Visa and entry: Sri Lanka's Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

Most visitors need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before they travel to Sri Lanka. Since 25 May 2026, a tourist ETA has been free for nationals of 40 countries, including the UK, the USA, Australia, Canada, India and much of Europe. This page explains who needs one, what it costs, how to apply safely on the official website, how to avoid delays and what to carry when you land.

Quick answers

• Do I need an ETA? Yes, almost every visitor does, including for short holidays, business trips and transit. Airlines may not let you board without one.
• Where do I apply? Only on the official website, eta.gov.lk.
• How long can I stay? A tourist ETA lets you stay up to 30 days from arrival, with two entries allowed in that period. You can extend inside Sri Lanka.
• When must I travel? You must enter Sri Lanka within three months of the ETA being issued.
• What does it cost? Free for 40 nationalities (tourist ETA); otherwise US$50 for most countries and US$20 for South Asian countries when applied for in advance.

Who gets a free tourist ETA

From 25 May 2026, nationals of these 40 countries can get a 30-day tourist ETA free of charge (ordinary, official, service and diplomatic passports):

Singapore and Seychelles nationals also get a free 30-day ETA, and Maldives nationals a free 90-day ETA under a separate reciprocal arrangement. You still have to apply for the free ETA before you travel; free does not mean you can just turn up.

Fees for everyone else

Fees are in US dollars and are paid online by Visa, Mastercard or American Express card.

The official site applies the lower rate to South Asian (SAARC) countries. As India, Nepal and Pakistan are on the free list and the Maldives has its own free arrangement, in practice the South Asian rate mainly applies to visitors from Bangladesh, Bhutan and Afghanistan.

How to apply on the official website

1. Go to eta.gov.lk and choose Apply for an ETA.
2. Fill in the form with your details exactly as they appear in your passport, and check every field before you submit.
3. Pay the fee by card if one applies. A free ETA has no payment step.
4. You'll get an acknowledgement straight away. Use the Check status option on the same website to follow your application.
5. When it's approved, save or print the approval and keep a copy with your passport.

You can also ask a travel agent, an airline, a friend or a relative to apply for you, or apply at a Sri Lankan embassy or high commission (which aims to issue within three working days).

Avoid ETA delays

• Apply as early as you can. You have three months from approval to enter Sri Lanka, so there's no advantage in leaving it late.
• You can't change an application once it's submitted. If you make a mistake, you have to make a fresh application and pay the fee again (where a fee applies). Fees already paid are not refunded.
• How long does approval take? There's no official processing time. Travellers commonly report approval within 24 to 72 hours, and straightforward applications can be approved within a few hours.
• Not approved after 72 hours? Contact the ETA call centre (details below) to check your application is being processed and hasn't been refused without a notification. If it has been refused, reapply straight away, double-checking every detail.
• Flight soon and still 'Pending'? Call the 24-hour ETA call centre on +94 71 99 67 888 and ask for urgent manual clearance before you leave for the airport.

Getting an ETA on arrival

There is a limited facility to get an ETA at Bandaranaike International Airport (Colombo), paid by card or in US dollars cash, at a higher fee. It's safer to apply before you fly, because airlines may refuse to board you without one and queues on arrival can be long.

What to carry when you arrive

• A passport valid for at least six months from the date you arrive.
• A confirmed return or onward ticket.
• Enough money for your stay. Our Costs and budgets guide gives realistic daily budgets.
• A copy of your ETA approval (printed or on your phone).

Staying longer than 30 days

A tourist ETA can be extended up to six months in total. Extensions are applied for inside Sri Lanka, after you arrive, through the Department of Immigration and Emigration's online service (eservices.immigration.gov.lk). If you came on a free ETA, you pay the normal fee for the extension.

Who doesn't need an ETA

You don't need an ETA if you hold a valid Sri Lankan resident or permanent resident visa, or a Sri Lankan dual citizenship certificate with the matching endorsement in your foreign passport. Sri Lankans living abroad can read more on srilankan.info's dual citizenship page.

Visiting the Immigration office in Battaramulla

Some matters, such as certain extensions or document problems, need a visit to the Department of Immigration and Emigration's head office (Suhurupaya, Sri Subuthipura Road, Battaramulla). Tips from experience:

• Call first (1962 in Sri Lanka, or +94 112 101 500) and ask whether you can book an appointment. If not, which is common, go as early in the day as you can: queues grow through the day.
• Allow several hours. Depending on your case, processing can take a few hours. You may be allowed to leave and come back later in the day to collect your documents.
• Take water and a light snack. There's a canteen inside, but it helps to be prepared for a long wait.
• Make sure you're in the right queue. The building handles many kinds of tourist and immigration matters, with several waiting areas and queues. If you're unsure, ask more than one member of staff, or ask a bilingual Sri Lankan to help you check.

Official help

• ETA call centre (24 hours): +94 71 99 67 888
• Department of Immigration and Emigration: 1962 (in Sri Lanka) or +94 112 101 500
• Head office: Suhurupaya, Sri Subuthipura Road, Battaramulla