How long does the Sri Lanka ETA take?

Sri Lanka Department of Immigration and Emigration typically issues ETAs within 24 to 72 hours of submission. Our Rush tier reviews within 24 hours; Super Rush ships same-day with priority queue handling.

Can I extend my stay beyond 30 days?

Yes, the ETA can be extended at the Department of Immigration in Colombo for up to six months total. The extension is processed locally and is separate from VisitPass. Our specialists share the procedure in your confirmation email.

Tourist or business ETA, which do I need?

Tourism covers leisure, family visits and short courses; business covers meetings, conferences and unpaid consultations. The wizard recommends the right category based on your itinerary. Paid work requires a separate work permit.

What if my Sri Lanka ETA is refused?

Most refusals stem from passport validity issues or incomplete itineraries, which our specialists pre-check before submission. The government fee depends on your nationality and is included in the all-inclusive price; if a paid application is refused for reasons outside your control, our service fee is refunded.

How much does the Sri Lanka ETA cost?

Sri Lanka's tourist ETA has a government fee that depends on your nationality: it is waived for 40 nationalities and is up to USD 50 for others. You pay one all-inclusive price that covers this government fee plus our service for preparing and reviewing your ETA in your language so it is submitted correctly before you fly.

How long is the Sri Lanka ETA valid?

The ETA is valid for 30 days from arrival with double-entry use. Tourism, business and transit categories are issued through the same portal but need different declarations.

What do I need to apply for the Sri Lanka ETA?

A passport valid at least six months, your travel and accommodation details and a payment card. A specialist reviews your declaration against current rules before submission.

Why is there a service fee if the government fee can be waived?

For 40 nationalities the tourist ETA carries no government fee, while others pay up to USD 50, and either way the amount is included in one all-inclusive price. Our service fee covers completing and reviewing the ETA in your language and submitting it correctly, so your authorisation is filed right the first time whether or not a government fee applies.

What does double entry mean on the Sri Lanka ETA?

Double entry means a single approved tourist ETA lets you enter Sri Lanka twice within its 30-day validity. You can leave the country and return once during that window, which is convenient for a short side trip to a neighbouring country, without applying for a new authorisation.

Do I need to print my Sri Lanka ETA?

Your approval is recorded electronically against your passport, so the airline and immigration can see it without a printout. Even so, we suggest saving the approval on your phone or printing a copy, along with your flight and accommodation details, in case you are asked to show it on arrival.

Who needs a Sri Lanka ETA?

Almost every foreign visitor needs an approved ETA before travelling, including travellers whose nationality is exempt from the government fee. Each traveller needs their own authorisation, children included, and you should hold it before you fly rather than relying on arranging anything at the airport.

Can I work or study in Sri Lanka on an ETA?

No. The ETA covers tourism, business meetings, short courses and transit only. Paid employment, enrolment for a degree or a long-term stay require the corresponding visa, which you apply for through a Sri Lankan diplomatic mission or the Department of Immigration.

How can I avoid having my Sri Lanka ETA refused?

Most problems come from small details: a name or passport number that does not match your passport exactly, a passport with under six months validity, or a missing accommodation address. Choose the category that matches your trip, give a real arrival date and place to stay, and double-check every field before you submit. We review your application against the current rules before it reaches the authority so these avoidable errors are caught early.

Do I need proof of funds or an onward ticket for Sri Lanka?

The online ETA form does not ask you to upload bank statements, but an immigration officer can ask at the border to see that you can support your stay and that you plan to leave. It helps to travel with a return or onward flight booking, your accommodation details and access to funds for the trip. Having these ready makes arrival smoother, even though they are not part of the ETA application itself.

How do I know this is the right service and not a scam?

The Sri Lanka ETA is issued by the government, and the tourist authorisation's government fee depends on your nationality, so you can use the official portal directly if you prefer. What VisitPass charges is a service fee for preparing and reviewing your ETA in your language and submitting it correctly, with a tracking code and email support throughout. We are not a government body and we never hide the official route.

When should I apply for my Sri Lanka ETA before travelling?

Apply once your trip is confirmed and you hold a passport valid for at least six months. Aim to start one to two weeks before departure so the approval is in hand well ahead of check-in, and give yourself more time during the busy December to March season and the April New Year period. If your plans are last-minute, our Rush and Super Rush tiers shorten our review so you can still travel on schedule.

Sri Lanka ETA · VisitPass

Overview

The Electronic Travel Authorization, or ETA, is Sri Lanka's online travel permit for short visits. It is the document the airline and Sri Lankan immigration check before you board and on arrival, and almost every visitor needs one before travelling. The tourist ETA is valid for 30 days from your first arrival, allows two separate entries during that window, and permits a stay of up to 30 days for leisure, family visits, short courses, business meetings or transit.

It is requested through the official portal, where tourism, business and transit each carry a different declaration of your purpose. The tourist ETA's government fee depends on your nationality: it is waived for 40 nationalities, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, India and the European Union, and is up to USD 50 for others, although it remains mandatory and must be approved before you fly. The ETA does not authorise paid employment, enrolment for a degree or long-term residence, which require the corresponding visa from a Sri Lankan mission.

Your authorisation is linked to the passport you apply with, so you must travel on that same document. Your Sri Lanka ETA is completed in your own language and every answer is reviewed against the current rules before it is submitted, so the authorisation, whatever its government fee, is also filed correctly the first time.

At a glance

The key facts for a Sri Lanka ETA application.

Visa type: ETA
What you need: Your passport
Validity: 30 days
Maximum stay: 30 days
Entry type: Double

Who can apply

The main eligibility conditions for this destination, and who can apply.

The Sri Lanka ETA is mandatory before travel and is valid for 30 days from arrival with double-entry use; tourism, business and transit categories use the same portal with different declarations. The tourist ETA's government fee depends on your nationality: it is waived for 40 nationalities, including the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, India and the European Union, and is up to USD 50 for others.

What you'll need

Have these ready before you begin your application. Requirements can vary by nationality and trip purpose.

Passport with at least six months validity
Return or onward flight booking
Sri Lankan accommodation address
Email address for ETA delivery
Payment method (one all-inclusive price; the government fee depends on your nationality)

Requirements in detail

The Sri Lanka ETA asks for less than a full visa, but each entry must match your travel documents exactly. You need a passport with at least six months of validity beyond your arrival date, and the name, number and dates you enter must be copied straight from the passport biographical page. A mistyped name or passport number is the most common avoidable error, and a mismatch between your ETA and your passport at check-in can delay boarding, so it is worth checking every character twice.

You also provide a return or onward flight booking, an address for your stay in Sri Lanka, where a hotel reservation is enough, and a valid email address that receives the approval. The government fee depending on your nationality does not remove the need to file the ETA correctly: the declaration of your purpose, the dates and the passport details still have to be accurate and complete, and an incomplete or inconsistent application is a frequent reason for a refusal or a request for more information. There is no photograph to upload for the ETA.

The declaration is reviewed against the categories on the official portal before submission, so the right purpose is selected and nothing obvious is missing when it reaches the authority.

Government processing time

What the issuing authority typically takes once the application is submitted.

Government processing: the Sri Lanka Department of Immigration and Emigration decides in 1 to 72 hours. VisitPass review: Standard 1-3 business days; Rush 1 business day; Super Rush less than 6 hours. The application is checked for completeness, submitted to the authority, and the confirmation issued. When to apply: start at least one to two weeks before departure so the approval is settled well before you fly, and allow extra room during the December to March peak around Christmas, New Year and the Sinhala and Tamil New Year in April, when arrivals climb and demand for travel documents rises across the island.

On arrival

Keep your approved ETA with you when you travel, saved on your phone or printed, together with your return or onward ticket and the address of your accommodation. The airline checks that you hold a valid ETA before you board, and travel on the exact passport you applied with, since the authorisation is linked to it. The ETA lets you request entry, but a Sri Lankan immigration officer makes the final admission decision at the airport and may ask about your plans and length of stay.

The tourist ETA gives double entry, which means you may leave Sri Lanka and return once within the 30-day validity, useful for a short trip to a neighbouring country, without applying again.

Planning your trip

Sri Lanka packs an extraordinary range into one compact island. The cultural triangle holds the rock fortress of Sigiriya, with its frescoes and lion staircase, and the temples of the old kingdoms at Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa. Kandy guards the hill capital and the lakeside Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, an easy base for the botanical gardens and the famous train ride into the highlands. Climb into cool tea country around Nuwara Eliya and Ella for misty plantations, waterfalls and the Nine Arch Bridge, then drop south to the Dutch ramparts of Galle and a string of palm-fringed beaches and surf points from Unawatuna to Mirissa, where seasonal whale watching sets out. Inland, Yala and Udawalawe national parks offer leopards and elephants. The weather splits into two monsoons: the southwest and hill country are driest from December to March, while the east and north are best from May to September. Pack light, breathable layers for the humid lowlands and warm evenings in the highlands, plus a scarf or wrap to cover shoulders and knees at temples and a good pair of walking shoes for the ruins and trails.

One all-inclusive price

One price per visa with everything included. The government portion goes to the issuing authority and is non-refundable, itemised on your official receipt. Our service covers a full review of your application, secure handling and 24/7 email support.

From

$175.00

Standard tier, one all-inclusive price. You choose your processing speed at checkout, where the final price is confirmed.

Apply now See full pricing breakdown →

The government portion shown is an approximate USD equivalent of the issuing authority's official charge; the exact all-inclusive price is confirmed at checkout.

How to apply

Three steps from start to approval.

Complete the form
Answer the official questions online. Your draft is saved for 30 days, so you can finish once your documents are to hand.
Pay securely
You see the one all-inclusive price before you pay. We check your application for completeness before it reaches the government portal.
Receive by email
Your approved travel authorisation arrives by email. Bring it, or a copy, together with the passport you applied with when you travel.

Read the full Sri Lanka ETA guide

Questions about this destination

Common questions specific to this visa. For broader topics see our help centre.

How long does the Sri Lanka ETA take?
Sri Lanka Department of Immigration and Emigration typically issues ETAs within 24 to 72 hours of submission. Our Rush tier reviews within 24 hours; Super Rush ships same-day with priority queue handling.
Can I extend my stay beyond 30 days?
Yes, the ETA can be extended at the Department of Immigration in Colombo for up to six months total. The extension is processed locally and is separate from VisitPass. Our specialists share the procedure in your confirmation email.
Tourist or business ETA, which do I need?
Tourism covers leisure, family visits and short courses; business covers meetings, conferences and unpaid consultations. The wizard recommends the right category based on your itinerary. Paid work requires a separate work permit.
What if my Sri Lanka ETA is refused?
Most refusals stem from passport validity issues or incomplete itineraries, which our specialists pre-check before submission. The government fee depends on your nationality and is included in the all-inclusive price; if a paid application is refused for reasons outside your control, our service fee is refunded.
How much does the Sri Lanka ETA cost?
Sri Lanka's tourist ETA has a government fee that depends on your nationality: it is waived for 40 nationalities and is up to USD 50 for others. You pay one all-inclusive price that covers this government fee plus our service for preparing and reviewing your ETA in your language so it is submitted correctly before you fly.
How long is the Sri Lanka ETA valid?
The ETA is valid for 30 days from arrival with double-entry use. Tourism, business and transit categories are issued through the same portal but need different declarations.
What do I need to apply for the Sri Lanka ETA?
A passport valid at least six months, your travel and accommodation details and a payment card. A specialist reviews your declaration against current rules before submission.
Why is there a service fee if the government fee can be waived?
For 40 nationalities the tourist ETA carries no government fee, while others pay up to USD 50, and either way the amount is included in one all-inclusive price. Our service fee covers completing and reviewing the ETA in your language and submitting it correctly, so your authorisation is filed right the first time whether or not a government fee applies.
What does double entry mean on the Sri Lanka ETA?
Double entry means a single approved tourist ETA lets you enter Sri Lanka twice within its 30-day validity. You can leave the country and return once during that window, which is convenient for a short side trip to a neighbouring country, without applying for a new authorisation.
Do I need to print my Sri Lanka ETA?
Your approval is recorded electronically against your passport, so the airline and immigration can see it without a printout. Even so, we suggest saving the approval on your phone or printing a copy, along with your flight and accommodation details, in case you are asked to show it on arrival.
Who needs a Sri Lanka ETA?
Almost every foreign visitor needs an approved ETA before travelling, including travellers whose nationality is exempt from the government fee. Each traveller needs their own authorisation, children included, and you should hold it before you fly rather than relying on arranging anything at the airport.
Can I work or study in Sri Lanka on an ETA?
No. The ETA covers tourism, business meetings, short courses and transit only. Paid employment, enrolment for a degree or a long-term stay require the corresponding visa, which you apply for through a Sri Lankan diplomatic mission or the Department of Immigration.
How can I avoid having my Sri Lanka ETA refused?
Most problems come from small details: a name or passport number that does not match your passport exactly, a passport with under six months validity, or a missing accommodation address. Choose the category that matches your trip, give a real arrival date and place to stay, and double-check every field before you submit. We review your application against the current rules before it reaches the authority so these avoidable errors are caught early.
Do I need proof of funds or an onward ticket for Sri Lanka?
The online ETA form does not ask you to upload bank statements, but an immigration officer can ask at the border to see that you can support your stay and that you plan to leave. It helps to travel with a return or onward flight booking, your accommodation details and access to funds for the trip. Having these ready makes arrival smoother, even though they are not part of the ETA application itself.
How do I know this is the right service and not a scam?
The Sri Lanka ETA is issued by the government, and the tourist authorisation's government fee depends on your nationality, so you can use the official portal directly if you prefer. What VisitPass charges is a service fee for preparing and reviewing your ETA in your language and submitting it correctly, with a tracking code and email support throughout. We are not a government body and we never hide the official route.
When should I apply for my Sri Lanka ETA before travelling?
Apply once your trip is confirmed and you hold a passport valid for at least six months. Aim to start one to two weeks before departure so the approval is in hand well ahead of check-in, and give yourself more time during the busy December to March season and the April New Year period. If your plans are last-minute, our Rush and Super Rush tiers shorten our review so you can still travel on schedule.

Specialist review on every file

We look at your file for the small errors that get applications refused, before any government does. Real reviewers, not AI form-fillers, not outsourced clerical work.

We don't quote specialist headcounts. Our commitment is simple: a real person reviews every file.

Sri Lanka help desk

Have questions about your ETA? Email the Sri Lanka desk and we reply within 24 hours.

srilanka@visitpass-online.com

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VisitPass is an independent visa-application service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by any government. Government fees go directly to the issuing authority and are listed separately in your receipt.

Verify rules and fees independently at the official portal: www.eta.gov.lk

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