PASSPORTS AND VISAS

Unless you are a Sri Lankan, you will need a visa to enter Sri Lanka. If you are planning a short visit to Sri Lanka, you should obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) from the Department of Immigration & Emigration and you can apply for ETA online. Citizens of Singapore, Maldives and Seychelles are exempted from this requirement.

You can apply for a range of visas, including tourist visas, work visas, student visas and diplomatic visas at Sri Lankan embassy or consulate in your country.

Please follow the link given below to apply online visa…

http://eta.gov.lk/

SHORT VISIT TO SRI LANKA

An intended traveller-visiting Sri Lanka for a short stay for following purposes, must obtain ETA prior approval for their arrival.

VISIT CATEGORIES

TOURIST

• Sightseeing, holidaying.
• Visiting friends and relatives.
• Medical treatment including Ayurvedic and yoga.
• Participate in sporting events, competitions and activities relating to cultural performance.

BUSINESS        

• Participate in business meetings and negotiations
• Participate in Conferences, workshops and seminars
• To take part in Short term training programs (less than one month)
• Participate in art, music and dance events
• Participating in religious events
• Participate in Symposium

TRANSIT  

•  Transiting through Sri Lanka

THE TYPES OF ETA:

• ETA for Tourist purpose with double entry for 30 (thirty) days
• ETA for Business purpose with double entry for 30 (thirty) days
• ETA for Transit up to 02 days Free of Charge basis (Documentary proof needed)

At the arrival applicant may be granted 30 days ETA with double entry facility and double entries can be made from the date of initial arrival (Within given 30 days). The balance period of the 30 days of the initial entry will be granted for the second visit to Sri Lanka.

BUSINESS PURPOSES ETA

Business ETA can only be obtained from;

• Sri Lanka Overseas Missions;
• The head office of the Department of Immigration and Emigration (DI&E), Colombo;

Multiple, Double or single entry business ETA can be obtained from Sri Lanka Overseas Missions and the Visa Section of the Department of Immigration and Emigration , Colombo.

The traveler should produce relevant documentary proof of his/her intent of Business purpose visit to Sri Lanka

HOW TO OBTAIN ETA FOR MEDIA/JOURNALIST ACTIVITIES

On line ETA facility is not available for under mentioned purposes:

• To participate in Media/Journalist conferences, workshops or seminars etc.,
• To engage in Meetings, Seminars, Conferences etc., with Political parties and/or groups;
• To engage in the activities carried out by the NGO or INGO.

Approval of the appropriate authorities of the Government of Sri Lanka should be obtained by those who intend to engage in above purposes in Sri Lanka.

Potential applicants may obtain the relevant visa by submitting proof of evidence from Sri Lanka Overseas missions and from the Visa Section of the Department of Immigration & Emigration, Colombo for the above purposes.