Overview
Sri Lanka's Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), in place since 2012, is required before arrival for almost all foreign nationals visiting for tourism, business or transit. The fastest, cheapest way to get one is directly online at eta.gov.lk — the process takes about 10–15 minutes, and most approvals arrive within 24 hours. As of May 2026, following a Parliament-approved expansion, the ETA fee itself is waived for nationals of 40 countries (including India, since September 2024) — the ETA is still mandatory, only the cost is removed for those nationalities.
Visa categories
| Tourist ETA | Up to 30 days, double entry, for tourism, casual visits and medical treatment (including Ayurveda/yoga). |
|---|---|
| Business ETA | Short business visits and meetings. |
| Transit ETA | Short stopovers in Sri Lanka. |
Stays beyond 30 days (up to a maximum of 90 days) can be arranged by extension through the Department of Immigration and Emigration once in Sri Lanka.
Documents checklist
- Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your arrival date
- Clear color scan of the passport bio-data page
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Return or onward flight ticket (recommended, sometimes required)
- Hotel booking confirmation or an invitation from your host in Sri Lanka (recommended)
- Credit or debit card for the fee, where applicable (Visa, Mastercard or American Express)
Step-by-step application process
1. Confirm you're on eta.gov.lk
Double-check the domain before entering any personal or card details.
2. Select English and click "Apply"
Read the terms and select "I Agree" to proceed.
3. Choose your ETA type
Pick Tourist, Business or Transit ETA, and whether you're applying individually, as a group, or on behalf of a third party.
4. Fill in the application form
Enter your details exactly as they appear on your passport.
5. Review and pay
Review your form, then pay the processing fee (where applicable) by credit or debit card.
6. Receive your ETA by email
Approval typically arrives within 24 hours, occasionally up to 72 hours. Print or save a copy to show at check-in and on arrival.
Fees & processing time
| Fee | Free for 40 eligible nationalities (as of May 2026); around $50 USD for the standard 30-day tourist ETA for others, roughly half for children under 12 |
|---|---|
| Processing time | Usually within 24 hours, occasionally up to 72 hours |
| Validity to enter | 3 months from date of issue |
| Stay length | Up to 30 days, extendable to 90 days from within Sri Lanka |
The fee is non-refundable, even if an application is refused — a rare outcome for straightforward tourist applications.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sri Lanka visa-free for any nationalities?
A small number of nationalities (including Maldives, Seychelles and Singapore, as of 2026) have visa-free or different arrangements — check the current exempt list at eta.gov.lk.
Can I get a visa on arrival instead?
Visa on arrival exists for some nationalities at Bandaranaike International Airport, but it costs more and adds risk of delay — applying online in advance is the recommended route.
What if the online application fails?
If you hit a technical error, you can submit your application to your nearest Sri Lankan diplomatic mission with the required documents instead.
Sources reviewed: eta.gov.lk (official Sri Lanka Department of Immigration and Emigration ETA portal), Sri Lankan diplomatic mission consular pages. Fee waivers and eligible-country lists change — always confirm current status on the official portal before applying.