Sri Lanka now reopens to travelers. From March 1, 2022, you don't need to do the COVID-19 PCR or rapid antigen tests before departure as long as you're fully vaccinated.
The easiest way to get a Sri Lanka visa is via the online ETA system. Nationals of any country can obtain Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA/visa) online or on arrival. This applies unless they are exempt from needing a visa or if they must obtain a visa in advance. In general, travelers are encouraged to obtain the ETA online to avoid long delays at ports of entry.
For travelers who are unable to apply online, they can obtain the services from a third party such as a travel agent, airline, friend, or relative to apply on their behalf.
Quick Facts
- A 30-day tourist visa will allow you to enter the country twice.
- A 30-day business visa will allow multiple entries.
- The processing time for a Sri Lanka tourist visa via the online system is approximately 24 - 48 hours.
- You cannot obtain a new ETA while you are in Sri Lanka, regardless of whether your current ETA is valid or expired.
- Flight information is not required for your ETA (visa) application. You can apply for an ETA even before booking your flight which allows for more flexibility while you plan your trip.
Visa Exemption
On the basis of reciprocity, citizens of the Maldives, Singapore, and Seychelles are exempt from the requirement to obtain an ETA for Sri Lanka. They may obtain a visa on arrival to Sri Lanka free of charge at any port of entry.
China Highlights, Asia Highlights, and Global Highlights collaborate to provide families and couples with personalized and stress-free experiences in diverse destinations.
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Thailand -insights, no stress and amazing team
My husband and my Thailand trip was fantastic, stress-free and educational thanks to the amazing team coordinated by Albee at Asia Highlights. The whole team was incredibly accessible, responsive, sensitive to our needs and lovely to work with. End-to-end, the trip was truly remarkable and the knowledgeable and dynamic tour guides and drivers made it especially memorable! More
AndrewsFamily,
Oct 2023
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Informative & Thorough / Thanks Sharon!
Sharon the advisor that helped me was so thorough & informative and explained the details of the tour including questions about visas and what is included vs what is not included in the tour packages. I would recommend them to explain tour packages that would fit the schedule of your pending travels. More
Chris,
Sep 2023
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Easy, fast responses
I worked directly with Monica in Asia Highlights. She was incredibly helpful and answered all of my questions quickly. Working with her made the whole process easy and we are so excited for our trip! More
Diana B,
Sep 2023
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Stress free Thailand
Alisa has organised our 14 day Thailand holiday for 2024 for my family & I. She has been very accommodating & super quick with all of our requests & we cannot wait for a stress free holiday! Thank you Alisa! More
Alana Mitchell,
Sep 2023
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Family Trip to Thailand-Cambodia
All of our guides were very nice and knowledgeable, but we have a special mention to our guide in Cambodia, Chan, he was very kind with us and it was very amusing. He went the extra mile for us. We really enjoyed our holidays! More
José Antonio Carrillo de la Pl,
Sep 2023
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Asia Highlights and Sharon
Asia Highlights, specifically Sharon, has been wonderfully helpful as we get ready for a 2024 excursion to Thailand. We are beyond excited, and much of that has to do with the personalized attention that we have experienced with Sharon. She has been extremely responsive, obliging, and focused as she helped us design a tailor made itinerary. All of our questions have been addressed, our needs have been met, and the path has now been set for a very exciting trip.... thanks to Sharon. More
Marcy Hoenig,
Sep 2023
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I was planning a trip to Thailand to…
I was planning a trip to Thailand to especially see the Lantern Festival this year for our birthdays!! It’s been on our bucket list, but we were completely lost on how to go about planning for our trip. We’ve never really booked tours before but Alisa was extremely helpful, knowledgeable, flexible and efficient in providing all the information we needed to make our decision on the best tours and tickets to purchase. Thank you so much!! More
https://www.trustpilot.com/reviews/64d9a5a4657e4b39f768a21e,
Aug 2023
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I would definitely recommend Asia…
All of our guides were wonderful (Mr. Bank - Bangkok and Ms. Kai in Phuket & Khao Sok plus antoher guide who assisted in Koh Samui). Sharon took care of tours, private drivers, flights and hotels within Thailand and our trip went off without a hitch. The hotels were great and the transportation always arrived on time and with a clean, More
Guinevere Provance,
Aug 2023
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Great Experience
WOW! I’ve traveled Asia some & I must say Sharon & Asia Highlights made this trip so much more enjoyable and easy More
Stephen Hollis,
Aug 2023
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Alisa has has been great to work with
Alisa with Asia Highlights has has been great to work with. Very friendly and responsive. More
Ana Rausch,
Aug 2023
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Using Sharon right now to book our…
Using Sharon right now to book our upcoming trip to Thailand. She has booked everything that we asked for. Has answered all of my inquiries, which has been many! Looking forward to having a great girls trip in Thailand More
Tracy,
Aug 2023
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Thailand, Singapore, Bali
In Thailand, Tanny and Nori(Suparp), were both incredible! They were both fun, funny, and full of knowledge and made sure we got the full experience. They went the extra mile and always made sure we had cold bottled water and towels to cleanse our hands. In Singapore, Nicole was an absolute gem. She was so kind and knowledgeable and guided us in the right direction to make our day as enjoyable as possible. She helped us choose a top notch local lunch and coffee spot in China Town and taught us so much about the country! In Bali, Emon was an absolute joy. He was very knowledgeable and kind and absolutely made sure we were feeling comfortable and was willing to be flexible with us. He was fun to converse with and made our time traveling between destinations so enjoyable! I cannot recommend Asia Highlights enough! Accommodations, travel arrangements and guided tours were all a breeze. More
Cassi Thunker,
Jul 2023
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Very supportive
Very supportive ! I have received eticket for Sky Lattern Festival very fast More
Chi?n Nguy?n Ng?c,
Jul 2023
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My experience in Chang Mai with Asia Highlights
I greatly enjoyed my experience with Asia Highlights for a trip I booked to Thailand.All of my interests were catered too. My guide in Chang Mai Gemma was excellent.I truly felt the soul of Thailand culture and Buddhism. More
Richard,
Jul 2023
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A pleasure to plan with
Well, this has been a painless and pleasurable process to find such a wonderful company. I had specific dates and places to be and Sharon worked with me diligently to refine the schedule and costs to suit my travel needs and budget. She informed me of a special tour on the dates I am to be in Thailand and I added that to my previous plans. More
Chris Williams,
Jul 2023
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Large multi-generational holiday in Thailand
The holiday was wonderful. Our guides, Mr Monchai (Bangkok), and Ms Tipagorn (Tippy) (Chiang Mai) were exceptional. Travelling in a large multigenerational group with many children requires patience and our guides truly understood that. Mr Monchai and Ms Tippy shared their extensive knowledge of the many wonderful places we visited, and were flexible to take us to additional places along the way based on discussions. While everyday was busy, having them greet us with patience and a smile truly made this a memorable holiday. The hotels we stayed at were equally wonderful and went above and beyond to celebrate not only my parents 50th anniversary but also celebrate 2 milestone birthdays that occurred. We will cherish this holiday for many years to come. We hope to use Asia Highlights again. More
CL,
Jul 2023
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I never used a travel agent in my life
I never used a travel agent in my life, but Sharon for Asia Highlights did a phenomenal job helping planning and coordination a family vacation. The best part of working with Sharon was that she maintained an open line of communication and provided answers to my question well within 12-24 hours. Additionally, Sharon was flexible and customized our vacation to my families needs. Overall great experience. More
Antione Barry,
Jul 2023
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Great company to plan a trip to Southeast Asia!
Sharon Haung has been wonderful to work with! Very patient and accommodating. Responds immediately given time change and is prepared, prompt, and professional. More
Debi Hinerfeld,
Jul 2023
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We took a 15 days trip (10 days Vietnam and 5 days Thailand …
It was an amazing experience the guides and drivers were there awaiting for us at each airoport for a transfer to the hotels also on time for all the tours all the guides were so lovely , very experienced and spoke very good English , one of the days on tour in Thailand I lost my phone in a temple in Bangkok mr chai went out of his way in a middle of thousands of visitors and managed to find an bring it back to me I found that amazing , also while on a trip I contacted Jason li out tour organizer few time via whatup and he replied and helped on the spot I recommend asiahilights 150% The quality of the service hotels the guides the drivers outstanding From start to finish ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT ???? More
SIMO el ghobar,
Jun 2023
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Wonderful Guides and Experience
Our large group arrived in Bangkok with Tanni as our guide. She was wonderful! An absolute joy to spend time with. She is knowledgeable, kind, and extremely funny. I don’t know what we would have done without her! After Bangkok, we traveled to Chang Mai, where Indy was our tour guide. She was a delight! She is kind, knowledgeable, and so patient. Our trip to Thailand was an adventure of a lifetime and these two women helped make it memorable. I would definitely use Asia Highlights for any future travel in Asia. More
Jessica Bennett,
Jun 2023
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Obtain ETA Online
Travelers who are planning a holiday, short business trip, or transit need to apply for and obtain an ETA before arriving in Sri Lanka. It"s different from other countries in that Sri Lanka uses the ETA to replace the need to apply for a visa label or stamp.
Closeup of Visa application form with ballpointETA holders will be issued a 30-day Short Visit visa at their port of entry in Sri Lanka. This visa will be electronically linked to your passport number after you obtain the ETA online. The ETA processing fee usually ranges between $20 and $50 per person, depending on your nationality and visa type. Children of any nationality under 12 years of age are free of charge. Kindly note the ETA processing fee paid is non-refundable and non-transferable.
To apply for an ETA, you must be outside Sri Lanka and hold a passport that is valid for at least 6 months. Then you can do the following steps to obtain your ETA:
1. Visit the Sri Lanka electronic travel authorization visa website (www.eta.gov.lk).
2. Complete the online application form and pay with a credit or debit card. Your Sri Lankan ETA visa will be processed within two business days.
3. Once approved, please print out the visa confirmation. In practice, immigration officers rarely ask to see this because it"s electronically linked to your passport, but we suggest travelers print this confirmation and keep a copy of it with your passport just in case.
To complete the online application form, you will need:
- Passport type and number
- Nationality and date of birth
- Intended date of arrival
You are required to enter your personal information exactly as it is on your passport. Check the sample form for Sri Lanka ETA.
Visa in advance
Citizens of the following 20 countries must obtain a visa in advance from one of the Sri Lankan diplomatic missions:
| Afghanistan | Cameroon | Republic of the Congo | Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Cote d"Ivoire | Gabon | Ghana | Guinea |
| Guinea-Bissau | Kenya | Liberia | Mali |
| Myanmar | Nigeria | North Korea | Pakistan |
| Sierra Leone | Sudan | Syria | Uganda |
Temporary ETA fee exemption
From 26 February 2020 to 30 April 2020, nationals of the following countries who travel as tourists are exempt from the ETA processing fee, and thus may obtain an ETA free of charge.
| Thailand | Iceland | United Kingdom | United States of America |
| Japan | Australia | South Korea | Canada |
| Singapore | New Zealand | Malaysia | Switzerland |
| Cambodia | China | India | Indonesia |
| Israel | Ukraine | Philippines | Russia |
Extension of Tourist Visa (ETA)
You can renew a 30-day Short Visa twice. This means the Short Visit visa may be extended up to 90 days from the date of arrival at the first instance and further to 90 days at the second instance.
Application for an extension should be submitted to the Visa Section of the Department of Immigration (head office in Colombo) by visiting the department or through an authorized agent. Your presence is not mandatory to submit the application.
FAQ on Tourist Visa (ETA)
Q: When do I get a stamp in my passport?
A: Your Sri Lankan visa (ETA) is electronically linked to your passport number, you will not require a stamp, nor will one be issued.
Q: Once in Sri Lanka, how long can I stay?
A: You are allowed to stay in the country for a maximum of 30 days at a time. It is possible to leave the country and re-enter for a further 30 days within the valid date of the visa (three months).
Q: What can I do if I make a mistake on my application?
A: Once the application is submitted for processing and payment, you cannot cancel the transaction and the payment is non-refundable. Therefore, make sure you enter your personal information correctly. If you make a mistake, it is important to correct it before confirming your application. If you find out later that you have made a mistake, then you will need to submit a new application and pay the fee again.
Q: How far in advance can I apply for a Sri Lanka Visa/ETA online?
A: The ETA is valid for 3 months from the date you obtain it. It is best not to apply for your ETA until 1 or 2 months before the date of travel - it usually only takes 1 or 2 days for approval to come back to you.
Q: Can I apply for a new ETA visa while I'm still in Sri Lanka?
A: No, you are not allowed to apply for a new ETA while you are in Sri Lanka, regardless of whether your existing visa is valid or expired.
Supporting Documents
When visiting Sri Lanka, technically, you must be able to
PassportYou should be able to show proof of sufficient funds to travel for the length of your stay in Sri Lanka, about 50 USD per person per day. This could involve a credit card, cash on hand, or a bank statement. Again, immigration officers rarely ask to see this, but it never hurts to be prepared.
Entry and Exit Requirements
- Sri Lanka has the usual list of prohibited imports, including drugs, weapons, fresh fruit and anything remotely pornographic. Items allowed: 0.25L of perfume and 1.5L of alcohol.
- There are duty-free shops in the arrivals area before you reach the baggage claim at the airport. Besides booze, they include appliances like blenders and refrigerators.
- Vaccinations are required for yellow fever if you are arriving from an infected area.
- If exiting with foreign currency over 5,000 USD, the full amount brought in or acquired in Sri Lanka must be declared.
Overstaying Your Visa
To prevent illegal migrant work problems from happening in Sri Lanka, the government raised the fine in 2018. Those overstaying visas more than one day will be charged 500 USD and may be deported. During the past those who overstay their visas for more than a month are imposed a fine of 25 USD, while those who overstay for more than two months are required to pay 50 USD.
Visit Sri Lanka with Asia Highlights
Want to explore the ancient ruins and beautiful culture of Sri Lanka? At Asia Highlights we can plan your dream Sri Lanka trip complete with a tailor-made itinerary, private guide, and 24-hour customer service.
Why Travel with Asia Highlights (98.8% positive customer reviews among 10,000+)
- Unique experiences tailored to your interests: Enjoy a premium trip that goes beyond the typical tourist attractions.
- Hassle-free travel and peace of mind: Every aspect of your trip will be carefully planned and organized by your 1:1 travel consultant.
- Experienced and knowledgeable guides: Your guides will be local and love to work for travelers' smiles.
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At Asia Highlights, we create your kind of journey — your dates, your destinations, at your pace. You can have any trip tailor made for your travel.
