Sri Lanka Visa: ETA Requirements, Fees & How to Apply
Sri Lanka requires almost every foreign passport to hold an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before arrival, applied for online. Around 40 nationalities, plus a few reciprocal agreements, get the 30-day tourist ETA free of charge, while everyone else pays the standard fee. A short list of diplomatic and official passport holders instead travel under separate reciprocal agreements.
- e-Visa for 247 passports
- Government fee from $24
- Verified
Plusvisa is a private visa application service, not a government agency or embassy. Official government source: Sri Lanka ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization), eta.gov.lk.
Do you need a visa for Sri Lanka?
Nearly every passport takes the same route into Sri Lanka.
Which passport will you travel on?
Your route
Pick a passport
We will show the route Sri Lanka puts you on, the government fee for each visa type, and the guide written for your nationality.
The one route
- e-Visa eligible
247 passports
All foreign nationals, apart from a short list of diplomatic and official passport holders under reciprocal agreements, must get an Electronic Travel Authorization online before travelling. Fees vary by nationality.
Government fees by passport
| Passport | Business trip | Tourist | Transit | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | $55 | $54 | Not listed | Read guide |
| United States | $55 | $54 | Not listed | Read guide |
| Canada | $55 | $54 | Not listed | Read guide |
| Australia | $55 | $54 | Not listed | — |
| Ireland | $55 | $54 | Not listed | — |
| Germany | $55 | $54 | Not listed | — |
| Azerbaijan | $55 | $54 | Not listed | Read guide |
Which Sri Lanka visa exists, and what it allows
| e-Visa | Options | Processing | Usual government fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business tripeVisa · 247 passports |
| 2–3 business days | $5525 passports pay a different fee |
| TouristeVisa · 229 passports |
| 2–3 business days | $547 passports pay a different fee |
| TransiteVisa · 247 passports |
| 2–3 business days | Government fee not listed |
How Sri Lanka visa fees work
Charged in US dollars. The government sets ETA fees in US dollars, whatever currency your card is in. Your bank may convert the charge and add its own conversion fee.
Free-of-charge passports. Around 40 nationalities, plus Maldives, Seychelles and Singapore under reciprocal deals, get the 30-day tourist ETA free of charge. Everyone else pays the fee for their route.
No refunds. The Department of Immigration and Emigration does not refund the ETA processing fee, even if the application is refused or a mistake was made on the form.
Paying at the border costs more. A limited facility lets some tourists get an ETA at the port of entry instead of online, but the fee charged there is higher than applying in advance.
Children travel free. Children under 12 of any nationality get a free 30-day tourist ETA. Extensions beyond 30 days are charged at their nationality's normal rate.
What Plusvisa charges
The government fee is passed through at cost. Our service fee is on top, and every passport's page shows the total before you start.
If we make a mistake that leads to a refusal, we refund our fee and re-apply free.
See the total for my passportYour document checklist
Passport
Ordinary passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival in Sri Lanka. The number is entered on the online form; no scan is required for the standard ETA.
Onward or return ticket
A confirmed ticket out of Sri Lanka, or on to your next destination, shown to the immigration officer on arrival.
Proof of sufficient funds
Evidence you can cover your stay and return journey, checked at the port of entry if requested.
Sri Lanka contact address
Where you plan to stay, entered on the ETA application form.
Only for some travellers
Business purpose evidence
Only if Business ETA applicants only. A letter or documentary proof of the meeting, conference or training you are attending.
Not eligible for any e-Visa
Where an e-Visa is accepted
ETA and visit-visa holders must arrive and depart through one of Sri Lanka's approved ports.
- Bandaranaike International Airport (Katunayake)
- Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport
- Colombo International Airport (Ratmalana)
- Jaffna International Airport
- Koggala Airport
- Batticaloa International Airport
- Colombo Port
- Galle Port
- Hambantota International Port
- Trincomalee Port
- Kankesanthurai Port
- Thalaimannar Pier
- Norochcholai Port
- Oluvil Port
- Colombo Port City
Choose your port of arrival carefully
The application, step by step
Before you apply
- 1
Check your passport
Make sure it is valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date and has a blank page for entry stamps.
- 2
Decide which ETA you need
Choose Tourist, Business or Transit, and check whether your nationality pays a fee.
- 3
Gather your details
Have your passport details, travel dates and accommodation address ready before you start the form.
On the official portal
- 4
Complete the online form
Apply on the official ETA website, eta.gov.lk, filling in your passport and travel details.
- 5
Pay the processing fee
Pay by Visa, Mastercard or American Express. A third party, such as a travel agent or relative, can pay on your behalf.
- 6
Receive your acknowledgement
You get an acknowledgement as soon as the application is submitted successfully.
After you apply
- 7
Get your approval or referral notice
Most applications receive an ETA approval notice. A referral notice means you must contact a Sri Lanka Overseas Mission before travelling.
- 8
Check status any time
Check your ETA's status on the official site using your reference number, or call the 24/7 ETA call centre.
- 9
Show it on arrival
Present your passport, a copy of the approval notice, your return ticket and proof of funds at the immigration counter.
Two things to have before you fly
Besides the ETA itself, some travellers need to complete these before boarding.
- 1
Arrival card
Foreign nationals can complete Sri Lanka's arrival card online up to three days before travel, through the Department of Immigration and Emigration's e-services. Official page (opens in a new tab)
- 2
Yellow fever certificate
Travellers arriving from a list of African and South American countries with yellow fever risk must show a vaccination certificate at the immigration counter, or they will be refused entry. Official page (opens in a new tab)
The only official website, and how to check status
eta.gov.lk is the only official Sri Lankan ETA website, run by the Department of Immigration and Emigration. Any other site offering to arrange an ETA is a private service, not the government.
eta.gov.lk (opens in a new tab)Sri Lanka ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization)Checking your status
Enter your application reference number on the ETA website, or call the 24/7 ETA call centre, to check whether it is approved or referred.
Why Sri Lanka e-Visas get rejected
Almost every refusal is a file problem, not a judgement about you.
Passport not valid long enough
Sri Lanka requires at least 6 months of passport validity from the date of arrival.
Incomplete or incorrect form
Errors in passport or travel details on the online form can lead to a referral rather than an approval.
Wrong visit category chosen
Applying for a tourist ETA when the real purpose is business, media, political or NGO work can cause a referral.
No proof of ticket or funds
Arriving without a confirmed return ticket or enough funds for the stay can lead to refusal at the port of entry.
Existing residence visa
A fresh ETA cannot be issued while an existing residence or multiple-entry visa is still valid.
Eligibility not satisfied
The Department of Immigration and Emigration can refer or refuse any application it is not satisfied with.
Sockets and power in Sri Lanka
Type D
Three round pins · 5 A
Type G
Three flat pins · 13 A
Type M
Three large pins · 15 A
Type D
Sri Lanka uses type D, G and M sockets. If your own plugs are a different type, one type D adapter covers the whole trip.
Voltage
230 V · 50 Hz
Check the label on chargers and appliances: anything marked 100–240 V, 50/60 Hz works here with only an adapter, no converter.
Pack: a type D adapter unless your own plugs already match, and a small power strip — hotel rooms rarely have more than two sockets.
Sri Lanka drives on the left
Traffic side:
Sri Lanka · left-hand traffic
Getting around
Tuk-tuks, metered taxis and ride-hailing apps cover cities; trains link Colombo to the hill country and coast; long-distance buses reach most towns.
Health precautions
Drink bottled or filtered water, use mosquito repellent against dengue, and check whether a yellow fever certificate applies to your journey before you fly.
Dress and temple etiquette
Cover shoulders and knees and remove shoes and hats before entering temples, shrines and other religious sites.
Sri Lankan Rupees, cash and cards
Sri Lanka uses the Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR).
$1 ≈ Rs294.1 · indicative mid-market rate, possibly a few days old
ATMs are widely available
ATMs are common in cities and tourist areas and dispense Sri Lankan rupees; check with your home bank about foreign withdrawal fees.
Carry cash outside cities
Smaller towns, tuk-tuks and local markets often expect cash, so keep rupees on hand outside hotels and main tourist strips.
Cards work in tourist areas
Hotels, larger restaurants and shops in main tourist areas take cards, but a fee or minimum spend sometimes applies.
Weather by month (Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte)
- Daytime high
- Grey row = night low
- Best time to go
- Daytime high
- Grey row = night low
- Best time to go
| Month | High, °C | Low, °C | Rain, mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| January · best | 28.7 | 22 | 75.6 |
| February · best | 29.9 | 22.6 | 70.9 |
| March · best | 30.7 | 24.2 | 114.7 |
| April | 29.8 | 25.3 | 225.6 |
| May | 28.8 | 25.8 | 223.5 |
| June | 28.1 | 25.2 | 143.4 |
| July | 27.7 | 24.6 | 98.9 |
| August | 27.7 | 24.5 | 112.8 |
| September | 27.9 | 24.5 | 162 |
| October | 28 | 24.4 | 291.7 |
| November | 28.2 | 23.9 | 304.5 |
| December · best | 28.2 | 23 | 175.2 |
Monthly averages. Source: NASA POWER climatology, 2001-2020.
January · ideal
The best window runs January, February, March and December.
High 28.7°CLow 22°CRain 75.6 mm
Sweet spot: Colombo has a tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round. The main dry season runs from December to March, while the south-west monsoon brings heavier rain from May to September.
Tipping in Sri Lanka
Rs 4,000($13.60)
Restaurant bill
Skip if a service charge is already added
5–10%
on a Rs 4,000 bill: Rs 200 · $0.68
Hotel porter
Per bag
Rs 100–Rs 200
$0.34–$0.68
Tour guide or driver
Per day
Rs 500–Rs 1,000
$1.70–$3.40
Taxi or tuk-tuk
Rounding up the fare is common but not expected
No tip expected
Hotel housekeeping
Per night, left in the room
Rs 100–Rs 200
$0.34–$0.68
SIM, eSIM or roaming?
Local SIM
RecommendedLocal SIM card
Dialog, Mobitel or Airtel counters at Bandaranaike International Airport or in town Bring your passport to register the SIM.
eSIM
Travel eSIM
Installed online before arrival from an eSIM provider Useful if your phone is eSIM-compatible and you want data as soon as you land.
Roaming
Roaming from home
Activated through your home network before departure Simplest option but usually the most expensive per megabyte.
If it's your first time: three you shouldn't skip
Sigiriya
Sigiriya Rock Fortress
A palace and fortress on top of a 200-metre rock, with ancient frescoes and gardens below.
Kandy
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
A revered Buddhist temple in the hills, said to house a tooth relic of the Buddha.
Galle
Galle Fort
A walled coastal fort from the colonial era, with ramparts, museums and old streets to explore.
Questions everyone asks about Sri Lanka visas
Yes. Almost every foreign passport needs an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before travelling, applied for online at eta.gov.lk.
A tourist ETA allows a stay of up to 30 days from arrival, which can be extended after arrival.
Yes, through the Department of Immigration and Emigration's online extension service, up to six months in total.
A limited on-arrival facility exists at the airport for some travellers, but applying online in advance is the recommended route.
The standard tourist and business ETA allow double entry within the 30-day period from first arrival.
You need to contact the nearest Sri Lanka Overseas Mission for further assistance before travelling.
No, the Department of Immigration and Emigration operates a no-refund policy on the ETA processing fee.
Now read the one written for your passport
Each guide has the fee for that passport, its maximum stay, the rules that apply only to it, and the application itself.