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Sri Lanka

Applying for a UK visa in Sri Lanka

This page explains how you can apply for a visa to come to the UK if you are currently in Sri Lanka or the Maldives.

If you currently have temporary permission to stay in the Sri Lanka or the Maldives (for example, as a student or a visitor), you can only apply for some types of UK visa - see 'More information' below.

When to apply

You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before your date of travel to the UK. We strongly advise you not to confirm your travel arrangements until you have received your visa. To find out how long we usually take to process your type of visa, see the Visa processing times page.

Before you apply

Before you apply, you must:

  • prepare the supporting documents that you will need;
  • be ready to enrol your fingerprints and photograph (known as biometric information) at our visa application centre in Colombo; and
  • be able to pay the visa application fee. The Visa application fees and guides pages explain how much your visa application will cost.

If you do not know which supporting documents to provide, the Visa application fees and guides page will help you to find guidance for your visa category.

If you are applying under the points-based system, you should provide all the documents specified in the guidance for your visa category. For each document, you should also provide any information or explanation that may help us to make our decision.

If you are applying for any other type of visa, you should provide documents that:

  • support the statements that you make in your visa application; and
  • show that the information in your application is true.

We will only consider documents submitted with your application. You cannot submit documents after you have completed your application at the visa application centre, unless our staff ask you for them.

For every document that you provide, you must include the original document and a photocopy. This includes a copy of your passport bio-data page (the page containing your photograph). Please ensure that the photocopies are of good quality and can be read easily. If you do not provide a photocopy of each document, we might not return your original documents to you.

If you do not have a document, or your documents are not written in English or Welsh, or you are not paying for your trip, you can find out what to do under 'More information' below.

How to apply

To apply for a visa, you must:

  • complete and submit a visa application form online; and
  • attend one of our visa application centres

Applying online

From Monday 6 May we will only accept online applications.

You can find the online application form under 'Do it online' on the right side of this page.

When you have completed your online application, you will receive an email message containing your application number (also known as a 'GWF reference'). Please make a note of this number.

Once you have applied online you should print off a hard copy of your application form and take it to your nearest visa application centre (VAC) along with your supporting documents.

Paying your visa application fee

There are 3 options for paying your visa application fee:

Sampath Bank

  • You may visit any of the designated branches of Sampath Bank which are listed on the right hand side of this page.

The bank will issue a demand draft in favour of the British High Commission which will be valid for 6 months from the date of issue. You must attend the bank in person with your passport. In the case of a family, one of the applicants can visit the branch along with the original passports of all the family members applying for visas. Please bring the demand draft with you to the visa application centre when you submit your application.

There is no charge for this payment service.

Demand draft

  • You can obtain a demand draft from any bank in favour of 'The British High Commission' payable in Colombo. Bank charges for this service will vary. Please bring the demand draft with you to the visa application centre when you submit your visa application. One demand draft should be submitted per applicant.

At the visa application centre

  • You can pay the visa application fee in cash at the visa application centre. The Deutsche Bank facilities are located at the visa application centre for fee collection. A service charge of Rs.500 (inclusive of taxes) for this facility will be applicable.

You should ensure that you get a receipt when you pay the fee. We will not refund the fee if your application is unsuccessful.

The visa application centre

To complete the application process (even if you are applying online), you must attend our visa application centre in Colombo, Sri Lanka. If you wish to make a Tier 4, student visa application, you will need to make an appointment before attending the visa application centre in Colombo. There is no appointment system for other visa categories.

You can find more information on the Booking an appointment page.

More information

  • Will you need to be interviewed?

    In most cases, our staff will make a decision based on the documents you submit with your visa application. Therefore it is essential that you submit all relevant documents with your application.

    In a small number of cases, you may be asked to attend an interview or take part in a telephone interview.  If asked to attend an interview we will offer you the first available interview date.

    We will not interview child applicants under 10 years old. If a child is travelling alone, we may interview a responsible adult (such as their parent or guardian). We may interview children aged between 10 and 14, but only in the presence of a responsible adult. Children aged over 14 may be interviewed alone.
  • Document fraud

    It is a serious crime to make false statements, or submit false information or documents, when applying to enter or remain in the UK.

    Before you sign your application form, you must ensure that the information on the form is correct and your supporting documents are genuine and unaltered. Our officers in the UK and overseas are highly trained to detect fraud.

    If you provide false information, documents or passports, or if you lie or withhold information in support of your application, we will refuse the application and you will face serious consequences. You could:

    • be banned from entering the UK for 10 years;
    • be removed from the UK, if you are already here;
    • be charged with a crime, which could lead to a prison sentence or a fine; and
    • receive a permanent record of fraud on the UK Border Agency database.

    It is better to explain why you do not have a document than to submit a false document.
  • Assistance from friends, travel agents, immigration agents or consultants

    You may decide to submit your visa application using an independent travel agent, immigration agent or consultant, or with the help of a friend. They can only help you complete the form and advise you which supporting documents to include. They cannot make the application for you or attend the visa application centre.

    Remember that the visa application is your application. You are responsible for the information given and any supporting documents. You must check that the information is correct and sign the application.

    A genuine agent should only charge you a small and reasonable fee for their services. If an agent makes unrealistic claims or charges high fees for their services, they may be overcharging you or supplying you with false documents and statements.

    If you are approached by someone who claims that they can guarantee you success with your application in return for a fee, please inform staff at the visa application centre immediately.
  • Applying for a UK visa if you have temporary permission to stay

    If you have temporary permission to stay (for example, as a visitor) in the country where you are currently living, you cannot apply for most types of UK visa in that country. You can only apply for:

    • a visitor visa
    • a Tier 5 (Temporary worker - creative and sporting) visa
    • an EEA family permit

    Your application may be referred back to your country of residence, which may cause delays.

    To apply for any other type of UK visa, you must apply under the procedure for your country of residence. You can find this procedure by selecting your country of residence in our country finder .
  • If you do not have a document

    You should check that you have all the relevant documents that you want the visa officer to see before you apply for a visa. It is your responsibility to satisfy the visa officer that you qualify for the visa that you have applied for.

    If you do not have a document that is listed in the guidance, or that you think might be relevant to your application, you should explain why you do not have it. You must not provide a false document.

    If you provide a false document, we will automatically refuse your application, and you could be banned from coming to the UK for 10 years.

    If you cannot provide an original supporting document, such as your original birth certificate, you should provide a copy from the organisation that issued the document (known as the 'issuing authority').

    If you do not provide original documents, it might be difficult for our officers to assess your application accurately, and your application might be delayed or refused.
  • If your documents are not in English or Welsh - translated documents

    If you send us a document that is not in English or Welsh, it must be accompanied by a full translation that can be independently verified by us. Each translated document must contain:

    • confirmation from the translator that it is an accurate translation of the original document;
    • the date of the translation;
    • the translator's full name and signature; and
    • the translator's contact details.

    If you do not submit translations of all supporting documents, this may result in your application being delayed or refused.

    If you send us a translation of an overseas qualification or award certificate, we will not consider it as a direct translation of the academic level of that award. We will always use UK NARIC to assess the equivalency of overseas qualifications.
  • If you are not working or paying for your trip

    If you are not working, you should include the original financial documents of the person who supports you.

    If someone else is paying for your trip, you should explain why they are paying and include their original financial documents.
  • Travelling with someone who does not have a passport yet

    If you are travelling to the UK as part of a group, please do not apply for your visa until everyone who must travel with you has a valid passport. If you are issued with a visa before everyone in your group has a valid passport, your visa may expire. If this does happen, you will have to reapply for your visa.