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Visa policy of Sri Lanka
Policy on permits required to enter Sri Lanka From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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All travellers visiting Sri Lanka for short-stay purposes (tourism or business) are required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before arrival to Sri Lanka, unless they are exempt from obtaining one.[1][2] However, citizens of some countries must obtain a visa in advance before being allowed to enter Sri Lanka. All visitors must hold a passport valid for 6 months.[3]
Visa policy map
Sri Lanka
Visa not required (90 days)
Visa not required (60 days, 90 days within any 1 year)
Visa not required (30 days)
Free Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) (30 days)
ETA (30 days)
Visa required in advance
Visa exemption
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Ordinary passports
Citizens of the following countries are eligible to obtain a free ETA to enter Sri Lanka, for stays up to the duration listed below:[4][5]
|
90 days 60 days
30 days |
# - Exempt from the requirement to obtain an ETA as per bilateral arrangements.
1 - 90 days within any 1-year period.
- Holders of a United Nations Passport, regardless of nationality, do not need a visa to enter Sri Lanka for a maximum stay of up to 90 days.
- Holders of a Interpol Passport, regardless of nationality, do not need a visa to enter Sri Lanka for a maximum stay of up to 90 days.
Non-ordinary passports
Holders of diplomatic, official, service or special passports of the following countries do not need a visa to enter Sri Lanka, for stays up to the duration listed below:[6][7][8]
|
D – Diplomatic passports
O – Official passports
S – Service passports
Sp – Special passports
PA – Passports endorsed for "public affairs".
1 – 90 days
2 – 30 days
3 – 60 days, 90 days within any 1 year-period.
4 – 90 days within any 180-day period.
5 – 30 days within any 60-day period.
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Visa required in advance
Citizens of the following countries are ineligible to apply for ETA independently,[3] and thus must obtain a visa in advance from one of the Sri Lankan diplomatic missions around the world:[9]
When obtaining a visa at a Sri Lankan diplomatic mission, they must present the following documents:[9]
- Police clearance report
- If the applicant is coming from another country after staying for more than 6 months, are required to provide Police clearance from that country and copy of the Visa
- Certificate from a Sri Lankan guarantor & a photocopy of the guarantors NIC
- Affidavit from a Sri Lankan JP (justice of peace) or a Lawyer
- Accommodation information (place of stay)
Entry restrictions
Mandatory yellow fever vaccination
Citizens of the following countries must present a yellow fever vaccination certificate upon arrival in order to enter Sri Lanka:[9]
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History
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In 2012, Sri Lanka launched an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, created and operated by Mobitel, a state-owned enterprise.[10]
On 17 April 2024, Sri Lanka replaced its previous Electronic Travel Authorisation system with a new e-Visa system,[11] operated by VFS Global.[12][10]
On 2 August 2024, the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka issued an interim order, which suspended the e-Visa system operated by VFS Global and ordered the restoration of the previous ETA system operated by Mobitel.[13]
On 4 August 2024, Ada Derana reported that the Ministry of Public Security would make a final decision the next day, and noted that the suspension of the e-Visa system meant that tourists needed to obtain their visas on arrival.[14]
On 5 August 2024, the Department of Immigration and Emigration notified the Sri Lankan diplomatic missions around the world of the discontinuation of the e-Visa system.[15] According to Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles, the old ETA system has yet to be reinstated due to changes made to the Department of Immigration and Emigration's computer system.[16]
On 2 September 2024, Sri Lanka decided to implement visa-free access for citizens of 38 countries, including India, China, Thailand, the UK, the USA, and Indonesia. Although it was initially planned to be implemented on 1 October 2024, the decision was advanced due to the inconvenience caused to tourists at the visa-on-arrival counters, where overcrowding was a significant issue.[17]
As of October 15, 2025, travelers visiting Sri Lanka for short stays must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before departure.[18]
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Visitor statistics
Most visitors arriving in Sri Lanka on a short-term basis were from the following countries:[19][20][21]
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See also
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Sri Lanka.
References
External links
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