The Sri Lankan government implemented the Sri Lanka ETA in 2012 to facilitate international travelers’ arrival for temporary visitors. It grants Pakistani citizens to visit Sri Lanka with an electronic travel authorization.
The Sri Lankan Electronic Travel Authorization is a convenient visa waiver for Pakistani passport holders who wish to visit Sri Lanka for tourism, business, or transit onward to a third country.
The Sri Lanka Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) takes just a few minutes to fill out and can be done from anywhere with internet access, eliminating the need to schedule an appointment at an embassy or consular office and request a Sri Lanka visa in person. The simplified process is quick and easy and only requires a few documents.
Do I need a visa for Sri Lanka from Pakistan?
Even if traveling for leisure during a short stay, every Pakistan passport holder is required to have either a visa or ETA prior to entering Sri Lanka. The type of visa or ETA required to enter to Sri Lanka will depend entirely on how long the traveler intends on being in the country as well as their reasons for traveling in the first place.
There are 3 different Sri Lanka ETAs available for Pakistani citizens to apply for:
- The Tourist ETA is valid for 180 days after it has been issued. Once the traveler enters Sri Lanka, the tourist ETA grants them a stay of up to 30 days in the country. During those 30 days, travelers may exit and re-enter Sri Lanka twice only.
- The Transit ETA is valid for 180 days and is granted only under very specific circumstances. If you enter Sri Lanka on a transit ETA, you are not allowed to leave the airport at all. The traveler must have a connecting flight out of the same airport they entered within two days
- The Business ETA is valid for 180 days from the date it is issued. The business ETA allows for multiple entries into Sri Lanka, provided they all take place within the first 30 days of the initial entry. The total number of days spent inside Sri Lanka can not exceed 30.
Note: Passports must have a minimum of 180 days of validity from the date of entry into Sri Lanka no matter what type of visa or ETA the traveler holds.
How long does it take for Pakistanis to get a Sri Lankan ETA?
In addition to the Pakistani passport, which must have a minimum of 180 days of validity from the date of entry into the country, there are a few Electronic travel Authorization requirements for entry into Sri Lanka that Pakistani citizens must provide while applying for their ETA:
- A valid email address is required as the entire process is completed online. When the decision is made, the ETA will be sent the response via email
- A current debit or credit card to pay the non-refundable ETA application processing fee
- A digital copy of the passport data page
How Can Pakistani Citizens Apply for a Sri Lanka Visa?
All Pakistani travelers who are interested in applying for a Sri Lanka ETA can do so on the application page. The application will ask that you provide general points of data such as your full name, your date of birth, and a current address.
Once the ETA has been granted, Pakistani travelers should print out a hard copy and take it with them on their trip. Border authorities will want to match the hard copy to their records at the port of entry.
Additionally, authorities may require proof of funds to cover your stay in Sri Lanka as well as proof of onward travel before your ETA expires.
Sri Lanka ETAs are granted for tourism, business, or transit purposes.
If Pakistani citizens wish to travel for humanitarian or religious purposes, it is necessary that they visit an embassy or consulate and apply for a separate kind of visa.
For all up to date news on the Sri Lanka ETA check out our news page.