--- title: Fake Border, Airport, or Fast-Track Assistance Fee — Sri Lanka Scam… description: Active scam alert: Fake Border, Airport, or Fast-Track Assistance Fee is targeting immigrants in Sri Lanka. How it works, red flags, and how to protect… image: https://migrantiq.com/og/default.png --- Skip to content Advertisement728 × 90AdSense zone 🇱🇰 FAKE BORDER, AIRPORT, OR FAST-TRACK ASSISTANCE FEE MediumArrival FraudPublisher: MigrantIQ Safety3 min read5 reported cases Editorially reviewedLast updated 2026-10-04Reviewed by MigrantIQ Editorial TeamOfficial reporting channel ↗ [https://www.immigration.gov.lk/] Safety guidance, not emergency support If you are in immediate danger or have already lost money, contact local emergency services, your bank, and the official fraud reporting channel in the destination country. MigrantIQ provides general safety guidance. Terms [/terms/]Privacy [/privacy/]Report an issue [/contact/] HOW THIS SCAM WORKS In Sri Lanka, a concerning scam involves individuals impersonating airport staff, immigration officers, or travel agents. They falsely claim that travelers must pay a special fee upon arrival to enter the country, avoid questioning, or expedite processing through border control. This can be particularly alarming for tourists, first-time travelers, workers, and students who may not be familiar with the local customs and regulations. The scammers often use high-pressure tactics, insisting that without payment, travelers will face delays, questioning, or even detention. Some may even threaten that payment is necessary to recover important documents like passports. Due to these tactics, many fall victim to this fraudulent scheme, losing money in the process. It is important for newcomers to be aware of these tactics to protect themselves. WHAT SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT IMMIGRATION FEES IN SRI LANKA? In Sri Lanka, any legitimate fees related to immigration or border control will be clearly outlined by official agencies. Travelers should familiarize themselves with the official fee structures published by the Department of Immigration and Emigration of Sri Lanka to avoid being misled. HOW CAN I IDENTIFY A LEGITIMATE AIRPORT STAFF MEMBER? Legitimate airport staff and immigration officers will wear official uniforms and carry identification. If you are approached by someone requesting a fee, you should ask for their identification and confirm their role with other staff members nearby. WHO CAN I CONTACT IF I FEEL THREATENED OR SCAMMED? If you find yourself in a potentially dangerous or fraudulent situation, report it immediately to the local authorities or the nearest official office. The Department of Immigration and Emigration of Sri Lanka can provide guidance and support in these matters. RED FLAGS * Payment requested by phone or chat before arrival * Claims that refusal to pay will cause detention * No official invoice or government payment portal * Person cannot show official identification or office location * Pressure tactics to pay immediately to avoid delays HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF To avoid falling victim to this scam, always use official fee schedules provided by the Department of Immigration and Emigration of Sri Lanka. At airports or borders, speak only with uniformed officers at official counters. Do not engage with anyone who approaches you unsolicited. Always request a printed receipt for any legitimate fee you are required to pay, and ensure the payment is made through official channels, such as authorized payment systems or counters. WHAT TO DO IF TARGETED * - Stop communication and do not send more money or documents * - Save messages, receipts, contracts, profile links, and phone numbers * - Contact your bank or payment provider if money was sent * - Report through official fraud, police, or immigration channels Official reporting channel → [https://www.immigration.gov.lk/] PREVENTION TIPS * - Only pay government fees through official portals * - Do not trust guaranteed visa approvals or secret appointment slots * - Verify employer, school, agent, or landlord identities independently * - Avoid personal-account transfers and pressure tactics EMERGENCY & REPORTING CONTACTS If there is immediate danger, contact local emergency services. If money was sent, contact your bank/payment provider and official fraud reporting channels. SOURCES & REFERENCES * MigrantIQ scam alert record Published 2026-05-07. * Sri Lanka official reporting channels [https://www.immigration.gov.lk/] Use official reporting channels if you were targeted or lost money. WHO IS TARGETED touristsfirst-time travellersworkersstudents Feedback Was this guide helpful? Your answer helps us improve guides and update priority. YesNo Summarize this page with AI Opens your assistant with a pre-filled prompt (ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude). Gemini uses Google AI Mode. Ask AI ↗ Not affiliated with any AI platform. Always verify immigration rules on official government sites. SCAM SAFETY FAQ SHOULD I PAY ANY FEE BEFORE MY VISA IS APPROVED? Legitimate government fees are paid through official channels with receipts. Never wire cash to personal accounts for a “guaranteed” outcome. HOW DO I REPORT A SUSPICIOUS OFFER? Collect evidence (messages, contracts), then report through your destination country’s fraud or immigration reporting channels and warn your community. Advertisement300 × 250AdSense zone MORE ALERTS * Document Translation, Notary, or Apostille Overcharge [/scam-alerts/sri-lanka/document-translation-notary-overcharge/] * Fake University or Scholarship Letter [/scam-alerts/sri-lanka/fake-university-or-scholarship-letter/] * Rental Deposit Before Viewing or Contract [/scam-alerts/sri-lanka/rental-deposit-before-viewing/] * Fake Job Offer and Work Permit Fee [/scam-alerts/sri-lanka/fake-job-offer-work-permit-fee/] CONTINUE * All Sri Lanka alerts [/scam-alerts/sri-lanka/] * Global hub [/scam-alerts/] Plan smarter Save countries, compare destinations, track visa checklists, and sync your migration plan across devices. Open My Plan [/plan/]Account Dashboard [/account/] Free resources TOOLS & GUIDES Full sitemap → [/sitemap/] PLAN YOUR MOVE * Eligibility quiz [/tools/eligibility/] * Tax calculator [/tools/tax-calculator/] * Tax compare [/tools/tax-compare/] * Tax guides [/tools/tax-guides/] * Points calculator [/tools/points-calculator/] * Cost calculator [/calculator/] * Move planner [/tools/planner/] * Best country [/tools/best-country/] * Pathway finder [/tools/pathway-finder/] * Corridor fit [/tools/corridor-fit/] * Compare 3 countries [/tools/compare-three/] * Job → visa matcher [/tools/job-visa-match/] * Scam checker [/tools/scam-check/] * All tools [/tools/] GUIDES & SAFETY * Visa guides [/visas/] * Scholarships [/scholarships/] * Government jobs [/government-jobs/] * Immigration updates [/countries/canada/immigration-updates/] * Embassies [/embassies/] * Laws [/laws/] * Scam alerts [/scam-alerts/] * Checklists [/checklist/] * Country profiles [/countries/] ARRIVAL HUBS * Settle [/settle/] * Driving [/driving/] * Sponsors [/sponsors/] * Ancestry [/ancestry/] * Housing [/housing/] * Money [/money/] * Family [/family/] * Pets [/pets/] * Shipping [/shipping/] * Investment [/investment/] * Retire [/retire/] * Return [/return/] * Safe migration [/safe-migration/] COMMUNITY * Q&A [/qa/] * People stories [/stories/] * Blog [/blog/] * Android app (Google Play) [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.migrantiq.app&hl=en] * Write for us [/write-for-us/] * Experts [/experts/] * Apply for expert listing [/experts/apply/] * Documentation [/documentation/] * Employers (HR) [/employers/] ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://migrantiq.com/#organization","name":"MigrantIQ","url":"https://migrantiq.com","logo":"https://migrantiq.com/logo.png","description":"MigrantIQ publishes free migration guides covering visas, laws, costs, culture, banking, healthcare, scam alerts, and moving checklists for 220 countries.","knowsAbout":["immigration","visa requirements","moving abroad","cost of living","immigrant laws","scam protection","arrival checklists"],"sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/migrantiq/","https://x.com/MigrantIQ","https://www.instagram.com/migrantiqorg/","https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.migrantiq.app&hl=en"],"contactPoint":[{"@type":"ContactPoint","contactType":"customer support","email":"Info@MigrantIQ.com","url":"https://migrantiq.com/contact/","availableLanguage":["English"]}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https://migrantiq.com/#website","name":"MigrantIQ","url":"https://migrantiq.com","publisher":{"@id":"https://migrantiq.com/#organization"},"inLanguage":"en","potentialAction":{"@type":"SearchAction","target":"https://migrantiq.com/search/?q={search_term_string}","query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}}]} {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://migrantiq.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Scam Alerts","item":"https://migrantiq.com/scam-alerts/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Sri Lanka","item":"https://migrantiq.com/scam-alerts/sri-lanka/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Fake Border, Airport, or Fast-Track Assistance Fee","item":"https://migrantiq.com/scam-alerts/sri-lanka/fake-border-airport-assistance-fee/"}]} {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Article","@id":"https://migrantiq.com/scam-alerts/sri-lanka/fake-border-airport-assistance-fee/#article","headline":"Fake Border, Airport, or Fast-Track Assistance Fee in Sri Lanka: How to Spot and Avoid It","description":"In Sri Lanka, a concerning scam involves individuals impersonating airport staff, immigration officers, or travel agents. They falsely claim that travelers must pay a special fee upon arrival to enter the country, avoid questioning, or expedite processing through border control. This can be particularly alarming for tourists, first-time travelers, workers, and students who may not be familiar with the local customs and regulations. The scammers often use high-pressure tactics, insisting that without payment, travelers will face delays, questioning, or even detention. Some may even threaten that payment is necessary to recover important documents like passports. Due to these tactics, many fall victim to this fraudulent scheme, losing money in the process. It is important for newcomers to be aware of these tactics to protect themselves.\n\n## What should I know about immigration fees in Sri Lanka?\n\nIn Sri Lanka, any legitimate fees related to immigration or border control will be clearly outlined by official agencies. 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