Hundreds of tourists exempted from visa overstay fines

More than 2800 tourists allowed to leave the country without paying fines for overstaying visas since last January, RTI application reveals

More than 2,800 foreigners who overstayed their visas have been given exemption to leave the country without paying the fines imposed on them since January last year, a Right to Information (RTI) application filed to the Immigration and Emigration Department has revealed.

At least 1586 people were exempted from visa overstay fines last year, and another 1221 people were exempted so far this year, after the Immigration and Emigration Department revised the visa overstay fine that amounts to US$ 500, last August.

In a response to the RTI request filed by the Sunday Times, the department said as per Section 13 (2) of the Immigration and Emigration Regulations amendment published last year and Section 11 of Citizenship Act No 18 of 1948, individuals can appeal to the Controller of Visa and Border Control and Controller General for an exemption from paying fines.

Accordingly, those who are seeking exemptions from fines can meet the relevant officers and make their appeal directly, the RTI response added.

The Department said around 1937 foreigners who were unable to pay the overstay penalty at the airport were allowed to leave the country but their names were added to the preventive list since they did not have money.

"However, these foreigners have to pay the fine if they visit Sri Lanka again," the response said.

As of June 2, at least 4902 foreigners were designated overstay status in the country. Last year, 9345 individuals were fined for overstaying, while another 3008 were subjected to similar offences this year.

The Department gained a total revenue of Rs. 143.819 million for overstay penalty fees last year, while this year it recorded a revenue of Rs 290.389 million so far, under the revised fees.