Updated 2026-08-22
Sri Lanka Visa Status Enquiry
Most ETAs are approved within 24 to 72 hours. If yours has not arrived, here is how to check it and what each status actually means.
How to check
- Check your email first
Including the spam and promotions folders. Approvals are delivered by email and are easy to miss.
- Find your reference number
It appears on the acknowledgement shown after submission and in the confirmation email.
- Open the official portal
Go to eta.gov.lk and choose the status enquiry option.
- Enter your reference and passport number
Both must match what you submitted on the application.
What each status means
| Status | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Approved | Your ETA is issued and linked to your passport. | Print it and save a copy to your phone. |
| Pending / In process | Under review. Normal within the first 72 hours. | Wait. Contact the helpdesk after 72 hours. |
| Referred | Sent for additional checks — common for business applications. | Allow extra time; respond promptly to any request for information. |
| Rejected | The application was refused. | Check for data-entry errors and reapply, or contact the department. |
| Not found | The reference or passport number does not match a record. | Re-check both. If still nothing, the application may not have submitted. |
If nothing has arrived after 72 hours
- Search your inbox for the reference number, not just the sender — filters sometimes catch it.
- Confirm the email address on the application had no typo.
- Run a status enquiry on the portal with your reference and passport number.
- Contact the official helpdesk with your reference number.
- If your flight is imminent, contact your airline — some will board on a verified portal status.
We cannot look up your application
This site is an independent guide. We have no access to application records — only theDepartment of Immigration & Emigration does.
Sources & verification. Status enquiry runs on eta.gov.lk. Last reviewed 2026-08-22.