A Sri Lankan visa serves as an official endorsement on a passport or similar travel document, granting legal entry to non-Sri Lankan citizens. The fundamental purpose of a Sri Lankan visa is to facilitate controlled entry and ensure that foreign nationals adhere to the country’s immigration laws. Effective September 27, 2024, all tourist and business travellers to Sri Lanka are required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for entry via the official portal at eta.gov.lk. Once your visa is arranged, browse our Sri Lanka tour packages to start planning your itinerary.
Sri Lanka offers three primary types of visas, each designed to accommodate different purposes of visit and durations of stay.
The Visit Visa is intended for short-term stays and is divided into two sub-categories. The Tourist Visa is issued to individuals for sightseeing, holidays, visiting friends and relatives, or seeking medical treatments including traditional Ayurvedic and Yoga practices. It also covers participation in sports events, competitions, and cultural performances such as art, music, and dance events. This visa may be granted for single or double entries. The Business Purpose Visa is designed for foreign nationals engaging in business activities, attending meetings or conferences, or participating in short-term training programs within Sri Lanka. This visa can be issued for single, double, or multiple journeys.
The Residence Visa allows non-Sri Lankans to reside in the country for specific longer-term purposes. It encompasses thirteen sub-categories including visas for employment, investment, religious activities, students, and family members of Sri Lankan citizens. These visas are generally issued with multiple-entry privileges.
The Transit Visa is an entry permit granted for a brief period of typically up to 48 hours for foreign nationals transiting through Sri Lanka en route to another destination. If a traveller’s layover exceeds 24 hours for a connecting flight, a transit visa must be obtained either at the port of entry upon arrival or through Sri Lankan Missions Abroad prior to arrival.
The Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is the most convenient and recommended method for obtaining a short-term visa for Sri Lanka. Applying for an ETA in advance offers substantial benefits including avoiding potentially long queues and additional processing fees that can occur with visa-on-arrival options at Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport.
To be eligible for a Sri Lankan ETA, applicants generally need to meet the following criteria. A passport valid for a minimum period of six months from the date of arrival in Sri Lanka is a fundamental requirement. The Sri Lanka Department of Immigration and Emigration must officially approve the stated purpose of entry. Applicants must demonstrate that they possess adequate funds to cover their maintenance and expenses throughout their stay. Proof of a confirmed return air ticket to the applicant’s country of domicile or a valid visa to their next destination is required. Immigration authorities must be satisfied that the applicant is suitable to enter Sri Lanka.
The ETA application is submitted online through the official ETA website at eta.gov.lk. The process follows these steps.
First, the applicant completes the electronic ETA application form available on the official portal. Second, required documents including a scanned copy of the passport and a digital photograph are uploaded as part of the application. Third, the necessary visa fee is paid securely through the official website’s payment gateway. Fourth, once all details are provided and payment is confirmed, the application is electronically submitted for review. Fifth, upon successful review and approval, the ETA is issued electronically and a confirmation is sent to the applicant via email.
The processing of online applications typically follows this timeline. Initial review involving payment confirmation usually takes 2 to 4 hours. Document check and verification of submitted passport scans and photos typically takes 4 to 8 hours. Additional verification and background checks are conducted during the processing phase, which can take 8 to 24 hours. Final approval typically takes a further 2 to 4 hours. Applications submitted between 9am and 2pm GMT often experience the fastest processing times.
For a successful ETA application the following documents are required. A passport with at least six months validity from the date of arrival is essential, with a clear and legible colour scan of the passport’s information page mandatory. A current, good quality digital photograph taken without spectacles and with open ears is required for identification. Documentation demonstrating adequate financial resources to cover expenses throughout the intended stay is necessary. A confirmed return air ticket or proof of onward travel arrangements is a standard requirement. Information regarding the applicant’s intended place of accommodation in Sri Lanka is also required. Tira Travels can provide a confirmation letter of your accommodation and tour arrangements upon booking. Learn more about our team.
Sri Lanka has implemented special provisions for nationals from certain countries, allowing them to obtain an ETA free of charge. Citizens from China, India, Russia, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia are eligible for a visa-free regime. While they benefit from this arrangement, it is still required that they apply for an ETA before arriving in Sri Lanka, which will then be issued without a fee. This free ETA grants a 30-day visa period and includes a double-entry facility, valid from the date of first arrival within a 30-day window. Extensions for these free visas are possible but are subject to the payment of the appropriate visa fee.
| Category | Visa Type | Entry Type | Max Stay | Online Fee (USD) | On Arrival Fee (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAARC Countries | Tourist | Double Entry | 30 days | $20 | $25 |
| SAARC Countries | Business | Multiple Entry | 30 days | $30 | Not applicable |
| SAARC Countries | Transit | Single Entry | 2 days | Free | Free |
| All Other Countries | Tourist | Double Entry | 30 days | $50 | $60 |
| All Other Countries | Business | Multiple Entry | 30 days | $55 | Not applicable |
| All Other Countries | Transit | Single Entry | 2 days | Free | Free |
| Children Under 12 | All Types | All | All | Free | Free |
| China, India, Russia, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia | Tourist | Double Entry | 30 days | Free (must apply before arrival) | Not applicable |
While a Visa on Arrival option technically exists for certain travellers, its availability is limited and it is generally not the recommended method for obtaining entry to Sri Lanka. As of September 27, 2024, the primary and preferred method for tourist and business travellers is the Electronic Travel Authorization. Although it is technically possible to obtain an ETA upon arrival, this approach is explicitly discouraged by official sources due to potential delays and higher fees.
Citizens of the following countries are generally unable to obtain a tourist visa on arrival at the port of entry and must obtain a visa in advance: Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, North Korea, Syria, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Suriname, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, and Venezuela. Visitors from Cameroon, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, and Ghana who intend to apply for an ETA must do so through a Sri Lankan Sponsor from the Head Office of the Department of Immigration and Emigration.
While the ETA has become the primary route for short-term visits, traditional visa applications through Sri Lankan Embassies or Consulates remain relevant for specific visa categories. Embassy applications are typically required for Residence Visas which are long-term visa types, for restricted nationalities unable to obtain a tourist visa on arrival, for Transit Visas where a stay exceeds 24 hours and cannot be obtained on arrival, and for applicants who prefer a traditional visa endorsement in their passport.
Embassy visa fees from the Sri Lankan Embassy in Washington DC are as follows. Tourist Visa short-term under 30 days costs $50. Tourist Visa long-term 5-year multiple entry costs $135. Business Visa short-term under 30 days costs $55. Business Visa long-term under 90 days costs $55. Transit Visa under 48 hours is free. Residence Entry Visa after approval from the Department of Immigration and Emigration costs $50.
The Tourist ETA is typically valid for 30 days from the date of issue, allowing a maximum stay of 30 days per entry. The Business ETA allows for multiple entries with each stay typically limited to 30 days. The free ETA for designated nations is valid for 30 days with a double-entry facility. The Transit Visa is strictly valid for 48 hours only.
Visit visas including Tourist and Business visas can be extended through two methods: online via eservices.immigration.gov.lk or by visiting the Head Office of the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Battaramulla, Colombo. Physical applications are accepted at the Head Office from 8:30am to 2:00pm. The office is closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and Public Holidays.
Documents required for visa extension include a return air ticket, accommodation details including address and telephone number, a completed application form with a recent photograph, and a valid passport. The applicant must be physically present for both application submission and collection at the Head Office.
| Extension Period | Designated Countries (USD) | USA (USD) | Maldives, Seychelles, Czech Republic, Singapore (USD) | Any Other Country (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30th to 90th day | $100 | Not applicable | Free | $60 |
| 90th to 180th day | $150 | Free | Not applicable | $150 |
| 180th to 270th day | $200 | $200 | Not applicable | $200 |
| 30th to 180th day (Head Office only) | Not applicable | $100 | Not applicable | Not applicable |
Designated Countries include Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, Poland, Italy, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Spain, Greece, Sweden, Hungary, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, Switzerland, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Estonia, Mauritius, Iceland, and Cuba.
A traveller’s passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the date of arrival in Sri Lanka. Travellers should be prepared to provide clear details of their accommodation arrangements and demonstrate adequate funds to cover all expenses during their stay.
For all visa-related information and applications, always use the official Sri Lankan Department of Immigration and Emigration website at immigration.gov.lk and the official ETA website at eta.gov.lk. Applications for visa extensions submitted through unofficial websites will not be recognised or considered valid.
Sri Lanka enforces strict penalties for overstaying beyond the permitted visa duration. An overstay exceeding 7 days up to 14 days incurs a penalty of $250 in addition to the applicable visa fee. An overstay exceeding 14 days incurs a penalty of $500 in addition to the applicable visa fee. A person departing Sri Lanka within 7 days of the original visa expiry date can do so by paying only the applicable visa fee at the port of departure without incurring any additional penalty.
The Department of Immigration and Emigration Head Office is located at Suhurupaya, Sri Subhuthipura Road, Battaramulla. The hotline is 1962. The general phone number is +94 112 101 500. The email address is controller@immigration.gov.lk and the website is www.immigration.gov.lk.
For specific visa inquiries, the Visa Division can be contacted at telephone +94 11 2 101540 or by email at contvisa@immigration.gov.lk.
For airport assistance at Bandaranaike International Airport, the general number is +94 11 2252861, arrivals is +94 11 2253092, and departures is +94 11 2252373.
Planning your Sri Lanka visit alongside your visa application? Understanding the best time to visit Sri Lanka will help you choose the right travel dates before submitting your ETA. Our team at Tira Travels is happy to assist with any questions about accommodation confirmation letters or tour planning once your ETA is approved.
