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How to get the online visa to Sri Lanka

Juan José Herranz | Wed 13 Jan 2021

Sri Lanka is known as the island of a thousand names, for the endless number of adjectives that have been used throughout history to try to describe this diverse nation. The places to visit in Sri Lanka display outstanding natural beauty, landscapes, beaches and temples.

The Buddhas and the cities that house them are one of the main things to do in Sri Lanka. The city of Kandy is a perfect example, being one of the most colourful and attractive places in the country.

Do I need a Sri Lanka visa?

Yes, a Sri Lanka visa is required to travel to this island. You will have to choose a visa based on the purpose of your trip. 

The eVisa replaces the previous electronic travel authorization (ETA). However, if you already have an approved ETA, you can use it to enter Sri Lanka: they weren't annuled. 

Some nationalities may be exempt from applying for an eVisa or may be required to apply directly at the embassy or consulate. You can check through our eligibility verifier if your nationality qualifies for the eVisa.

Types of visas for Sri Lanka

From early 2012 to 2024, all travellers who wished to spend their holidays or do business in Sri Lanka had to have an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). Now, the ETA has been replaced for the Sri Lanka eVisa.

Transit eVisa

This visa type is required to stay in transit for 3 or 4 days. If you need to transit in Sri Lanka for up to 2 days, you will be eligible to apply on arrival for the eVisa Waiver with no cost.

Tourism eVisa 

This visa type is for foreign citizens that travel to Sri Lanka for tourism, visiting friends or family, medical treatments including yoga and Ayurvedic or for participating in sports or cultural competitions/events. 

The available tourism eVisas are:

  • Standard visitor visa: it allows for two entries and a 60-day stay per entry.
  • Multiple entry for 1 year: it allows for multiple entries and it has a 90-day stay limit.
  • Multiple entry for 2 years: it allows for multiple entries with a 180-day stay limit.
  • Multiple entry for 5 years: it allows for multiple entries with a 180-day stay limit.
  • Multiple entry for 10 years: it allows for multiple entries with a 180-day stay limit.

Business eVisa

This visa type is for those traveling to Sri Lanka for business meetings and/or negotiations, seminars, conferences, workshops, symposiums, religious events, art, music and dance events; or for short term programs lasting less than a month.

There are multiple types of business eVisas for Sri Lanka:

  • Standard visitor visa for SAARC countries: it allows for double entry with a 60-day stay per entry.
  • Standard visitor visa for non-SAARC countries: it allows for double entry with a 60-day stay per entry.
  • Multiple entry for 1 year: it allows for multiple entries and it has a a 90-day stay.
  • Multiple entry for 2 years: it allows for multiple entries with a 180-day stay limit.
  • Multiple entry for 5 years: it allows for multiple entries with a 180-day stay limit.
  • Multiple entry for 10 years: it allows for multiple entries with a 180-day stay limit.

Visas available only at an embassy or consulate 

For stays of more than 6 months and other types of visits, you must contact the nearest consulate or embassy. In this case, the visa categories are as follows:

Residence visa

A residence visa is a permit for a non-Sri Lankan to obtain residence facilities for particular purposes. There are different categories, including:

Employment category

This type of visa is applicable for:

  • Professional staff for state-approved projects.
  • Expatriate personnel and their dependents.
  • Personnel attached to non-governmental organizations.
  • Staff employed by a Sri Lankan project, institution or organisation.
  • Staff arriving for diplomatic missions in Sri Lanka.
  • Staff employed in a private company.
Investor category

This type of visa is applicable for:

  • A person wishing to invest monetary capital in Sri Lanka.
  • A person engaged in commercial activities in Sri Lanka.
Religion category

This type of visa is applicable for:

  • Members of the clergy.
Student category

This type of visa is applicable for:

  • University students, Erasmus students and Master's students.
  • Students in state-approved educational institutions, whether private or public.
Persons of Indian nationality registered and covered by the Indo-Lanka Agreement of 1954
Members of a Sri Lankan family, spouses and children
Persons holding diplomatic or official passports

The holder of a diplomatic or official passport will not have to pay any Sri Lankan visa fee.

Is Sri Lanka visa online?

Whether for a holiday, to do business, or simply to transit to reach another country, you will need to apply for an eVisa for Sri Lanka. If you apply online, you can count on Visagov.com to help you.

You must fill in a form, attach a scanned copy of the required documentation and pay the corresponding fees. All of this process will only take some minutes.

Foreigners who wish to visit Sri Lanka for official or diplomatic purposes should send their applications to the Department of Immigration and Emigration through the ministries and agencies of the Government of Sri Lanka or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Overseas).

Who needs a visa to enter Sri Lanka?

All foreign tourists traveling to Sri Lanka for tourism, business or transit are required to apply for a visa. There are two exceptions: citizens with double nationality (with one of them being Sri Lankan) and children under 21 born to citizens of Sri Lanka.

How many countries can travel without a Sri Lanka visa?

Some nationalities are exempt from having to apply for the eVisa, and others can only obtain a visa at an embassy or consulate. To know the status of your nationality, check our elegibility verifier. 

What are the requirements to apply for a Sri Lanka eVisa?

There are some general requirements, and other specific for certain visa types.

The requirements for applying for a long-stay visa vary depending on the reason for the application. For stays of more than 6 months, you must go to or contact the nearest embassy to request more detailed information. They will tell you what documentation is needed.

Having a visa or an approved ETA or eVisa does not guarantee your entry to Sri Lanka. If you have lied or omitted information that is requested, the customs control agents could decline your entry. 

You must read our guide about the entry requirements for Sri Lanka before traveling. This way, you won't miss any important documentation and risk being rejected from entering the country.

General visa requirements

  • Having an eligible nationality
  • A passport with an expiry date of more than 6 months from the date of entry into the country
  • A recent photograph in the best quality possible
  • Email address to receive the approved eVisa
  • Bank card to pay for the visa fees

Business eVisa requirements 

  • Invitation from the company (for all business visas)
  • Hotel booking (for the Standard visitor visa for SAARC members and the multiple entry visa for 1 year)
  • Flight itinerary (for all business visas, except the Standard visitor visa for non-SAARC countries)

Documentation you will need to present on arrival to Sri Lanka

Tourist eVisa

  • Approved visa
  • Every document uploaded to the application form
  • Accommodation booking
  • Proof of arriving and departing flights

Business eVisa

  • Approved visa
  • Every document uploaded to the application form

Can the Sri Lanka visa be changed once it has been processed?

If the request has already been paid and processed, the visa cannot be cancelled. Payments made after the application has been processed are non-refundable, so we recommend that you carefully fill in the fields on the form and review everything before you submit your application.

If the application has been submitted and you find an error, you will have to go to an embassy to apply for a new visa. It will not be possible to repeat the process online until your visa has been issued.

How much does a visa to Sri Lanka cost?

There's no unified cost for the visa to Sri Lanka: each visa type has its own cost, and it changes according to the nationality of the applicant (for SAARC members and non-SAARC members).

How long does it take to get the eVisa for Sri Lanka?

The eVisa processing times are quite fast. However, in the country's peak tourism season, the government receives numerous applications and processing can be slightly delayed. We recommend that you apply for your visa at least 15 days before your arrival date.

What are the entry borders to Sri Lanka?

If you are required to apply for an eVisa to Sri Lanka, you will only be able to enter the country from its 3 main airports:

These are the only entry points that will accept your eVisa. If you need or wish to enter the country from another airport or seaport, you will no longer be eligible for the eVisa.