About Visa

About Visa

General Information

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Tourist Visa (ETA) Free of Charge for 40 Countries. More Information

All Tourist or Business travellers to Sri Lanka can have ETA for entering in to Sri Lanka. More Information

When applying ETA by third parties payments are to be made through the arrangement made in website https://eta.gov.lk. Therefore, always ensure that the payments made by accessing to official ETA website and avoid making repayment at the port of entry to Sri Lanka.

What are the Working Hours?

When applying ETA by third parties payments are to be made through the arrangement made in website https://eta.gov.lk. Therefore, always ensure that the payments made by accessing to official ETA website and avoid making repayment at the port of entry to Sri Lanka.

Acceptance of all physical applications at the Head Office of Department of Immigration & Emigration, Battaramulla: 8.30 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. (Token numbers are issued till 2.00 p.m. only)

Collection of visa after submitting the applications may be collected after 2.30 hours from the time of submission of application. If any other date other than the date of submission application is assigned for collection visa, those visa can be collected from 9.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon on due date.

Payment (shroff) counters close at 3.30 p.m. The office closes on Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays.

Sri Lankan Visa Processing and Passport Stamps

What is a Sri Lankan Visa?

A Sri Lankan visa is an endorsement on a passport or a similar document to facilitate the legal entry of non Sri Lankans into the country and to regulate the period of their stay and the conditions governing such stay.

What are the Types of Sri Lankan Visas?

There are three (03) kinds of visas which permit a person to enter and/or stay in Sri Lanka.

Visit Visa
Residence Visa
Transit Visa

A Visit Visa is an entry permit signifying the consent of the Sri Lankan Government for the admission of a foreign national to the country. The Visa contains details of the period of time and the condition/s of the stay.

There are two sub-categories which come under visit visas

Tourist Visa: A Tourist Visa is issued to bona-fide tourists who want to enter Sri Lanka for sightseeing or holidaying, visiting friends and relatives, medical treatments, participate in art, music and dance events, participate in sport events for a short period of time. This visa may be issued a single or double entries.

Business Purpose Visa: A Business Purpose Visa is issued to foreign nationals who visit Sri Lanka for business purposes for short period of time. This visa may be issued for single, double or multiple journeys.

Visit Visa Extension Click here for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions

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An ETA is an official electronic authorization for short visits to Sri Lanka for tourism, business, or transit, obtained online prior to departure via eta.gov.lk.

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You can apply for a tourist visa extension online through the official portal or submit an application at the Department Head Office in Battaramulla before your current visa expires.

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No. Engaging in any form of paid or unpaid employment on a tourist or visit visa is strictly prohibited by law. You must secure an approved Residence Visa under the employment category.

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Requirements vary by category (employment, investment, student, spouse). Generally, applicants need approval from relevant line ministries or BOI, a valid passport, and certified character clearance.

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Passengers with confirmed connecting flights within 8 hours who remain in the transit lounge do not need a transit visa. If leaving the terminal or connecting within 48 hours, a free Transit ETA is required.