Sri Lanka Business ETA

All foreign travellers are required to get a Sri Lanka Business ETA or Business visa to conduct business in the country, excluding the 3 visa-free countries of the Maldives, the Seychelles, and Singapore.

Citizens of 21 countries, including Egypt, Ghana, and Syria, are required to apply for a Sri Lankan business visa from an Embassy or Consulate in their country of origin.

All other foreign passport holders are able to apply for the Sri Lanka ETA online through a simple application form, and receive a visitor visa on arrival.

The Sri Lanka ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) was introduced in 2012 to simplify the visa application process.

Eligible short-term visitors can now apply for the business ETA for Sri Lanka online through a simple visa application. It only takes a few minutes to complete.

Travellers are advised to apply for the business ETA online before departure. Although it is possible to apply for a Sri Lanka visa on arrival, this means standing in another queue at the airport, spending a lot of unnecessary time waiting after the long journey.

Getting the business ETA for Sri Lanka online beforehand saves time and gives you the peace of mind of having your travel authorisation approved before travelling.

Those not eligible to apply for the ETA for Sri Lanka are required to apply for a business visa at a Sri Lankan Embassy or Consulate in their country of residence, or from the head office of the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka.

To apply for the Sri Lanka business ETA online, travellers must meet some eTA requirements for Sri Lanka. These include:

• Having a passport valid for 6 months from the entry date to Sri Lanka
• Providing a current email address to receive the business ETA for Sri Lanka
• Paying the business eTA fee using a credit or debit card
• Providing proof of sufficient funds for the duration of the stay (upon entry at the border)
• Having a confirmed return ticket, or ticket for onward travel (upon entry at the border).

Applicants are also required to provide supporting documentation to prove the purpose of the business trip in Sri Lanka.

To complete the online application, it’s necessary to fill in personal and passport information correctly, including passport number, nationality, and date of birth, as well as provide contact details.

After reviewing the information provided and paying the eTA fee, the Sri Lanka Visa Waiver business application can be submitted.

It should take around 1-2 days for the eTA to be processed, with the business eTA sent to the applicant’s inbox if approved. Business travellers can alternatively select the Priority Service to receive their ETA with an hour if they plan to travel soon and need the authorisation rapidly.

Applicants should print a copy to present upon arrival at Sri Lankan border entry points alongside the passport used to complete the application, as well as the supporting documentation.

The business eTA for Sri Lanka allows the traveller to visit the country for the following purposes:

• To participate in a conference, workshop, symposium, or seminar
• To take part in a business meeting or negotiation
• To participate in a cultural or religious event
• To complete a short-term training course (lasting less than a month).

However, the online Sri Lanka business visa does not allow the following work-related activities:

• To engage with political parties and/or groups in meetings, seminars, conferences, or similar
• To participate in media/journalism conferences, workshops or seminars
• To engage in activities affiliated with an NGO or INGO.

Eligible citizens wishing to travel for these purposes are required to apply for a business visa for Sri Lanka from an Embassy or Consulate, or from the Department of Immigration & Emigration (DI&E) in Colombo, providing supporting documentation for the purpose of the stay.

Can I work in Sri Lanka with an ETA?

No, foreign nationals cannot perform any paid work in Sri Lanka with the ETA.

The business ETA allows you to attend conferences or business meetings. However, it does not allow you to accept employment in Sri Lanka or work in the country.

To get a job in Sri Lanka or perform employed work, foreigners must apply for the relevant visa and permits.

The business ETA for Sri Lanka is a multiple-entry travel document. It is valid for stays of up to 30 days in Sri Lanka, with a total validity of 6 months from the date of issue.

Obtain an eTA for Business