Sri Lanka: no more visa-on-arrival — ETA is now mandatory (from 15 Oct 2025)

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