Employment in Private Healthcare Institutions
This section provides guidance for overseas healthcare professionals and private healthcare institutions on the eligibility requirements, application procedures, supporting documentation, and verification processes for Non-Sri Lankan professionals obtaining temporary registration to practise in Sri Lanka's private healthcare sector.
Temporary Registration (Category A)
Under the Medical Ordinance, all Non-Sri Lankan healthcare practitioners employed in private healthcare institutions must hold a valid and current registration with the Sri Lanka Medical Council. Healthcare practitioners and private healthcare institutions share the responsibility of ensuring that the practitioner's registration is valid before employment and remains current throughout the period of employment.
Eligibility
You may apply for Temporary Registration (Category A) if you:
- Are not a Sri Lankan citizen.
- Are applying for employment as a medical practitioner, dentist, or nurse in a registered private healthcare institution in Sri Lanka.
- Hold a recognised primary professional qualification acceptable to the Sri Lanka Medical Council.
- Are currently registered with the medical, dental, or nursing regulatory authority in your country of residence.
- Hold a valid Certificate of Good Standing, issued within the six months preceding the application.
- Hold a recognised specialist qualification, where the post applied for requires specialist registration.
- Have the necessary knowledge, skills, and professional experience required for the position.
- Have secured employment in a post for which the employing private healthcare institution has demonstrated that no suitably qualified Sri Lankan citizen is available.
- Obtain the recommendation of the Secretary, Ministry of Health or the Director General of Health Services before the application is considered by the Sri Lanka Medical Council.
Important Conditions
- Temporary Registration is granted only for the approved private healthcare institution and the specified specialty or post.
- Registration is valid for a maximum period of 12 months and is subject to renewal upon approval.
- The Sri Lanka Medical Council assesses every application individually before granting Temporary Registration.
Documents Required
Both the applicant and the employing private healthcare institution must submit supporting documents with the application.
From the Applicant
Please submit the following documents with your application
- Primary Medical Degree (MBBS or equivalent)
- Postgraduate Qualification(s) (where applicable)
- Current Registration Certificate issued by the Medical Council of your country of residence
- Certificate of Good Standing issued by the Medical Council of your last country of employment, dated within six months of the application
- Certificate of Specialist Registration issued by the Medical Council of your country of residence (where applicable)
- Contact details of the issuing authorities to facilitate verification of submitted documents
- Certificates of Work Experience, including specialist appointments (where applicable)
- Two Referee Reports with contact details
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Copy of the Identification Pages of your Current Passport
- One Recent Passport-sized Colour Photograph
- Clinical Audit or Work Audit Report covering the previous five years
From the Employing Institution
The employing institution must provide
- Certificate of Registration issued by the Private Health Services Regulatory Authority (PHSRA)
- Copies of Advertisements published for the post
- List of Applicants who responded to the advertisement, including their qualifications and the reasons for selecting the overseas applicant
- Proof of Payment of the prescribed SLMC registration fee
Supporting Recommendation
The completed application must also include the recommendation of the:
- Secretary, Ministry of Health, or
- Director General of Health Services
before it is considered by the Sri Lanka Medical Council.
Application Process
The steps below outline how Temporary Registration (Category A) is applied for, assessed, and renewed.
Vacancy Advertisement
The private healthcare institution advertises the post and confirms that no suitably qualified Sri Lankan citizen is available for the position.
Submit the Application
The applicant completes the prescribed application form and submits it with all required supporting documents through the employing private healthcare institution.
Ministry Recommendation
The application must be recommended by the Secretary, Ministry of Health or the Director General of Health Services before it is forwarded to the Sri Lanka Medical Council.
SLMC Assessment
The Sri Lanka Medical Council reviews the application through its Section 67A Committee to determine whether the applicant satisfies the requirements for temporary registration.
Decision
The applicant, employing private healthcare institution, and the Ministry of Health are informed of the Council's decision. Where approved, Temporary Registration is granted for the specified post, specialty, and healthcare institution for a period not exceeding 12 months.
Renewal (If Required)
Where continued employment is required, the employing private healthcare institution must submit an application for renewal through the Ministry of Health at least 14 weeks before the expiry of the current registration, together with the required supporting documents and performance report.
Important Information
- Temporary Registration under Category A is restricted to the approved private healthcare institution and the specified post or specialty.
- Registration is granted for a maximum period of 12 months and is not renewed automatically.
- Renewal applications must be submitted by the employing private healthcare institution through the Ministry of Health at least 14 weeks before the expiry of the current registration.
- The employing private healthcare institution must demonstrate that the post was advertised and that no suitably qualified Sri Lankan citizen was available for appointment.
- Renewal applications must include a performance report and details of any substantiated adverse reports relating to the practitioner.
Registration Fee
US$ 540.00
Includes a processing fee of US$ 70.00. If an application is refused, the registration fee will be refunded after deducting the processing fee.