US embassy cable - 04COLOMBO1763

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 COLOMBO 001763 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR CA/VO 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: CVIS, CMGT, ETRD, CE, External Relations 
SUBJECT:  EXTENDING NIV VISA RECIPROCITY TO FIVE YEARS FOR 
SRI LANKAN PASSPORT HOLDERSSRI LANKANS APPROVE MUTUALLY- 
BENEFICIAL CHANGES TO VISA RECIPROCITY SCHEDULE5 YEAR VISA 
FOR AMERICANS 
 
REF A: COLOMBO 001620 
 
1. SUMMARY: The Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) has approved 
a significant change to non-resident visas offered to U.S. 
citizens.  They will 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 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 
 
  1.   The GOSL Foreign Minister announced to the Ambassador 
     official approval of the 5 year visa program for American 
     citizens previously described inIn a letter to the 
     Ambassador, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar 
     has advised that the GSL cabinet has approved the changes to 
     GOSL visa schedule outlined in Reftel A.  The Controller of 
     Immigration and Emmigration also made the official approval 
     announcement to Acting Consul Dave Williamshas informed our 
     Consul of these changes, which will be beneficial to 
     American visitors. 
 
  2.   American visitors who plan to stay in Sri Lanka for 30 
     days or less, for the purpose of tourism, will continue to 
     receive visas upon arrival at the port of entry. These visas 
     will be issued without any fee. 
 
  3.   Under the new terms, the GSL will also issue longer 
     term validity visas at Sri Lankan missions abroad for 
     extended stays. The visa application fee would be set at the 
     same cost level as the MRV fee currently collected by the 
     USG, namely USD $100.  This type of five year multiple entry 
     non-resident visa, would be valid for all types of non- 
     resident travel to Sri Lanka, including business visas or 
     extended stays in Sri Lanka of up to six months. Currently, 
     business, student and extended stay visas, involve much 
     higher fees and administrative obstacles for American 
     visitors. 
 
  4.   Post requests approval to reciprocate by offering in 
     increased visa validity periods in many non-immigrant visa 
     classes and the elimination of the $95 issuance fee for Sri 
     Lankans, as outlined below. 
 
5.  The following is the requested changes to the 
reciprocity schedule for Sri Lankan nationals: 
 
Visa Classification      Fee       Validity Period 
 
B-1                      None      60 months 
B-2                      None      60 months 
B-1/B-2                  None      60 months 
 
C-1                      None      60 months 
C-2                      None      6 months 
C-3                      None      60 months 
 
D                        None      60 months 
 
E-2                      None      36 months 
 
F-1                      None      60 months 
F-2                      None      60 months 
 
H-1B                     None      36 months 
H-1C                     None      36 months 
H-2A                     None      36 months 
H-2B                     None      36 months 
H-3                      None      36 months 
H-4                      None      36 months 
 
I                        None      60 months 
 
J-1                      None      36 months 
J-2                      None      36 months 
 
L-1                      None      36 months 
L-2                      None      36 months 
 
M-1                      None      60 months 
M-2                      None      60 months 
 
P-1                      None      12 months 
P-2                      None      12 months 
P-3                      None      12 months 
P-4                      None      12 months 
 
R-1                      None      36 months 
R-2                      None      36 months 
 
5. COMMENT: Post is anxious to have the requestedwould 
appreciate approval for these reciprocity schedule changes 
approved as quickly as possible.  The GSL has held off 
announcing their visa program changes pending a decision on 
the part of the USG. However, Post has been pushing the GOSL 
to implement the newly approved visa regime for more than a 
year. Post has been actively engaged with the GSL on this 
issue for over one year and is satisfied that this proposed 
change is a significant improvement for American visitors. 
Implementation of the proposed reciprocity schedule will be 
viewed as a positive endorsement of the economic direction 
Sri Lanka is heading and should have a positive impact on 
overall relationsThe new schedule will also benefit our 
bilateral relations and reduce routine visa workload. 
END COMMENT 
 
LUNSTEAD