Sri Lanka visa and ETA: free for 40 nationalities

Do you need one?

Yes, unless you are only transiting airside within 24 hours. The Department of Immigration and Emigration's notice of 24 May 2026 says that all foreign nationals, including those from the 40 free-visa countries and the three bilateral-agreement countries (Maldives, Seychelles, Singapore), must obtain an ETA before arrival. A paid on-arrival counter still exists in practice, but airlines may refuse boarding without an approved ETA, so apply online 2 to 7 days before you fly.

The 40 free-ETA countries

Effective 25 May 2026, from the official list: Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belarus, Belgium, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Poland, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and United States. Maldives (90 days), Seychelles and Singapore nationals are covered by separate agreements.

Terms: tourist purpose, 30 days from first arrival, double entry within those 30 days (the second entry gets only the remaining balance). Staying longer means paying the extension fee. Fees paid before 25 May 2026 are not refunded. Not on the list: Ireland, Portugal, Greece, Hungary, Romania, South Africa, Brazil, Mexico, Sri Lanka's other Asian neighbours such as Bangladesh and Vietnam, and most of Latin America and Africa.

What everyone else pays

Read on eta.gov.lk on 7 November 2026. The fees page renders only with JavaScript and could not be read again the same day, so treat the amounts as medium confidence and check the site when you apply.

How to apply

Five steps.

• Go to https://www.eta.gov.lk. Immigration warns that payments to look-alike sites and agencies are not valid; the official site is the only one.
• You need a passport valid for at least 6 months (the UK says beyond arrival, Canada says beyond departure; plan on 6 months from the day you leave Sri Lanka), an email address and, for paid ETAs, a card.
• Enter your details exactly as in the passport. Approval normally comes by email within a day or two; print it or keep it on your phone.
• Canada's advisory (2 November 2026) says you must also complete the online arrival card up to 3 days before arrival; paper cards are still handed out on flights, and the UK advisory does not mention it. Fill it in if you can.
• At the border you may be asked for a return or onward ticket and proof of funds.

Extensions and overstays

Extensions are applied for online or at Immigration headquarters (Suhurupaya, Battaramulla) before the ETA expires. You need a return ticket, an accommodation address, a photo and a passport that will still be valid for 2 months after the extended stay. Fees for days 31 to 90: USD 100 for the UK, the US, most of the EU, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, Switzerland and Norway; USD 60 for most other countries; then USD 150 for days 91 to 180 (USD 200 for the US). The fee page predates the free-ETA list, so confirm your row with Immigration. An extension is single entry and cancels the double-entry facility if requested within the first 30 days. Children under 12 pay extension fees beyond 30 days.

Overstay penalties (Gazette 2337/10, in force since 21 June 2023): leave within 7 days of expiry and you pay only the visa fee at the airport; 8 to 14 days costs USD 250 plus the fee; more than 14 days costs USD 500 plus the fee. Since 1 March 2026 Immigration can grant a free 14-day extension at the airport, case by case, to passengers whose Gulf-bound flights were cancelled, with proof.

Health documents and customs

No vaccination is required for entry unless you arrive from a yellow-fever country, including airport transits of more than 12 hours there, in which case travellers aged 9 months and over need a certificate. There is no malaria in Sri Lanka. Customs allows 1.5 litres of spirits and 2 bottles of wine in, and up to 10 kg of tea out; cigarettes and other tobacco are banned as personal baggage. Declare foreign currency above USD 15,000 on arrival and above USD 10,000 on departure. E-cigarettes may be confiscated; leave them at home. Visible Buddha tattoos have led to refused entry, so cover them. Facts last checked 7 November 2026.