Sri Lanka Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA): Complete guide 2026

Sri Lanka is a small island off the southern tip of India, separated from the mainland by a narrow strait. Despite its size, it offers considerable geographic variety — tea plantations and rainforest in the highlands, long sandy beaches on the south coast, and calmer waters in the north and east. Sri Lanka is also home to some of the best-preserved ancient cities in Asia, including Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, and Sigiriya, while being one of the most affordable destinations in the world.

For most visitors, getting in is straightforward. The Electronic Travel Authorization — or ETA — is an online pre-approval system that lets you obtain entry authorization before you travel, without visiting an embassy or a consulate. This guide covers how it works, what it costs, and what to expect on arrival.

Types of ETA

There are two types of short-stay ETA available to visitors.

Tourist ETA

Issued to visitors entering Sri Lanka for tourism, sightseeing, visiting friends or relatives, medical treatment, or participating in sports and cultural events. The tourist ETA is valid for 30 days with double entry, meaning you can exit and re-enter Sri Lanka once within your initial 30-day period.

You may not engage in business or trade activities, attend meetings or conferences, or take part in any form of employment, paid or unpaid.

Business ETA

Issued to visitors entering Sri Lanka for business-related purposes, including meetings, negotiations, conferences, seminars, workshops, short-term training programs, and art, music, or dance events. The business ETA is valid for 30 days and allows multiple entries.

You may not take up employment of any kind or use the business ETA as a basis for long-term residence through repeated visits. An invitation from the relevant institution in Sri Lanka is required when applying for a business ETA.

Who Needs an ETA

Visa-Free Entry

Citizens of the Maldives, Seychelles, and Singapore do not need an ETA or visa to enter Sri Lanka.

Free ETA

Citizens of China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Russia, and Thailand are eligible for a free ETA. The standard application process applies, but no fee is charged.

Reduced-Fee ETA

Citizens of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and Afghanistan are eligible for a reduced ETA fee of $20 for tourist purposes and $30 for business purposes.

Restricted Nationals

Citizens of Cameroon, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Ghana, and Syria cannot apply through the standard online ETA system. They must apply through a Sri Lankan sponsor at the Head Office of the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Battaramulla, Sri Lanka.

Citizens of North Korea must obtain a recommendation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before applying.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: Apply online

Submit your ETA application at eta.gov.lk. You will need a JPEG image of your passport's data page. Fill in your personal details, passport information, and travel dates accurately. Select either Tourist or Business ETA depending on the purpose of your visit.

Step 2: Pay the ETA fee

Pay the non-refundable processing fee online at the time of application. See the Costs section below for the full fee breakdown.

Step 3: Receive your ETA reference notice

Due to an ongoing technical issue with the ETA system, approval emails may not be sent after submission. Print your ETA reference notice — generated immediately after you submit your application — and carry it with you. The Department of Immigration and Emigration has confirmed that the reference notice serves as proof of your application and is accepted at the immigration counter on arrival.

Step 4: Travel to Sri Lanka

Present your ETA reference notice and valid passport at the immigration counter on arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport. Your visa will be issued there.

Extending Your Stay

Tourist visa (ETA) extensions can be applied for online through the Department of Immigration and Emigration, or in person at their Head Office in Battaramulla. Extensions are single-entry — if you leave Sri Lanka during your extension period, your extension is automatically canceled, and you will need to obtain a new visa to re-enter.

Costs and Fees to Expect

ETA Fee

• Most nationalities: $50 for tourist, $55 for business

• Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and Afghanistan: $20 for tourist, $30 for business

• China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Russia, and Thailand: Free

• Children under 12, any nationality: Free

The ETA fee is non-refundable regardless of the outcome.

Tourist Visa Extension Fees

If you wish to stay beyond 30 days, you must apply for an extension. Fees vary by nationality.

For Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, Poland, Italy, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Spain, Greece, Sweden, Hungary, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, United States of America, Japan, Switzerland, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Estonia, Mauritius, Iceland, and Cuba:

• Days 31–60: $100

• Days 61–180: $150

• Days 181–270: $200

For Singapore, Maldives, Seychelles, and Czech Republic:

• Days 31–60: Free

• Days 61–180: $150

• Days 181–270: $200

For all other countries:

• Days 31–60: $60

• Days 61–180: $150

• Days 181–270: $200

Business Visa Extension Fees

• Days 31–90: $100

• Days 91–180: $200

Note: Business visas cannot be extended online. Extensions must be applied for in person at the Department of Immigration and Emigration.

Overstay Penalties

Overstaying your visa carries significant penalties. Departing within 7 days of expiry requires paying the applicable visa fee at the port of departure. Overstaying between 7 and 14 days incurs a $250 penalty on top of the visa fee. Overstaying beyond 14 days incurs a $500 penalty on top of the visa fee.

Practical Notes Worth Knowing

Your passport must be valid for at least six months from your date of arrival in Sri Lanka, and you should have a return or onward ticket. Immigration officers may ask for proof of your intention to leave within the permitted period.

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you are arriving from a country with a yellow fever transmission risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a tourist and a business ETA?

The tourist ETA is for sightseeing, visiting friends or relatives, medical treatment, and participating in sports or cultural events. The business ETA is for meetings, conferences, seminars, workshops, and similar business-related activities. Neither permits employment or trade activities. The business ETA requires an invitation letter from the relevant institution in Sri Lanka.

What if I don't receive an approval email?

Due to a current technical issue, many applicants are not receiving approval emails. Your reference notice, generated immediately after submission, serves as official proof of application. Print it and present it on arrival.

Can I enter Sri Lanka twice on one tourist ETA?

Yes. The tourist ETA includes a double-entry facility within the first 30 days of your initial arrival.

Can I extend my stay beyond 30 days?

Yes. Tourist visa extensions can be applied for online or in person at the Department of Immigration and Emigration. Extensions are granted for up to 270 days from your arrival date. Business visa extensions must be applied for in person.

Is the ETA fee refundable if my application is rejected?

No. The ETA processing fee is non-refundable regardless of the outcome of your application.

What passport validity do I need?

Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of your arrival in Sri Lanka.