Documentation
Student Visa Document Checklist for Sri Lankan Students
The short version. For the full explanation of each item, see our complete documentation process guide.
This is the condensed version, a checklist you can scan in a few minutes to see what's still missing. For the reasoning behind each item and how it's used at the acceptance versus visa stage, see our full documentation process guide.
Identification & personal documents
- Passport copies (current and any previous), pages 2 to 5
- NIC copy
- Birth certificate
- Marriage certificate, if applicable
- Passport-size photographs
- Statement of Purpose (SOP), as an editable document
- GS / GTE question answers
- Medical clearance, TB certificate or HAP letter (destination-dependent)
- Police clearance
- Country-specific clearances (ATAS for some UK courses, IOM for New Zealand)
Educational documents
- CV mapped to your full education and work timeline
- O/L and A/L certificates from the Department of Examinations
- Diploma, advanced diploma, bachelor's or master's certificates and transcripts
- English proficiency test result (IELTS, PTE or destination-accepted equivalent)
Financial & sponsor documents
- Recent salary slips and bank statements for the primary applicant, where employed
- Service or appointment letter with matching pay slips and bank statements
- EPF and ETF confirmation, where available
- Sponsor's identification and relationship proof
- Balance confirmation letter issued close to submission
- Fixed deposit certificates and recent account statements
- Source-of-funds evidence for any lump-sum deposits
Formatting, every document
- A4 size, scanned, PDF format
- Certified translation to English for anything not already in English, alongside the certified original
This list is a starting point, not your file
Exact requirements shift by destination, sponsor type and how your funds are structured. We build the specific list for your situation as part of a free document review, rather than you working from a generic checklist alone.
Official sources
Visa and immigration rules change. This guide reflects our understanding as of the review date above, always confirm current requirements with the official source or with us directly before relying on it for your application.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need all of these documents before I apply to a university, or only for the visa?+
Around 80% of a typical visa file is actually assembled at the acceptance stage, before tuition is paid, identification, educational and financial documents included. Getting them ready early avoids delays once your offer is confirmed.
What's the difference between this checklist and your documentation process guide?+
This page is the scannable version. Our documentation process guide explains what each document is for, how the acceptance and visa stages differ, and destination-specific notes for Australia, the UK, Canada, New Zealand and Malta.
Can I start my checklist without knowing my sponsor type yet?+
Yes. Identification and educational documents are the same regardless of sponsor, so those are the sensible starting point while you confirm how the financial side of your application will be structured.
Related guides
Student Visa Proof of Funds Explained
The single most common reason a student visa file stalls, explained in plain English.
How to Show Source of Funds for a Student Visa
Proof of funds shows the money exists. Source of funds shows where it came from, and that's what a case officer actually scrutinises.
Can Parents Sponsor Your Overseas Education?
Parents are the default sponsor everywhere. Some destinations accept a wider family circle than others.
Common Student Visa Documentation Mistakes
Most refused or delayed files aren't refused for one big reason. They're delayed by three or four small, avoidable ones.
Ready to see this applied to your own file?
Every family's documents are a little different. Send us yours for a free 30-minute review.