If you are planning a trip to Sri Lanka, be aware that there has been a small but significant change.

Sri Lanka stopped granting business and tourist visitors visas upon arrival on October 15, 2025. This implies that obtaining a visa at the airport is no longer possible. Prior to boarding your flight, you must have your Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) approved.

This system is not a novel one. ETAs have been used in Sri Lanka for many years. The on-arrival option has been eliminated, which is what has changed. Therefore, don’t depend on obtaining a visa upon arrival. First, apply online and get accepted.

According to Yahoo News, When applying online, travellers should make sure to select the correct visa in the menu at the top left of the application page.

The Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations says that, With effect from 15th October 2025, all foreign nationals, including citizens of the 40 countries listed in the document, who are eligible for free tourist visa, must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) prior to their arrival in Sri Lanka.  

KPMG also have confirmed the sources, Sri Lanka – Electronic Travel Authorisation Mandatory for Foreign Nationals from 15 October 2025.

The official ETA site mentions below; 

Where one can apply

To apply, go to the only official location: https://eta.gov.lk/ 

Steer clear of agents or other websites that claim to be able to grant your visa. Only the ETA portal is a valid government website. For a comprehensive how-to that includes screenshots, payment advice, and a checklist, use our complete guide: Completion Guide: How to Obtain a Visa for Sri Lanka.

Fee waivers — what you need to know

Everyone must apply for an ETA. However, passport holders from some countries do not have to pay the tourist ETA fee. They still must apply — only the fee is waived.

Some Fee-exempt countries (tourism ETAs): Seychelles, Maldives, Singapore, China, India, Russia, Thailand, Indonesia and Japan️ See the full list here.

Quick reasons to do it now

• Airlines may refuse to board you if you don’t have an approved ETA.
• You’ll avoid queues and stress after a long flight.
• It only takes a few minutes online if you have the right documents.

Simple checklist before you apply

• Passport valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date.
• Use the same passport for application and travel.
• Have a round-trip flight booking ready.
• Email address that you actually check (approval comes by email).
• Credit/debit card if your nationality is not fee-exempt.
• Any supporting docs (hotel booking) if requested.

Double-check these fields — most common mistakes

• Passport number (watch confusing letters and numbers)
• Date of birth (must match passport exactly)
• Nationality (select the country on the passport)
• Arrival date (ETA is usually valid for 3 months from issue)
• Email address (if this is wrong you won’t get the approval)

What if your ETA is refused?

If your ETA is refused you’ll get instructions on next steps. That usually means applying again with corrections or contacting a Sri Lankan diplomatic mission. If you want help, CeyloTravels can assist with next steps.

Short practical tips

• Apply a few days before travel. Most ETAs are approved quickly, but leave some buffer.
• Save the ETA reference number and email. Don’t rely only on the inbox.
• Don’t use shady third-party sites saying “no passport needed” or “we get visas fast.” They’re scams. 

Our article has a full guide on ETA visa.

Bottom line

Sri Lanka welcomes visitors. The only big change is the timing: get your ETA before you fly. It saves time, avoids surprises, and is now the official rule.

Read our full guide:  How to Get visa to Sri Lanka — Complete Guide 

GOOD, In fact a GREAT news for all the travel enthusiasts as Sri Lanka, a beautiful island nation located in South Asia, known for breath taking views and friendly people, has taken a new policy decision to grant FREE VISA for a massive count of countries.

And know that you do not have to pay for any agents to get visa. The visa process is extremely simplified with the new ETA system. Just read our article on How to Get Visa to Sri Lanka – Complete Guide and hop on to https://eta.gov.lk/. BAM!!! You got your visa processing in just a few minutes. 

Full list of 40 countries with visa-free entry to Sri Lanka

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Federal Republic of Germany
Kingdom of the Netherlands
The Kingdom of Belgium
The Kingdom of Spain
The Commonwealth of Australia
Republic of Poland
The Republic of Kazakhstan
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
The United Arab Emirates
Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal
People’s Republic of China
The Republic of India
The Republic of Indonesia
The Russian Federation
The Kingdom of Thailand
The Federation of Malaya
Japan
Republic of France
United States of America
Canada
Czech Republic (Czechia)
Republic of Italy
Swiss Confederation (Switzerland)
Republic of Austria
State of Israel
Republic of Belarus
Islamic Republic of Iran
Kingdom of Sweden
Republic of Finland
Kingdom of Denmark
Republic of Korea
State of Qatar
Sultanate of Oman
Kingdom of Bahrain
New Zealand
State of Kuwait
Kingdom of Norway
Republic of Türkiye
Pakistan

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.

As the upcoming tourist season approaches, Sri Lanka Tourism extends a warm invitation to travelers worldwide, emphasizing the measures in place to ensure their safety during their visit. The organization has made it clear that, despite recent security concerns, the country is committed to providing a secure environment for all tourists.

Recent travel advisories from various countries, including the United States, have raised concerns about potential threats in certain areas, notably Arugam Bay. However, the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) assures visitors that the highest levels of safety and security will be maintained throughout their stay. “We ensure that all tourists can enjoy a safe and secure experience while exploring the country,” the SLTPB stated.

The Ministry of Defense has also confirmed that necessary precautions are being implemented to safeguard tourists across all regions. This includes enhanced security measures involving local law enforcement, the Special Task Force, and military personnel, ensuring that both current visitors and those planning their trips can have peace of mind.

Sri Lanka Tourism is dedicated to ensuring that safety is prioritized without compromising the travel experience. Travelers can expect to enjoy their time in Sri Lanka, reassured by the extensive security arrangements that are now in place. The message is clear: your safety is our priority as we look forward to welcoming you to our island nation.

Sri Lanka, frequently described as the “Pearl of the Indian Sea,” is positioned to become a leading destination for global tourists with the intro of a new visa-free entrance program. Starting October 1, 2024, people from 35 countries, including the United States, UK, Oman, and China, will receive complimentary 30-day vacationer visas – a move anticipated to substantially increase the nation’s tourist market.

Visa-Free Access: What You Need to Know

In a news made on August 22, 2024, Sri Lanka’s Authorities unveiled a six-month pilot program, forgoing the normal $50 visa cost for eligible vacationers. This campaign aligns with Sri Lanka’s peak traveling period, from December to mid-April, offering travelers a less complicated and much more economical method to check out the island’s 8 UNESCO World Heritage sites, flourishing wild animals, and excellent beaches.

For a country as small as Sri Lanka, having 33 endemic species and 68 endemic subspecies of birds with a species endemism of 11% goes to demonstrate why Sri Lanka is one of the FINEST Bird Watching Tour destinations in the world.

This includes endemics such as Fowls, Pigeons, Parrots, Parakeets, Malkoha, Coucal, Owl, Owlet, Hornbill, Barbet, Magpie, Bulbul, Warbler, Babbler, Thrush, White-eye, Mynah, Starling, Flycatcher, Flowerpecker, Pigeon, Barbet, Flameback, Woodshrike, Drongo and Swallow. In addition, there are close to 200 seasonal migratory birds both terrestrial and aquatic, moving away from the Northern winter travelling from as far as Siberia, Scandinavia and Western Europe, arriving around August/ September and leaving around April/May.

Since Sri Lanka is situated at the FARTHEST southern point away from the south of India with no other landmass until the South Pole, the migrating birds end their long journey in Sri Lanka, making it a regular wintering ground.

Visit Nuwara Eliya, the city of ‘Little England’ with stunning views of tea country and gorgeous buildings. Taste the spices of Sri Lankan food and join the celebrations of local festivities and cultural events.
If you are a lover of nature or a history lover or in search of a different kind of vacation Sri Lanka will not disappoint you and will leave you awe-inspired. Start your voyage and explore all the secrets of this enchanting island.