eVisa
Tourist
Entry
Validity
- Processing
- 2–3 business days
- Total cost
- $114 (US$83)
Do Canadian citizens need a visa for Sri Lanka?
Yes, Canadian citizens need a Sri Lanka ETA before flying, but the 30-day tourist ETA is issued free of charge.
eVisa
Business trip
Entry
Multiple entry
Validity
30 days
- Processing
- 2–3 business days
- Total cost
- $116 (US$84)
eVisa
Transit
Validity
2 days
- Processing
- 2–3 business days
- Total cost
- $40 (US$29)
Pre-checkedReviewed
Expert check before submission
2–3 business days
Processing time
+21k21K
Satisfied customers
Available now24/7
Expert human assistance
Sri Lanka Visa for Canadians: Free ETA & How to Apply
- Visa required · e-Visa
- Apply up to 90 days before arrival
- Decision in 2–3 business days
- 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.
Table of contents
Tourist ETA fee
Free of charge
Canada is on Sri Lanka's 40-country free tourist ETA list
Passport validity
6 months from arrival
Business ETA fee
Fee applies
The waiver covers tourism only, not business trips
Three routes into Sri Lanka
Most travellers
Tourist ETA (free)
Canadians visiting for sightseeing, family, medical treatment or similar short trips get the 30-day double-entry tourist ETA online at no charge.
Business travel
Business ETA
Canadians attending meetings, conferences or short training pay the standard business ETA fee and may need proof of the business purpose.
No online card payment
Mission, head office or third party
If you cannot pay online for a business ETA, a Sri Lanka Overseas Mission, the Department's Colombo head office, or a third party such as a travel agent can submit it for you.
Sri Lanka e-Visa types and cost for Canadian citizens, in Canadian Dollars
| e-Visa | Validity | Processing | Government fee | All-in with Plusvisa* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Tourist eVisa | 30 days Double entry | 2–3 business days | US$54 ≈ $74 | ≈ $114 |
Tourist eVisa | 30 days Double entry | 2–3 business days | Government fee not listed | ≈ $40 |
Tourist eVisa | 180 days Single entry | 2–3 business days | US$54 ≈ $74 | ≈ $114 |
Tourist eVisa | 180 days Single entry | 2–3 business days | Government fee not listed | ≈ $40 |
Business trip eVisa | 30 days Multiple entry | 2–3 business days | US$55 ≈ $76 | ≈ $116 |
Transit eVisa | 2 days | 2–3 business days | Government fee not listed | ≈ $40 |
* 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
The tourist ETA lets Canadians stay 30 days from arrival, with double entry inside that period. You can extend a tourist stay online, in stages, up to six months in total.
Tourist: 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.
30 days, double entry: Your first 30 days allow two entries. The second visit uses whatever days are left from your first arrival.
Extend after arrival: Apply online through the Department of Immigration and Emigration's eServices before your ETA expires, to extend a tourist stay in stages up to six months total.
Extending cancels double entry: Extending during the first 30 days automatically cancels the double-entry facility, and the extension itself is single-entry only.
Passport buffer for extensions: Your stay must end at least two months before your passport expires, or the extension will be refused.
Business ETA extension: A business ETA cannot be extended online. You must visit the Department's head office in Colombo in person instead.
Your document checklist
Seven things to have ready before you start your application, as a Canadian applicant.
Passport
Valid for at least 6 months after you land in Sri Lanka. Enter the number on the ETA form; no scan or photo is needed for the standard tourist or business ETA.
Onward or return ticket
A confirmed ticket out of Sri Lanka, checked at the immigration counter on arrival.
Proof of sufficient funds
Evidence you can cover the stay and return trip, such as a bank or card statement, shown if an officer asks.
Sri Lanka contact address
The hotel or address where you plan to stay, entered on the ETA application form.
Only for some visa types
Payment card for the fee
Only if Business ETA applicants. Needed only for the business ETA; the tourist ETA is free for Canadians. Visa, Mastercard and Amex are accepted. Billed in US dollars, so your card issuer converts it and may add its own fee.Business purpose evidence
Only if Business ETA applicants only. A letter or documentary proof of the meeting, conference or training you are attending.Passport photo for extensions
Only if Only if extending your stay after arrival. A recent passport-style photo attached to the paper form, needed only if you apply for an extension in person at the Immigration head office.
When should you apply?
Processing takes 2–3 business days. Enter your arrival date and we'll work backwards.
Processing
Standard2–3 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
2–3 business days
Official estimate
- 4
Approval emailed
—
Keep a copy on your phone
- 5
Arrive in Sri Lanka
—
Show the approval at the border
An ETA must be used to enter within 3 months of issue, so applying much earlier risks it expiring first. No fixed minimum notice exists, but apply at least a week ahead to leave time for a referral.
Four questions, 20 seconds
Are you travelling for tourism, visiting family, medical treatment or a similar short visit?
Will your passport still be valid for at least 6 months after you land in Sri Lanka?
Do you already hold a Sri Lankan residence visa or a valid multiple-entry visa?
If applying for a business ETA, can you pay online with a Visa, Mastercard or American Express card?
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 and dates
Make sure it is valid for at least 6 months after you land, and set your Sri Lanka arrival date before you apply.
- 2
Confirm your route and fee
As a Canadian, the 30-day tourist ETA is free. A fee applies only if you are applying for the business ETA.
- 3
Complete the arrival card
Fill in Sri Lanka's online arrival card up to 3 days before you fly.
On the official portal
- 4
Fill in the ETA form
Go to eta.gov.lk and enter your passport and travel details, choosing tourist or business as your visit category.
- 5
Pay if a fee applies
Tourist ETAs for Canadians need no payment. For a business ETA, pay by Visa, Mastercard or American Express.
- 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 means you must contact a Sri Lanka Overseas Mission before travelling.
- 8
Check status any time
Look up your ETA using your reference number on the official site, or call the 24/7 ETA call centre.
- 9
Show it on arrival
Present your passport, the approval notice, your return ticket and proof of funds at the immigration counter.
Questions Canadian travellers actually ask
No. Canada is on the official list of 40 nationalities that get the 30-day tourist ETA free of charge. A fee still applies to the business ETA.
Yes. The tourist category covers sightseeing, visiting friends and relatives, and medical treatment, all free of charge for Canadian passport holders.
Yes. The fee waiver only covers the tourist ETA. Business ETA applicants pay the standard fee and may need to show proof of the business purpose.
Visa, Mastercard and American Express are accepted online. Sri Lanka charges in US dollars, so your card issuer converts it to CAD and may add its own foreign transaction fee.
You need to contact your nearest Sri Lanka Overseas Mission before travelling. For Canadian applicants, that is the High Commission of Sri Lanka in Ottawa.
Yes. Apply online through the Department of Immigration and Emigration's eServices before your ETA expires, to extend in stages up to six months in total.
Yes. Children under 12, of any nationality including Canadian, get a free 30-day tourist ETA regardless of the country list.
A limited facility exists at the airport, but it is not guaranteed and applying online in advance is the recommended route for Canadian travellers.
Visa sorted
The things that make the first
48 hours easy, compared with home
Your Canadian 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 A and B. A A-to-D adapter works for the whole trip.
Voltage
230 V · 50 Hz
Against 120 V · 60 Hz at home. Check the label on chargers and appliances: anything marked 100–240 V, 50/60 Hz works in both.
Pack: one type D adapter and a small power strip — hotel rooms rarely have more than two sockets.
Sri Lanka drives on the left — the opposite of home
Compare traffic side:
Sri Lanka · left-hand traffic — the opposite of Canada
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).
Rs
$1 ≈ Rs214.7 · 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
Ottawa
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Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
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How much to tip, in CAD
Rs 3,000($13.97)
Restaurant bill
Skip if a service charge is already added
5–10%
on a Rs 3,000 bill: Rs 150 · $0.70
Hotel porter
Per bag
Rs 100–Rs 200
$0.47–$0.93
Tour guide or driver
Per day
Rs 500–Rs 1,000
$2.33–$4.66
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
$0.47–$0.93
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.
Get your Sri Lanka e-Visa in about three 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 $40 all-in.
- Card payments by PayPal
- Fee refunded if we cause a refusal
- Support by email and WhatsApp