Flag of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is a teardrop-shaped island nation off India's southeastern coast, a little smaller than Scotland, holding eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites across ancient Buddhist cities, tea-country highlands and two distinct coastlines. Entry is straightforward for most visitors: the tourist Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), free for nationals of the countries on the current list and fee-based otherwise, is applied for online at eta.gov.lk before travel, for stays of up to 30 days; visa on arrival has been discontinued.

Get your travel authorisation
  • Visaelectronic travel authorisation
  • CapitalSri Jayawardenepura Kotte (administrative), Colombo (commercial)
  • CurrencyLKR Rs
  • TimezoneSri Lanka Standard Time (UTC+5:30)
  • LanguagesSinhala · Tamil
  • Population21.4M (2017)
  • Area65,610 km²
  • RegionAsia · Southern Asia
  • Phone code+94
  • Native nameśrī laṃkāva
  • Electricity230 V
  • Plug typesAC power plugs and sockets: British and related types · BS 546 · BS 1363
  • Driving sideleft
  • Internet domain.lk

Sri Lanka Visa & ETA System

Sri Lanka uses an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system for short-term visitors. The tourist ETA is free for nationals of the countries on the current list — around 40 in its latest iteration, changed periodically — and fee-based for other nationalities; check eta.gov.lk for the current list before applying. It is applied for online at eta.gov.lk and processed within a few days. It grants 30 days with two entries, or 180 days with one entry. Visa on arrival has been discontinued — all visitors must obtain the ETA online before travelling. Use only the official government website to avoid third-party intermediary fees. Ensure all information including passport numbers is accurate — minor errors require a new application. Extensions are available online via the Immigration portal for stays exceeding 30 days, though the process is time-consuming. Business visas are required for meetings, conferences and commercial activities and must be obtained from a Sri Lankan embassy before arrival — not available through the ETA system. Employment and volunteer visas must also be arranged in advance through diplomatic channels. Passport must be valid at least 6 months with one blank page. Onward/return ticket and proof of funds required. Yellow fever certificate mandatory if arriving from an endemic country. Overstaying triggers detention, fines, deportation at the traveller's expense and possible future entry bans. Three practical points travel with these rules: carry your passport rather than leaving it at your accommodation, since identity checks do occur; cash above the declared thresholds must be declared to customs, which currently applies from USD 15,000 on entry and USD 10,000 on exit; and note that electronic cigarettes and vaping devices are prohibited items, a ban enforced at customs that catches out a steady stream of visitors who assume it is a formality.

Visa types

Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) - Tourist

30 days (two entries) or 180 days (one entry); extendable online

For tourism, beach holidays, cultural visits, wildlife safaris, family visits and short-term recreation. Apply online at eta.gov.lk — free for nationals of the countries on the current list, fee-based otherwise — processed within a few days. Valid at all entry points. Requires passport with 6 months validity, onward ticket and proof of funds. Yellow fever certificate if arriving from endemic countries.

Business Visa

Varies by approval; aligned with business purpose

For business meetings, conferences, negotiations and commercial activities. Must be obtained from a Sri Lankan embassy or consulate before arrival — not available through the online ETA system or at the airport. Requires invitation from a Sri Lankan company, employer letter, and standard documentation.

Employment & Volunteer Visa

Typically 1 year; renewable

For employment, volunteer work, NGO positions, teaching and religious work. Must be secured from a Sri Lankan embassy in advance — not available at entry or online. Requires employment contract or placement letter, qualifications, police clearance and medical examination.

Transit (under 24 hours)

Under 24 hours, airside only

Air transit passengers with connecting flights within 24 hours who remain airside in the international transit area do not require an ETA. If exiting immigration or staying longer, ETA is mandatory.

Guides

Sri Lanka packs a remarkable range of experience into a small island. The Cultural Triangle holds three of its UNESCO sites — Anuradhapura's ancient stupas, Polonnaruwa's medieval ruins and Sigiriya's rock fortress — while Kandy's Temple of the Tooth Relic anchors the island's Buddhist heart. The train from Kandy to Ella, climbing through tea plantations and over the Nine Arch Bridge, is one of the world's most scenic rail journeys, and Ella itself has become a hub for hiking and hill-country views. Two coastlines give the island a beach season for most of the year: the south and west for swimming and whale watching, the east for surf and quieter bays. Wildlife matches the scenery — Yala's leopard density is the highest on earth, Udawalawe all but guarantees elephant sightings, and Sinharaja protects one of Asia's last stretches of lowland rainforest. Galle Fort's Dutch-Portuguese ramparts and Colombo's colonial-era streets round out four centuries of Portuguese, Dutch and British influence still visible today, and Sri Lankan hospitality — warm and food-forward — runs through all of it.

Sri Lanka travel guide →

The full guide — the Cultural Triangle, the hill-country rail, the two-coast monsoon call and the loop's direction.

Money in Sri Lanka →

Rupees, the rate check first and cash beyond the tourist economy — the practical money guide.

Eating in Sri Lanka →

The plate as a system — rice and curry's real structure, sambols, hoppers and the northern Tamil table.

Getting around Sri Lanka →

The famous rail line's honest role, buses as the real network and what the hill roads actually take.

Health & safety in Sri Lanka →

Unpatrolled beaches and currents stated plainly, temple rules that are law here, and the practical health basics.

Cities & planning

ColomboKandy

Plan your trip

FlightsColombo (CMB)HotelsColomboTrainsTrain ticketsAttractionsTickets & tours

Booking links go to our partner Trip.com — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Regions

Embassies & missions

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa to visit Sri Lanka?

Yes, but for most nationalities it's an online Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) rather than a traditional visa — free for nationals of the countries on the current list (around 40 in its latest iteration) and fee-based otherwise. Apply at the official eta.gov.lk site before travel, where the current list and fee are shown for each nationality — it's typically processed within a few days and grants 30 days with two entries, or 180 days with one entry.

Is visa on arrival available in Sri Lanka?

No, visa on arrival has been discontinued. All visitors must obtain the ETA online before travelling — there is no option to apply at the airport on arrival.

Can I extend my stay in Sri Lanka beyond 30 days?

Yes, extensions are available online through the Immigration portal, though the process is time-consuming, so it's worth starting well before the ETA expires. The ETA can also be issued for a single-entry 180-day stay from the outset for travellers who know they need longer.

What is the best time to visit Sri Lanka?

It depends on the coast. The southwest monsoon runs May to September, making the south and west coasts best from November to April; the northeast monsoon runs December to February, making the east coast (Arugam Bay, Trincomalee) best from May to October. The hill country stays cool year-round.

Is there a limit on cash I can bring into or take out of Sri Lanka?

Yes. A customs declaration is required for amounts over USD 15,000 on entry and USD 10,000 on exit, in cash or equivalent.

Do I need a separate visa for business trips to Sri Lanka?

Yes. Business visas are not available through the tourist ETA system — they must be obtained from a Sri Lankan embassy or consulate before arrival, with an invitation from a Sri Lankan company and standard supporting documentation.

Is Sri Lanka safe for tourists?

Sri Lanka is generally safe for tourists, with low rates of violent crime. The most common issues are tourist-targeted scams rather than personal safety concerns — inflated tuk-tuk fares, high-pressure gem sales and unofficial guides at popular sites. Negotiate transport fares before departing, book wildlife safaris through reputable operators, and check your government's current travel advisory before booking.

Planning a trip to Sri Lanka? Check what you need to enter and apply online in minutes.

Get your travel authorisation

Treat this Visaja page as your starting point: verify the current rules directly with the official source before you submit an application.