Visa Guidelines for Sri Lanka

Visa approval required before arrival

Thinking about visiting Sri Lanka? Here’s a simple breakdown on how to get your tourist visa.

eVisa Validity:

  • You can apply for an eVisa up to 6 months in advance.
  • Ensure your entry date is within 6 months from the date of application.

Special Cases:

Nationals of Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Syria, and North Korea need to apply through the Sri Lankan embassy or the Department of Immigration & Emigration with the following documents:

  • Police Clearance Report.
  • Police clearance and visa copy from the country where the applicant stayed for more than 6 months.
  • Certificate from a Sri Lankan guarantor and a photocopy of the guarantor’s NIC.
  • Affidavit from a Sri Lankan JP (Justice of Peace) or a Lawyer.
  • Accommodation information.

Visa Exemptions:

  • Citizens of Singapore, Maldives, Seychelles, and the Czech Republic are exempt from needing a tourist standard 6-month eVisa to visit Sri Lanka.
  • All nationals are eligible for an eVisa waiver if transiting through Sri Lankan airports for up to 2 days.

Sri Lanka Visa-Free Entry Guidelines:

Sri Lanka has introduced visa-free entry for citizens of 35 countries effective October 1, 2024, for up to 6 months.

List of included countries

India, the U.K., China, the U.S., Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Australia, Denmark, Poland, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Nepal, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, France, Canada, the Czech Republic, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Israel, Belarus, Iran, Sweden, South Korea, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, and New Zealand.

Stay Duration: Visitors can stay for up to 180 days.

Exceptions: The e-visa service will be temporarily suspended for these 35 countries during the visa-free period. Travelers from the eligible countries will not need to apply for a visa in advance. However, they must still adhere to general entry requirements.

  • Valid Passport: Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your planned date of entry into Sri Lanka.
  • Return Ticket: Be prepared to present proof of a return or onward ticket if requested by immigration officials.
  • Accommodation Details: It’s helpful to have your accommodation information readily available.
  • Sufficient Funds: Be ready to show proof that you have adequate funds to support your stay in Sri Lanka.
  • Health and Safety: Consider securing travel insurance that covers health emergencies and other unforeseen situations.

How to Apply for a Sri Lanka eVisa:

To apply for an eVisa, visit the official Sri Lanka eVisa website and follow the steps provided:

  • Create an account or log in if you already have one.
  • Fill out the online application form with accurate details.
  • Upload the required documents (Passport size photo, scanned copy of passport, and other necessary documents).
  • Pay the eVisa fee securely online using the available payment options.
  • Receive an acknowledgment receipt and a unique application reference number.
  • Track the status of your eVisa application online using your reference number.
  • Upon approval, download and print your eVisa to present to the Immigration officer at the port of entry in Sri Lanka.

Visa Fees:

  • Tourist Visa (Single Entry – 30 days):
    For China, India, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Japan: 0 USD
    Rest of the world: 40 USD
  • Tourist Visa (Standard Visitor Visa): 75 USD

Documents Needed:

  • Passport-size colored photo
  • Passport bio page

Additional Fees:

All eVisa categories will incur an additional service fee of 10 or 18.50 USD. This does not include charges for payment gateways, taxes, and other transaction fees.

By following these steps, you can easily obtain your visa to Sri Lanka and ensure a smooth entry into the country. For more information, visit the official website here.

“All information on this site is current when published. Please visit the official visa website for updated information.”

THE PROCESS

Step 1 :

Fill in the required details and submit the ETA application at https://eta.gov.lk/etaslvisa/etaNavServ?payType=1.

Step 2 :

Pay the ETA processing fee online with a debit/credit card.

Step 3 :

You will receive an approval notice for your application.

Step 4 :

Print out the notice and present it to the immigration officer at the time of arrival, along with any other documentation mentioned in the same.

ELIGIBILITY

  • At the arrival, you will be granted 30 days ETA with double entry facility and double entries can be made from the date of initial arrival (Within given 30 days). The balance period of the 30 days of the initial entry will be granted for the second visit to Sri Lanka.
  • An ETA holder is entitled to enter Sri Lanka within three months from the date of issue of ETA.
  • In the event of ETA being rejected, the system will send a referral notification to the applicant and he/she needs to contact the nearest Sri Lanka Overseas Mission for necessary assistance.