Sri Lanka Visa / ETA

Hi everyone!

So happy the forum is back—I’ve been part of it since 2012! ☺️

After lots of twists and turns with Sri Lanka’s visa (called ETA) over the past few months, here’s a quick recap of the current situation for travelers:

- You need to get an ETA, either online or on arrival. I recommend doing it online because it’s cheaper (here’s a step-by-step guide to avoid common pitfalls: https://www.tongsetsrilanka.com/mode-demploi-pour-eta-au-sri-lanka)

- It’s valid for 30 days and costs $50 online or $60 on arrival.

- It was supposed to be free starting October 1st, but due to the elections and Parliament being dissolved, that didn’t happen. Stay tuned in December in case the topic comes up again.

- The online ETA is recorded in your passport, so you don’t need to show any documents, but I’d still recommend traveling with the confirmation.

- If you didn’t receive the confirmation email, you can check the status on the official ETA website.

- The only official site is eta.gov.lk. Watch out for agency websites pretending to be the official one.

- Avoid filling out your ETA on the French version—it’s buggy. Use my guide and do it in English instead. 😅

Happy travels! Caroline

My ETA application was approved and confirmed in less than 15 minutes.

Thanks so much for this info! 😊

With great pleasure, Sigrid! :-)

hi there we’re heading to Sri Lanka in January 2025, and I just read in the previous post that the free visa was scrapped because parliament didn’t ratify it. I see a new parliament has just been elected… so the question is: should we apply for the ETA now and pay the $50, or wait a (very) little while in case parliament votes to reinstate the original plan? If anyone has any updates or advice, I’d really appreciate it. Thanks! Philippe

Hi there, I’m still on the fence about whether to go ahead or not. Personally, I’ll be staying in Sri Lanka from January 6th to February 3rd—so 28 days. Then I’ve got 12 days in the Maldives and a one-day transit back in Sri Lanka for my flight to France on February 16th. Do you think I can apply for my ETA online, since I’m leaving and coming back? My situation’s a bit confusing because I’m not sure if the ETA covers 30 days in Sri Lanka *including* the Maldives... Thanks for any insights!

Hi there,

You need to complete the ETA online for a 28-day stay in Sri Lanka (I just got mine in 5 minutes after paying). If your return stay doesn’t exceed 2 days, you don’t need an ETA, and it’s free for up to 48 hours... Check the fees here: https://eta.gov.lk

hi I did it online yesterday morning—simple and quick. I got my ETA the same evening.

have a great trip! philippe

Hi there, Is the visa still paid for, including for French travelers? Thanks in advance!

Hi Anne,

Yes, still the case, even though it was announced last week that it should become free. Keep a close eye on it, and you can do it 4 days before departure without any problem :-)

https://www.tongsetsrilanka.com/mode-demploi-pour-eta-au-sri-lanka

Have a great day, Caroline

Thanks for the reply. Is it a maximum of 4 days before arrival? Or on the spot—it’s a bit more expensive, I read—is there a long wait for that at the airport? If there’s a chance it might become free any day now, maybe it’s better to wait and do it on the spot.

Hi Anne,

Yes, still required, even though it was announced last week that it should become free. Keep a close eye on it, and you can do it 4 days before departure without any problem :-)

https://www.tongsetsrilanka.com/mode-demploi-pour-eta-au-sri-lanka

Have a great day, Caroline

Hi Caroline, thanks for your reply. Where did you get the information from last week?

Anne, it’s mentioned in this Sri Lankan travel journal, but personally, I’m really skeptical since it hasn’t been picked up elsewhere yet... Stay tuned! :-) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Free-visa-policy-for-39-countries-soon-Tourism-Minister/44-772136#

Have a great day, Caroline

Hi Caroline, we're traveling from March 10 to April 9. So we'll wait a bit before applying for the ETA—with any luck, it might be free. The issue: we're exceeding the 30-day limit by 12 hours. I miscounted when I booked the flight ticket… do you think that’ll be a problem? Thanks for your reply!

According to the Sri Lankan immigration website https://www.immigration.gov.lk/pages_e.php?id=45, the third paragraph states: A person who leaves Sri Lanka within seven (07) days calculated from the expiration date of the original visa validity period may leave Sri Lanka by paying the applicable visa fees at the departure port without paying a penalty.

So you’ll need to pay for a visa or the cost of a visa extension. It’s best to check with the Sri Lankan embassy or consulate for safety’s sake!

Hi there, I need some advice on how to fill out my ETA application regarding my name to avoid having my request rejected or put on hold. On my ID documents (including my passport), my maiden name is listed followed by the mention "nom d'usage" and then my current surname (e.g., MACHINE NOM D'USAGE ELECTRIQUE). What should I enter in the "Surname/Family Name" field?🤪 Should I copy my name exactly as it appears on the passport, write "MACHINE ELECTRIQUE," or just "ELECTRIQUE" and then put "MACHINE and my given names" in the "Other/Given Names" field? Thanks in advance for your tips!🙂 Cécile

Hi Cécile, you need to write it exactly as it appears on your passport, MACHINE nee ELECTRIQUE :-) Have a great day! Caroline

Hi Cyrienne, They’re pretty strict, and I’m not sure there’s a tolerance of a few hours :-/ Personally, I’d try for just 12 hours—arrive early at the airport and be ready to pay 100 € for a visa extension :-) Have a great day! Caroline

Thanks Caroline 😉 Have a great day too! Cécile

Hi everyone,

Quick update: still no news about the ETA being free!

Stay tuned, but I’d recommend applying 7–10 days before departure—no earlier in case the free option rolls out during low season. 😅

Have a great day! Caroline