2026 Sri Lanka ETA: Apply Online in 5 Minutes — Full Guide

Who Needs an ETA — and Who Doesn't

Sri Lanka's ETA is available to citizens of most countries worldwide. A smaller group of nationalities qualify for free visa-on-arrival, and a handful are ineligible for either — requiring a traditional visa from a Sri Lankan Embassy or High Commission. Before applying for an ETA, confirm which category your passport falls under.

The Official Portal vs. Scam Sites

Searching "Sri Lanka ETA apply" returns dozens of third-party websites at the top of results. These sites mimic the look of government portals and charge between $50 and $100 for processing an application that costs $35 on the official site. They are not affiliated with the Sri Lankan government.

Legitimate third-party agencies do exist for travellers who prefer a human intermediary — some travellers with complex passport situations or those who have had ETA rejections use them. However, for a standard tourist ETA with an eligible passport, the official site is fast, reliable, and significantly cheaper.

How to Apply: Step-by-Step

The application takes 5–10 minutes if your documents are ready. You'll need: a valid passport (minimum 6 months validity beyond your intended departure from Sri Lanka), a recent passport-style photo, basic travel details (intended entry date, accommodation in Sri Lanka), and a Visa or Mastercard for the $35 fee.

Understanding Double-Entry — What It Actually Means

Sri Lanka's tourist ETA is issued as a double-entry authorisation. This is commonly misunderstood — it does not mean you get two separate 30-day periods. Here is exactly what it means in practice:

In practical terms, double-entry is useful if you plan to visit India (e.g. a quick trip to Chennai or Kerala) or the Maldives mid-trip and want to return to Sri Lanka. Your 30-day stay counter continues to run while you are away — it is not paused or reset by leaving.

Using Your ETA at Colombo Airport

Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) in Colombo handles the majority of international arrivals. A smaller international airport in Mattala (HRI) serves limited routes. The ETA is valid at both.

What to Expect at Immigration

After landing, proceed through the health and customs screening area to immigration. You will join either the "Sri Lanka Nationals" or "All Other Passports" queue — as a tourist, use the latter. Present your passport, your printed or digital ETA approval email, and your completed disembarkation card (handed out on the aircraft or available at immigration counters).

The immigration officer will verify your ETA reference number against their system, stamp your passport with the entry date and 30-day permitted stay, and return your documents. The process typically takes under 5 minutes per person when queues are short. Early morning arrivals from long-haul flights (particularly overnight services from the Middle East and Europe) can create queues of 30–60 minutes.

Onward Travel Declaration

Immigration officers may ask to see a return or onward flight booking. This is not a universal requirement, but travellers without an obvious departure plan are occasionally questioned. Having your return or onward ticket accessible in your email or a travel app is sufficient.

Extending Your Stay Beyond 30 Days

The ETA's 30-day initial stay can be extended up to a total of 6 months at the Department of Immigration and Emigration (DOI) in Colombo. Extensions are granted in 30-day increments and require a visit in person.

Extension Process

• Location: Department of Immigration and Emigration, 41 Ananda Rajakaruna Mawatha, Colombo 10 — open Monday to Friday, 8:30am–3:30pm
• Documents required: Passport, your original ETA approval printout, proof of accommodation for the extended period (hotel booking or letter from a host), and a return/onward flight booking
• Fee: LKR 5,000 per 30-day extension (approximately $17 USD at mid-2026 rates; verify current exchange before visiting)
• Processing time: Same-day for most standard tourist extensions; arrive early to avoid long afternoon queues
• First extension limit: Most tourists are granted a single 30-day extension without issues; subsequent extensions may require additional documentation justifying your continued stay

Processing Times & What to Do If Approval Is Delayed

The vast majority of ETA applications are approved within minutes of payment. Based on traveller reports gathered between January and May 2026:

If your ETA has not arrived within 72 hours and your travel date is approaching, email info@immigration.gov.lk with your full name, passport number, application reference, and intended travel date. Responses typically come within one business day. In genuine emergencies, the airport immigration team at CMB can verify ETA status on arrival — this is not recommended as a primary plan, but it has resolved situations for travellers who applied correctly but did not receive their email.

Practical Tips Before You Travel

• Apply at least 72 hours before departure — most approvals are instant, but applying in advance ensures you have a buffer for any processing delays without stress.
• Check passport validity — Sri Lanka requires a minimum of 6 months of passport validity beyond your intended departure date, not just your arrival date. Many airlines enforce this too, and may deny boarding regardless of visa status.
• Save your ETA offline — download the PDF and save to your phone's local storage before travel, not just in email. Airport Wi-Fi at CMB's arrival hall is often congested and slow during peak arrival windows.
• Bring USD or a card for on-arrival costs — while the ETA is prepaid, some travellers encounter unexpected fees or fines at immigration for minor documentation issues. Having $50–$100 in USD accessible is advisable.
• Register at your accommodation — hotels and guesthouses in Sri Lanka are legally required to register foreign guests with local authorities. This is handled by the accommodation — just ensure they do so. Failure to register is technically a violation of visa conditions.
• Photograph your entry stamp — upon arrival, your passport will be stamped with your permitted stay end date. Photograph this stamp with your phone as a backup reference — particularly useful when planning your extension or departure date.