Sri Lanka Tourist Visa
To visit Sri Lanka for tourism purposes, most foreign passport holders must get a Sri Lanka visa. The type of travel authorization required depends on the nationality of the traveller.
Citizens of most countries can apply for a Sri Lanka ETA, which is the easiest way to obtain a tourist visa.
What is the Sri Lanka ETA visa for tourism?
The Sri Lanka ETA for tourism is an online travel authorisation. It allows the holder to enter Sri Lanka for tourism purposes, for up to 30 days.
Eligible foreign citizens visiting Sri Lanka for short stays can apply for the Sri Lanka ETA for tourism through a simple online form., This eliminates long waiting times for a visa on arrival at the border.
Travellers who are not eligible for the ETA or visa on arrival are required to apply at an embassy or consulate for a tourist visa for Sri Lanka before their trip.
How does the tourist ETA work?
The Sri Lanka visa for tourism is automatically connected to the passport of the applicant.
ETA holders should show a copy of their approved tourist visa at immigration, along with their passport. Border officers can then check the documents against their records to validate the visa.
What are the documents required for a Sri Lanka tourist visa?
Before applying for the Sri Lanka tourist visa though ETA, eligible citizens must first meet some visa requirements. These include:
- Valid passport
- Credit or debit card
- Email address
How do I get an ETA tourist visa for Sri Lanka?
Eligible travellers must fill in the simple online Sri Lanka tourist visa application, which only takes a few minutes to complete.
Applicants are required to fill in a range of personal and passport data, as well as provide contact details.
The approved ETA for Sri Lanka is then sent to the traveller by email.
What can you do with the Sri Lanka ETA tourist visa?
When travelling with the tourist visa for Sri Lanka, the purpose of the trip can be for:
- Tourism
- Visiting friends and family
- Medical treatment (including Ayurvedic remedies and yoga)
- Sporting events
- Cultural competitions and activities
When completing the online application form, it’s necessary to select the purpose of the stay as being for tourism, as opposed to either business or transit purposes.
How long can you stay in Sri Lanka with ETA tourist visa?
The Sri Lanka tourist visa online is valid for a stay of up to 30 days, with a total validity of 6 months from the date of issue.
Tourists can apply to extend the ETA tourist visa up to a maximum of 270 days.
A visa renewal can be done at the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka.
Other ways to get a Sri Lanka tourist visa
For travellers who are not from an ETA eligible country, there are alternative ways to get a Sri Lanka tourist visa.
The online ETA for Sri Lanka service is the fastest way to obtain a visa, however applicants can also go to an embassy, or obtain a visa on arrival.
Get a visa on arrival in Sri Lanka
It is possible to get a tourist ETA visa on arrival in Sri Lanka, however this can involve lengthy delays. Travellers are advised to use the online service before travelling to avoid waiting at the port of entry.
Get a tourist visa for Sri Lanka at an embassy
Citizens of nations that are not eligible for an ETA and are not visa exempt must apply for a travel permit in advance at a Sri Lankan embassy or consulate.
This involves physically going to a diplomatic government office and applying for a tourist visa for Sri Lanka. This process takes time and involves more documentation than the Sri Lanka ETA or visa on arrival.