The Government of the Philippines has officially commenced the issuance of 5-year Temporary Residence Visas (TRVs) for Sri Lankans who are married to Filipino citizens, a statement issued by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Manila states.

The statement further notes : 

This development addresses one of the most pressing concerns of the Sri Lankan community residing in the Philippines. Previously, TRVs were issued only for two years and required frequent renewals. This process often led to lengthy retention of passports by authorities, causing significant inconveniences, particularly for individuals needing to travel for business and other urgent matters.

For several years, members of the Sri Lankan community have been advocating for an extension of the TRV validity period. In response to their concerns, Ambassador Chanaka Talpahewa, upon assuming office, assured the community of his commitment to resolving this issue during his tenure. In this regard, the Ambassador engaged in consistent and high-level diplomatic efforts with key stakeholders in the Philippines, including the Vice President, Foreign Secretary (Minister) and other Secretaries (Ministers), Under Secretaries (Deputy Ministers), relevant officials across various Departments (Ministries) and Government Institutions, decision makers and influencers.

Due to these sustained efforts, the Philippine government extended the TRV validity period from two years to five years, bringing immense relief to the affected Sri Lankan nationals.

This milestone stands as a testament to the strong and growing relations between Sri Lanka and the Philippines.