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Sri Lanka · Electronic travel authorisation

Sri Lanka ETA: who needs one, the fee and the official website

By the Visa Almanac editorial teamChange logUpdated 5 Nov 2026

In brief

Travellers visiting Sri Lanka for a short stay must obtain ETA approval before arrival.1 Since 25 May 2026 nationals of 40 listed countries can get the tourist ETA free of charge for 30 days.2 For all other countries the tourist ETA costs USD 20 for South Asian countries and USD 50 for all other countries (business ETA USD 30 and USD 55); on arrival the tourist visa costs USD 25 and USD 60.2

Apply only on the official site: eta.gov.lk. Other websites are not the government's.

Checked 5 Nov 2026Source: Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri LankaReport a change

Independent reference, not a government website. We don't issue visas or sell visa services.

ContentsIn brief
  1. In brief
  2. At a glance
  3. Who needs one
  4. Official website
  5. Fee
  6. Fee history
  7. Validity and stay
  8. How to apply
  9. Warnings about other sites
  10. Processing time
  11. Visa instead
  12. More
  13. Recent changes
  14. Sri Lanka ETA for Indian citizens
  15. Sri Lanka ETA for UK citizens
  16. Sri Lanka ETA for US citizens
  17. Sri Lanka ETA for Canadians
  18. FAQ
  19. Sources
  20. About this page

Sri Lanka ETA at a glance

Who needs itTravellers visiting Sri Lanka for a short stay must obtain ETA approval before arrival.1
FeeSince 25 May 2026 nationals of 40 listed countries can get the tourist ETA free of charge for 30 days.2For all other countries the tourist ETA costs USD 20 for South Asian countries and USD 50 for all other countries (business ETA USD 30 and USD 55); on arrival the tourist visa costs USD 25 and USD 60.2
Valid forAn ETA is valid for six months, and a new ETA cannot be obtained on the same passport until it expires.3
Stay per visitThe tourist ETA allows 30 days with double entry, counted from the first arrival; the rest of the 30 days applies to the second visit.1
Official websiteeta.gov.lk3immigration.gov.lk4eservices.immigration.gov.lk2
DecisionNot stated by the official sources we read

Who needs a Sri Lanka ETA

  • Travellers visiting Sri Lanka for a short stay must obtain ETA approval before arrival.

    An intended traveller visiting Sri Lanka for a short stay for following purposes, must obtain ETA prior approval for their arrival.Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka · checked

  • All foreign nationals, including those of the 40 free-ETA countries and of the Maldives, Seychelles and Singapore, must obtain an ETA before arriving in Sri Lanka.

    3. Please note that all foreign nationals, including nationals of the above-mentioned 40 countries and nationals with bilateral reciprocal agreements between between (i.e. Maldives, Seychelles, and Singapore), are required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) prior to arrival in Sri Lanka.Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka · checked

Official website

How much a Sri Lanka ETA costs

Sri Lanka ETA fee history

Each amount with the act or notice that set it, newest first.

  1. From 25 May 2026 nationals of 40 listed countries can obtain the tourist ETA free of charge for 30 days. Set by: Department of Immigration and Emigration, Special Notice to the Short Term Visitors to Sri Lanka (news of 24 May 2026, 'Free Tourist Visas for Nationals of 40 Selected Countries'). Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka · checked
  2. An ETA portal alert dated 27 September 2024 introduced a free visa regime with immediate effect for nationals of China, India, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand, Malaysia and Japan, who apply for an ETA issued free of charge. Set by: ETA portal Alert 01 (2024.09.27), Department of Immigration and Emigration. Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka · checked · read from an archived copy of 29 May 2025
  3. An ETA portal alert dated 27 November 2023 introduced a free visa regime with immediate effect until 31 March 2024 for nationals of China, India, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand, Malaysia and Japan, as a pilot approved by the Cabinet of Ministers on 24 October 2023. Set by: Cabinet of Ministers Approval 23/1885/602/023 dated 24.10.2023 (as cited in ETA portal Alert 01, 2023.11.27). Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka · checked · read from an archived copy of 12 Apr 2024
  4. From 1 December 2022 the online tourist ETA costs USD 20 for SAARC countries and USD 50 for all other countries (USD 25 and USD 60 on arrival). Set by: ETA Processing Fee (US$) for on-line and on-arrival with effect from 01.12.2022 (Department of Immigration and Emigration fee chart). Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka · checked
  5. As of Extraordinary Gazette No. 2241/37 of 18 August 2021 sets the online tourist ETA fee at USD 20 for SAARC countries and USD 35 for any other country (USD 25 and USD 40 on arrival). Set by: Immigrants and Emigrants Regulations amendment (regulation 13), Gazette Extraordinary No. 2241/37 of 18 August 2021, made by the Minister of Defence on 27 April 2021. Government of Sri Lanka, Gazette Extraordinary No. 2241/37 · checked
  6. As of The ETA fee page archived on 2 January 2016 lists USD 20 for SAARC countries and USD 35 for all other countries for an online tourist ETA. Set by: ETA portal fee table (archived 2016-01-02). Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka · checked · read from an archived copy of 2 Jan 2016

How long a Sri Lanka ETA lasts and how long you can stay

How to apply for a Sri Lanka ETA

Apply only on the official site: eta.gov.lk. Other websites are not the government's.

Official warnings about other sites

Only what governments, regulators and courts have published, quoted word for word. We don't label any website ourselves.

  • The Department of Immigration and Emigration says payments for ETAs applied for by third parties must be made through https://eta.gov.lk, and advises always paying on the official ETA website and avoiding paying again at the port of entry.

    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.Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka · checked

How long a Sri Lanka ETA takes

The official sources we read state no processing time.

When you need a visa instead

More about the Sri Lanka ETA

Recent changes

  1. The interim orders also suspended the Cabinet decision of 11 September 2023 approving the project proposal on e-visa, consular, visa, biometric and tourism-promotion services. Supreme Court of Sri Lanka · checked · read from an archived copy of 30 Oct 2025
  2. The Supreme Court records that on 2 August 2024 it issued interim orders suspending the Outsourcing Agreement of 21 December 2023 and directing the respondents to restore the position as at 16 April 2024, the date the previous ETA system was discontinued, until the petitions are decided. Supreme Court of Sri Lanka · checked · read from an archived copy of 30 Oct 2025
  3. On 30 October 2025 the Department revoked, until further notice, its 13 October 2025 announcement that an ETA would be mandatory for all short-stay visitors from 15 October 2025; ETA and visa services continue as before 15 October 2025. Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka · checked

Sri Lanka ETA for Indian citizens

ETA, 30 days, double entry ETA issued free of charge (scheme in force since 25 May 2026, no end date given).

Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka · checked

Everything for this trip: Sri Lanka visa for Indian citizens.

Sri Lanka ETA for UK citizens

ETA, 30 days, double entry ETA issued free of charge (scheme in force since 25 May 2026, no end date given).

Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka · checked

Everything for this trip: Sri Lanka visa for UK citizens.

Sri Lanka ETA for US citizens

ETA, 30 days, double entry ETA issued free of charge (scheme in force since 25 May 2026, no end date given).

Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka · checked

Everything for this trip: Sri Lanka visa for US citizens.

Sri Lanka ETA for Canadians

ETA, 30 days, double entry ETA issued free of charge (scheme in force since 25 May 2026, no end date given).

Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka · checked

Everything for this trip: Sri Lanka visa for Canadians.

FAQ

What is the official Sri Lanka ETA website?

Official application site: eta.gov.lk. Official information site: immigration.gov.lk. Official information site: eservices.immigration.gov.lk.

How much does a Sri Lanka ETA cost?

Since 25 May 2026 nationals of 40 listed countries can get the tourist ETA free of charge for 30 days. Under reciprocal and bilateral agreements, nationals of Singapore and Seychelles (30 days) and the Maldives (90 days) also get the tourist ETA free of charge. For all other countries the tourist ETA costs USD 20 for South Asian countries and USD 50 for all other countries (business ETA USD 30 and USD 55); on arrival the tourist visa costs USD 25 and USD 60. A 2-day transit visa is free, and children under 12 of any nationality get a free tourist ETA for up to 30 days. The ETA processing fee is non-refundable and non-transferable if the application is unsuccessful. ETA fees paid before 25 May 2026 are not refunded.

Do Indian citizens need a Sri Lanka ETA?

Indian citizens: ETA, 30 days, double entry (ETA issued free of charge (scheme in force since 25 May 2026, no end date given)), according to Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka, checked 31 Oct 2026. India is on the list of 40 countries whose nationals get the tourist ETA free of charge. See Sri Lanka ETA for Indian citizens.

Do UK citizens need a Sri Lanka ETA?

UK citizens: ETA, 30 days, double entry (ETA issued free of charge (scheme in force since 25 May 2026, no end date given)), according to Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka, checked 31 Oct 2026. The UK is on the list of 40 countries whose nationals get the tourist ETA free of charge. See Sri Lanka ETA for UK citizens.

How long does a Sri Lanka ETA take?

Not stated by the official sources we read.

How long is a Sri Lanka ETA valid?

An ETA is valid for six months, and a new ETA cannot be obtained on the same passport until it expires. The tourist ETA allows 30 days with double entry, counted from the first arrival; the rest of the 30 days applies to the second visit.

Sources

Official sources only. Each was checked on the date shown.

  1. Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka (ETA portal, eta.gov.lk): who needs one, validity and stay and moreeta.gov.lk · checked
  2. Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka (ETA portal, eta.gov.lk): official website, fee, fee history and by nationalityeta.gov.lk · checked · read from an archived copy of 2 Jan 2016
  3. Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka (ETA portal, eta.gov.lk): official website, fee, validity and stay and how to applyeta.gov.lk · checked
  4. Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka (ETA portal, eta.gov.lk): official websiteeta.gov.lk · checked
  5. Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka (ETA portal, eta.gov.lk): who needs one, fee, fee history, validity and stay, visa instead and entry ruleseta.gov.lk · checked · read from an archived copy of 29 May 2025
  6. Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka (ETA portal, eta.gov.lk): fee historyeta.gov.lk · checked
  7. Government of Sri Lanka, Gazette Extraordinary No. 2241/37 (copy on the ETA portal): fee historyeta.gov.lk · checked
  8. Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka: warnings about other sitesimmigration.gov.lk · checked
  9. Supreme Court of Sri Lanka (judgment in SC/Contempt/03/2025): recent changessupremecourt.lk · checked · read from an archived copy of 30 Oct 2025
  10. Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka: recent changesimmigration.gov.lk · checked

More: Sri Lanka entry rules by nationality · all visa guides.

About this page

By the Visa Almanac editorial team. Every rule, fee and date on this page comes from the official sources listed above, each read on the day shown; where they are silent, we say so. Editorial policy · Change log

Updated
5 Nov 2026
Last checked
Official sources
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