Thinking of volunteering with animals in Sri Lanka? Read this first.

If you’ve ever thought about volunteering with animals in Sri Lanka, you’re not alone. It’s something we’re often asked about at Dogstar – and while we’re so grateful for every offer of help, it’s something we can rarely accommodate. And here’s why…

Sri Lanka’s immigration rules are strict. Tourists are not allowed to work or volunteer. The only lawful route for foreigners to do voluntary work is a residence/work visa that an approved Sri Lankan organisation must apply and pay for in advance.

• Tourist/ETA visas prohibit any form of work, “paid or unpaid.” Sri Lanka’s official ETA terms state that holders must not engage in employment, paid or unpaid, or in any trade/business beyond what the ETA allows; volunteering counts as “work.”
• Misusing a tourist visa carries serious penalties (fines, detention, deportation, and future travel bans). The Department of Immigration warns against misuse of visit/tourist visas for irregular employment.
• For genuine placements, a Sri Lankan organisation must first secure approval from the Controller General of Immigration & Emigration (CG/I&E), then arrange an entry visa so the visitor can apply for residence/work status on arrival. High Commission guidance sets out this route for elective studies or voluntary work; it must be initiated by the Sri Lankan host (not the traveller), and the process can take 3 + months and cost the org hundreds of dollars.

Bottom line: Turning up on a tourist visa to “help out” is illegal in Sri Lanka, even if no money changes hands.

Everyone who works for Dogstar must have the legal right to live and work in Sri Lanka

Dogstar is a registered iNGO in Sri Lanka. As such, all staff (local or foreign) must have the legal right to live and work in Sri Lanka, and the correct immigration status for their role. Employing or facilitating work for someone without the proper visa breaches immigration law and can result in enforcement action (including deportation orders for the individual). It can also expose employers/hosts to investigation under Sri Lanka’s Immigrants and Emigrants Act and jeopardise permissions that NGOs such as Dogstar depend on to operate.

Short-term business visas do not allow you to work

A Business (Short Visit) Visa/ETA covers brief professional visits such as meetings, negotiations, conferences, and workshops. It does not permit any employment or work, paid or unpaid, or using back-to-back entries to effectively live and work in Sri Lanka. Misuse can result in deportation and consequences for hosts.

“But I’m only visiting, could I help for just a day?”

We truly appreciate the spirit of generosity; however the immigration rules are clear. Even shadowing or “observing” can slip into prohibited activity on a tourist visa. UK travel advice also emphasises complying with local visa conditions and not breaching terms, and it could also invalidate your travel insurance.

“I am a supporter, can I visit the team while I’m in Sri Lanka?”

Sometimes. We occasionally host brief, pre-arranged visits to a field clinic if an English-speaking team member is available to explain what’s happening. Because this takes staff away from animal care, we strictly limit visits and prioritise long-term, regular supporters. Visits are observational only (no handling, assisting, or hands-on activity).

Please note: We do not allow visitors on our dog feeding rounds. Feeding is carefully managed to minimise stress and risk, and adding visitors can compromise animal welfare and staff safety. You can still follow progress and see the incredible difference your support is making via our Facebook and Instagram updates.

A final note

If you’re offered a place to work or volunteer in Sri Lanka, paid or unpaid, and you’re not sure whether your visa is correct, the safest step is to check before you travel. You can contact the Sri Lankan High Commission or Embassy in your country, or the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Sri Lanka, to confirm which visa you need for the activities you’ll be doing. Reputable programmes should be happy for you to ask these questions and to provide any documentation you might need.