Sri Lanka’s entry rules changed materially in 2026, and a lot of the advice online is now out of date. Here is the current position, in plain terms.
Everybody needs an ETA
An Electronic Travel Authorization is compulsory for all foreign nationals before arrival, including those whose visa fee has been waived and including nationals of countries with reciprocal agreements. Airlines will refuse boarding without it.
Forty nationalities travel free
With effect from 25 May 2026, nationals of 40 countries receive the 30-day tourist ETA free of charge, with a double-entry facility valid from the date of first arrival. The list covers, among others:
Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belarus, Belgium, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Poland, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and the United States.
The waiver applies to ordinary, diplomatic, official and service passports alike. Maldivian nationals receive 90 days free under a bilateral agreement; nationals of Seychelles and Singapore are also processed free of charge.
Everyone else applies under the normal ETA system and pays the standard fee.
How to apply, and what to avoid
Apply through the official government portal at eta.gov.lk. It is the only site that issues the authorisation. There are dozens of commercial look-alike websites that will happily charge you fifty or sixty dollars to fill in the same form on your behalf — some of them buy advertising above the official result. Check the domain before you type anything.
You will need your passport details, your arrival date, a return or onward ticket, and an address in Sri Lanka. If you are travelling with us, use our office address; we send it with your itinerary.
Passport validity and entry requirements
- Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date.
- Immigration may ask for proof of onward travel and sufficient funds. In practice this is rare, but have the booking on your phone.
- A yellow fever certificate is required only if you are arriving from, or have transited through, a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission.
- There are no Covid-related entry requirements.
Extending your stay
A 30-day tourist visa can normally be extended, on payment of the applicable fee, up to a total of 90 days, and sometimes further in 30-day increments. Extensions are handled by the Department of Immigration and Emigration at Suhurupaya in Battaramulla, and increasingly online. Apply before your permission expires; overstaying attracts a daily fine and can complicate future visits.
On arrival
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is the main entry point, about 35 kilometres north of Colombo. Immigration is generally quick. There are ATMs and SIM card counters in the arrivals hall — Dialog and Mobitel both sell tourist packages with generous data for a few dollars, and having a local number makes everything easier, including staying in touch with us on WhatsApp.
Entry rules change. This page reflects the position published by the Department of Immigration and Emigration in mid-2026 — always check the official site before you fly.
