Journalist Visa

  • Sri Lanka has longstanding democratic traditions, and respects the freedom of speech & expression. In keeping with this spirit, journalists & media personnel are welcome to visit Sri Lanka.
  • All journalists & media personnel travelling to Sri Lanka must obtain visa from the High Commission prior to their arrival in Colombo.
  • Media teams are advised to submit visa requests at least one month in advance of their date of departure.
  • Media accreditation will not be recommended for any person who travels to Sri Lanka with a tourist visa.
Requirements:

Applicants are encouraged to submit applications one month prior to their departure.

  • Duly filled Visa Application Form for each member – Download Application
  • Two passport size photographs for each member.
  • Current Passport (valid for at least 6 months from the expected date of arrival).
  • Singapore Identity card /Brunei SPR/EP/”S” Pass/DP/LTVP/Student Pass/WP.
  • A letter from the News Agency/Media Institution which states the journalists names and requesting Visa, encapsulating Details of Visit
  • Tentative programme Expected dates of travel
  • List of media equipment and Carnet
  • Duly completed Agreement Form Itinerary
  • For media that intend to film documentaries / films, for these cases, obtaining prior Clarence from the National film Cooperation (NFC) and sinning of NFC agreement is required. It is required to fill out application forms from the National Film Corporation (NFC) please see section below for “Filming Documentaries / Feature Films”
  • More details on the NFC agreement are given in the link below. I have also attached the NFC agreement with this email.
  • http://www.nfc.gov.lk/foreign-shootings.php
Clearance of Equipment:
  • The Department of Customs strictly enforces regulations pertaining to the clearance of equipment carried by media personnel. Accordingly, visiting media personnel should possess a temporary import document known as ‘Carnet’ for any equipment carried by them, for customs clearance. In the absence of a ‘Carnet’, a bank guarantee should be submitted to the value of the items. If the visit is sponsored by any state institution, a guarantee letter from the relevant institution ensuring the re-export of the equipment is required.
  • The list of equipment carried by media personnel should be sent to the Public Diplomacy Division of the Ministry of Foreign Relation through the relevant Sri Lanka Mission in advance, to facilitate clearance at the Customs at the airport. The list should be accompanied by a letter of undertaking from the relevant media organization that the equipment would be carried out of the country upon the departure of the media personnel.
Media Accreditation:
Relevant Visa Fees:
  • • SAARC Member Country Passport – S$42/-
  • • Other Country Passport – S$76/-