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Sri Lanka

Nationality · visas, permits and migration

Moved to OECD countries, 2023
53,339
Top destination, 2023
Japan
U.S. non-immigrant visas, FY2025
11,613
UK visas issued, 2025
32,167
Schengen visa refusal rate, 2024
35.1%
NationalityLKISO 3166
Year by year
Data as at 2025
NA<LKSRI<LANKA<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
LK7<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<4

Visa requirements for a short visit

Whether citizens of Sri Lanka need a visa for a short tourist or business visit, according to the legal lists. Rules change; check the official source before travelling.

DestinationShort visitLegal basis
Schengen areaVisa requiredRegulation (EU) 2018/1806 (consolidated 30.12.2025)
United KingdomVisa requiredImmigration Rules, Appendix Visitor / ETA National List
CanadaTemporary resident visa requiredIRPR s. 190, Schedule 1.1
Hong KongVisa requiredImmigration Department (HKSAR), visit visa requirements, 31.12.2025
Source: Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 (consolidated 30 Dec 2025); UK Immigration Rules, Appendix Visitor and ETA National List; Canada IRPR s. 190 and Schedule 1.1; Immigration Department (HKSAR), visit visa requirements as at 31 Dec 2025Data as at Oct 2026

Where people from Sri Lanka move

Inflows of foreign nationals by country of nationality, as recorded by each destination (OECD).

Inflows to OECD countries, 2023
  1. Japan11,328
  2. South Korea8,576
  3. New Zealand7,044
  4. Australia6,055
  5. Finland3,260
  6. Italy2,877
  7. Canada2,710
  8. United States2,280
  9. Germany2,058
  10. France1,883
  11. Sweden1,415
  12. Türkiye1,318
  13. Switzerland627
  14. Netherlands383
  15. Latvia287

Inflows to all OECD countries by year

27k53k200020032006200920122015201820212023
27k53k2000200420082012201620202023
Data table
200019,315
200119,100
200217,889
200319,218
200418,993
200522,696
200622,722
200721,260
200829,041
200926,250
201030,351
201129,882
201234,264
201329,884
201430,400
201530,990
201629,929
201727,040
201824,649
201925,054
202016,202
202115,657
202239,639
202353,339
Share going to the top destination
21.2%
Destinations recording arrivals
15
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Living abroad

People born in Sri Lanka who live in another country: mid-year estimates of the international migrant stock (UN DESA). Where a destination records citizenship rather than country of birth, its foreign citizens are counted.

Largest destinations, 2024
  1. India253,869
  2. Qatar161,747
  3. United Kingdom160,178
  4. Australia156,876
  5. Canada140,870
  6. United Arab Emirates112,759
  7. Italy95,118
  8. Saudi Arabia83,297
  9. France56,880
  10. Japan49,037
  11. Kuwait42,384
  12. Switzerland37,483

Living abroad by year

746k1.49M19901995200020052010201520202024
746k1.49M19902000201020202024
Data table
1990843,476
1995721,651
2000786,520
2005910,507
20101,108,466
20151,246,445
20201,409,777
20241,492,103
Living abroad, 2024
1,492,103
Change since 2000
+89.7%
Share living in the largest destination, 2024
17.0%
Source: United Nations, DESA Population Division, International Migrant Stock 2024 (CC BY 3.0 IGO)Data as at 2024

United States

Visas issued to citizens of Sri Lanka by U.S. consulates (fiscal years, October–September) and certified PERM labor certifications.

Non-immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. B1/B28,488
  2. C1/D917
  3. F1640
  4. A2244
  5. H1B162
  6. F2150
  7. J1149
  8. L2111
  9. H497
  10. L194

Non-immigrant visas by fiscal year

8,86118k201720182019202020212022202320242025
8,86118k20172019202120232025
Data table
201711,532
201813,686
201911,661
20204,781
20212,627
202211,005
202317,722
202413,836
202511,613
Immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. DV394
  2. IR5281
  3. IR1151
  4. F4150
  5. CR163
  6. F358
  7. IR247
  8. F2A31
Immigrant visas, FY2025
1,319
Certified PERM labor certifications, FY2024 (latest year with citizenship)
141
Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, monthly visa issuances (public domain); U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC PERM disclosure data (public domain)Data as at FY2025

Green cards and U.S. citizenship

People born in Sri Lanka who became U.S. lawful permanent residents (green cards) or U.S. citizens, and admissions of citizens of Sri Lanka with an I-94 record (DHS, fiscal years).

Green cards by fiscal year

1,2852,5702015201620172018201920202021202220232024
1,2852,570201520172019202120232024
Data table
20151,760
20161,910
20171,630
20181,590
20191,690
20201,460
20211,230
20222,570
20232,270
20242,290
Green cards by class of admission, FY2024
  1. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens990
  2. Diversity visa lottery600
  3. Employment-based preferences430
  4. Family-sponsored preferences130
  5. Refugees and asylees130
  6. Other classes10
Temporary worker admissions (I-94), FY2024
  1. Specialty occupations (H-1B)490
  2. Spouses and children450
  3. Intracompany transferees (L-1)350
  4. Athletes, artists and entertainers (P)80
  5. Other temporary workers80
  6. Extraordinary ability (O-1, O-2)30
Green cards, FY2024 (born in Sri Lanka)
2,290
Naturalizations, FY2024 (born in Sri Lanka)
1,660
I-94 admissions, FY2024 (citizenship)
25,920
Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Homeland Security Statistics, Yearbook of Immigration Statistics 2024 (public domain)Data as at FY2024

United Kingdom

Entry clearance visas issued to nationals of Sri Lanka (Home Office) and students with a permanent address in Sri Lanka (HESA).

Visas issued by group, 2025
  1. Visitor23,057
  2. Study4,323
  3. Work3,697
  4. Family822
  5. Other268

Visas issued by year

24k49k201020122014201620182020202220242025
24k49k201020132016201920222025
Data table
201032,974
201126,156
201221,294
201322,616
201421,818
201522,687
201620,781
201722,732
201822,968
201925,152
20206,919
202110,319
202237,311
202348,645
202437,074
202532,167
Students at UK universities, 2024/25
6,120
Source: Home Office, Immigration system statistics (year ending June 2026), Open Government Licence v3.0Data as at 2025

Canada

Permits and invitations for citizens of Sri Lanka, by year the permit took effect (IRCC).

YearTFWP workIMP workStudyPermanent residentsExpress Entry invitations
20255504,2502,5403,095485
20247854,2253,5853,810575
20239405,0205,2752,705510
20222952,0303,6552,505170
20211501,2401,9202,015375
20201105808451,335365
20191155409852,230390
2018303455702,160325
2017552904502,150250
2016803254201,54090
2015752152851,785110
Source: IRCC, monthly open data (rounded to the nearest 5). Open Government Licence – CanadaData as at 2025

Australia

Temporary skilled visas (subclass 457 to 2018, then 482) granted to primary applicants who are citizens of Sri Lanka, by financial year ending 30 June (Home Affairs).

Primary visas granted by financial year

1,1952,3892005–062007–082009–102011–122013–142015–162017–182019–202021–222023–242025–26
1,1952,3892005–062009–102013–142017–182021–222025–26
Data table
2005–06178
2006–07348
2007–08431
2008–09384
2009–10207
2010–11244
2011–12368
2012–13425
2013–14370
2014–15343
2015–16329
2016–17342
2017–18340
2018–19394
2019–20369
2020–21337
2021–22710
2022–231,839
2023–241,807
2024–252,087
2025–262,389
By stream, 2025–26
  1. Core Skills1,873
  2. Specialist Skills274
  3. Labour Agreement110
  4. Medium-term98
  5. Short-term34
Granted, 2025–26
2,389
Share of all Australian grants, 2025–26
3.4%
Source: Department of Home Affairs (Australia), BP0014 Temporary Resident (skilled) visas granted, data locked at 30 Sep 2026 (data.gov.au, CC BY)Data as at 2025–26

Japan

Citizens of Sri Lanka living in Japan at the end of each December, by status of residence (Immigration Services Agency of Japan). 2020 and 2021 were published only as database tables.

Foreign residents in Japan

40k79k2012201420162018202220242025
40k79k2012201420162018202220242025
Data table
20128,428
20139,193
201410,741
201513,152
201617,346
201723,348
201825,410
201927,367
202237,251
202346,949
202463,472
202579,128
By status of residence, December 2025
  1. Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services20,461
  2. Student20,172
  3. Dependent14,708
  4. Permanent Resident4,457
  5. Specified Skilled Worker4,003
  6. Designated Activities3,830
  7. Technical Intern Training2,870
  8. Business Manager2,617
  9. Intra-company Transferee1,959
  10. Spouse or Child of Japanese National1,462
Residents, December 2025
79,128
In work-related statuses
32,974
Share in work-related statuses
41.7%
Students
20,172
Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Statistics on Foreign Residents (在留外国人統計), Table 1, end of December (e-Stat; Government of Japan Standard Terms of Use 2.0)Data as at Dec 2025

Schengen visas in Sri Lanka

Short-stay (C) visa applications at Schengen consulates located in Sri Lanka, 2024. Applicants are mostly, but not only, its citizens.

Schengen stateApplicationsIssuedNot issuedRefusal rate
France9,5556,0493,35835.1%
Switzerland6,6174,2202,25534.1%
Germany5,0953,3711,64932.4%
Italy4,4312,6651,76339.8%
Netherlands231328.7%

Applications by year

19k39k2009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
19k39k200920122015201820212024
Data table
200915,874
201018,034
201119,365
201219,280
201320,495
201423,210
201526,690
201632,985
201737,912
201836,449
201938,602
20205,757
20213,207
202217,594
202324,654
202425,721
Refusal rate, 2024
35.1%
Refusal rate, 2019
21.7%
Source: European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs, visa statistics for consulates (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2024

Residence permits in Europe

First residence permits issued to citizens of Sri Lanka in EU and EFTA countries, 2025 (Eurostat).

First permits by reason
  1. Work16,778
  2. Family10,592
  3. Other reasons7,089
  4. Education3,505
First permits by country
  1. Italy11,352
  2. Romania9,138
  3. France2,998
  4. Finland2,845
  5. Cyprus2,708
  6. Germany1,876
  7. Sweden1,195
  8. Serbia983
  9. Denmark979
  10. Ireland645
  11. Poland528
  12. Portugal332
Work permits by type, 2025
  1. EU Blue Card79
  2. Highly skilled workers (national schemes)215
  3. Researchers59
  4. Other paid activities16,425
EU Blue Cards granted, 2024
204
Citizenships acquired in the EU, 2024
5,297
Students in EU/EFTA tertiary education, 2024
5,439
Refused entry at EU external borders, 2025
565
Valid residence permits, 31 Dec 2025
294,921
Long-term residence permits issued, 2025
7,140
Changed status into work, 2025
1,680
Intra-corporate transferee permits, 2025
26
Seasonal work authorisations, 2024
5,736
Source: Eurostat (migr_resfirst, migr_resbc11, migr_acq, educ_uoe_mobs02, migr_eirfs, migr_pop1ctz), CC BY 4.0Data as at 2024–2025

National statistics in Europe

Citizens of Sri Lanka in the figures of national statistics offices: residence permits granted in Denmark, immigrations by grounds for settlement in Sweden and immigrants with a non-EU/EFTA nationality by migration motive in the Netherlands; Finland and Austria publish immigration and emigration by citizenship only.

CountryYearAllWorkStudyFamilyProtectionOther or unknown
Denmark20259871668041601
Sweden20259853341053309
CountryYearImmigrationEmigrationNet migration
Finland20252,466532,413
Austria202540581324
Work-related, latest year
  1. Denmark166
  2. Sweden33
Source: Danmarks Statistik, Statistikbanken VAN66 and VAN77M (CC BY 4.0); SCB (Statistics Sweden), Statistikdatabasen TAB1614 and TAB6670 (CC0); CBS (Statistics Netherlands), StatLine 84809NED (CC BY 4.0); Statistics Finland (Tilastokeskus), StatFin 11a8 (CC BY 4.0); Statistik Austria, OGD_bevwan020_AUSSENWAND_100 (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

Germany

Citizens of Sri Lanka living in Germany on 31 December 2025, by residence status in the Central Register of Foreigners (Destatis).

By residence status, 31 Dec 2025
  1. Permanent residence title12,665
  2. Family reasons4,650
  3. Application for a residence title pending2,705
  4. International law, humanitarian or political reasons2,150
  5. Neither tolerated nor permitted1,475
  6. Permission to reside during the asylum procedure1,140
  7. Education and training1,090
  8. Special residence rights and national visas1,080
  9. Employment905
  10. Tolerated stay (Duldung)550
  11. EU free movement235

Residents in Germany (31 Dec)

14k29k201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
14k29k2014201620182020202220242025
Data table
201425,788
201525,759
201625,865
201725,900
201825,805
201925,945
202025,825
202125,720
202226,260
202327,190
202427,875
202528,635
Residents in Germany, 31 Dec 2025
28,650
With a residence title for employment
905
Permanent residence title
12,665
Source: Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis), Central Register of Foreigners, 31 December 2025 (reproduction permitted with source)Data as at 31 Dec 2025

Italy

New residence permits issued in Italy to citizens of Sri Lanka, by year and reason, and permits valid on 1 January 2026 (Istat).

New permits by year

5,03510k2016201720182019202020212022202320242025
5,03510k201620182020202220242025
Data table
20163,427
20174,131
20184,138
20193,576
20201,679
20212,767
20223,059
20233,320
20245,969
202510,069
New permits by reason, 2025
  1. Family4,844
  2. Asylum and protection2,864
  3. Work1,981
  4. Study201
  5. Other reasons179
New permits, 2025
10,069
Valid permits, 1 Jan 2026
113,249
EU long-term residents, 1 Jan 2026
69,117
Source: Istat, residence permits of non-EU citizens: permits issued in the year and valid permits on 1 January (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

Foreign embassies and consulates in Sri Lanka

Countries with an embassy or consulate in Sri Lanka, as recorded in Wikidata.

CountryEmbassiesConsulates-generalConsulates
Afghanistan1——
Brazil1——
China1——
France1——
Germany1——
Indonesia1——
Italy1——
Japan1——
Malaysia1——
Nepal1——
Netherlands1——
Norway1——
Palestine1——
Romania1——
Russia1——
Saudi Arabia1——
South Korea1——
Switzerland1——
Türkiye1——
United Arab Emirates1——
Countries
20
Missions
20
Source: Wikidata (CC0)Data as at Oct 2026

Remittances

Money that migrants send home: personal remittances received by Sri Lanka, in current US dollars (World Bank).

Remittances received by year, US$ million

4,1538,3062000200320062009201220152018202120242025
4,1538,306200020052010201520202025
Data table
20001,154
20011,170
20021,296
20031,423
20041,574
20051,976
20062,167
20072,507
20082,924
20093,337
20104,123
20115,153
20126,000
20136,422
20147,036
20157,000
20167,262
20177,190
20187,043
20196,749
20207,140
20215,522
20223,819
20236,023
20246,722
20258,306
Remittances received, 2025
US$8,306 million
Share of GDP, 2025
7.6%
Average cost of sending US$200 to Sri Lanka, 2023
2.2%
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

All corridors from Sri Lanka

Destinations with a dedicated page for citizens of this country.

  • Sri Lanka → Japan
  • Sri Lanka → South Korea
  • Sri Lanka → New Zealand
  • Sri Lanka → Australia
  • Sri Lanka → Finland
  • Sri Lanka → Italy
  • Sri Lanka → Canada
  • Sri Lanka → United States
  • Sri Lanka → Germany
  • Sri Lanka → France
  • Sri Lanka → Sweden
  • Sri Lanka → Switzerland
  • Sri Lanka → Türkiye
  • Sri Lanka → Denmark
  • Sri Lanka → United Kingdom
  • Sri Lanka → Poland
  • Sri Lanka → Romania
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Official data, not advice. Visa Atlas publishes figures from government registers and statistics. It does not assess eligibility or give immigration advice; for advice, consult a regulated adviser. Read more