Tourist Visa To Sri Lanka

An intended traveler visiting Sri Lanka for holidaying purpose including visiting friends, medical treatment- Ayurvedic, yoga, visiting relatives etc., should obtain ETA approval prior to his/her intended visit to Sri Lanka through www.eta.gov.lk or the Sri Lankan Missions abroad.

All applicants are encouraged to apply through the ETA system in order to avoid unwanted delays.

The ETA is initially limited to 30 days validity from the date of arrival with double entry facility, Two (02) months extension beyond 30 days shall be granted at the Department of Immigration & Emigration, Colombo. However further extension shall only be considered for valid reasons.

Sri Lankan dual citizens, children who are under 21 years of age and whose birth has been registered under Section 5(2) of Citizenship Act – 1948 of Sri Lanka and children born in Sri Lanka to Sri Lankan parents and who are under 21 years of age and currently holding foreign national status, are exempted from visa requirement.

Visitors from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory coast, Nigeria and Syria are requested to obtain a pre-arranged visa before arrival or applying through Sri Lanka sponsor for their ETA through the Head Office of the Department of Immigration & Emigration.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE FOR APPLYING TOURIST VISA THROUGH ETA

• Submit the application through www.eta.gov.lk and receive the acknowledgment.
• Receive ETA approval to the email given by the applicant in the application.
• Applicants are advised to print the approval received to the email and submit it to the Immigration officers at the Airport when required.

ISSUANCE OF TOURIST VISA FREE OF CHARGE FOR SELECTED 40 COUNTRIES

As per the cabinet decision dated 30.03.2026 and the approval given by the parliament, the amendment to the Immigrant and Emigrant regulations will be published in the Government Gazette Notification on 25.05.2026. Accordingly, the measures to be adhered by the foreign nationals intending to visit Sri Lanka, are as below.

I. With effect from 25.05.2026, nationals of the following 40 countries are eligible to obtain tourist visa (ETA) free of charge for a period of 30 days.

II. Nationals of the above-mentioned countries holding Diplomatic, Official, Service, or Ordinary passports shall be eligible to obtain tourist visa (ETA) free of charge under this scheme.

III.Please note that all foreign nationals (except those referred to in paragraph VII below), including nationals of the above-mentioned 40 countries as well as nationals of Maldives, Seychelles and Singapore, are required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) prior to their arrival in Sri Lanka. As per the bilateral reciprocal agreement between Sri Lanka and Maldives, all Maldivian nationals will receive 90-day tourist visa through the ETA system.

IV.The Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for nationals of the above-mentioned 40 countries and nationals of Maldives, Seychelles and Singapore shall be processed free of charge. However, ETA fees paid by the applicants prior to 25.05.2026 are non-refundable.

V.Under this scheme, tourists of above 40 countries are entitled to a free tourist visa (ETA) valid for 30 days, with double entry permitted from the date of first arrival in Sri Lanka during the second entry only the balance period of the 30 days will be granted.

VI. Applicants, who have obtained a tourist visa (ETA) free of charge and wish to remain in Sri Lanka beyond 30 days, may apply for a visa extension upon payment of the applicable visa fee.

VII. As per the reciprocal and bilateral arrangements with the Government of Sri Lanka, holders of Diplomatic, Official Service and Special Passports specified in Annex 1, who are visiting Sri Lanka for official purposes and holders of Diplomatic and Official Passports issued by the United Nations (UN) and United Nations Organizations (UNO) shall be permitted to obtain visa without obtaining ETA prior to arrival.

APPLYING FOR TOURIST VISA THROUGH THE EMBASSY

An applicant may also apply for Tourist visa through the Sri Lanka Embassy if he/she is unable to apply though the ETA system with submission of the following documents. Tourist Visa Applicants are advised to submit their applications at least one month prior to the intended visit.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS & FEES FOR APPLYING TOURIST VISA TO SRI LANKA

• Duly filled Application for Visit Visa – Form B and Information for Tourist ETA.
• Valid Passport – Passport should be valid for a minimum period of six months from the date of arrival in Sri Lanka. (Please keep minimum one blank page of the passport)
• Recently taken color photograph (passport size 4.5 cm x 3.5 cm).
• Visa fee of AED 130.00 for other nationals, for SAARC Countries AED 75.00, should be made in cash at the Embassy. Children of any nationality under 12 years of age are exempted from visa fee, but should obtain a visa.

The Embassy of Sri Lanka Abu Dhabi strongly advise applicant to refrain from travelling to Sri Lanka without receiving the ETA approval  notice from the Department of Immigration and Emigration of Sri Lanka.

DOWNLOAD DOCUMENTS

• Application for Visit Visa – Form B & Information for Tourist ETA