request for of extension of visas for expatriates, should be supported with

(a ) Detailed report of training and development of local employees / under

study persons with their names for evaluation by the panel.

•  The trainees / persons understudying may be called for an interview by the panel for an assessment on specific job requirement .