Renew or extend your visa or ETA for Sri Lanka
Most international visitors to Sri Lanka must have a valid travel authorisation to enter the country. If you are travelling with the Sri Lanka ETA, you should be aware of the renewal process, in case you intend to stay for longer.
Travellers should be aware that overstaying a visa without extending it can lead to fines, detentions, and deportations from Sri Lanka. Thankfully, extending your Sri Lanka ETA is quick and simple.
What is the duration of validity of a Sri Lankan ETA?
The Sri Lanka ETA is valid for a period of 6 months. This time starts from the date the travel authorisation is issued.
If your Sri Lanka ETA has expired before your arrival date, you will need to apply for a new travel authorisation which will be valid when you travel.
It is important to note that the validity period is not the same as the time you can stay in the country. The ETA allows you to stay for up to 30 days, starting from the date you enter the country.
Once I enter Sri Lanka with my visa, how long can I stay there?
The ETA for Sri Lanka allows you to enter the country and stay for up to 30 days. This time period starts from the date you arrive in Sri Lanka.
If you wish to stay for longer than 30 days you must apply for a Sri Lanka ETA extension.
Can I extend my Sri Lankan visa online?
You can apply for a Sri Lanka ETA extension easily online by completing the ETA form.
This is the easiest way to extend your travel authorisation, as it avoids going in person to a government office to apply in person.
How do I extend my Sri Lankan ETA online?
To apply for a Sri Lanka eVisa extension, you must complete a new ETA application form. The process is the same as the original time you applied—just fill in the form with your personal details and travel plans.
There are also some questions related to health and security. All applicants must also meet the ETA requirements (listed below).
It is essential to answer all the questions fully and accurately. Errors and missing information could delay processing. Applicants should carefully revise all the information they enter before submission.
To submit the form, applicants need to pay a fee using a credit or debit card. The ETA application is then processed by the relevant authorities. The vast majority of applications are quickly approved within 24 hours of submission.
During the ETA application process, you will receive notifications and updates regarding the status of your application by email. You will also receive your renewed Sri Lanka ETA by email.
Sri Lanka ETA renewal requirements
To be eligible to apply for a Sri Lanka ETA renewal you must meet all the ETA requirements.
These requirements are the same as the standard application. It is only necessary to have an eligible passport (which is valid for 6 months) and a credit or debit card to pay the fee.
However, after completing the initial application, it is also necessary to provide some supporting documentation at the border (if re-entering). It is necessary to present the following:
- A printed copy of the ETA Sri Lanka renewal
- Proof of sufficient funds to cover the extension of the trip
- A confirmed return ticket or an onward ticket to another destination
Travellers from the following countries must also provide a yellow fever vaccination certificate at the port of entry to Sri Lanka to comply with International health regulations:
- Angola
- Argentina
- Benin
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Colombia
- Ecuador
- Ethiopia
- Gabon
- French Guiana
- Gambia
- Guinea
- Equatorial Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Niger
- Panama
- Peru
- Rwanda
- Sudan
- Sierra Leone
- Senegal
- Somalia
- Suriname
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Togo
- Tanzania
- United Republic of Uganda
- Venezuela
How much is Sri Lanka visa extension?
The application process for a Sri Lanka ETA extension is the same as the original, therefore the price is the same as when you first requested your ETA.
You just need a debit or credit card which is authorised for online payments to pay the application fee securely online.
Can I apply for a new ETA visa while I’m still in Sri Lanka?
If you are already in Sri Lanka and you wish to stay longer than your allocated 30 days, it is possible to apply for an extension while you are in the country.
You must go in person to an immigration office to apply for your Sri Lanka visa extension, ensuring that you have all required documents before your visit.
Applying for a visa extension in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka visa extension applications can also be made at the Immigration Services Centre in Colombo or at the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Battaramulla.
Extensions are usually given in blocks of 180 days, though 270-day extensions are also possible.
The following documentation is required when you apply for a visa extension in Sri Lanka:
- Original passport
- Colour passport size photo (3.5 x 2.5 cm)
- Proof of sufficient financial resources to cover the period of stay
- Proof of a return air ticket or proof of onward travel
What happens if you overstay your visa in Sri Lanka?
Visitors should apply for a Sri Lanka visa extension before their current visa expires. Foreigners may be refused an extension if the request is made once their visa has already run out.
Staying in Sri Lanka longer than the visa allows can lead to fines. Travellers will be fined according to the length of the overstay.
Foreigners who significantly overstay a Sri Lanka visa could face issues returning to the country in the future.
To avoid these penalties, foreign visitors must request the Sri Lanka ETA extension or visa extension well before the expiry date.