Skip to content
4 ways to enter

Sri Lanka visas

Sri Lanka tourist visa

Many visitors can apply independently for an ETA (an online travel permit). Your nationality decides whether it is free, requires a fee, or requires a Sri Lankan sponsor.

Ways to get a Sri Lanka tourist visa

  2. Free ETA for 30 days

    eTA needed

    Citizens of the listed countries and holders of the specified Chinese, Hong Kong and Macao passports can independently obtain a free ETA.

    Stay
    30 days.
    Fee
    Free.
    Apply on the official website

  3. Paid ETA

    eTA needed

    Citizens of other countries can apply independently, except those who must use a Sri Lankan sponsor.

    Stay
    30 days.
    Valid for
    Described as valid for 30 days.
    Fee
    A fee applies. The amount is not specified.
    Apply on the official website

  4. Visa through a Sri Lankan sponsor

    Other permit

    Citizens of Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kosovo, Nigeria, North Korea, Syria and Taiwan must obtain a visa through a Sri Lankan sponsor.

    1. Arrange for a Sri Lankan sponsor to submit your application.
    2. Gather the applicant documents and the sponsor's supporting documents.
    3. Have the sponsor submit the documents to the Department of Immigration and Emigration Head Office in Battaramulla for consideration.

Who needs it

Visitors need an ETA or a visa through a Sri Lankan sponsor unless a passport exemption applies.

Who doesn't

Certain diplomatic, official, service and special passport holders have visa exemptions. United Nations and Interpol passport holders can enter without a visa for up to 90 days.

Good to know

  • Citizens of Angola, Argentina, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, DR Congo, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Panama, Peru, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Suriname, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda and Venezuela must present a yellow fever vaccination certificate on arrival.
  • The permitted activities for tourists are not specified.
  • The number of entries and processing times are not specified.

Questions

Do I need a tourist visa for Sri Lanka?

Visitors need an ETA or a visa through a Sri Lankan sponsor unless a passport exemption applies. Certain diplomatic, official, service and special passport holders have visa exemptions. United Nations and Interpol passport holders can enter without a visa for up to 90 days.

What are the ways to get a tourist visa for Sri Lanka?

There are 4 options: Free ETA for 90 days (an online travel permit); Free ETA for 30 days (an online travel permit); Paid ETA (an online travel permit); Visa through a Sri Lankan sponsor (a special permit).

Can I apply online for Sri Lanka?

Yes: Free ETA for 90 days, Free ETA for 30 days and Paid ETA. Citizens of Maldives can independently obtain a free ETA.

How long can I stay on a Sri Lanka tourist visa?

30 days for most listed ETA routes; 90 days for citizens of Maldives.

How much does a Sri Lanka tourist visa cost?

Free for listed nationalities. A fee applies to other independent ETA applications; the amount is not specified.

What rules do I have to follow on a Sri Lanka tourist visa?

Citizens of Angola, Argentina, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, DR Congo, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Panama, Peru, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Suriname, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda and Venezuela must present a yellow fever vaccination certificate on arrival.

Does my passport change whether I need a tourist visa for Sri Lanka?

Yes. Rules depend on the country that issued your passport. Open the Sri Lanka visa page and choose your passport for a plain answer.

Can a tourist visa for Sri Lanka be refused?

Yes. Officials can refuse a visa or entry, even after you apply. Give true answers, bring the documents asked for, and keep proof of your onward trip and money.

Where do I check the latest Sri Lanka tourist visa rules?

On Sri Lanka's official immigration or foreign ministry website, or at its embassy. Rules change, so check close to your trip.

Can I change my tourist visa once I am in Sri Lanka?

Often you cannot switch visa type inside the country. Ask the immigration office before you travel if you might need to.

Reviewed by