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Visa for Journalist - Media personnel
Types of Journalist Visa

The Ministry of External Affairs is tasked with facilitation / coordination of visits to Sri Lanka by all foreign media personnel, as required, according to the guidelines stipulated below:

 

  • Visa for Journalist
  • Visa for Filming Documentaries / Feature Films
  • Visas to journalists seeking Work in Sri Lanka
Visa for Journalist

All media personnel intending to visit Sri Lanka should obtain a visa from the relevant Sri Lanka Embassy/High Commission/Consulate prior to their arrival in Colombo. Media personnel should not apply or enter Sri Lanka with tourist or business visas. 

 

Visa approval for journalists is processed only in Colombo by Ministry of External Affairs and  Sri Lanka Diplomatic Missions are not issuing Visa for journalists unless prior visa approval is given by the Ministry of External Affairs in Colombo. 

Media Accreditation

All foreign media personnel visiting Sri Lanka are required to obtain Media Accreditation from the Department of Government Information, issued upon the recommendation by the Ministry of External Affairs. All visiting media personnel upon their arrival in the country are requested to contact the Public Communications Division of the Ministry of External Affairs in Colombo to obtain the recommendation letter.

Application Procedure for Journalist Visa

There is three -step application procedure:

 

1. Launch the visa application with all required documents at the Sri Lanka Diplomatic Mission accredited to your country or alternatively, you can contact Immigration Visitor Services Centre in Colombo for assistance. The application will be referred to Colombo for necessary approval.

2. Sri Lanka Diplomatic Mission accredited to your country issues visa and applicant travel to Sri Lanka.

3. Upon entering Sri Lanka, journalist should contact the Public Communications Division of the Ministry of External Affairs in Colombo to obtain the recommendation letter for Media accreditation which is to be issued by the Ministry of Information.

Documents Requirement for Journalist Visa

1. Duly filled Application for Business Visa (ETA Application for Business Purpose) Form

2. Original Passport (minimum validity of 6 months beyond the period of stay)

3. Two recent passport-size colour photographs

4. A letter of commission from respective media organization (For freelance journalists, a letter from the Editor of a reputed publication)

5. Equipment list for electronic media along with a carnet or bank guarantee for customs purpose Form

6. Copy of return air ticket or flight itinerary obtained from a Travel Agent

7. Letter undertaking that the equipment are re-exported

8. Relevant Visa fee

Visa for Filming Documentaries / Feature Films

All Media personnel intending to visit Sri Lanka for Filming Documentaries / Feature Films should obtain a visa from the relevant Sri Lanka Embassy/High Commission/Consulate prior to their arrival in Colombo. Documentary and feature film makers are required to obtain clearance from authorities in Sri Lanka. The clearance may take 2-8 weeks. Media personnel should not apply or entry Sri Lanka with tourist or business visas. 

 

Filming of documentaries and feature films, require prior approval by the National Film Corporation (NFC) of Sri Lanka. Media teams are requested to complete the NFC agreement, available with all Sri Lanka Missions abroad, and submit it along with the synopsis of the documentary/feature film, itinerary of the media team while in Sri Lanka and the filming locations, at least two weeks prior to the scheduled commencement of the project.

 

Filming of tourism promotional documentaries, or taking part in Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) familiarization tours, are required to fill the “SLTPB Selection Criteria for Journalists/TV crews for FAM tours” form, which is available at all Sri Lanka Missions aboard. The SLTPB requires at least 30 working days for processing the relevant documents prior to the scheduled commencement of the project. Such media teams should also have a ground handling team who will be coordinating the project in Sri Lanka

Filming in wildlife related documentaries require prior approval from the Department of Wildlife Conservation. The duly completed “Application for filming in wildlife protected areas”, available at all Sri Lanka Missions, must be completed and handed over to the relevant Sri Lanka Mission. The Department of Wildlife Conservation requires at least two weeks to process the relevant documents before the scheduled commencement of the project.

 

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 Communications Division of the Ministry of External Affairs 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.

A prior license from the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission is necessary for telephone equipment such as satellite phones

Once the proposal for the documentary / feature film making is approved and upon receipt of the Customs permit for the and import of filming equipment, the Department of Immigration and Emigration issues visa for travel to Sri Lanka for filming.

Application Procedure for Filming Documentaries / Feature Films Visa

There is three -step application procedure:

 

1. Launch the visa application with all required documents at the Sri Lanka Diplomatic Mission accredited to your country or alternatively, you can contact Immigration Visitor Services Centre in Colombo for assistance. The application will be referred to Colombo for necessary approval.

2. Sri Lanka Diplomatic Mission accredited to your country issues visa and applicant travel to Sri Lanka

3. Upon entering Sri Lanka, journalist should contact the Public Communications Division of the Ministry of External Affairs in Colombo to obtain the recommendation letter for Media accreditation which is to be issued by the Ministry of Information

Documents Requirement for Filming Documentaries / Feature Films Visa

Filming of documentaries and feature films, 

1. Duly filled Application for Business Visa (ETA Application for Business Purpose) Form

2. Duly filled Application for approval of film shootings in Sri Lanka - Click Here

2  A detailed synopsis/treatment of the theme 

3. Details of locations and visits schedule 

4. Details of the producers and production company

5. The agreement between producers with relevant foreign missions prior to visit Sri   Lanka for foreign shootings   

6. List of crew members and cinematic equipment carried by each of them as given in the proforma for Crew & Equipment Details to obtain Customs permit for temporary import of the cinematic equipment to Sri Lanka for filming.

 

Filming of tourism promotional and wildlife related documentaries  

1. Duly filled application for Business Visa (ETA Application for Business Purpose) Form

2. Duly filled application for approval of film shootings in Sri Lanka (contact SLTPB) 

2  A detailed synopsis/treatment of the theme 

3. Details of locations and visits schedule 

4. Details of the producers and production company

5. Duly signed agreement - Click Here

6. List of crew members and cinematic equipment carried by each of them as given in the proforma for Crew & Equipment Details to obtain Customs permit for temporary import of the cinematic equipment to Sri Lanka for filming.

 

Further Information:

Please contact: Public Communications Division of the Ministry of External Affairs could be contacted for further information on visits of media personnel to Sri Lanka. 

Telephone: +94  11 2 473 944, +94 11 2 437 633, +94 11 2 325 371

Email: dpc1@mea.gov.lk or publicity@mea.gov.lk

Visa to journalists seeking Work in Sri Lanka

Journalists or intern journalists who intend to travel to Sri Lanka to work in Sri Lankan  media organizations should apply for Employment visas.

Application Procedure for Journalists Seeking Work Visa

There is three -step application procedure:

 

1. Obtaining Entry visa approval from the Department of Immigration in Colombo

2. Collecting Entry Visa endorsement from the relevant Sri Lanka Diplomatic mission and travel to Sri Lanka

3. After arrival in Sri Lanka, collect employment visa endorsement on passport at the Department of Immigration in Colombo

Documents Requirement for Journalists Seeking Work Visa

1. Completed visa application form

2. Copy of the data page of the applicant passport 

3. Letter from the employer in Sri Lanka confirming the employment and terms and conditions of employment

4. Business registration documents of the employer

5. Visa recommendation letter issued by the Ministry of Mass Media and Information

How to Apply

Approval for entry visa can be applied at:

 

  • Department of Immigration and Emigration - Colombo. Click Here
  • Immigration Visitor Services Center in Colombo - Click Here

 

Immigration Visitor Services Center in Colombo

Approval for entry visa can be applied more conveniently at our Immigration Visitor Services Center in Colombo or please call our helpdesk on +94 11 2 375 972 or email your request to info@immigrationlanka.com.

Our specially trained dedicated team will be ready to assist you in every step in the application process including application preparation, advising on document requirement, fee calculation, submitting application to the Department of Immigration, collection and dispatch of entry visa approval to clients and finally to obtain the visa endorsement on the passport after arrival. For greater convenience of our clients, we also offer many other optional value added services including door to door services.

Our service fee depends on each case and could only be determined after all information is available to us. However, as part of our policy to provide transparent and responsible service, our service fee will be clearly notified before we accept application.