Complete guide to Sri Lanka's Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system, the free ETA for 40 countries, fees, extensions and requirements by nationality. Updated October 2026.
Every foreign national needs an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) before arriving in Sri Lanka, applied for online at eta.gov.lk. Since 25 May 2026 the tourist ETA is free for nationals of 40 countries, including India, China, the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, but they still have to apply. The free ETA is valid for 30 days with double entry. Anyone staying longer needs an extension, on payment of the applicable visa fee.
| Question | Answer (October 2026) |
|---|---|
| ETA full form | Electronic Travel Authorization, the online entry permit for Sri Lanka |
| Who needs one? | Every foreign national. Maldives, Seychelles and Singapore nationals receive it free under reciprocal arrangements. |
| Who gets it free? | Nationals of 40 countries since 25 May 2026. See the full list. |
| How long is it valid? | 30 days with double entry (90 days for Maldivian nationals) |
| Where to apply | Online at eta.gov.lk, before travel. Avoid lookalike sites that add service fees. |
| Fee for other nationalities | As published on eta.gov.lk; see the fee table below and check before applying |
| Sponsor-only nationalities | Cameroon, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Afghanistan, Syria, Taiwan-China and Kosovo apply through a Sri Lankan sponsor at Immigration HQ, Battaramulla |
| Staying beyond 30 days | Apply for an extension, on payment of the applicable visa fee |
Source: Sri Lanka ETA official site, notice effective 25 May 2026. Rules change, so check again before your clients fly.
Booking Sri Lanka for clients? Hotels, airport transfers and touring are available at net rates on our Sri Lanka B2B travel portal.
Sri Lanka introduced the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system to streamline visa processing for tourists and business travelers. Most visitors can obtain their ETA online within minutes, making it one of the easiest visa systems in South Asia.
The ETA system replaced the traditional visa application process in 2012 and has been continuously updated to accommodate more nationalities. As of 2026, Sri Lanka offers various visa categories based on nationality and purpose of visit.
From 25 May 2026 Sri Lanka issues the tourist ETA free of charge to nationals of 40 countries, valid for 30 days with double entry. The ETA itself is still required: travellers apply online at eta.gov.lk before arrival, even when there is nothing to pay.
Note: Visa policies can change based on diplomatic relations and government decisions. Always verify current requirements before traveling.
Nationals of these 40 countries get a free tourist ETA valid for 30 days with double entry. They still apply online at eta.gov.lk before travel:
Maldives, Seychelles and Singapore nationals also receive a free ETA under reciprocal arrangements (Maldivians get 90 days).
Every foreign national needs an ETA to enter Sri Lanka, whether it is free or paid. Tourists apply for the tourist ETA; business travellers apply for the business ETA.
Validity: 30 days (double entry)
Processing: 24-72 hours
Fee: Free for the 40 countries above; other nationalities pay the fee shown on eta.gov.lk (commonly quoted as USD 50)
Extension: Can be extended up to 6 months
Purpose: Tourism, visiting family, sightseeing
Validity: 30 days (double entry)
Processing: 24-72 hours
Fee: USD 100
Extension: Can be extended up to 6 months
Purpose: Business meetings, conferences, trade
You must obtain an ETA if you:
Iran, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia and Turkey moved to the free list on 25 May 2026. Nationals of Cameroon, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Afghanistan, Syria, Taiwan-China and Kosovo apply through a Sri Lankan sponsor at Immigration HQ in Battaramulla.
The online ETA application process is straightforward and can be completed in about 10-15 minutes. Here's a step-by-step guide:
Go to www.eta.gov.lk (official government website)
Warning: Beware of third-party websites charging inflated fees. The official site ends with .gov.lk
Choose between Tourist ETA, Business ETA, or Transit Visa based on your purpose of travel.
Provide the following information:
Provide:
Scan and upload:
Pay the ETA fee using:
Payment is processed securely through government payment gateway.
You will receive an email notification with your ETA approval within 24-72 hours. The email contains:
Print a copy of your ETA approval to present at immigration.
The official notice says every foreign national must obtain the ETA before arrival, so don't plan on sorting it out at the airport. Visa-on-arrival counters have operated at Bandaranaike International Airport (Colombo) in the past, but this option:
| Visa Type | Validity | Online (ETA) | On Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist Visa | 30 days (double entry) | USD 50 | USD 60 |
| Business Visa | 30 days (double entry) | USD 100 | USD 120 |
| Transit Visa | 2 days (single entry) | USD 25 | USD 30 |
| Visit Visa Extension (Tourist) | Up to 90 days additional | LKR 20,000 - 35,000 (approx. USD 60-110) | |
| Long-term Extension | 3-6 months | LKR 50,000 - 150,000 (approx. USD 150-460) | |
As of 2026, Sri Lanka requires:
If you wish to stay longer than your initial visa validity, you can apply for an extension at the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Colombo.
Department of Immigration and Emigration
"Suhurupaya"
Battaramulla, Sri Lanka
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Typically 2-5 working days. Apply at least 7 days before your current visa expires.
Yes. A stay beyond 30 days needs an extension from the Department of Immigration and Emigration, on payment of the applicable visa fee. Apply before the 30 days run out.
ETA rejections are rare. If rejected, you can contact the Department of Immigration for clarification and reapply with corrected information or additional documents.
No, tourist visas and ETAs do not permit employment. You need a business visa and work permit to work legally in Sri Lanka.
If you're staying airside and not entering Sri Lanka, no visa is required. If you wish to leave the airport, you need a transit visa (USD 25, valid 2 days).
Yes, tourist and business ETAs allow double entry within the 30-day validity period.
Electronic Travel Authorization. It is the online permit every foreign visitor needs before arriving in Sri Lanka, applied for at eta.gov.lk.
Yes. Since 25 May 2026 Indian nationals are among the 40 nationalities that get the tourist ETA free, valid for 30 days with double entry. They still have to apply online before travel.
Yes, but it is free. British and American nationals are on the free-ETA list that took effect on 25 May 2026. Apply at eta.gov.lk before departure.
Only on the official site, eta.gov.lk. Lookalike sites charge service fees for the same application, including for nationalities that should pay nothing.
Address: "Suhurupaya", Battaramulla, Sri Lanka
Hotline: +94 11 532 9300
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.immigration.gov.lk
Website: www.eta.gov.lk
Email: [email protected]
Helpline: +94 11 267 1171
Hours: 24/7 online applications