Sri Lanka Visa for Australian Citizens: ETA Guide

Visa required · e-Visa
Apply about 3 days before arrival
Decision in 3–5 business days
Verified 26 October 2026

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.

Table of contents

Do you need a visa?
Types and cost in AUD
How long you may stay
Documents
When to apply
Eligibility check
How to apply
FAQ
Australia vs. Sri Lanka essentials

Passport
Valid 6 months from arrival
Counted from the date you arrive in Sri Lanka.
Tourist ETA
Free, 30 days
Double entry within the 30 days from first arrival.
Apply
Online at eta.gov.lk
Apply before you fly. Paid fees are non-refundable.

Three routes into Sri Lanka

Most tourists
Tourist ETA
Free of charge for Australian passport holders under the official 40-country scheme. Covers sightseeing, holidays, visiting friends and relatives, and short cultural or sporting events. Stay up to 30 days from first arrival.
Business trips
Business ETA
Covers business meetings, conferences, workshops and short training under one month. Needs proof of the business purpose. Can also be obtained from a Sri Lanka Overseas Mission or the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Colombo.
Not covered online
Media, political or NGO visits
Media or journalist events, political party meetings and NGO or INGO activities are not covered by the online ETA. These need separate approval from the Sri Lankan government before you travel.

Sri Lanka e-Visa types and cost for Australian citizens, in Australian Dollars

e-Visa	Validity	Processing	Government fee	All-in with Plusvisa*
Business trip eVisa	30 days Multiple entry	3–5 business days	US$55 ≈ $84	≈ $143
Transit eVisa	2 days	3–5 business days	Government fee not listed	≈ $44
Tourist eVisa	30 days Double entry	3–5 business days	Government fee not listed	≈ $60
Tourist eVisa	30 days Double entry	3–5 business days	Government fee not listed	≈ $60

* The government fee is the government's own charge, never refundable. All-in adds Plusvisa's service fee, per traveller; it is refunded if we cause a refusal.

The 30-day rule, and what it does not mean

A tourist ETA allows a stay of up to 30 days from the date of first arrival, with double entry inside that 30-day window. The 30 days count from first arrival, not from each visit.

Arrive

Leave

Business trip: 30 days per visit.

Arrive 1 March

21 of 30 days

1 Mar – 21 Mar: 21 of the 30 days this visa allows in one visit.

Tourist ETA: Up to 30 days from first arrival, double entry. The balance of the 30 days is left for your second visit.
Business ETA: Also 30 days with double entry from first arrival. Business ETAs cannot be extended online at present.
Extending your stay: Stays can be extended up to six months in total, online or at the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Battaramulla. Extensions are single entry and end if you leave Sri Lanka during the extended period.
Overstaying: Overstaying leads to fines from the Department of Immigration and Emigration. Apply for an extension before your current stay expires.

Your document checklist

Six things to have ready before you start your application, as an Australian applicant.

Australian passport
Valid at least 6 months from your arrival date in Sri Lanka. Enter the number on the online form. No scan is needed for the standard ETA.
Onward or return ticket
A confirmed ticket out of Sri Lanka, or onward to your next destination. Show it to the immigration officer on arrival.
Proof of funds
Evidence you can cover your stay and your return journey. Checked at the port of entry if requested.
Address in Sri Lanka
Where you will stay. Enter it on the ETA form.
Sri Lanka arrival card
Complete the online arrival (embarkation) card through the Department of Immigration and Emigration e-services, up to three days before travel.

Only for some visa types

Business purpose letter
Only if Business ETA only. A letter or documents showing the meeting, conference or training you are attending.

When should you apply?

Processing takes 3–5 business days. Enter your arrival date and we'll work backwards.

Arrival in Sri Lanka

Processing

Standard3–5 business days

Pick your arrival date

1
Apply online
—
Form and uploads, about 30 min
2
Pay the fee
—
By card, on the portal
3
Processing
3–5 business days
Official estimate
4
Approval emailed
—
Keep a copy on your phone
5
Arrive in Sri Lanka
—
Show the approval at the border

No fixed window on the official portal. You can apply before booking a ticket. Apply a few days ahead, because the fee is non-refundable and mistakes need a fresh application.

Four questions, 20 seconds

Do you hold an Australian passport valid for at least 6 months after you arrive in Sri Lanka?
Is your trip for sightseeing, visiting friends or family, medical treatment, or a short cultural or sporting event?
Will you stay 30 days or less from your first arrival?
Do you hold no valid Sri Lankan residence or multiple-entry visa?

Result

Answer all four

Four quick checks of the rules that most often catch travellers out, and we'll tell you where you stand.

The application, step by step

Before you apply

1
Check your passport
Make sure your Australian passport is valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date in Sri Lanka.
2
Choose your visit type
Pick Tourist, Business or Transit. The free 30-day tourist ETA is open to Australian passport holders. Business ETAs need proof of purpose.
3
Gather your details
Have your passport number, travel dates, Sri Lanka address and, for business, your purpose letter ready before you start the form.

On the official portal

4
Complete the online form
Apply on the official ETA website at eta.gov.lk. Check every detail before you confirm, because errors cannot be cancelled or refunded.
5
Pay the processing fee
Pay by Visa, Mastercard or American Express. For the free tourist ETA, no fee is charged. Business and other fees may apply.
6
Keep your acknowledgement
You get an acknowledgement and reference number once your application is submitted.

After you apply

7
Check your approval or referral
Most applications receive an approval notice. A referral means you must contact the nearest Sri Lanka Overseas Mission before you travel.
8
Check your status
Use your reference number on eta.gov.lk, or call the ETA 24/7 call centre to check your status.
9
Show your documents on arrival
Show your passport, the approval notice, your return ticket and proof of funds at the immigration counter. Your ETA is not tied to one airport or seaport.

Official website: eta.gov.lk (opens in a new tab)

Questions Australian travellers actually ask

Yes. Australian citizens need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before arriving in Sri Lanka. Apply online at eta.gov.lk. Australia is on the official list of 40 countries whose nationals can get the 30-day tourist ETA free of charge.

A tourist ETA is free for Australian passport holders under the official notice on eta.gov.lk. Business ETAs and extensions beyond 30 days are charged. Check the official site for the amount that applies to your trip.

Up to 30 days from the date of first arrival, with double entry inside that 30-day period. The balance of the 30 days is kept for your second visit. You can extend up to six months in total after arrival.

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date in Sri Lanka. The official source does not state a number of blank pages.

Yes. The official ETA FAQ says you can get an ETA before booking your ticket. Apply a few days before you fly, because the processing fee is non-refundable and mistakes need a new application.

No. The official ETA FAQ says the processing fee is non-refundable and non-transferable, even if the application is not approved. The official notice also says fees paid before 25.05.2026 are non-refundable. Check eta.gov.lk for any other rules that apply to your application.

Only in a limited way. A limited ETA facility exists at Bandaranaike International Airport for some travellers without a pre-approved ETA. It is paid in US dollars on the spot. A referral there means entry is refused and you are returned. Applying online before you travel is the recommended route.

A referral means you must contact the nearest Sri Lanka Overseas Mission before you travel. Check your status on eta.gov.lk with your reference number, or call the ETA 24/7 call centre on 0094 71 99 67 888.

Yes, up to six months in total. Extensions are online through the Department of Immigration and Emigration or at its Battaramulla head office. An extension is single entry and ends if you leave Sri Lanka during the extended period.

No. Business meetings, conferences and short training need a Business ETA with proof of the business purpose. Media, political party and NGO or INGO activities are not covered by the online ETA. These need approval from the Sri Lankan government before you travel.

Visa sorted

The things that make the first
48 hours easy, compared with home

Your Australian plug won't fit. Here's what will.

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 and your plugs are type I. An I-to-D adapter works for the whole trip.

Voltage

230 V · 50 Hz

Same as Australia — phones, laptops and shavers work with only an adapter, no converter.

Pack: one type D adapter and a small power strip — hotel rooms rarely have more than two sockets.

Sri Lanka drives on the left — just like home

Compare traffic side:

Sri Lanka · left-hand traffic — same as Australia

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).

AUD

LKR

$1 ≈ Rs194.1 · 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)

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

22°22.6°24.2°25.3°25.8°25.2°24.6°24.5°24.5°24.4°23.9°23°

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.

One time zone, a half-hour offset

Canberra

--:--:--

Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte

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How much to tip, in AUD

Restaurant bill

Rs 3,000

Rs 3,000($15.45)

Restaurant bill

Skip if a service charge is already added

5–10%

on a Rs 3,000 bill: Rs 150 · $0.77

Hotel porter

Per bag

Rs 100–Rs 200

$0.52–$1.03

Tour guide or driver

Per day

Rs 500–Rs 1,000

$2.58–$5.15

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

$0.52–$1.03

SIM, eSIM or roaming?

Local SIM

Recommended

Local 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.

Get your Sri Lanka e-Visa in about five business days, without the portal headaches

Upload a phone photo and your passport, we check them against every rule above, submit, and send your approval to your inbox. From $44 all-in.

Compare visa types

Card payments by PayPal
Fee refunded if we cause a refusal
Support by email and WhatsApp

Do Australian citizens need a visa for Sri Lanka?

Tourist

Business trip

Transit