Sri Lanka Visa Requirements
Except for citizens of 3 visa-free countries (the Maldives, Seychelles, and Singapore), all foreign travellers are required to get some kind of visa to meet the Sri Lanka entry requirements.
Most passport holders can apply for a Sri Lankan ETA online. With the ETA visitors can visit Sri Lanka for up to 30 days for tourism or business trips.
Those not eligible to apply for the Sri Lanka ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) online are required to get a visa in advance from a Sri Lankan Embassy or Consulate in their country of residence.
Depending on the purpose and length of the intended stay, this could be a Sri Lanka Business Visa, a Sri Lanka Tourist visa or another visa type.
Documents required for Sri Lankan ETA
To get the Sri Lankan ETA online, eligible citizens must hold the required documents:
- An eligible passport valid for at least 6 months upon the intended entry date to Sri Lanka
- A current email address to which the Sri Lankan online visa will be sent
- A valid debit or credit card with which to pay the ETA Sri Lanka fee.
Foreign visitors need to present the following documents at the Sri Lankan border:
- A printed copy of the approved ETA Sri Lanka
- Proof of sufficient funds to cover the duration of the stay
- A confirmed return ticket to the applicant’s country of residence, or an onward ticket to a third destination
Personal information requirements
ETA applicants complete the Sri Lanka ETA application online with a range of personal and passport information including:
- First Name(s)
- Surname
- Gender
- Travel Document Number
- Passport Issue/Expiry Date
- Date of Birth
- Country of Birth
- Country of Citizenship
The Sri Lanka visa online is valid for stays of up to 30 days for either tourism or business purposes, or up to 2 days for transit purposes. It is valid for 6 months from the issue date. Sri Lanka ETA holders who wish to stay for longer can apply to extend the ETA
Who requires a visa to enter Sri Lanka?
The citizens of Singapore, Seychelles, and Maldives are exempted from the obligation of obtaining a visa to enter Sri Lanka. Passport holders of all the following countries are eligible to apply for the ETA, providing they first meet the Sri Lanka entry requirements:
Citizens of Sri LankaThose with dual citizenship of Sri Lanka and another countryThose under the age of 21 born abroad to Sri Lankan parents, and whose birth was registered in Sri LankaPassengers in transit to a third country who will leave Sri Lanka within 8 hours, who will have a ticket or evidence of their onward travel, and who will not leave the airport transit areaThose with a SAARC Visa exemption endorsement in their passport.Excluding this list and the citizens of 21 countries who are obliged to get a visa in advance from a Sri Lankan Embassy or Consulate. The citizens of all the other countries are required to hold a valid visa, which can be obtained online (ETA), in order to enter the country.
- United Kingdom
- Germany
- Japan
- France
- Bangladesh
- India
- United States
- Norway
- Denmark
- United Arab Emirates
- Italy
- Pakistan
- Netherlands
- Australia
- Canada
- China
- Russian Federation
- Afghanistan
- Aland Islands
- Albania
- Algeria
- American Samoa
- Andorra
- Angola
- Anguilla
- Antarctica
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Aruba
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Bahamas
- Bahrain
- Barbados
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Belize
- Benin
- Bermuda