Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon, is an island in South Asia with a cultural and natural richness that is hard to find anywhere else. It is home to eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the sacred city of Kandy and the Cultural Triangle, two of the most remarkable historical landmarks in the region.
Beyond its history, the island offers a stunning natural landscape: mountains, tropical jungles, dream beaches and national parks where you can encounter Asian elephants in the wild. If you are planning a trip, here you will find everything you need to know about the entry requirements for Sri Lanka.
What do you need to travel to Sri Lanka? Entry requirements
Passport
A valid passport is mandatory to enter Sri Lanka. It must have a minimum validity of 6 months from the date of entry into the country.
Sri Lanka visa
Most travellers need to apply for a Sri Lanka visa before their trip. The required permit for tourism, business, medical visits, family visits or transit is the ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization), which is processed entirely online.
The ETA allows a stay of up to 30 days, extendable to 3 months. For longer stays, you will need to contact the Sri Lanka embassy in your country. To check whether your nationality is exempt from the visa requirement, you can verify your eligibility here.
Travel insurance
Although it is not an official entry requirement for Sri Lanka, taking out travel insurance is strongly recommended. Healthcare infrastructure is limited outside major cities, and the costs of private medical care or an emergency evacuation can be very high.
Vaccinations for Sri Lanka
The only mandatory vaccination to enter Sri Lanka is the yellow fever vaccine, and only if you are arriving from a country with a risk of transmission. In addition, health authorities recommend being up to date with the following vaccines:
- Chickenpox
- Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
- Influenza
- Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)
- Poliomyelitis
- Shingles (Herpes Zoster)
- Hepatitis A and B
- Japanese encephalitis
- Rabies
- Typhoid
Sri Lanka is an area with dengue fever risk, so it is advisable to use insect repellent and wear long-sleeved clothing, especially in rural or jungle areas.
Currency in Sri Lanka
The official currency is the Sri Lankan rupee (LKR). ATMs are widely available in most towns and cities, making them the safest and most convenient way to access cash. Some hotels and restaurants accept Visa and Mastercard, but it is always a good idea to carry some cash as a backup.
Before leaving the country, make sure to exchange any remaining rupees, as they are practically impossible to convert outside Sri Lanka.
Now that you know all the entry requirements for Sri Lanka, it is time to start planning. If you need to apply for your ETA, you can request it quickly and securely through Visagov, with support available if any issues arise during the process.
