Sri Lanka Visa Information

Updated: 28th September 2023

Visa Procurement

Please be advised that visa requirements are subject to change and that visa procurement is the responsibility of the traveller and not On The Go Tours. Please also ensure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your planned date of departure from Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka Visa Requirements

All nationalities require a visa to enter Sri Lanka.

Your visa application must be submitted to the Ministry of Emigration and Immigration via the online ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) prior to departure.

To apply for your ETA visit www.eta.gov.lk

This is a simple process and requires no additional documents. You must fill in the required information and once the visa is approved, you will be notified with an ETA approval within 24 hours.

For the purposes of completing this form you can use the following hotel address, which is often our group tour start hotel:
Radisson Hotel Colombo, Clifford Place Colombo Tel:+94 11 2 555570

The cost of the visa is USD $50, paid online during the ETA process.

Visa Fee Exemption:

The Government of Sri Lanka have introduced a visa fee exemption scheme for citizens of 48 countries, effective 1 August 2019 to 30th April 2020 when the Government will review the progress of the project and potentially continue to offer this for a further 6 months. For a full list of visa fee exempt countries please visit: https://mailchi.mp/544266114c42/sri-lanka-visa-fee-exemption-for-selected-countries?e=a5522c85f4

The Visa issued will be a Double-Entry Tourists Visa applicable for 30 days from the date of arrival to Sri Lanka.

Maldives Visa Requirements

Nationals of the United Kingdom, the EEC, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and USA (if resident in the UK) currently do not require a visa in advance of entry to the Maldives if staying less than 30 days. Holders of RSA passports must obtain a visa for the Maldives prior to departure.

See Also

For further help planning your trip to Sri Lanka take a look at our Travel Guide resources:

Best Places to Visit - Sri Lanka's top archaeological sites, beaches and reserves
Best Time to Visit - climate and seasons in Sri Lanka
Top Travel Tips - useful information on Sri Lankan food and transport
Traveller Reviews - see what our passengers say about our Sri Lanka tours
The Cultural Triangle - our guide to the best sites, when to visit and handy tips
Wildlife in Sri Lanka - the island's most popular animals and where to find them
Sri Lanka's Best Beaches - top 10 beaches and recommended accommodation
Kandy Festival FAQ - everything you need to know about this Buddhist festival

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