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Sri Lanka travel requirements

Sri Lanka visa and entry requirements

Check the visa and entry requirements for Sri Lanka based on your passport and trip, then continue to the correct official route.

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Sri Lanka travel destination landscape

Check Sri Lanka requirements

Select your passport country to see the visa and entry requirements that may apply for Sri Lanka.

Know what you need

Check visa and entry requirements based on your passport and destination.

Official requirements, simplified

Clear guidance based on current government sources.

Official application routes

Go directly to the correct government application or information page.

Ready-to-apply checklist

Know what information and documents to prepare before you start.

Plan your trip with clear, practical guidance at every step.

eVisa Immigration is an independent travel-document service and is not affiliated with any government.

Travel documents made clearer

Visas, ETAs and arrival cards for destinations worldwide.

Sri Lanka uses Electronic Travel Authorization routes for short tourism, business and transit visits. A current free tourist-ETA scheme applies to specified nationalities, while other travellers pay the standard nationality-group fee.

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Check your requirements

Under the current Sri Lankan immigration notice, foreign short-stay visitors should obtain the ETA that matches their trip before arrival. Tourist ETA fees are waived for the nationalities covered by the current free scheme; other travellers pay the applicable official fee.

Who needs a visa or travel document?

Visa and ETA requirements for Sri Lanka depend on nationality and travel purpose. Check the official source linked with the relevant option for the current rule that applies to you.

The Tourist ETA, Business ETA and Transit ETA have different purposes and fee rules. Select the route that matches the trip rather than using a tourist ETA for business activity.

For work, study, residence or other travel purposes, check the relevant government requirements separately.

Other visa and entry options

Other options may apply depending on your passport, travel purpose and intended stay:

Sri Lanka visa and entry options

Compare the documents that may apply to your trip, including who they are for, permitted stays and processing guidance.

Electronic Travel Authorization for tourism

Sri Lanka Tourist ETA

Foreign travellers visiting Sri Lanka for tourism who are required to obtain ETA approval before arrival under the current rules.

Allows

Tourism, holidays, visiting friends or relatives and other activities permitted under the tourist ETA.

Validity

Initially 30 days from arrival for the standard tourist ETA; eligible Maldivian nationals receive 90 days under the reciprocal arrangement.

Entries

Double entry within the initial tourist ETA period

Maximum stay

30 days initially for the standard tourist ETA, with extensions available through Sri Lanka Immigration.

Official processing guidance

Use the official ETA service for current processing status. Sri Lankan overseas missions state that complete applications they handle can be issued within three business days.

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You can also apply directly through the official government website without paying our service fee. Government fees may still apply.

Short-visit business ETA / visa

Sri Lanka Business ETA

Travellers making a qualifying short business visit to Sri Lanka.

Allows

Business meetings, negotiations, conferences, workshops, short training and other activities listed by Sri Lanka Immigration.

Validity

Normally 30 days for the short business ETA; Sri Lankan missions can issue short-visit business visas up to three months under the applicable route.

Entries

Single, double or multiple entry depending on the business route issued

Maximum stay

The period granted on the business ETA or short-visit visa applies.

Official processing guidance

Business ETA processing depends on the Sri Lankan overseas mission or Department of Immigration and Emigration route used.

Apply on the official government website

Transit ETA

Sri Lanka Transit ETA

Travellers who need a short transit ETA while passing through Sri Lanka.

Allows

Transit through Sri Lanka to another destination.

Validity

Up to two days.

Entries

Single transit

Maximum stay

Up to two days.

Official processing guidance

Apply before travel through the official ETA route where required.

Apply on the official government website

What to prepare

Have these details and documents ready before you apply. Additional documents may be requested depending on your passport, travel purpose or application.

The passport that will be used for travel

Current contact, itinerary and accommodation information

A compliant photograph where the application requests one

Purpose-specific evidence requested by the issuing authority

Processing times

Processing times vary by document and authority. Use the official guidance shown with the relevant option and apply early enough for government review.

Plan around official processing times

Government processing times can vary. Apply early and use the guidance shown for the document you need.

Continue to the official application

Visa, travel-authorisation and entry decisions are made by the relevant government and border authorities.

Your application checklist

Confirm the right route, prepare your details and documents, then continue to the official application when you are ready.

1

Check your requirements

Start with your passport country and destination to see the relevant travel document route.

2

Complete the online form

Use the official Sri Lanka application or declaration service linked from the relevant route.

3

Upload required documents

Provide only the passport, photograph, travel and purpose-specific evidence requested by the authority.

4

Review your details

Check that your application details match your passport and travel itinerary exactly.

5

Submit your application

Submit through the official authority and retain its receipt or reference number.

6

Receive updates by email

Keep the authority's decision and any government emails accessible while travelling.

Prepare with confidence

Follow a clear route from checking requirements to preparing the details requested by the relevant authority.

Before you travel

Keep government decisions and confirmations accessible, and check the official rules again before departure.

Check that your passport validity meets the destination rules
Confirm your travel dates and accommodation details
Review the latest entry conditions before departure
Carry the approved document if required, digitally or printed
Keep government emails and status updates accessible while travelling
Requirements can change before departure

Sri Lanka travel document questions

Answers to common questions about Sri Lanka visas and entry requirements.

Current Sri Lankan immigration guidance requires foreign short-stay visitors covered by the ETA system to obtain the appropriate ETA before arrival. Use the official ETA service to confirm your route.

Check what you need for your trip

Check your requirements for Sri Lanka and continue to the relevant official application route.

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