Visa Sri Lanka

Tourist/Transit/Seamen Visa

  • For a Short Visit to Sri Lanka, travellers should obtain an ETA with effect from 1st of January 2012. please check the following Link for more informationhttp://www.eta.gov.lk/slvisa/visainfo/center.jsp?locale=en_US

    • An intended traveller planning a holiday visit, to transit through, needs to apply and obtain an ETA prior to arrival in Sri Lanka.
      ETA application can be submitted using one of the following options:
      (1) By the applicant  (2) By Third party (3) By Registered agents
    • At Sri Lanka Overseas Missions
    • At the head office of the Department of Immigration and Emigration (DI&E), Colombo On arrival at the port of entry in Sri Lanka
    • The application for ETA should be submitted electronically using one of the six submission methods mentioned above. The Department maintains a NO REFUND policy.
      An ETA holder is entitled to enter Sri Lanka within three months from the date of issue of ETA.
      The types of ETA:
    • ETA for Tourist purpose with double entry for 30 (thirty) days
    • ETA for Transit for 07 (seven) days. (First 48 hours free of charge.)
    • General Steps to be followed:
    • Submit the application.
      Receive the acknowledgement.
      Receive ETA approval or a referral notice. If a referral notice is served, you may contact Department of Immigration and Emigration for the necessary ETA.
      Submission of ETA application by the applicant:
    • Click on the Apply button and fill in the ETA application. Pay the relevant ETA processing fee using your electronic payment cards (credit card/e-commerce enabled debit cards) and submit the application. Only Visa, Master and American Express Cards are accepted. If you are unable to pay by electronic payment cards (credit card/e-commerce enabled debit cards), you have to select one of the alternative options. Apply If your application is successfully submitted, you will receive an acknowledgment promptly.
    • To check your ETA application status you may log onto the ETA website or contact 24/7 dedicated ETA call centre on 0094 71 99 67 888.

Submission of ETA application by Third Party:  Submission of ETA application through a Registered Agent

  • Contact your preferred third party and advise them to lodge your ETA application.
  • The third party may pay the relevant ETA processing fee and submit your application. Only Visa, Master and American Express Cards are accepted. If the application is submitted successfully, an acknowledgement will be sent as requested in the application.
  • Receive your ETA approval notice or referral notice. If a referral notice is served, you may contact Department of Immigration and Emigration for necessary assistance.
  • To check your ETA application status you may log on to the ETA website or contact the 24/7 dedicated ETA call centre on 0094 71 99 67 888.
  • If you are planning a Short Visit to Sri Lanka, you can submit your ETA application through Registered Agents in Sri Lanka. Registered Agents are officially appointed and authorized by the Department of Immigration & Emigration (DI&E) to provide ETA supporting services to clients seeking assistance. An additional service fee may be charged by the Registered Agents.
  • Contact your preferred Registered Agent and advise them to lodge your ETA application.

Submission of ETA application through Sri Lanka Overseas Missions

  • The Registered Agent will forward your ETA application to the DI&E.
  • Upon submission, an acknowledgement with a reference number will be sent to the Registered Agent or to the principal applicant, as requested in the application.Application status can be viewed by the agent.
  • Receive your ETA approval notice or referral notice. If a referral notice is served, you may contact Department of Immigration and Emigration for necessary assistance.
  • To check your ETA application status you may log on to the ETA website or contact our 24/7 dedicated ETA call centre on 0094 71 99 67 888.
  • If you are planning a Short Visit to Sri Lanka, you can submit your ETA application through a Sri Lanka Overseas Mission. This method is recommended for those who wish to obtain ETA from a Sri Lanka Overseas Mission and have a visa endorsed on their passports.
  • Sri Lanka Overseas Missions are authorized to issue ETA for up to 30 days and Short Visit visas (Tourist Visa with single or double entry) for up to 03 months. Charges may vary according to the category of visa.
  • Proceed to the nearest Sri Lanka Overseas Mission. Fill in the ETA application and/or visa application and hand it over to the visa officer together with the relevant fee.
  • Sri Lanka Overseas Mission, with the concurrence of the Department of Immigration & Emigration (DI&E), will issue ETA or short stay visa within 03 business days.
  • Upon submission of the application, an acknowledgement with a reference number will be sent to the respective Overseas Mission and to the main applicant as requested in the application. Application status can be viewed by the Overseas Mission.
  • Receive your ETA approval notice or collect your passport with the endorsed visa.
  • To check your ETA application status you may log on to the ETA website or contact our 24/7 dedicated ETA call centre on 0094 71 99 67 888.

Submitting an ETA application at the Head office of the Department of Immigration and Emigration (DI&E):

  • If you wish to invite a foreign national for a holiday visit to Sri Lanka, you may submit an ETA application by visiting the Department of Immigration and Emigration Head office at 41 Ananda Rajakaruna Mawatha, Colombo 10.
  • Visit the Department of Immigration and Emigration office in Colombo. Fill in the ETA application form and hand it over to the visa officer together with the relevant fee for ETA processing.
  • A notification of approval or referral will be sent as requested in the application to the applicant with a copy to the party who submitted the application.
  • Receive your ETA approval notice or referral notice. If referral notice is served, you may contact Department of Immigration and Emigration for necessary assistance.
  • To check your ETA application status you may log onto the ETA website or contact our 24/7 dedicated ETA call centre on 0094 71 99 67 888.

Submitting an ETA Application at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Colombo:

  • For travellers who wish to visit Sri Lanka without prior ETA approval, a limited facility to obtain ETA at BIA is available. Additional fees will apply.
  • Upon arrival at the BIA, report to the ETA issuing counter and fill in the ETA application form and pay the relevant ETA processing fee.Only electronic payment cards (credit card/e-commerce enabled debit cards) and cash in foreign currencies designated by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka are accepted.
  • If your application is approved, the ETA will be issued for up to 30 days.
  • Receive your ETA approval notice or referral notice. If referral notice is served, you will be refused entry and returned to your original destination.
  • Once you have received your ETA, please proceed to the Immigration Counter and submit your passport.
  • A passport valid for not less than 6 months from the date of arrival.(Clear scanned passport copies of the first, last and observation pages if any)
  • A confirmed return ticket.
    Sufficient funds to meet the expenses during the stay.
    Hotel Reservation.

 

Note:
A confirmed return ticket.
Sufficient funds to meet the expenses during the stay.
Hotel Reservation.The ETA is initially limited up to 30 days from the date of arrival and it can be extended up to six months.

It is advisable to keep a copy of the ETA approval with you to be produced at the port of entry in Sri Lanka. All ETA holders should fulfill the following requirements at the port of entry.

 

Business Visa

  • The facility for applying Business Purpose Visa is at present available only at the Head Office of the Department of Immigration & Emigration, the Sri Lankan Overseas Missions and on-arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) and Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA).The ETA under the Business category is unavailable till further notice.

    Applicant can submit application for Business visa with the following documents:

  • Valid original passport with 6 month validity. Photocopy of the passport first & last page.
  • Visa application form duly filled and signed by the applicants.
  • 2 recent passport size colored photographs with white background mat finish (35 x 45 mm) with 70 to 80 % of the face should be seen in it.
  • Confirmed return air ticket.
  • Original covering letter from the company with complete details addressing it to “Sri Lanka High Commission”, New Delhi.
  • Invitation letter from Sri Lanka. One copy of the invitation should be sent directly through fax to Sri Lanka High commission at the Fax No.: 00911123793604.
  • Foreign exchange endorsed on the passport OR International credit card copy (front and back).
  • Processing time is 2-3 working days.