How to Get Visa to Sri Lanka – Complete Guide
Indian Citizens plus everyone else in 40 countries, to whom visa is deemed and anyone researching to visit Sri Lanka must read this article, as what I am about to tell you will be your hand book for Sri Lankan visa. Every corner of Visa related things will be discussed here.
Did you know that Indians are eligible for a free 30-day tourist visa (double-entry) to Sri Lanka. This was done as a pilot project back in October 2024. On the date I am writing this, Sri Lanka has waived out visa fees for 40+ countries. I will write a separate article on that.
This is for Indian Citizens, but everyone else in those 40 countries and anyone researching to visit Sri Lanka must read this article, as what I am about to tell you will be your hand book for Sri Lankan Visa. Every corner of Visa related things will be discussed here.
So, there is this online site where you can apply visa yourself (https://www.eta.gov.lk/) and obtain your ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) before travel. Strictly avoid anyone else, who claims to issue visa because this is the one and only place you can get your Sri Lankan visa. Also caution on those third-party agents. It’s not rocket science. You will not have any doubts after reading the article.
On an additional note, visa on arrival is available but we wouldn’t recommend it. Why tire yourself after the jet lag in a queue to get your visa. Absolutely there is no reason to make it a headache, just apply online and get your ETA today.
Do you want to stay more than 30 days? That’s odd for tourist purposes, but in case if you need, you can extend for 60 more days. The fees for visa extension are here in this link.
Usually, ETA is processed within 48 hours. But it’s better to apply early and put your mind at ease. You know, the early bird will catch the worm – not that visas for Sri Lanka are on limited supply, jus saying.
What will we cover?
What do you need to apply?
Prepare these before applying. REMEMBER: Declaring is not sufficient. You need document proof!! Don’t fall to scams saying that they can help you get visa without passport etc.
A Valid Passport
Must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry.
Use the same passport for both application and travel.
Personal Information
Correct passport number
Nationality as per passport
Date of birth (must match travel document)
Travel Information
Round-trip flight ticket (required to show on arrival).
Financial Proof
Evidence of sufficient funds to cover your expenses in Sri Lanka (e.g., bank statements, cash, credit card).
Additionally, if you do not belong to the visa free countries, you need a Credit/debit card to pay ETA fee.
Keep in mind!!
Prepare these before applying.
- ETA holders cannot work (paid or unpaid) during their stay.
- Information submitted must be accurate – errors may lead to rejection or needing to pay again at the airport. So check every digit twice, such as the passport number, date of entry etc.
- Any payment done at the ETA Visa site is non-refundable and non-transferable.
- Check if the website is correct. There can be fake websites. You will not get your visa, loose your money, expose your credit card details.
- Check if the connection is secure. Check the padlock icon and/or secure connection message.
Process of applying ETA Visa to Sri Lanka
- Go to Sri Lanka ETA site
- Select your language and click apply
- Click Agree
- Select your category. You must select one of the three from the Tourist ETA category
- Now submit the information. Make sure everything is accurate.
- You can then review the information – Here’s the last chance for you to correct your data. Its recommended to read through the lot and confirm. You can check our Check & Recheck Check List to get an idea of what needs to be double checked.
- Then submit the reviewed information
- Do any payment necessary. The system automatically arranges payment. So it will reflect what you have entered. For example, if you have entered Indian citizen, you will have nothing to pay. But, please for the sake of argument, DO NOT ENTER Nationality Indian and Country India, just because its free, if you are not from India.
- You will get the ETA confirmation on the next screen. There will be a reference number. Note it down, incase your email gets deleted.
- You will also get an email. If not in the inbox, check the spam folder. Note that this is just an acknowledgement email, one that says that you have applied for ETA. This is not sufficient to enter to Sri Lanka. You need approval. Wait for 48-72 working day hours until you get an approval. Usually the processing time is just 48 hours. But in most cases, you get the approved ETA very soon.
- Want to know, how to check approval status? Click here
How to check status of ETA Visa to Sri Lanka
- Go to Sri Lanka ETA site
- Select your language
- Click on check status
- Enter the details you collected in the previous step and check
What do you need to CHECK & RECHECK
✅ Top 5 Critical Things to Double-Check
Passport Number – enter exactly as in passport. Watch for confusing letters (0/O, 1/I/L).
Date of Birth – must match passport exactly (entered twice).
Nationality – select the correct country as per passport.
Intended Arrival Date – choose the right date; ETA is valid only 3 months from issue.
Email Address – type correctly (you get your approval here).
⚠️ Other High-Risk Fields to Check
Surname and Given Names (including middle names) exactly as per passport.
Passport Expiry Date – ensure at least 6 months validity.
Purpose of Visit – must be Tourism (wrong selection can cause issues).
Address in Sri Lanka – must be clear and correct.
💡 Tip: These fields are where most mistakes happen. Recheck them two or three times before confirming your ETA application.
What if my visa is rejected?
First, DO NOT PANIC. Mostly its not because you are a criminal or you are in the most wanted list. Its probably because you were not cautious enough to follow the above steps.
Now, REMEMBER, you will not be refunded for the rejection. Fault is entirely yours.
If your ETA is rejected, you cannot board your flight or enter Sri Lanka.
- Now, before starting the next application, you must find out the mistake. Odds are you will do it again and the next application also will go to waste.
- We haven’t tested it, but multiple failed attempts might lead to getting blacklisted or something. So if you are failing multiple times, there must be some other issue. Check your information with a friend to see if he can find the issue.
- Rejection reasons are usually:
Wrong passport number or mismatched details.
Missing details (proof of funds, travel plan).
Providing false or misleading information.
Applying with an invalid or soon-to-expire passport.
- If you were rejected due to security or immigration concerns, appealing will be very complex. That’s the place you need a help of a visa consultant. Find someone you can trust. Preferably someone in your own country as there may be a lot of documents involved.
- The only way to avoid rejection is to read everything in this blog carefully and follow it correctly
- AND MOST IMPORTANTLY – REMEMBER THIS IS NOT ROCKET SCIENCE. If you can read and follow instructions, you don’t need any help. DO NOT PAY any third party for visa.
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