Sri Lanka Visa & ETA Guide for 2026
Almost every visitor to Sri Lanka needs an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before boarding. Since 25 May 2026, forty nationalities get theirs free. Here is exactly what applies to you, what it costs, and how to apply on the official portal.
From 25 May 2026, citizens of 40 countries — including Australia, the UK, the US, Canada, India, China, Norway and most of the EU — receive a free 30-day, double-entrytourist ETA. Fees paid before that date are not refunded. Everyone still has to apply and be approved before travelling.
Who needs a Sri Lanka visa?
Nearly all foreign nationals need permission to enter Sri Lanka. For tourism the standard route is the ETA — an online authorization linked to your passport, approved before you fly. Nationals of the Maldives (90 days), Singapore and Seychelles (30 days) enter under separate bilateral arrangements.
Days of stay
The standard tourist ETA permits 30 days from arrival, extendable in stages once you are in the country.
Entries
Double entry, so you can leave for a side trip — to the Maldives or India — and come back on the same ETA.
Hours to approve
Most ETAs are approved by email within 24–72 hours. Apply about a week ahead to be safe.
The 40 countries with a free ETA
Citizens of these countries pay nothing for a 30-day double-entry tourist ETA under the scheme effective 25 May 2026. The application itself is still mandatory.
Children under 12 receive a free 30-day tourist visa, and transit visas for stays of up to two days are free of charge.
Sri Lanka visa fees for everyone else
If your nationality is not on the free list, these are the published fees. SAARC rates apply to South Asian countries; note that applying online is consistently cheaper than paying on arrival.
| Visa type | South Asian (SAARC) | All other countries |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist — online / mission | USD 20 | USD 50 |
| Tourist — on arrival | USD 25 | USD 60 |
| Business — online / mission | USD 30 | USD 55 |
| Transit (up to 2 days) | Free | Free |
| Children under 12 | Free | Free |
Fees per the official schedule ateta.gov.lk. Third-party agents add their own service charges on top — the official portal never does.
What you need to apply
Passport valid 6+ months
Validity must extend at least six months beyond your intended departure date, with blank pages for stamps.
Return or onward ticket
A confirmed ticket out of Sri Lanka. Airlines and immigration officers both check for this.
Accommodation details
Your first hotel booking or a host's address — the form asks where you will be staying.
Working email address
Your approval arrives by email. Check spam if nothing appears within 72 hours.
Card for payment
Credit or debit card, if your nationality is not on the free list. Free applicants skip this step.
Proof of funds
Roughly USD 50 per day of your stay is the commonly cited benchmark if you are asked at the border.
How to apply, step by step
- Go to the official portal
Apply at eta.gov.lk. Many lookalike sites rank well in search and charge a markup for the same government service.
- Choose your application type
Select Individual (or Group/Family) and pick Tourist as the purpose of visit.
- Enter passport and travel details
Match every field to your passport exactly. A mismatched name or number is the most common cause of problems at check-in.
- Pay — or skip if you are exempt
Free-list nationals are not charged. Everyone else pays by card at this step.
- Wait for the approval email
Usually 24–72 hours. You can also re-check status on the portal with your reference number.
- Carry your approval to the airport
Keep a printout and a copy on your phone. Present it at check-in and at immigration on arrival.
The only official portal is eta.gov.lk. This website is an independent guide — we do not process applications, take payments, or act as an agent.
Extending your stay
Thirty days is often not enough for the hill country, the south coast and the Cultural Triangle in one trip. Extensions are routine and can be handled online or in person.
| Stage | Additional days | Running total |
|---|---|---|
| Initial ETA | 30 | 30 days |
| First extension | +60 | 90 days |
| Second extension | +90 | 180 days |
| Further extension | +90 | Up to ~270 days |
Apply online at eservices.immigration.gov.lkor in person at the Department of Immigration & Emigration in Battaramulla, Colombo. Start at least a week before your current permission expires, and keep your passport valid for at least two months beyond your new departure date. Fees vary by nationality and length.
Guides by nationality
Fees, documents and flight routes for the nationalities we cover in detail.
Other visa types
Tourist e-visa
The standard route — 30 days, double entry, free for 40 nationalities.
Business visa
Meetings and conferences. USD 55, and not covered by the fee waiver.
Transit visa
Free for stays under two days — and often not needed at all.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Sri Lanka ETA really free now?
For 40 nationalities, yes. Since 25 May 2026 citizens of those countries receive a free 30-day double-entry tourist ETA. You still have to apply and be approved before you fly — free does not mean automatic. Travellers outside that list pay the standard fee.
Do I still need to apply if my country is on the free list?
Yes. The fee has been waived, not the requirement. Airlines check for a valid ETA at check-in and you can be refused boarding without one.
How long does ETA approval take?
Most approvals arrive by email within 24 to 72 hours. Apply at least a week before departure so there is room for follow-up if anything needs correcting.
How long is the ETA valid?
The approval is generally valid for six months from issue, and permits a stay of 30 days from the date you arrive, with double entry.
Can I extend my stay beyond 30 days?
Yes. The Department of Immigration & Emigration allows extensions in stages — typically a first extension of 60 days and a second of 90 days, up to a maximum total stay of around 270 days. Apply before your current permission expires.
Can I get a visa on arrival instead?
Visa on arrival is available but costs more than applying online (USD 60 versus USD 50 for most nationalities) and means queueing at the airport. Applying online in advance is cheaper and faster.
What happens if I overstay?
Overstaying carries fines, and in serious cases detention or deportation and problems with future entry. Extend before your permission runs out rather than after.
How much money do I need to show?
Officers may ask for proof of sufficient funds, commonly cited as around USD 50 per day of your stay, plus a confirmed onward or return ticket.