Sri Lanka Visa & Entry Requirements 2026: ETA Guide

Sri Lanka Visa & Entry Requirements

Most visitors to Sri Lanka need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before boarding. It is a straightforward online application, but the details around validity, extensions, and proof of onward travel are where people run into trouble at check-in or immigration.

Visa policy is one of the few things about Sri Lanka that changes without much notice — fee levels and free-entry schemes have both been revised in recent years. Treat this as an orientation and confirm current rules on the official government ETA portal before you book.

Quick Facts

• What you need: ETA approval, obtained online before departure
• Passport validity: At least 6 months from your date of arrival
• Standard tourist stay: 30 days from arrival
• Entries: Double entry on a standard tourist ETA
• Extendable: Yes, up to 6 months total, in-country
• Apply through: The official Sri Lankan government ETA portal only

How the ETA Works

You apply online, receive an approval notice by email, and present that at check-in and on arrival. It is an authorisation to travel rather than a visa sticker — the actual entry permit is stamped in your passport at immigration in Colombo.

Applications are usually approved within 24–48 hours, and often within minutes. Apply at least a week before travel so a delay or a correction does not become a problem.

Apply only through the official government portal. Sri Lanka’s ETA attracts a large number of unofficial lookalike sites that charge a substantial markup for forwarding the same application. They are not scams in the criminal sense, but you will pay several times the real fee for nothing.

What You Need to Apply

• Passport valid for 6+ months beyond arrival, with a blank page
• Return or onward ticket
• Address of your first night’s accommodation
• A payment card for the fee

At Immigration

Arrival at Bandaranaike International is generally quick. Have ready:

• Your passport and ETA approval reference
• Your onward or return flight details
• Your first hotel booking

Immigration officers do sometimes ask to see proof of onward travel, and airlines check it more often than immigration does. If you are planning to book your exit flight once you are in the country, be aware you may be refused boarding without it.

Extending Your Stay

The 30-day entry can be extended in-country at the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Colombo, up to a total of six months. Start the process before your current permit expires — overstaying carries a fine assessed per day and is dealt with at the airport on departure, which is the worst possible time to discover it.

Things That Catch People Out

• Damaged passports. A torn or water-damaged passport can be refused even with a valid ETA.
• Buddha tattoos. Visible Buddha imagery, particularly tattoos, has led to entry refusals and deportations. This is a genuine and well-documented issue, not an urban myth. Keep such tattoos covered.
• Name mismatches. The name on your ETA must match your passport exactly. A missing middle name or a maiden-name booking causes real delays.
• Vaping. E-cigarettes and vaping devices are restricted; do not assume yours can come with you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I get a visa on arrival in Sri Lanka? A: An on-arrival counter has existed at times, but it is slower, more expensive, and subject to change. Applying online in advance is the reliable route.

Q: How long does ETA approval take? A: Usually 24–48 hours, frequently much faster. Allow a week to be safe.

Q: Do children need their own ETA? A: Yes. Every traveller needs their own authorisation, regardless of age, including infants on a parent’s passport where that still applies.

Q: Is there a departure tax to pay at the airport? A: It is included in the price of your air ticket. There is nothing separate to pay on the way out.

Q: My ETA was approved but my plans changed — is it still valid? A: The ETA has a validity window from the date of approval. If your trip has moved substantially, check whether it still covers your new arrival date rather than assuming it does.