Mirissa, Sri Lanka

It doesn’t matter where you want to travel in the world or where you’re from, you’ll always need to have the correct documentation to visit somewhere you’re not a resident. Every country has their own requirements for travellers as far as paperwork is concerned and Sri Lanka is no different.

All foreign nationals travelling to Sri Lanka are required to apply for a travel visa before entering the country. It’s a good idea to keep up to date with any changes in legislation as these can happen frequently because of civil unrest or simply because of amendments to government policies for whatever reason. These changes can affect the length of travel visa available to you, the fee you need to pay to obtain one or even if you need one at all.

So before you head off on the vacation of a lifetime, make sure you’re in possession of the correct documentation because there’s nothing more disappointing than landing at the airport to find out you can’t get through immigration control.

Who Needs A Visa?

Everyone who is travelling to Sri Lanka whether their trip is for a vacation, for business or for diplomatic purposes must apply for a travel visa prior to arriving. Anyone heading to Sri Lanka to participate in sporting competitions, intending to perform at cultural events, planning on taking therapeutic spa treatments or just visit friends all require visa authorization.

The visa required for entering Sri Lanka is known as an ETA – Electronic Travel Authorization. All travel visa applicants are required to be in possession of a passport that is valid for at least six months.

The only people who don’t need an ETA to enter Sri Lanka are nationals of the Republic of Singapore, the Maldives and the Seychelles. Cabin and flight crews on in-coming flights are also permitted to enter Sri Lanka without an ETA.

Can You Get A Sri Lanka Travel Visa Online

Travel visas for Sri Lanka can be applied for both online or at the airport on arrival. Waiting to apply for your travel visa until arriving is not recommended by the Sri Lankan authorities. Applying for your visa at the airport can cause delays in entering the country and serious hold-ups for other passengers disembarking at the same time.

Applications for a Sri Lanka travel visa should be made via the official website run by the Sri Lankan Department of Immigration and Emigration. The Sri Lanka Electronic Travel Authorization System ( eta.gov.lk) is presented in multiple languages, is informative and simple to use. Any changes that do occur in the regulations for issuing Sri Lankan travel visas are also announced on the website.

How Long Are Sri Lanka Travel Visas Valid

After making a travel visa application and having it approved, the visa remains valid for a period of six months from the date of issue. During those six months you may travel to Sri Lanka and stay for up to, but not exceeding, thirty consecutive days. You will need to carry a copy of the visa approval with you to show to airport officials after landing along with your passport and return ticket.

If you have had a travel visa approved but don’t use it or have left departing on your vacation until the end of the visa period, you will have to wait until it expires before being able to apply for another.

You can only re-apply for a new travel visa before the previous one expires if you have lost your passport and will be travelling with a new one.

If you want to stay in Sri Lanka longer than the stipulated thirty day maximum duration, you will need to make an application for a travel visa extension. This can be done at the Immigration Services Center in Colombo or at the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Battaramulla. Applications must be submitted before the original visa expires. You will be asked to provide a reason for staying longer, proof of resources to cover expenses and to show your return ticket home.

How Much Does A Sri Lanka Travel Visa Cost

At present there is no charge for issuing the majority of Sri Lanka travel visas. The Sri Lankan government has introduced a fee waiver scheme to help promote tourism to the country. The fee waiver applies to twenty-eight countries of the forty-four in the European Union including the UK and twenty outside of it. Also part of this scheme is The USA, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. A full list of countries to which the ETA waiver applies can be found on eta.gov.lk.



