With the objective of
facilitating a comprehensive and efficient service to all visitors to Sri Lanka, here’s a
breakdown of the most valuable information with regard to the Visa Categories and Processing
in Sri Lanka.
Hang in there, let’s get started with introducing the types of Visas and to the most
fundamental process of how visitors must apply for the Electronic Travel Authorization via
www.eta.gov.lk established in the Department of
Immigration and Emigration.
There are four (4) kinds of
visas to Sri Lanka that permit a person to enter and/or stay in this country.
Visit Visa/ETA
There are two sub-categories which come under visit visas :
1.1 Tourist Visit Visa – A Tourist Visa is issued to bona-fide tourists who want to enter
Sri Lanka for sightseeing, excursions, visit relatives for a short period of time.
1.2 Business Purpose Visa – Issued to foreign nationals who visit Sri Lanka for business
purposes for short period of time. This visa may be issued for single or double journeys.
Residence Visa
A residence visa is a permit for a non-Sri Lankan to obtain
residence facilities for special purposes. There are eight (8) sub-categories which come
under residence visas.
Transit Visa
A Transit Visa is an entry permit granted to a foreign national for
admission into Sri Lanka for a brief period which is incidental and in the course of his
journey to another destination.
Gratis Visa
The holder of a Diplomatic or Official Passport or a passport with a
valid Diplomatic or Official endorsement will not be required to pay any fees for the
visa.
ETAs are issued
electronically by the Sri Lanka Department of Immigration. Travelers, travel agents,
airlines and specialist service providers can use the ETA system to process an Electronic
Travel Authority.
The Sri Lanka ETA is electronically linked to the passport and is accessible to the
Department of Immigration. We strongly recommend travelers print a copy of their Sri Lanka
ETA in case there is a problem with the computer terminals at the immigration office upon
arrival.
Please note unlike a traditional paper visa, the ETA is electronically linked to your
passport. The Department do send travelers an email confirmation with their ETA number. It
is advisable to print this email or have a soft copy to present at immigration upon arrival.
It is pretty simple, reach
out to Electronic Travel Authorization via the link below and you are just a click away. http://www.eta.gov.lk/slvisa/visainfo/center.jsp
Sri Lanka ETAs are issued only for Short Visits to Sri Lanka for Business purposes, Tourism and Transit purposes. If you are looking for work visa you may need to apply for your visa through your local embassy.
The visa for Sri Lanka ETA
is valid for 30 days from the date of arrival in Sri Lanka. You are permitted two entries
into the country with the same ETA.
The cost of the ETA is $35 + $20 Service Fee per person for all countries except SAARC
countries (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka).
For SAARC countries the ETA cost is $20 per passenger + $20 Service Fee.
Following category is exempt from ETA Processing Fee
* Children under 12 years of age
* Transit permitted ONLY for 48 hours