Today we will cover a little known unique golden visa scheme in Asia.
Sri Lanka is a beautiful sunny country in Southern tip of Asia. The country for many years is an unique travel destination for many foreigners from Europe and America.
Sri Lanka offers a unique golden visa scheme for foreign investors. The scheme is known as Resident Guest Scheme Visa program (RGSVP) which is open to all foreign nationals. The scheme requires investors contribute to the economic and socio-cultural development of the country.
The RGS investor category visas issued will be valid for five years and can be renewed thereafter.
One of the important conditions for investors are they must contribute to economic development, cannot participate in political activities or security threat to the country.
The Office of Implementation Agency takes decisions on RGSVP scheme visas and is located at the Department of Immigration Emigration, “Suhurupaya”, Battaramulla, Sri Lanka.
There are two categories available for foreigners:
1. Investor category
Under this scheme foreign investors must make the following investment
- Bank account deposit – USD 250,000
- Economic investment – USD 250,000
For additional family members, the investment increases to USD 35,000
The Bank deposit can be in any convertible foreign currency and deposit the funds in a special account in any commercial bank approved by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
The Economic investment can made made in the following ventures approved by Board of Investment
- Startup ventures
- Existing or new companies
- Shares listed in the Colombo Stock Exchange
2. Professional category
The professional category requires no investment but $2000 per month for expenses and $1000 per month for every family member has to be deposited in special bank account for foreigners. This category also suitable for retirees.
Citizenship
Sri Lanka permits dual citizenship. Foreigners can naturalize for citizenship after ten years of living.
Passport
The Sri lankan passport as of 2019, has visa free travel to 43 countries
Little facts about Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka is one of the most beautiful and culturally rich country known for its diversity and customs. Sri Lankan culture has diverse customs and rites that are 2000 years old and are handed over in generation to generation
- Sri lanka has a population of about 21 million and its GDP reached $292 billion in 2018. The country is best known for food and largest producer tea, making the british to name ‘ceylon’ after being served tea.
- Sri Lanka’s documented history spans 3,000 years, with evidence of prehistoric human settlements dating back to at least 125,000 years.
- It geographic location and deep harbours made it of great strategic importance from the time of the ancient Silk Road through to the modern Maritime Silk Road (Belt road initiative)
- Sri Lanka verdant rainforests, misty hills amid fertile tea plantations and miles upon miles of dazzling beaches attracts holiday makers
- Sri Lanka was first colonised by the Portuguese in 1505, then the Dutch in 1658 and then the British in 1796. Finally, the country gained full independence in 1948.
- Sinhala and Tamil are the two official languages of Sri Lanka and Buddhists form 70% of population.
