Sri Lanka Transit Visa
Free for every nationality, for stays of up to two days. The question worth answering first is whether you need one at all - many travellers connecting through Colombo do not.
Transit visas for stays of up to two days are free of charge for all nationalities. Any site charging you for one is charging for its own service, not a government fee.
Do you actually need a transit visa?
❌ No ETA needed
You stay airside at Bandaranaike International Airport, your baggage is checked through to your final destination, and you board a connecting flight without passing immigration.
✅ Transit ETA needed
You pass through immigration for any reason - collecting and re-checking baggage, an overnight hotel stay landside, or a long layover you want to spend outside the terminal.
Apply for a tourist ETA instead. It permits 30 days with double entry and is free for 40 nationalities since 25 May 2026 - so there is rarely a reason to squeeze a visit into a transit window.
What you need
Passport valid 6+ months
At least six months beyond your travel dates, with a blank page for stamps.
Confirmed onward ticket
Proof that you leave Sri Lanka within two days of arrival.
Working email address
Your approval is delivered by email, usually within 24–72 hours.
How to apply
- Open the official portal
Go to eta.gov.lk and select the transit visa category.
- Enter passport and flight details
Give your onward flight number and date - this is what establishes the two-day window.
- Submit - there is nothing to pay
The transit ETA is free. The form has no payment step for this category.
- Carry the approval
Keep a printout and a copy on your phone for check-in and immigration.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Sri Lanka transit visa free?
Yes. The transit ETA is free of charge for all nationalities for stays of up to two days. This has been the case independently of the May 2026 tourist-fee waiver.
Do I need a transit visa if I never leave the airport?
No. If you stay airside at Bandaranaike International Airport and continue on a connecting flight with your baggage checked through, you do not need an ETA.
When do I need a transit ETA?
When you pass through immigration - to collect and re-check baggage, to change airport, to stay overnight in a hotel outside the terminal, or when your connection exceeds the airside limit.
How long can I stay on a transit visa?
Up to two days. If you want longer to see Colombo or the coast, apply for a tourist ETA instead - it grants 30 days and is free for 40 nationalities.
Can I extend a transit visa?
No. The transit category cannot be extended or converted. Apply for a tourist ETA if you need more than two days.
What do I need to apply?
A passport valid at least six months beyond travel, and confirmed onward flight tickets showing you leave within two days.