SL immigration handicapped in on-arrival visa processing

9 August 2024 06:32 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 13 Bookmark

CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Follow

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Officials at the arrival lounge are struggling to verify passengers’ online visas previously submitted before the suspension of online visa processing
The department has decided to issue only on-arrival visas. Online visa checks upon passenger arrival have not returned to normal

Colombo, August 9 (Daily Mirror) - The Department of Immigration and Emigration at the airport is facing a critical situation with visa checks for arriving passengers, mainly due to the lack of an active Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system.

A senior official from the department told the Daily Mirror that officials in the arrival lounge are struggling to verify passengers’ online visas previously submitted before suspension of online visa processing.

Some passengers reported difficulties with visa verification when boarding their flights.

As a result, the department has decided to issue only on-arrival visas. Online visa checks upon passenger arrival have not returned to normal. However, on-arrival visas are not available for nationals of Afghanistan, Syria, Ghana, Nigeria, Pakistan, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, North Korea, and Myanmar.

Charging for on-arrival visas at the airport poses additional challenges, as many foreign tourists have already paid for their visas through the VFS Global. Without issuing at least on-arrival visas, the department cannot allow passengers to enter the country, the official said.

Several attempts made to contact the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration were unsuccessful.

Currently, the department’s official website displays a notice about the suspension of the visa issuance system effective August 2 at 17:00 Sri Lanka Standard Time. Applicants whose visa applications were in process or submitted after this time will receive a refund and are requested to share their application reference number with [email protected].

Comments - 13

Sapumal Friday, 09 August 2024 07:15 AM

Where are the people who complained issuance of online visas as a big fraud.

14 7

sach Friday, 09 August 2024 04:54 PM

So Ranil's fraud should have been allowed to continue? Why did Ranil change the good sys at the first place?

1 3

Lionel Friday, 09 August 2024 07:32 AM

Typical stupid, incompetent corrupt SL. If people have already paid for visas and have already got an approval (before suspension), why do they need to get another visa paying money again? Is that rocket science? Only give new visa's to people after suspension. This country will never develop. Day by day it is showing how stupid this country's officials/politicians are.

3 16

Kays Friday, 09 August 2024 07:45 AM

Strange that industry pundits who were jumping up and down predicting that tourist arrivals would decline post VFS visa implementation are absolutely dumb about this own goal they scored in court by asking for an interim injunction. And contrary to what was said in court, tourist arrivals were increasing! As the old saying goes ' be careful what you wish for.

18 9

Nimal Friday, 09 August 2024 09:57 AM

Hey, SC said to go back to the old system and how it was before, because of this corrupt and expensive (for tourists) deal. These corrupt politicians and officials are refusing to open the old system that is it. Is it so hard to understand? Only hope for SL is NPP.

9 19

Mahila Friday, 09 August 2024 08:02 AM

Why doesn't D of I

0 0

lankaputha Friday, 09 August 2024 08:26 AM

How was this done earlier.. There wasn't any issue with the way how it was done earlier. On arrival visa was there for some time with out the VFS issue came to light

2 13

Cecil Hedwige Friday, 09 August 2024 08:44 AM

The whole country is in a mess due to greedy Politicians and officials.

2 22

Kanaji Friday, 09 August 2024 09:58 AM

Thank you and appreciate the SUPREME COURT'S impartial Attitude and same as of Australia where politicians have zero power to dictate terms to Courts.

1 12

Dan Friday, 09 August 2024 10:10 AM

Looks like most receive hush money for outsourcing. If this is the case, why do we have such departments spending public money. Might as well out source the entire operation.

2 5

nazir ali khan Friday, 09 August 2024 11:51 AM

implies that businessmen cannot enter Sri Lanka on a business visa at this time? Any clue how much money the Sri Lankan government is losing? Even the UAE Dubai Consulate misled me, saying that I could obtain a business visa upon arrival if I went to the Colombo airport. Even embassy staff members are ignorant about the issuance of business visas; when I checked with my friends at the immigration desk at the Columbo airport, they were only giving on arrival visit visas. I'm not sure how long it will take for this decision to be made.

0 1

Shax Friday, 09 August 2024 12:22 PM

I paid for my visa through VFS and am now expecte to pay again? Instead of visiting Sri Lanka we will write off the visa fee and stay in Goa rather than fly on to Sri Lanka.

1 8

Tissa Fernando Friday, 09 August 2024 08:37 PM

I think they are purposely doing this to force bring back VFS into action. Putting back the service is just 2 days work for the telecom as everything is available in tact. But orders from top prevent them from doing so. SC should say that within 5 days the old system should be online.

0 2

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