Use only official Sri Lankan government websites
Official tourist ETA application
Use the Department of Immigration and Emigration portal. Third-party websites may charge additional service fees and may look similar to the government site.
Apply on eta.gov.lkWhat is the Sri Lanka ETA?
The Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is Sri Lanka's official online entry permit for short visits. Instead of queueing at an embassy, you apply on the web before you fly, receive approval - usually within hours - and present it on arrival. It's one of the simplest visa systems in South Asia, and it applies to virtually every visitor:
Tourist ETA
30 days from arrival, double entry. Free for 40 countries (below); US$50 online for most others. Extendable in-country if you fall in love with the island - most people do.
Business ETA
30 days for meetings, conferences and short work trips. US$55 online for most nationalities (US$30 for SAARC countries). Apply the same way, choosing "Business" as the purpose.
Transit ETA
Passing through to another country? A transit ETA for up to 48 hours is issued free of charge - but it still must be requested online before you arrive.
Who must apply
Everyone, in practice - even nationalities whose fee is waived. A small number of countries must obtain a visa in advance from a Sri Lankan mission instead; check your nationality on the official portal.
Free 30-day tourist ETA - the 40 eligible countries
From 25 May 2026, passport holders of these countries pay nothing for a 30-day, double-entry tourist ETA. The waiver covers all passport types - ordinary, official, service and diplomatic. The application itself is still mandatory and must be completed before arrival.
Good to know: Maldivian nationals get 90 days under a separate bilateral agreement. On a second entry within your visa's validity, you receive only the remaining balance of the original 30 days. Fees paid before 25 May 2026 are not refunded, and extensions beyond 30 days are charged at normal rates for everyone.
Sri Lanka visa eligible countries - what applies to you
The rules above apply differently depending on your passport. Here's the situation for travellers from the nationalities most people ask about - each one links back to the fee table and free-country list for the full picture.
Sri Lanka visa for IndiansIndia is on the 40-country free scheme - Indian nationals get a free 30-day, double-entry tourist ETA since 25 May 2026. Still apply online at eta.gov.lk before flying; it isn't visa-free entry, just fee-free.
Sri Lanka visa for UK citizensBritish passport holders are on the free list: free 30-day tourist ETA, double entry. Business ETAs remain chargeable at the standard US$55 rate.
Sri Lanka visa for US citizensThe United States is on the free scheme - no fee for the 30-day tourist ETA. American citizens still need the ETA itself; it isn't a visa waiver in the sense of skipping the application.
Sri Lanka visa for AustraliansAustralia is on the 40-country list: free 30-day, double-entry ETA for tourism. Apply before departure - Australian airlines may ask for the approval at check-in.
Sri Lanka visa for CanadiansCanada is included in the free scheme - free 30-day tourist ETA, double entry, from 25 May 2026 onward.
Sri Lanka visa for GermansGermany is one of the EU countries on the free list: free 30-day tourist ETA. A popular season for German visitors is Dec–March; apply a week ahead in peak months.
Sri Lanka visa for French citizensFrance is on the 40-country free scheme: free 30-day, double-entry tourist ETA. The application form and portal are also available with French-language support.
Sri Lanka visa for PakistanisPakistan is both a SAARC nation and on the free-40 list - Pakistani nationals now get the tourist ETA free (previously a discounted SAARC rate of US$20 applied before 25 May 2026).
Sri Lanka visa for NepaleseNepal is on the free-scheme list - Nepalese travellers get the 30-day tourist ETA free, an upgrade from the earlier SAARC-discounted US$20 fee.
Sri Lanka visa for BangladeshBangladesh is not currently on the 40-country free list. As a SAARC nation, Bangladeshi travellers pay the discounted SAARC tourist ETA fee (US$20) rather than the standard US$50.
Sri Lanka visa for ChineseChina is on the free-40 list: free 30-day, double-entry tourist ETA. Chinese arrivals are among Sri Lanka's fastest-growing visitor markets, so book hill-country trains and popular hotels ahead.
Sri Lanka visa for UAE residentsUAE nationals are on the free-40 list and get a free tourist ETA. Expatriate residents of the UAE apply based on their own passport nationality, not their UAE residence visa - an Indian passport holder living in Dubai follows the Indian rules (free), a Filipino resident follows Philippine rules, and so on.
Sri Lanka visa for MalaysiansMalaysia is on the 40-country free scheme - Malaysian passport holders get the 30-day tourist ETA free of charge, double entry.
Sri Lanka visa for SingaporeansSingapore isn't on the 40-country list but holds its own bilateral reciprocal agreement with Sri Lanka - Singaporean nationals also receive the ETA free of charge, though (unlike Maldivians) at the standard 30-day duration. An ETA application is still mandatory.
Sri Lanka visa for Sri Lankan dual citizensDual citizens must enter and exit on their Sri Lankan passport - the ETA system doesn't apply to you as a Sri Lankan national. Carry your dual-citizenship certificate/ID alongside your Sri Lankan passport, and keep both passports current if you also travel onward on your second nationality.
Not seeing your country? Check your exact status on the official portal - eta.gov.lk looks up your nationality directly and confirms the current fee, or see the full list of 40 free-scheme countries and the complete fee table above.
ETA fees for other nationalities
Not on the free list? The ETA is still quick and affordable. Fees are charged in US dollars and are cheaper online than on arrival - another reason to apply before you fly.
| Visa type | SAARC countries | All other countries | On arrival (at airport) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist ETA · 30 days, double entry | US$ 20 | US$ 50 | US$ 60 |
| Business ETA · 30 days | US$ 30 | US$ 55 | US$ 60 |
| Transit ETA · up to 48 hours | Free | Free | - |
| Free-scheme countries · tourist, 30 days | Free (from 25 May 2026) | Apply online instead | |
SAARC = Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan (India, Nepal and Pakistan are also on the free-scheme list, so their tourist ETA is now free). Card payments on the portal: Visa, Mastercard and American Express. Bank charges may apply. Always confirm the live fee on eta.gov.lk before paying.
Sri Lanka ETA online application - how to apply for your visa online
Applying for the Sri Lanka visa online takes about 10–15 minutes on the official portal, and approval usually arrives the same day. Here's the complete walkthrough - what to have ready, every stage of the form, payment, and how to check your status afterwards.
Before you start, have these ready:
Open the official portal - eta.gov.lk
Go to eta.gov.lk, the only official application site, run by Sri Lanka's Department of Immigration & Emigration (official sites end in .gov.lk). Click "Apply for ETA". The portal works in English and several other languages.
Choose your visa type and applicant type
Select the category that matches your trip, then who is applying:
- Tourist ETA - holidays, visiting friends and family, sightseeing (30 days, double entry)
- Business ETA - meetings, conferences, short business discussions (30 days)
- Transit ETA - passing through for up to 48 hours (free)
- Then pick Individual, Group (family/friends together), or Third party (applying for someone else, e.g. an agent or employer)
Fill in the application form
Enter your details exactly as they appear in your passport - this is the number-one thing to get right:
- Personal: surname and given names as printed in the passport, nationality, date of birth, gender, occupation
- Passport: number, issue and expiry dates - triple-check the number; a single typo can invalidate the approval
- Travel: intended arrival date, flight number if known, port of entry (usually Colombo–Bandaranaike)
- In Sri Lanka: the address where you'll first stay - your hotel or guesthouse booking is fine
- Contact: email (your approval is sent here) and phone number
Review the declaration and confirm
Re-read every field on the summary screen before submitting - especially the passport number, name spelling and arrival date. Confirm the declaration that your information is true. Corrections after submission generally mean applying again.
Pay the fee - or see it waived automatically
Travellers from the 40 free-scheme countries are charged nothing for the tourist ETA - the portal applies the waiver automatically based on your nationality. Everyone else pays online by Visa, Mastercard or American Express (US$50 tourist / US$55 business for most countries; US$20 / US$30 for SAARC). Note your application reference number on the acknowledgement screen.
Receive your approval by email
Most approvals arrive within a few hours; allow 24–48 hours to be safe, and apply at least a few days before flying. The approval notice states your visa type, validity and permitted stay.
Check your status any time
On the portal, use "Check ETA Status" with your reference number and passport number. You can also call the 24-hour ETA hotline on +94 71 996 7888 or email the ETA centre. Airlines may ask to see the approval at check-in, so don't leave it to the last minute.
Save it, print it, fly
Keep a printed copy and a digital copy (screenshot or PDF) of the approval with your passport. On arrival, immigration verifies your ETA electronically and stamps your permitted stay - check the stamp before leaving the desk.
What your application status means
You're cleared to travel. Print the notice and match it against your passport details one final time.
Your application needs manual review - not a refusal, but processing takes longer. Follow the instructions in the email, or contact the ETA centre with your reference number.
Still in the queue. If it's been more than 48 hours, check status online or call the hotline before contacting the department.
Common mistakes that delay or void applications
Entry requirements checklist
Sri Lanka visa requirements - tourist, business & transit
Each ETA category has its own purpose, conditions, validity and duration. Here's exactly what's required for the Sri Lanka tourist visa, business visa and transit ETA - followed by the passport, arrival and immigration requirements that apply to everyone.
- Passport valid 6+ months from arrival
- Online ETA application at eta.gov.lk before departure
- Return or onward ticket
- Proof of sufficient funds for the stay
- First-night accommodation address
- Fee: free for the 40 scheme countries · US$50 online for most others (SAARC US$20)
- Passport valid 6+ months from arrival
- Online ETA application with "Business" selected as purpose
- Return or onward ticket & proof of funds
- Details of the business activity / host organisation (letter of invitation recommended for smooth entry)
- Fee: US$55 online for most countries (SAARC US$30) - the free scheme does not cover business ETAs
- Passport valid 6+ months
- Online Transit ETA applied for before arrival - free doesn't mean automatic
- Confirmed onward ticket to a third country
- Visa for the onward destination, where required
- Fee: free of charge for all nationalities
Sri Lanka visa validity & duration at a glance
| Visa type | Validity (enter by) | Duration of stay | Entries | Extension / renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist ETA - free scheme (40 countries) | As shown on approval notice | 30 days from arrival | Double | Extendable in-country (fees apply) |
| Tourist ETA - standard | As shown on approval notice | 30 days from arrival | Double | Extendable in stages, ≈6 months total |
| Tourist ETA - Maldivian nationals | As shown on approval notice | 90 days (bilateral agreement) | Double | Extendable (fees apply) |
| Business ETA | As shown on approval notice | 30 days from arrival | Per approval | Extendable with sponsor documents |
| Transit ETA | As shown on approval notice | Up to 48 hours | Single | Not normally extendable |
Validity vs duration - the difference: validity is the window in which you must first enter Sri Lanka (printed on your approval notice); duration is how long you may stay, counted from the day you actually arrive. On a double-entry visa, a second entry receives only the unused balance of the original duration.
🛂 Sri Lanka passport requirements
- Valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date - renew first if it's close
- At least one blank page for the entry stamp
- Undamaged and machine-readable - worn passports can be refused at check-in
- The ETA is electronically tied to your passport number: a renewed passport needs a new ETA
🛬 Sri Lanka arrival & immigration requirements
- Approved ETA presented with your passport at the immigration desk
- Return/onward ticket and proof of funds available if requested
- Address of your first accommodation ready to state
- Entry stamp checked before leaving the counter - it fixes your permitted stay
- Customs and health declarations completed where applicable
🔄 Sri Lanka visa extension & renewal
- Extension (staying longer without leaving): apply in stages before each expiry via eservices.immigration.gov.lk or at Battaramulla - full guide below
- Extend your ETA before day 30 - never after; late applications start with overstay fines
- Renewal (a fresh visa after leaving): simply apply for a new ETA before your next trip - each visit gets its own authorization; free-scheme waivers apply to each new tourist ETA while the scheme runs
How to get a Sri Lanka visa extension
Thirty days is rarely enough for this island - and Sri Lanka makes staying longer straightforward. Tourist and business visas can be extended from inside the country without leaving, in stages, through the Department of Immigration & Emigration. Here's how it works in 2026.
Extensions are granted in stages, each applied for before the current one expires. Most tourists can extend to a total stay of around six months; exact limits, stage lengths and fees depend on your nationality and can change - confirm your case with the Department before planning a long stay.
Apply before your current visa expires - ideally 1–2 weeks early
This is the golden rule. Applications submitted after expiry mean overstay fines before anything else is processed, and last-minute applications get stressful in peak season. Start the process with at least a week in hand.
Choose your channel: online or in person
Online: the Department's e-services portal at eservices.immigration.gov.lk handles tourist visa extensions - often processed the same day. In person: the Department of Immigration & Emigration head office, "Suhurupaya", Sri Subhuthipura Road, Battaramulla (Colombo). Arrive early; mornings are far quieter.
Prepare your documents
Have ready: your passport (with the current visa/entry stamp), a completed extension application form, proof of onward or return travel, evidence of sufficient funds, and your accommodation details. Business extensions may need a letter from the sponsoring company or relevant ministry.
Pay the extension fee
Unlike the initial ETA, extensions are chargeable for everyone - including nationals of the 40 free-visa countries; the official circular is explicit that stays beyond 30 days require payment of the applicable visa fee. Fees are calculated on a reciprocal basis by nationality (roughly what Sri Lankans pay for a visa to your country), so amounts vary - budget in the tens of US dollars per stage and check the exact figure for your passport when applying.
Collect your extended visa
Online and Colombo applications are often processed the same day. Your new authorised stay is endorsed in your passport or issued as an official document - check the new expiry date on the spot, and don't leave Sri Lanka while an application is pending.
Sri Lanka visa essentials at a glance
The key facts from this guide in one place - fees, processing times, entry rules, and who to contact.
Sri Lanka visa fee
Free tourist ETA for 40 countries (from 25 May 2026, 30 days, double entry). Otherwise: tourist US$50 online / US$60 on arrival (SAARC US$20), business US$55 (SAARC US$30), 48-hour transit free. Extensions chargeable for everyone, by nationality. Full fee table ↑
Sri Lanka visa processing time
Online ETA: usually within a few hours, allow 24–48 hours to be safe - apply 3–7 days before flying. Visa extensions: often same day online or at the Colombo head office. "Referred to Department" status means manual review and a longer wait.
Sri Lanka travel authorization (ETA)
The Electronic Travel Authorization is Sri Lanka's mandatory online entry permit for tourist, business and transit visits - required from every foreign national, even when the fee is waived. Issued only via eta.gov.lk. How to apply ↑
Sri Lanka entry requirements
Passport valid 6+ months, approved ETA, return/onward ticket, proof of funds, first-night address, and a blank passport page. A small number of nationalities need an advance visa from a Sri Lankan mission instead. Full checklist ↑
Sri Lanka immigration - who to contact
Department of Immigration & Emigration, "Suhurupaya", Sri Subhuthipura Road, Battaramulla.☎ 1962 (in Sri Lanka) · +94 112 101 500
✉ controller@immigration.gov.lk
ETA hotline (24h): +94 71 996 7888 Border control, customs & departure ↑
Official websites only
Apply: eta.gov.lk · Information: immigration.gov.lk · Extensions: eservices.immigration.gov.lk. Anything not ending in .gov.lk is not the Sri Lankan government - many look-alike sites overcharge for this visa.
Sri Lanka immigration & border control
Your ETA gets you permission to travel - but immigration, customs and departure are separate steps at the actual border. Here's how arrival and departure work in practice, what customs allows you to bring, and where to check for anything that's changed since you booked.
- Handled by the Department of Immigration & Emigration at all international airports, chiefly Bandaranaike International (Colombo) and Mattala Rajapaksa (Hambantota)
- Your ETA is checked electronically against your passport - no paper visa to hand over
- An officer stamps your passport with your permitted stay - check the date before leaving the counter
- Biometric photo/fingerprint capture is standard practice on arrival
- Officers may ask about your purpose of visit, planned stay, and accommodation - answers should match your ETA application
- Have your return/onward ticket and proof of funds accessible, even if rarely checked
- Entry can be refused if documents don't match or a passport has under 6 months' validity
- Land border crossings don't apply to Sri Lanka - it's an island, so all entry is by air or sea port
- Arrive 3 hours before international departure - Bandaranaike gets busy at peak times
- No separate exit visa needed; your entry stamp/ETA covers you until it expires
- Overstayers must settle fines at Immigration before airline check-in will proceed
- No airport departure tax is collected separately - it's built into your ticket price
- Declare cash over US$5,000 if taking it back out, and any amount over US$15,000 brought in must have been declared on arrival
- Green Channel if you have nothing to declare; Red Channel for dutiable, restricted or high-value goods
- Personal effects, clothing and gifts up to US$250 in value enter duty-free
- Adults may bring 1.5 litres of spirits and a small quantity of wine and perfume duty-free
- Foreign currency, gold jewellery and gemstones above set thresholds must be declared on arrival
- Prohibited: narcotics, pornographic material, and items disparaging religion; restricted: firearms, certain plants/animals, antiques
Customs quick-reference
| Item | Duty-free allowance | Declaration required? |
|---|---|---|
| Personal effects & gifts | Up to US$250 in value | Only if exceeding the allowance |
| Spirits (18+) | 1.5 litres | No, within allowance |
| Wine & eau de cologne (18+) | Small personal quantity | No, within allowance |
| Foreign currency (cash) | - | Yes, if bringing in over US$15,000 or taking out US$5,000+ |
| Gold jewellery & gems | Personal-use quantity | Yes, always declare to the Arrivals Customs Officer |
| Electronics (laptop, phone, camera) | Personal-use item | Usually no, if clearly for personal use, not commercial quantity |
Sri Lanka travel rules, visa policy & advisories
Set and revised by the Department of Immigration & Emigration under the Cabinet of Ministers - the current framework is the ETA system, with the 40-country free scheme in force since 25 May 2026 as a one-year, reviewable programme.
Check your own country's foreign ministry advisory (e.g. gov.uk, travel.state.gov, smartraveller.gov.au) alongside Sri Lanka's official rules - advisories cover safety and regional conditions that the visa system doesn't.
Yellow fever vaccination proof is required only if arriving from or transiting a yellow-fever-endemic country. No other vaccination is currently mandated for entry.
Modest dress at religious sites, no photos with your back to a Buddha statue, and respectful behaviour at temples are legally and culturally enforced - fines and even prosecution have occurred for disrespect toward Buddhist imagery.
Sri Lanka's visa rules have changed several times since 2024. Bookmark immigration.gov.lk and eta.gov.lk directly rather than relying on older blog posts or forum threads, including this one.
Department of Immigration & Emigration: 1962 (in Sri Lanka) · +94 112 101 500 · Airport ETA hotline (24h): +94 71 996 7888