Most international visitors to Sri Lanka need a visa before they fly. The good news is that Sri Lanka has made this remarkably straightforward — the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is applied for online, costs USD 50, and is usually approved within 24 to 48 hours. No embassy visit, no queue, no paperwork posted anywhere.
This guide covers everything you need to know: who needs an ETA, who doesn’t, how to apply correctly, what to do if your application is rejected, and the common mistakes that cause unnecessary delays. Follow these steps and your visa will be waiting in your inbox well before you board.
⚡ Sri Lanka ETA — Key Facts at a Glance
Who Needs a Sri Lanka ETA?
The majority of nationalities travelling to Sri Lanka for tourism need to apply for an ETA before arrival. A small number of countries are exempt. Here are the main categories:
Always verify your nationality’s current status at eta.gov.lk before applying — visa rules change and the official site has the most up-to-date information.
⚠ Important — Avoid Third-Party Sites
There are dozens of unofficial third-party websites that charge USD 80–150 to “process” a Sri Lanka ETA on your behalf. They are legal but entirely unnecessary. The official government website at eta.gov.lk charges USD 50 and takes the same amount of time. Always apply directly through the official site.
How to Apply for a Sri Lanka ETA — Step by Step
The entire process takes around 10–15 minutes. Here is exactly what to do:
Go to the Official ETA Website
Open your browser and go to eta.gov.lk — the only official Sri Lanka government ETA portal. Click “Apply for ETA” on the homepage. Select “Tourist” as your visit purpose.
Enter Your Personal Details
You will be asked to provide: your full name (exactly as it appears on your passport), date of birth, nationality, passport number, passport expiry date, and your country of residence. Double-check every field — errors are the most common reason for delays or rejections.
Enter Your Travel Details
Provide your intended arrival date, intended departure date, port of entry (usually Bandaranaike International Airport, Colombo), and the address of your first hotel or accommodation in Sri Lanka. Select Tourism / Holiday as your purpose of visit.
Upload a Passport Photo
Upload a recent passport-style photograph: white or plain light background, face clearly visible, no glasses, taken within the last 6 months. The file should be JPEG or PNG, under 500KB, and at least 350 × 350 pixels.
Pay the ETA Fee
The fee is USD 50 per person (approximately LKR 15,000–16,000 depending on the exchange rate at the time). Payment is made by Visa or Mastercard. You will receive an email confirmation of payment immediately.
Wait for Your Approval Email
Processing typically takes 24 to 48 hours, though many applications are approved within a few hours. You will receive an email with your ETA approval document as a PDF. Save this document and print a copy to carry with you — some immigration officers ask to see a physical printout.
Present at Immigration on Arrival
On arrival in Sri Lanka, proceed to the immigration counters with your passport, your printed (or digital) ETA approval document, and a completed arrival/departure card (distributed on the plane or available at the airport). Immigration at Colombo is generally efficient — most visitors are through within 20–30 minutes.
Documents You Need Before You Apply
Have the following ready before you open the ETA portal — the form times out if left idle, so preparing everything in advance saves frustration:
Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended arrival date in Sri Lanka. Check the expiry date carefully before applying.
Recent, plain background, face clearly visible. JPEG or PNG under 500KB, minimum 350 × 350 pixels.
Visa or Mastercard accepted. USD 50 per applicant. Have the card available before you start the form.
Name and address of your first hotel or guesthouse in Sri Lanka. Required on the application form.
Your ETA approval will be sent here. Use a reliable email and check your spam folder after applying.
Extending Your Sri Lanka Stay Beyond 30 Days
The tourist ETA grants a 30-day stay. If you want to stay longer, you can apply for an extension through the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Colombo. Extensions are commonly granted up to 6 months total.
💬 How to Extend Your Sri Lanka Visa
Visit the Department of Immigration and Emigration in person at 41 Ananda Rajakaruna Mawatha, Colombo 10. Bring your passport, your original ETA approval document, proof of sufficient funds, and a completed extension form. The extension fee varies by nationality and duration. Extensions are typically processed the same day or within 48 hours.
Alternatively, some nationalities can exit Sri Lanka briefly — to India or the Maldives, for example — and re-enter on a fresh ETA. The tourist ETA is double-entry, meaning you can do this once within the 6-month validity period.
Common ETA Mistakes to Avoid
Passport Validity
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your arrival date. Many applications are rejected because applicants overlook this. Check before you apply.
Name Spelling Errors
Your name must match your passport exactly — including middle names, hyphens, and accented characters. Even a small discrepancy can cause problems at immigration.
Third-Party Sites
Unofficial ETA services charge up to USD 150 for the same result. Always apply at the official government portal: eta.gov.lk. There is no legitimate reason to use a third party.
Applying Too Late
Apply at least 3 days before travel. Most ETAs approve within hours, but some trigger manual review and can take up to 72 hours. Don’t apply the night before your flight.
Check Your Spam Folder
Your ETA approval email occasionally lands in spam. Add the government email domain to your contacts after applying and check spam if you haven’t received a response within 48 hours.
Not Printing a Copy
While a digital copy on your phone is usually accepted, some immigration officers prefer a physical printout. Print your ETA approval document before you travel — it takes 30 seconds and avoids any risk.
Once your ETA is sorted, the next step is planning how you’ll actually get around the island. Sri Lanka’s roads are not always straightforward — particularly in the hill country and the rural north — and having a licensed private driver waiting when you land makes the whole arrival significantly smoother. If you’re still in the planning stage, Coastline Lanka Travels offers airport pickup as part of their private tour packages and can also arrange standalone airport transfers if you’re organising everything else independently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most ETA applications are approved within 24 to 48 hours. Many are processed within a few hours during business days. Some applications are flagged for manual review and can take up to 72 hours. Apply at least 3 days before your flight to allow buffer time.
The Sri Lanka ETA costs USD 50 per person in 2026. Payment is made by Visa or Mastercard on the official government portal at eta.gov.lk. Avoid third-party sites that charge USD 80–150 for the same service.
Most nationalities cannot get a visa on arrival and must apply for the ETA online before travelling. A small number of countries (including the Maldives and Singapore) are visa-exempt. It is technically possible to apply at the airport on arrival, but this is not recommended — queues can be long and there is no guarantee of same-day approval.
The standard tourist ETA allows a 30-day stay per visit. The ETA is valid for 6 months from the date of issue and is double entry — meaning you can enter twice within that 6-month window. If you want to stay longer than 30 days, you can apply for an extension at the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Colombo.
ETA rejections are uncommon for standard tourist applications. If rejected, the portal will usually indicate the reason. Common causes include passport validity issues, name mismatches, or incomplete information. You can reapply after correcting the error. For complex situations, contact the Sri Lanka High Commission or Embassy in your country.
Yes — every traveller including infants and children needs their own individual ETA application. Each costs USD 50. There is no group or family application option. Children travelling on their own passport each require a separate ETA.
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Ready to Start Planning Your Sri Lanka Trip?
Now that the visa is sorted, Coastline Lanka Travels can help you plan the rest — private tours, airport transfers, and tailor-made itineraries built around your exact dates.