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.

Country / Region Entry Option Fee Notes
India Free Visa on Arrival Free 30 days; no advance application needed
Maldives, Singapore Free Visa on Arrival Free 30 days on arrival
USA, UK, Canada, Australia, EU ETA Required $35 Apply at eta.gov.lk; double-entry, 30 days
China, Japan, South Korea ETA Required $35 Standard tourist ETA, same process
Russia, Ukraine ETA Required $35 Standard ETA; portal acceptance normal
Pakistan, Afghanistan Embassy Visa Required Varies ETA not available; apply via Sri Lanka High Commission
Israel Entry Restricted — Contact nearest Sri Lankan Embassy for current status
Indian Nationals — No ETA Needed
Indian passport holders are among the few nationalities that receive a free 30-day visa on arrival at Sri Lankan international airports and the Katunayake port of entry. There is no requirement to apply online in advance. Simply arrive at immigration and a visa will be stamped in your passport at no charge.

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.

⛔ Only Use eta.gov.lk
The only legitimate portal for Sri Lanka ETA applications is eta.gov.lk, operated by the Department of Immigration and Emigration of Sri Lanka. Any site with a different domain name is a third party. They process real ETAs — but charge a large markup for no additional service. The official fee is $35 USD. If a site asks for more, close the tab.

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.

Go to eta.gov.lk and select "Tourist ETA"

On the homepage, choose Individual Tourist Visa. Avoid the "Transit Visa" option unless you are transiting through Colombo Bandaranaike airport without entering the country.

Enter your passport details exactly as printed

Your name, nationality, passport number, and date of birth must match your passport precisely — including any middle names. Mismatches are the primary cause of ETA complications at immigration. Do not use nicknames or abbreviations.

Complete your travel and contact details

Enter your intended arrival date and first accommodation address in Sri Lanka. This does not lock in your itinerary — it is informational only. Use a valid email address you have regular access to; your ETA approval will be sent here.

Upload your passport photo

A clear, recent photograph of your face against a white or light background is required. JPEG format, under 500KB. The requirements are less strict than Vietnam's portal — most standard passport photos work without issue.

Pay the $35 fee

The portal accepts Visa and Mastercard (credit and debit). American Express is not reliably accepted. Some travellers report issues with non-US issued debit cards — if your card is declined, try a credit card or a Wise/Revolut card. Payment is non-refundable, so review all details before confirming.

Receive your ETA by email and save it

Most approvals arrive within minutes to a few hours. You will receive a PDF via email containing your ETA reference number and approval details. Print a copy or save it offline — Wi-Fi at Colombo Bandaranaike airport's immigration hall is unreliable, and officers may ask to see a paper copy.

How Early Should You Apply?
The ETA is valid for 6 months from the date of issue, so you can apply up to 6 months before travel. Given that most approvals arrive within minutes, there is no need to apply weeks in advance — applying 24–72 hours before departure gives a comfortable buffer. Avoid applying on Sri Lankan public holidays, when processing may slow to 24–48 hours.

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:

What double-entry covers
What you can actually do
First entry✓ Allowed
Exit to India/Maldives✓ Allowed
Re-enter Sri Lanka✓ Allowed (2nd entry)
Total stay cap30 days combined
ETA validity6 months from issue
What double-entry does NOT cover
Common misconceptions
Two separate 30-day stays✗ Not permitted
Reset stay timer on re-entry✗ Not permitted
Third entry on same ETA✗ Not permitted
Substitute for extension✗ Apply to DOI instead

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.

⚠ Carry a Printed or Saved Copy
While Colombo airport generally has reliable connectivity for immigration staff to check ETAs digitally, it is strongly recommended to have your ETA approval PDF saved offline on your phone or in print. If the officer cannot locate your reference number in the system (which occasionally happens with very recent approvals), a printed copy resolves the situation immediately.

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
Extension Without Visiting Colombo
If you are based in Kandy, Galle, or another city when your 30 days approaches, you can apply for an extension at the regional immigration office rather than returning to Colombo. Offices exist in Kandy, Matara, and Jaffna. Processing times at regional offices may be 1–2 business days rather than same-day — factor this in and apply at least a week before your visa expires.

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:

Scenario Typical Time Action if Delayed
Standard weekday application Minutes–2 hours Check spam folder; log in to portal to view status
Weekend or public holiday Up to 24 hours Allow extra time; apply Thursday if travelling Sunday
During peak tourist season (Dec–Jan) Up to 48 hours Apply 3–4 days before departure as buffer
Passport flags additional review Up to 72 hours Email immigration.gov.lk with your reference number
Application not received / payment issue Varies Check bank statement; reapply if no charge processed

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.