Sri Lanka Visa

Passport Health Passports and Visas helps you get your passport and visa fast! Learn more about the visa requirements for your destination.

Do I Need a Visa for Sri Lanka?

Yes. US citizens must have a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to enter Sri Lanka. The type of entry document you must apply for is determined by the purpose of your trip. People traveling to Sri Lanka for tourism are eligible for the ETA. People traveling for business, religious purposes, or volunteer work must obtain their visa via a Sri Lankan consulate in advance of arrival. If you stay in Sri Lanka for longer than the time period specified on your visa, you must apply for a visa extension. This can be done at the Department of Immigration in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Is A …	A Sri Lanka Entry Requirement?
Passport	Yes
Passport Validity	At least 6 months from date of departure from Sri Lanka
Blank Passport Pages	One page for entry stamp
Tourist Visa	Yes
Other Visa Types	See below

Sources: Embassy of Sri Lanka and U.S. State Department

Can I Obtain My Visa for Sri Lanka on Arrival?

It is possible to obtain a visa for tourist travel to Sri Lanka upon arrival at the port of entry. However, visitors are strongly encouraged to obtain the visa in advance to avoid lengthy delays at the airport or other port of entry. Note that if you are only transiting through Sri Lanka, meaning you do not leave the airport area and are in the country for less than two days, you do not require a visa or an ETA.

Does Sri Lanka Offer an Online Visa?

Yes. An online visa for travel to Sri Lanka is called an Electronic Travel Authority, and it is available only for people traveling to Sri Lanka for tourism. Sri Lanka defines tourism as sightseeing, visiting family and friends, receiving medical treatments (including yoga therapy and Ayurvedic healing), and participating in sporting events/competitions or cultural activities. You risk deportation if you have other activities planned during your trip that do not fall into these categories but choose to travel on a tourist visa. It is advisable to work with an expert to make sure you have the proper visa class for your planned activities. Also, the online system was not designed by a native English speaker, so it can be hard to understand what is required. Again, it is best to let an expert handle the ETA registration process for you to ensure that all questions are answered properly.

ETAs are not available for business or volunteer travel. If you are planning to go to Sri Lanka for work meetings or charitable work, you need to obtain your visa before you depart via the Sri Lankan Embassy.

What Types of Materials Support My Sri Lanka Visa Application?

To apply for a Sri Lanka visa, you will need:

• Valid Passport
• Proof of Travel Arrangements
• Properly Completed Sri Lanka Visa or ETA Application Form

Depending on the details of your trip to Sri Lanka, you may also need:

• Passport Photos that Meet the Requirements of the Embassy of Sri Lanka
• Invitation Letter
• Business Introduction Letter
• Proof of Sufficient Funds
• Money Order

Confused by the document requirements for travel to Sri Lanka? Unsure of how to use the Electronic Travel Authority system? Let the experts help! Call for expert Sri Lanka visa advice.

How Do I Obtain My Visa for Sri Lanka?

Call ! We make the complicated application process for a Sri Lanka visa simple, and we navigate the e-visa system for you. Depending on the purpose of your travel, we either process your visa online, or we provide you with a step by step application kit, visa application review service, pre-paid shipping labels, and hand delivery of your documents to the Sri Lankan Embassy. Once your visa is issued, we are immediately notified, and we send the document directly to you.

What Else Do I Need to Do Before Traveling to Sri Lanka?

Make sure your US passport is still valid and will be for 6 months after the date you plan to exit Sri Lanka. Especially if you are planning on making other stops on your trip, make sure your passport has a minimum of 2 blank visa pages to accommodate entry and exit stamps. Do you need to get your passport renewed? We can expedite your passport renewal so that you get it back in as few as 1-3 business days.

Sri Lanka requires proof of having had certain vaccinations depending on which countries you may have traveled to before entering Sri Lanka. Schedule an appointment at the Passport Health travel clinic nearest to you to get all of the vaccines, medications, and travel supplies you need for your trip to Sri Lanka.