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Visa and entry rules

Sri Lanka visa and entry requirements

Entry rules for tourists with an ordinary passport: how you enter Sri Lanka, how long you may stay, what to register before arrival and where to apply.

Last checked: November 1, 2026

Choose your passport to see the entry rules for each country.

Before you travel

Passport validity
At least 6 months from the date of entry. Valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival.[3][7]
Onward or return ticket
Required. A confirmed return ticket, or a visa for the next destination.[3][7]
Proof of funds
Sufficient funds for the stay; no amount stated.[3][7]

Apply only on official sites

ETA payments go only through the official ETA website eta.gov.lk; extension applications through other websites are not considered.

Agency sites that look official charge extra fees for the same forms. The official domains are: eta.gov.lk, www.eta.gov.lk, immigration.gov.lk, www.immigration.gov.lk, eservices.immigration.gov.lk, mea.gov.lk, www.mea.gov.lk

All entry options

Visa on arrival

ETA on arrival

ETA at the port of entry

Who can use this: All passports except: Afghanistan, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kosovo, Nigeria, Syria, Taiwan[1][7]

Restricted nationals cannot apply for a tourist visa on arrival.

Stay
30 days. Issued for up to 30 days.[3]
Fee
$60. US$25 for South Asian (SAARC) countries. Nationals of the free scheme pay nothing. Payment in US dollars cash or by electronic card.[2][3]
Extension
Possible. Same extension rules as the online ETA.[3][10]
Entry points
Only at these entry points[3][14]

Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake

A limited facility; the ports branch also grants ETAs at the ports. Applicants without prior approval can be refused and returned if the application is referred.

Entry
Single entry

Requirements

  • Passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival.[3]
  • Confirmed return ticket and sufficient funds.[3]

Applying online in advance avoids the higher on-arrival fee; payments must go through the official ETA website.

e-Visa

Free tourist ETA

Tourist visa (ETA) free of charge

Who can use this: 43 passports[2][8][15]

The 40 countries of the free scheme from 25 May 2026, plus Singapore and Seychelles (30 days) and Maldives (90 days) under reciprocal agreements. Ordinary, diplomatic, official and service passports qualify.

Show passports

🇦🇺 Australia · 🇦🇹 Austria · 🇧🇭 Bahrain · 🇧🇾 Belarus · 🇧🇪 Belgium · 🇨🇦 Canada · 🇨🇳 China · 🇨🇿 Czechia · 🇩🇰 Denmark · 🇫🇮 Finland · 🇫🇷 France · 🇩🇪 Germany · 🇮🇳 India · 🇮🇩 Indonesia · 🇮🇷 Iran · 🇮🇱 Israel · 🇮🇹 Italy · 🇯🇵 Japan · 🇰🇿 Kazakhstan · 🇰🇼 Kuwait · 🇲🇾 Malaysia · 🇲🇻 Maldives · 🇳🇵 Nepal · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · 🇳🇿 New Zealand · 🇳🇴 Norway · 🇴🇲 Oman · 🇵🇰 Pakistan · 🇵🇱 Poland · 🇶🇦 Qatar · 🇷🇺 Russia · 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia · 🇸🇨 Seychelles · 🇸🇬 Singapore · 🇰🇷 South Korea · 🇪🇸 Spain · 🇸🇪 Sweden · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · 🇹🇭 Thailand · 🇹🇷 Türkiye · 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · 🇺🇸 United States

Stay
30 days. Double entry allowed within the 30 days from first arrival; the second entry gets only the balance of the 30 days.[1][2][8]
  • 90 days: Maldives
Fee
Free. ETAs paid before 25 May 2026 are not refunded.[1][2]
Extension
Possible. Extension beyond 30 days is possible online or at the head office in Battaramulla against the extension fee, which depends on nationality and length of stay (US$60 to US$100 for 31 to 90 days for most countries; free for Singapore, Maldives, Seychelles and Czech Republic).[8][10][11]
Entry
Single entry

Requirements

  • Passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival.[3]
  • Confirmed return ticket.[3]
  • Sufficient funds for the stay.[3]
  • Print or keep a copy of the ETA approval for the port of entry.[3]

All foreign nationals need an ETA before arrival, also those of the free scheme.

Apply on the official site (eta.gov.lk)
e-Visa

Tourist ETA (paid)

Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), Tourist

Who can use this: All passports except: Afghanistan, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belarus, Belgium, Cameroon, Canada, China, Côte d’Ivoire, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Poland, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Taiwan, Thailand, Türkiye, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States[1][2]

All other passports. Passports of the free scheme and the sponsor route are excluded.

Stay
30 days. Double entry allowed within the 30 days from first arrival.[3][5]
Fee
$50. US$20 for South Asian (SAARC) countries. Children under 12 of any nationality: free for up to 30 days. Fee is non-refundable.[2][3][11]
Extension
Possible. The ETA can be extended up to six months online or at the head office in Battaramulla; fees depend on nationality and length of stay (US$60 to US$100 for 31 to 90 days for most countries).[3][10][11]
Entry
Single entry

Requirements

  • Passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival.[3]
  • Confirmed return ticket.[3]
  • Sufficient funds for the stay.[3]
  • Payment by Visa, Mastercard or American Express card.[3][4]

The ETA is not a precondition to board a flight or vessel to Sri Lanka.

Apply on the official site (eta.gov.lk)
Visa-free transit

Transit visa

Transit Visa, Two Days

Who can use this: All passports[12]

Passengers who stay more than 24 hours between connecting flights

Stay
2 days. Cannot be extended. Needed when staying more than 24 hours for a connecting flight.[7][12]
Fee
Free[2][12]
Extension
Not possible[12]
Entry
Single entry

Requirements

  • Proof of air ticket or sea passage.[12]

Can be applied for at the port of entry on arrival or at Sri Lankan missions abroad.

Apply on the official site (eta.gov.lk)
Visa from an embassy

Visa through a Sri Lankan sponsor

Tourist visa application through a Sri Lankan sponsor at the head office

Who can use this: 8 passports[1]

Cameroon, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Ghana and Afghanistan (police clearance report needed) and Syria (police clearance report needed); Taiwan-China and Kosovo (no police clearance listed).

Show passports

🇦🇫 Afghanistan · 🇨🇲 Cameroon · 🇨🇮 Côte d’Ivoire · 🇬🇭 Ghana · 🇽🇰 Kosovo · 🇳🇬 Nigeria · 🇸🇾 Syria · 🇹🇼 Taiwan

Stay
Stay set at entry. Set by the Department of Immigration and Emigration with the visa.

Requirements

  • Request letter from the Sri Lankan sponsor.[1]
  • Affidavit from the sponsor signed before a Justice of the Peace or lawyer.[1]
  • Certified copy of the sponsor's national identity card or passport photocopy.[1]
  • Applicant's passport photocopy and proof of accommodation.[1]
  • Applicant's police clearance report (Cameroon, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Afghanistan, Syria).[1]

Application goes to the head office of the Department of Immigration and Emigration through the sponsor.

Apply on the official site (www.immigration.gov.lk)
Visa from an embassy

Visa from a Sri Lankan mission

ETA and short visit visa at Sri Lanka Overseas Missions

Who can use this: All passports[3]

Stay
90 days. Missions issue an ETA for up to 30 days or a tourist visa with single or double entry for up to 3 months.[2][3]
Fee
ETA processing fee: US$20 for South Asian (SAARC) countries, US$50 for all others, free for nationals of the free scheme. Visa fees of the mission for 30 to 90 days are added.[2]
Extension
Possible. Extension via the Department of Immigration and Emigration.[10]
Processing
Missions issue the ETA or visa within 3 business days.[3]

Requirements

  • Application form and fee handed to the visa officer at the mission.[3]

Also the route if an online ETA application is referred.

Apply on the official site (www.mea.gov.lk)

Good to know

  • The ETA application can be filed before booking a ticket. An approved ETA is valid for entry within three months of issue.[3][4]
  • Tourist purposes: sightseeing, visiting friends and relatives, medical treatment including Ayurveda and yoga, sports and cultural performance events. Business activities, conferences and employment are not allowed on a tourist ETA.[5][9]
  • A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from passengers coming from the listed African and South American countries.[13]
  • Overstay penalty: US$250 for 8 to 14 days and US$500 beyond 14 days, in addition to the visa fee; leaving within 7 days of expiry only needs the visa fee.[11]
  • Long-stay schemes such as the Digital Nomad residence visa exist (US$500 per year).[11]
  • Dual citizens of Sri Lanka are exempt from visas.[7]
  • Diplomatic and official passport holders of listed countries get a visit visa on arrival without an ETA.[6]

Research status

Last checked: November 1, 2026. Checked against the official sources within the last 30 days.

Change log

No changes since the first check on November 1, 2026.

How this works: each country's rules come only from its government (immigration authority, foreign ministry, official e-Visa portals). A daily check compares the official pages with our data, one country after another, so every country is checked at least every two weeks. Changes are reviewed before they appear here.

No legal advice. Airlines and border officers decide on boarding and entry. Always confirm the rules on the official site before you travel, especially for unusual passports or longer stays.

Sources and background

Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.

  1. [1] Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka ETA, Important Notices. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
  2. [2] Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka: ETA, Fees and eligible countries. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
  3. [3] Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka: ETA, How to submit an ETA application. Retrieved November 1, 2026.
  4. [4] Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka: ETA, FAQ. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
  5. [5] Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka: ETA, Short Visit to Sri Lanka. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
  6. [6] Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka: ETA, Diplomatic and Official Visits. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
  7. [7] Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka: Visa Services, General Information. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
  8. [8] Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka: Visa Services, Free Visa. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
  9. [9] Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka: Visa Services, Tourist Visa. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
  10. [10] Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka: Visa Services, Extension of Tourist Visa. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
  11. [11] Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka: Visa Services, Visa Fees. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
  12. [12] Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka: Visa Services, Transit Visa. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
  13. [13] Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka: Visa Services, Yellow fever vaccination certificate. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
  14. [14] Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka: Border Management, Ports. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
  15. [15] Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka: Free Tourist Visas for Nationals of 40 Selected Countries. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
Sri Lanka travel guide

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