Important information!

As of the beginning of August 2024, Sri Lanka has temporarily suspended its new e-visa system in accordance with an interim order of the country's Supreme Court. This decision affects travelers who were planning to apply for an e-visa before visiting Sri Lanka.

Instead, travelers must now obtain a visa upon arrival, which allows them to stay in the country for up to 30 days with the possibility of extending it to 60 days. Find out how to get it below. Business visas, however, have been suspended indefinitely.

The government is currently working to restore the previous electronic travel authorization (ETA) system, but no specific date has been set for its resumption. All visas issued before August 2, 2024 remain valid.

Sri Lanka: Visa requirements and entry rules for foreign nationals (updated) 2024

Regardless of the need for a visa, every traveler must fill out an Arrival card. The most convenient way to do this is online via the link, 3 days before arrival. The service is free and can save time upon arrival.

As of September 2024, the Sri Lankan government has introduced a visa-free regime for tourists from 35 countries (but the list is expected to expand):

• Australia
  
• Austria
  
• Bahrain
  
• Belarus
  
• Belgium
  
• Canada
  
• China
  
• Czech Republic
  
• Denmark
  
• France
  
• Germany
  
• India
  
• Indonesia
  
• Iran
  
• Israel
  
• Italy
  
• Japan
  
• Kazakhstan
  
• Malaysia
  
• Nepal
  
• Netherlands
  
• New Zealand
  
• Oman
  
• Poland
  
• South Korea
  
• Qatar
  
• Russia
  
• Saudi Arabia
  
• Spain
  
• Sweden
  
• Switzerland
  
• Thailand
  
• United Arab Emirates
• United Kingdom
• United States of America
  

Citizens of the countries covered by the visa-free regime can visit Sri Lanka without the need to apply for a visa and stay in the country for up to 30 days. However, travelers still need to have the following to enter the country:

• Have a valid passport (at least six months after the planned date of entry into Sri Lanka).
  
• Have tickets for entry and return flight.
  
• Have health insurance.
  
• Tourists should confirm that they have sufficient financial resources to stay in the country.
  

—

Citizens of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, North Korea, Ghana, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan and Syria are not eligible for visa-free entry or visa upon arrival in Sri Lanka. These applicants must submit their visa applications directly to the Immigration Department headquarters through a representative.

—

All other nationals of the world are currently eligible for a visa on arrival in Sri Lanka.

How to get a visa on arrival to Sri Lanka?

To obtain a visa on arrival in Sri Lanka, you should follow these steps:

• When you arrive at any international airport in Sri Lanka (most often Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo), look for the immigration counter to obtain a visa on arrival.
  
• You will need to fill out a visa application form, which will be issued by the immigration officers.
  
• Documents for the visa. Prepare the following documents:
  

- Passport valid for at least 6 months after arrival.

- A return ticket or an onward ticket.

- Proof of sufficient financial resources for your stay.

• You will need to pay a visa application fee. The amount of the fee may vary (approximately $50), depending on the nationality. Payment can be made in cash or by credit card.
  

Please note: citizens of these countries can obtain a Sri Lankan visa upon arrival at the port of entry for free:

- Maldives (can obtain a visa upon arrival for 30 days with the possibility of extension up to 150 days)

- Seychelles (you can get a visa upon arrival for 60 days, maximum 90 days within one year)

- Singapore (can obtain a visa upon arrival for 30 days, with the possibility of extension up to 150 days)

• After submitting the documents and paying the fee, you will be issued a visa that allows you to stay in Sri Lanka for up to 30 days. If necessary, the period can be extended on the spot by contacting the Department of Immigration and Emigration.
  

How to apply for a visa through the Sri Lankan Embassy?

The process of applying for a visa to Sri Lanka at the embassy is as follows:

1. Contact the nearest Sri Lankan embassy or consulate. You can find the contact information of the diplomatic mission here.
2. Fill out a visa application form and submit it to the embassy or consulate, along with your passport and other required documents. Pay the visa fee: the cost for a standard tourist visa for 30 days is $50.
3. The embassy/consulate will forward your application to the Department of Immigration and Emigration of Sri Lanka (DI&E).
4. You will receive a visa application reference number. The diplomatic mission will inform you when your application is processed. It usually takes about three business days.
5. After that, visit the embassy/consulate and get your passport with a Sri Lanka visa.

Depending on the validity of the visa, you will receive a single, double, or multiple entry visa that is valid for three months.

When traveling to Sri Lanka, you must have a passport with a visa stamp, a confirmed round-trip air ticket, and proof that you have sufficient funds to cover your expenses during your stay in the country.