Sri Lanka Visa Guide

Visa Information

VISA: Required

Visa Issuance:

1. The new visa issuance procedure and the new methodology of submitting online visa application at www.srilankaevisa.lk for simplification of the process.
2. Developed in collaboration with IVS Global Institute and GBS Technology Service, the e-visa system replaces the existing Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) method. This transition is tailored to make the visa application process more user-friendly, ensuring a smoother experience for travelers.
3. Free Visa regime is implemented for nationals of China, India, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Japan will be in force until further notice.
4. Acceptance of Saudi citizen to the Republic of Sri Lanka without requiring an entry visa for the period of six months starting from October 01st 2024.



Countries NOT eligible for VISA ON ARRIVAL: Passengers from these 14 countries need to get approval from Sri Lankan embassy in their countries for visa on arrival service. Once the documents are verified, embassy will send an email to the passenger mentioning that he or she is eligible to get visa on arrival in Sri Lanka. We can board these PAX from table 01 countries If they are holding an email from embassy. For this they have introduced email address as below:

5. Please make sure passenger is holding return or onward TKT from CMB, Sufficient funds & hotel booking.

Additional Information:

1. It is mandatory for all passengers travelling to and from Sri Lanka to fill Arrival/Departure cards online by visiting https://www.immigration.gov.lk within 3 days to departure.

Warning:

Visitors not holding return/onward tickets could be refused entry.

Passport Information

Passport Requirement: Passport required.

Document Validity: Passports and other documents accepted for entry must be valid for a minimum of 6 months from the arrival date.

Sri Lanka is a small country surrounded by the Indian Ocean. It is quite recognisable due to its unique teardrop-like shape. This island country has so much to see and do, from the staggering Lotus Tower in Colombo to the Nine Arches Bridge at Ella, not to forget their sandy beaches and tropical forests.

A Sri Lanka visa is all you need to enter the country and experience it all. To apply for a Sri Lanka visa online is hassle-free. There are several types of visas, which include those for tourism, business, residence, and transit. Sri Lanka visa for Indians has an added benefit with visa on arrival option. But for this, you will need to apply for an electronic travel authorization (eTA) before leaving for Sri Lanka.

Note:

Planning to visit Sri Lanka? Here is a chance to enter the country without the hassle of going through the visa process. Sri Lanka is offering visa-free for Indian nationals with immediate effect starting from October 1st, 2024. This visa-free entry is available for six months. To learn more about Sri Lanka visas, visit the Sri Lanka Department of Immigration website.

To apply for a Sri Lanka visa online, you need to visit the official website. These are the steps you need to keep in mind:

• Submit your eTA application to the Department of Immigration via the official website
• Pay the fee and await the eTA to be processed
• Your application will be sent to you via email, and you can also check the status on the official website
• After you arrive at the Bandaranaike International airport, show your eTA to the immigration officers, along with your travel documents

Apart from the eTA, there are other ways to apply for Sri Lanka visa, that are as follows.

• Contact the nearest embassy or consulate to apply for a Sri Lanka visa
• Fill out the application and submit it to the embassy or consulate
• Make sure to also submit the visa fee, passport, and the required documents
• The embassy will forward your Sri Lanka application to the Department of Immigration and Emigration (DI&E)
• You will be provided with a visa application number. You can check your visa application status by using this number
• The process for a Sri Lanka visa may take two to four working days
• Once the process is completed, you will receive the documents you provided
• Based on the visa validity, you will receive a single, double, or multiple entry Sri Lanka visa
• This visa is valid for three months

You can check your visa application on the official website using the confirmation number, you receive after submitting the application, along with your passport number.

There are different types of Sri Lanka visas depending on your purpose of visit, either for travel or business. Some of them are mentioned below.

1. Tourist visa
2. Business visa
3. Transit visa
4. Student visa
5. Visa on arrival
   

A tourist visa is a popular type of visa to enter a country. Through this visa, tourists can go for sightseeing, excursions, and visiting friends and relatives.

Eligibility for tourist visa

• Confirmed return tickets
• A passport that is valid for a minimum of six months from the date of departure
• Proof of accommodation
• Tourist visa documentation
• First and last page of your passport (scanned colour copy)
• Passport-size photograph with white background
• Bank statement

Tourist visa validity

The tourist visa for Sri Lanka is valid for 30 days from the date of issue.

Stay duration of the tourist visa

By taking the Sri Lanka visa for tourism, you are eligible to stay for a period of three months. The visa can be extended for a maximum of six months.

Processing time for tourist visas

The processing time for a Sri Lanka tourist visa may take up to four working days. The Sri Lanka visa process may take longer if the information in your official documents is not correct.

A business visa is issued to foreign nationals whose purpose for visiting Sri Lanka is business. This visa may be issued for single, double, or multiple entries, depending on the type of business you have in Sri Lanka.

Eligibility for business visa

• Confirmed return tickets
• A passport that is valid for a minimum of six months from the date of departure
• Proof of accommodation
• An invitation letter from the company/reason for the business visa
• First and last page of your passport (scanned colour copy)
• Passport-size photograph with white backgroundBank statement

Business visa validity

The business visa's validity is for three months from the date of issue. Kindly check the official website for additional information regarding visa validity.

Stay duration of the business visa

The stay duration of the business visa in Sri Lanka is for a period of 30 days.

Processing time for business visas

The processing time for Sri Lanka business visa may take two to four working days. The Sri Lanka visa process may take longer if the information in your official documents is not correct.

A transit visa for Sri Lanka is suitable for those who plan for a short stay, before boarding an onward flight to their final destination. If you have a long layover in Sri Lanka, you can apply for transit visa, which enables you to go out from the arrival point and explore the sites.

Eligibility for transit visa

• Confirmed onward flight ticket
• A passport that is valid for a minimum of six months from the date of departure
• Proof of sufficient funds
• First and last page of your passport (scanned colour copy)
• Passport-size photograph with white background
  

Transit visa validity

The transit visa is valid for two to seven days, depending on the layover or your intent to stay in Sri Lanka. Beyond seven days, if you wish to stay for longer, you will need to change to tourist/business visa.

Stay duration of the transit visa

Sri Lanka transit visas allow visitors to stay for two days without additional cost. However, for a longer transit visa, up to seven days, you will be charged an additional amount.

Processing time for transit visas

The processing time for Sri Lanka transit visa may take two to four working days. The Sri Lanka visa process may take longer if the information in your official documents is not correct.

This type of Sri Lanka visa is provided to students coming to the country to pursue a course. The approval of this visa is processed in Colombo by the Department of Immigration.

Eligibility for a student visa

• A passport that is valid for a minimum of six months from the date of departure
• First and last page of your passport (scanned colour copy)
• Passport-size photograph with white background
• Invitation letter from the university
• Proof of payment for the course
• Bank statement

Student visa validity

Student visas are valid till the duration of the course .

Stay duration of the student visa

Based on the duration of the course, a visa is provided to the students.

Processing time for student visas

The processing time for Sri Lanka student visa may take two to four working days. The Sri Lanka visa process may take longer if the information in your official documents is not correct

The citizens of the following countries can apply for a Sri Lanka visa on arrival.

• Citizens of Singapore can get a Sri Lanka visa on arrival for 30 days. This visa can be extended to 150 days.
• Citizens of the Maldives can get a Sri Lanka visa on arrival for 30 days. This visa can be extended to 150 days.
• Citizens of Seychelles can get a Sri Lanka visa on arrival for 60 days. This visa can be extended for a maximum of 90 days in a year.

The citizens of the following countries can apply for a Sri Lanka visa from the embassy.