Visa policy of Sri Lanka

Entry stamp
Exit stamp
Sri Lankan Entry and exit stamps issued to a national of Singapore

Visitors to Sri Lanka visiting for tourism purposes must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), unless they are exempt, prior to arrival or on arrival to Sri Lanka or they must obtain a visa in advance. All visitors must hold a passport valid for 6 months. Nationals of Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia and Syria must hold return or onward tickets.[1] Visitors are strongly urged to use the online system to avoid lengthy delays at the port of entry.[2]

Visa policy map

Visa policy map of Sri Lanka

Electronic travel authorization

Holders of ETA from all countries except the three exempt countries and countries listed in visa in advance can obtain a visa on arrival that is valid for 30 days. The business purpose ETA can be obtained only from Sri Lankan diplomatic missions and head office of the Department of Immigration and Emigration.[3][4] From April 2018 nationals of designated 28 countries will be allowed to obtain an ETA valid for three months.[5]

ETA exemption

On the basis of reciprocity, citizens of the following three countries are exempt from the requirement to obtain the Electronic Travel Authorization and can obtain a visa on arrival free of charge:[6]

  •  Maldives (30 days, extendable to 150 days)
  •  Seychelles (60 days, up to 90 days in a single year)
  •  Singapore (30 days, extendable to 150 days)

Future plans

As of August 2018 Sri Lankan authorities are examining options for a visa waiver for visitors from India, China and some European and West Asian countries.[7]

Visa in advance

Citizens of the following 21 countries must obtain a visa in advance from one of the Sri Lankan diplomatic missions:

Non-ordinary passports

Holders of diplomatic, official or service passports of the following countries may enter without a visa:[11]

D — diplomatic passports
O — official passports
S — service passports

Statistics

Most visitors arriving to Sri Lanka for tourism purpose were from the following countries of residence:[12][13]

See also

References

  1. ↑
  2. ↑
  3. ↑ "Country information (visa section)". Timatic. International Air Transport Association (IATA) through Olympic Air. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  4. ↑ Rukmal, Nilantha. "Online Visa Application". www.eta.gov.lk. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  5. ↑ "Sri Lanka to implement a new visa policy with effect from April 2018 - Sri Lanka News". newsfirst.lk. 11 March 2018. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  6. ↑ Rukmal, Nilantha. "Online Visa Application". www.eta.gov.lk. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  7. ↑ Sri Lanka mulls visa-free entry to Indians, other tourist-friendly nations
  8. ↑ "Sri Lanka cuts off visas on arrival to stop flow of Muslims from Rakhine". mmtimes.com. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  9. ↑ "Sri Lanka imposes visa restrictions for North Koreans - NK News - North Korea News". nknews.org. 27 September 2017. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  10. ↑ "Sri Lanka imposes tougher visa sanctions on North Koreans ::. Latest Sri Lanka News". onlanka.com. 29 September 2017. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  11. ↑ "Diplomatic & Official Visits". www.immigration.gov.lk. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  12. ↑ "Sri Lanka Tourism Annual Statistical Report 2015" (PDF). Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority. Retrieved 11 October 2016.
  13. ↑ "Tourist arrivals by country of residence" (PDF). sltda.gov.lk. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  14. ↑ Including Hong Kong and Macau.
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