US embassy cable - 04COLOMBO1620

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 COLOMBO 001620 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR CA/VO 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: CVIS, CMGT, ETRD, CE 
SUBJECT:  EXTENDING NIV VISA RECIPROCITY TO FIVE YEARS FOR 
SRI LANKAN PASSPORT HOLDERS 
 
1. SUMMARY: The Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) is expected 
to propose shortly a significant change to non-resident 
visas offered to U.S. citizens.  They are prepared to 
implement a five year multiple entry non-resident visa, for 
all types of non-resident travel to Sri Lanka. The fee for 
this visa will be $100.  Post requests permission, once the 
proposal receives final GOSL approval, to reciprocate in 
offering 5 year multiple entry visas for most non-immigrant 
visa (NIV) categories and to discontinue charging a $95 
issuance fee.  END SUMMARY 
 
2. The GOSL currently has two types of visas, resident and 
non-resident.  Non-resident visas are divided into business 
and leisure categories.  Non-resident tourist visas are good 
for 30 days and are issued on arrival at point of entry. 
Currently, to stay beyond 30 days for any purpose, you must 
apply and be approved for a resident visa.  The resident 
visas can last anywhere from 90 to 365 days depending on the 
purpose of the stay and financial capacity of the applicant. 
The resident visas cost approximately $274. Travelers 
entering for temporary business purposes are required to 
have a visa prior to entering the country.  Non-resident 
business visas are generally single entry, short validity 
visas.  Most U.S. businesspeople staying less than 30 days 
are advised by Sri Lankan authorities to illegally enter as 
tourists. However, they can potentially face immigration 
problems if extending their stay.  Due to these visa terms, 
it was determined in May 2001 that validity periods of most 
U.S. NIV classes would be reduced from 5 year multiples to 
one year multiples and that a $95 issuance fee would be 
charged.  The change was approved and implemented. 
 
3. Since May of 2001, there have been significant changes in 
the number of NIV interviews required at post.  As of April 
2003, post has gone to a 100% interview policy, up from 
approximately 65%. In addition to the normal volume of new 
visa applicants, we are experiencing regular travelers to 
the U.S. applying every year for visa renewals as their 
previous 5 year multiple visas are expiring.  Due to 
increasing NIV application and interview volume this summer, 
the waiting periods for appointments increased 
substantially, from a maximum of 3 weeks in 2003 to an 
average of 6-8 weeks in 2004.  The GOSL is under pressure 
from their business community to improve the terms of U.S. 
NIVs offered to Sri Lankans. 
 
4. Earlier this year, Post and the GOSL began visa 
reciprocity discussions with the intention of increasing 
visa's validity periods for Sri Lankans traveling to the 
U.S. and vice versa. On July 23rd, 2004 post received a 
verbal proposal from the two top officials in the Department 
of Immigration and Emigration: Mr. E. Jinadasa, Controller 
of Immigration and Emigration and Mr. H. Wijeratne, Deputy 
Controller for Visas.  A written proposal with the same 
terms was delivered to the Embassy on July 27th. 
 
5. The GOSL is now tentatively proposing a significant 
change to the non-resident visas offered to U.S. citizens. 
In addition to maintaining the 30 day tourist visa on 
arrival, they propose to implement a 5 year multiple entry 
non-resident visa, for all types of non-resident travel to 
Sri Lanka.  Entries under the 5 year multiple visa will be 
for 6 months rather than 30 days.  The fee for the 5 year 
multiple visa will be $100 and charged only if the visa is 
approved.  U.S. citizens may still enter on a tourist 30 day 
visa issued on arrival.  Business travelers would need to 
apply for the 5 year multiple visa in advance of travel. 
U.S. citizens will be able to apply for the 5 year multiple 
visas in advance of travel through the Sri Lankan Embassy in 
Washington or one of their consulates in the U.S. They will 
also be allowed to apply for a 5 year multiple visa within 
30 days of entering Sri Lanka, to include staying an 
additional 60 days to process the visa and adjust status to 
the 6 months entry while in country.  For tourists wishing 
to stay longer than 30 days and business travelers there are 
distinct advantages in cost and convenience in the new visa 
regime. 
 
6. This draft Sri Lankan proposal must be approved by the 
MFA and the Ministry of Public Security, Law and Order 
(MPSLO). (The MPSLO supervises the Department of Immigration 
and Emigration.)  We understand that both ministries endorse 
the new visa scheme. An MFA official told us September 27 
that the proposal will go to the Cabinet for approval 
probably next week. 
 
7. If the new visa regime is approved by the Cabinet, Post 
would enthusiastically endorse upgrading Sri Lankan visa 
reciprocity to 5 year multiple entry for all appropriate NIV 
classifications.  We would also support the discontinuation 
of the $95 issuance fee for NIVs to Sri Lankan nationals. 
Post believes that these changes would reciprocate the new 
Sri Lankan 5 year visa regime. In addition, Post supports 
changing the reciprocity schedule for operational and public 
relations reasons. Issuance of longer validity visas will 
help reduce application numbers in FY 2005 and might keep 
the workload in Colombo manageable with current staffing 
levels.  Post will nearly eliminate cash collection in the 
section, as all application fees are paid with bank drafts. 
Issuance fees, which would be eliminated, are currently paid 
in cash at the consular section. Elimination of issuance 
fees will reduce 10-15 hours per week of cashier workload 
allowing the Cashier/ACS FSN to devote significantly more 
time to his ACS outreach and contingency preparations. We 
will be sending an "open for business" message to the Sri 
Lankan business community, which will help advance U.S. 
commercial interests.  The possibility of 5 year validity 
U.S. visas is enthusiastically supported by the local 
American Chamber of Commerce. 
 
LUNSTEAD