Sri Lanka Visa: Conditions and requirements necessary to obtain a visa

The picturesque nature of Sri Lanka takes you to a lively and active world, where you can only enjoy wandering around and admiring its wonderful beauty. Not only that, the historical civilizations in Sri Lanka give it a unique character and make you feel as if you have entered a legendary story.

If you love to enjoy stunning beaches among palm trees, Sri Lanka is the perfect place for you. It is an island in the Indian Ocean, its waterfront extends along the borders, and it offers wonderful resorts that provide the best services to visitors.

Don't miss the opportunity to visit this special country, and let us tell you what you need to make it happen!

Sri Lanka provides convenient services to travelers wishing to spend their vacation or businessmen by providing an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), and you can submit your request easily and conveniently through the following steps.

There are four types of Sri Lanka visas that allow individuals to enter and/or reside in the country.

Visit visa:

Entry permit indicates the approval of the Sri Lankan government to receive a foreign national into the country. The visit visa is divided into two categories:

Tourist visit visa:

Issued to tourists who wish to visit Sri Lanka to enjoy the sights, excursions, relaxation, visit relatives or practice yoga training for a short period.

Visit visa for work purpose:

Issued to foreign individuals visiting Sri Lanka for business purposes for a short period. This type of visa can be issued for single or double trips.

Residence visa:

Permit for non-Sri Lankans to obtain residence in the country for special purposes. There are eight categories of residence visa and they include:

1. Work and investment visa.
2. Student visa.
3. Companion and family visa.
4. Marriage visa.
5. Medical treatment visa.
6. Home care visa.
7. Temporary residence visa.
8. Permanent residence visa.

Please note that individuals must apply for the appropriate visa and comply with the terms and requirements of each type of visa listed above.

Transit visa

A transit visa is an entry permit granted to a foreign national for admission to Sri Lanka for a short period which is confidential and in the course of his or her journey to another destination.

Submit an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) application

work hours:

Orders will be accepted between 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

The visa is received after submitting applications from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm.

The office is closed on weekends and public holidays.

Please adhere to the following general conditions for a visit visa:

1. Work and Trade: The visit visa is not permitted for any paid or unpaid work activity, nor for any business other than specified on your visa during your stay in Sri Lanka.
   
   
2. Visa validity: The visit visa must be used before the expiry date stated on the visa. You must ensure that the visa is valid before traveling and not use it after it expires.
   
   
3. Entry Period: The visitor visa must be used to enter Sri Lanka during the entry period indicated on the visa. Please ensure that you adhere to the specified entry period and do not attempt to enter after the permitted entry validity period has expired.

Please note that these general conditions may vary depending on the type of visa and the specific purposes of the visit. You must familiarize yourself with the conditions of the type of visa you are applying for before traveling to Sri Lanka and adhere to all specified requirements.

You can apply for an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) using one of the following options:

1. Submitted by the applicant: You can fill out the ETA application via the official Sri Lanka Immigration and Immigration website. You must fill out the required form with the necessary personal information and travel details and follow the steps shown to submit the application.
   
   
2. Submission by a third party: You may use the services of agents or offices that provide the service of submitting an ETA application on your behalf. You can contact an authorized agent or office for assistance in submitting and processing the application correctly.
   
   
3. Submission at Sri Lankan missions abroad: You can submit an ETA application at Sri Lankan missions abroad, such as embassies and consulates. You must visit the concerned Sri Lankan mission and submit the required form and documents required to process the ETA application.
   
   
4. Submit it at the DI&E Head Office in Colombo: You can come in person to the DI&E Head Office in Colombo and submit your ETA application there. You will be directed to the appropriate office and provided with the necessary form and instructions.
   
   
5. Submit it upon your arrival at a port of entry in Sri Lanka: You can also submit an ETA application upon your arrival at one of the ports of entry in Sri Lanka, such as Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo. You will need to fill out the required form and submit it to the customs official at the airport.

Please note that you must apply for and obtain an ETA before arriving in Sri Lanka, and must bring your approved ETA notice with you while travelling.

Please follow the steps below to submit an ETA request:

1. Visit the dedicated website to submit an ETA request .
2. Fill in the required data accurately and identical to the passport information and real personal data.
3. Review the sent data to ensure it is correct, then send the request.
4. Choose the appropriate payment method and pay the fees required to process the ETA request.
5. After submitting the application, you will receive a notification via the email you specified while filling out the data. You should retain and print this notice for later reference.
6. It is recommended to carry a copy of the ETA approval with you during travel, as it may be requested upon your arrival at the port of entry in Sri Lanka.

Please be aware that an ETA application must be submitted prior to arrival in Sri Lanka and pre-approved to ensure a smooth arrival and stay in the country.

Please ensure that the following documents are available when submitting your ETA request:

1. Valid Passport: You must have a passport valid for a period of at least 6 months from the date of your expected arrival in Sri Lanka. The passport must contain enough blank pages for the visa and necessary stamps.
   
   
2. Confirmed return ticket: You must provide a confirmed return flight ticket proving that you have a plan to return from Sri Lanka on a specific date. This is considered evidence of your intention to leave the country at the appropriate time.
   
   
3. Sufficient funds: You must have sufficient funds to cover the expenses of your stay in Sri Lanka, including the costs of accommodation, transportation, food and other activities. You may be asked to provide financial proof such as a bank or credit card statement proving the availability of the necessary funds.

Please make sure to prepare and bring these required documents when traveling to Sri Lanka, as they are required to be presented to the competent authorities upon arrival.

Visa fees

The fees required for the visa can be viewed via this link

Tourism in Sri Lanka is characterized by many activities and places that can be visited. Click here to explore the best activities and tourist places in Sri Lanka .