Sri Lanka ETA for Transit Purposes
Depending on how much time is spent in Sri Lanka before moving on to an onward destination, travelers passing through the country may require a Sri Lanka ETA visa waiver for transit.
Passengers in transit who do require a visa should apply in advance for the Sri Lanka transit ETA.
Travellers are issued with a single-entry transit visa on arrival when they present their approved ETA and passport.
Foreigners are not permitted to leave the airport with a Sri Lanka transit visa.
What is the Sri Lankan ETA for transit?
The Sri Lanka ETA for Transit is an online Electronic Travel Authorisation introduced in 2012. It allows eligible citizens to transit in Sri Lanka.
The majority of foreign passport holders are able to apply for a Sri Lanka transit ETA.
This excludes 3 visa-exempt countries (Seychelles, the Maldives, and Singapore), as well as citizens of 21 countries who are required to get a visa from a Sri Lanka Diplomatic Mission in their own country before travelling.
What is the difference between a Sri Lanka transit visa and tourist visa?
A Sri Lanka transit visa allows the passenger to leave the airport between flights when stopping over in the country. Travellers can stay in Sri Lanka for up to 2 days with a transit visa.
A Sri Lanka tourist visa allows longer stays for leisure and tourism.
The ETA system can be used to obtain a visa for either transit or tourism, depending on your needs. You must select the type of ETA you need during the online application.
How does transit ETA for Sri Lanka work
The transit ETA for Sri Lanka can be obtained through the simple Electronic Travel Authorisation application online.
Those who receive Sri Lanka transit visa approval are required to provide the following upon border entry:
- A printed copy of the transit ETA for Sri Lanka
- A confirmed ticket to the traveler’s onward destination
- A visa or other travel document for the onward destination, if applicable.
Before submitting the application, it’s essential to double-check all the information provided in order to correctly receive the Sri Lanka transit ETA.
Applications are usually processed in 1 to 2 business days or within 1 hour for those using the Priority Service. On arrival, the transit ETA is sent to the applicant by email.
How do I get a transit visa for Sri Lanka?
You must complete a quick form online to get the transit ETA for Sri Lanka.
Eligible citizens are required to fill in some personal information and passport details, as well as to select ‘transit’ as the purpose of the stay.
Applicants will need to meet the Sri Lanka eTA requirements for transit in order for the eTA approval to be successful. It’s necessary to have:
- A passport from a Sri Lanka ETA transit-eligible country valid for 6 months upon arrival
- A valid debit or credit card to pay the Sri Lanka transit authorization fee
- A current email address at which to receive the transit eTA for Sri Lanka
- A scanned copy of the passport information page.
When you arrive in Sri Lanka, the ETA must be shown to a border control officer, who will then issue you with a Sri Lankan transit visa.
Do I need a visa for a connecting flight in Sri Lanka?
You will need to apply for a Sri Lanka transit ETA before your trip to catch a connecting flight if you meet the following criteria:
- You are a citizen of an ETA-eligible country
- You will spend 8 hours or more in Sri Lanka between flights
- You plan to leave the airport before catching your connecting flight
If you are not from an ETA-eligible country, you will need to apply for a Sri Lanka transit visa from an embassy before going to Sri Lanka.
You will not need a Sri Lanka ETA or transit visa for a connecting flight if:
- The flight departs in less than 8 hours after you arrive
- You have an onward ticket
Do I need a Sri Lanka transit visa or ETA for transit?
The Sri Lanka transit ETA is only available for the purposes of transiting through Sri Lanka on the way to an onward destination.
If the traveller wants to travel through Sri Lanka to change the airport or mode of transport on their way to a third destination, the traveller will require a transit online visa or ETA for transit.
The ETA transit for Sri Lanka is not required for passengers in transit who:
- Will leave the country within 8 hours
- Have a ticket or evidence of their onward travel
Citizens of eligible countries can use the ETA to transit through Sri Lanka for up to 2 days, rather than having to get a visa from an embassy.
Embassy transit visas take much longer to apply for and to be approved. It is also necessary to apply in person.
The transit ETA for Sri Lanka is much quicker and easier to obtain. If you are eligible, you may apply online from the comfort of your home.
If you hold a passport issued by any of the countries listed below, you can transit through Sri Lanka with the ETA.
Eligible countries for Sri Lanka transit ETA- 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
How long you can stay in Sri Lanka with transit ETA
The Sri Lanka ETA for transit allows a stay of up to 2 days in the country.
However, if the ETA holder wishes to stay for longer and/or for purposes other than to pass through, then the transit ETA for Sri Lanka is not eligible, and another Sri Lankan visa type will be required.