Almost every visitor needs a Sri Lanka ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) before they arrive, and you apply for it online at the official site, eta.gov.lk. Since 25 May 2026, travellers from 40 countries, including the UK, US, Australia, India, Germany and China, get a 30-day tourist ETA free of charge. Everyone else pays US$50, or US$20 if you're from Bangladesh, Bhutan or Afghanistan.
The free ETA still has to be applied for. "Free" means no fee. It doesn't mean you can skip the form. This guide covers who qualifies, what it costs, how to apply step by step and how to stay longer than 30 days. Fees and rules were checked against official Sri Lankan government pages in November 2026.
Sri Lanka ETA at a glance
| Question | Answer (November 2026) |
|---|---|
| Do I need an ETA? | Yes, almost all foreign nationals, including those from free-ETA countries |
| Where to apply | Online at eta.gov.lk (the official Department of Immigration and Emigration site) |
| Tourist ETA, 40 listed countries | Free |
| Tourist ETA, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Afghanistan | US$20 online, US$25 on arrival |
| Tourist ETA, all other countries | US$50 online, US$60 on arrival |
| Children under 12 | Free, any nationality |
| Transit (up to 2 days) | Free |
| Length of stay | 30 days from arrival, double entry |
| When you must arrive | Within 3 months of the ETA being issued |
| Passport validity | At least 6 months from your arrival date |
| Longest possible stay | Up to 270 days with extensions |
Fees above are from the official ETA fee page. Fees are charged in US dollars.
The free tourist ETA: who qualifies
The Department of Immigration and Emigration's official notice lists these 40 countries for the free 30-day tourist ETA, from 25 May 2026:
- Europe: Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom
- Americas and Oceania: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United States
- Asia: China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, South Korea, Thailand
- Middle East: Bahrain, Iran, Israel, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates
Three more countries get free ETAs under separate agreements. Singapore and Seychelles nationals get 30 days, and Maldivian nationals get 90 days.
A few points that catch people out:
- You still need to apply. The notice is clear that all foreign nationals, including the 40 countries, must get an ETA before arriving.
- It's for tourism. A business ETA is not covered and still costs US$30 or US$55.
- No refunds for earlier payments. If you paid for an ETA before 25 May 2026, that fee won't be refunded.
How long will the free ETA last?
This is the one big unknown. The government gazette that set up the scheme gives the free period as 25 May to 24 November 2026. News reports at launch described it as a one-year scheme with a review at six months. At the time of writing (early November 2026), we haven't found an official announcement either way.
If you travel after 24 November 2026, check the official fee page when you apply. If the waiver has ended, the standard US$50 fee will apply. The application process is the same either way. We'll update this guide when the government confirms what happens next.
How to apply for a Sri Lanka ETA, step by step
These steps follow the official how-to-apply page.
Step 1: Gather what you need
- A passport valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date
- Your expected arrival date and flight details
- The address of where you'll stay on your first night
- An email address you check often
- A clear scan or photo of your passport photo page, in case the form asks for it
- A Visa, Mastercard or American Express card, if your nationality has to pay
Step 2: Go to the official site
Go to eta.gov.lk and choose to apply for a new ETA. Check that the address ends in .gov.lk. Plenty of look-alike sites offer to "process" your ETA and add their own service fee, even when the official ETA is free for you.
Step 3: Choose the right type
Pick a tourist ETA if you're coming on holiday or visiting friends or family. Choose business only if you're travelling for work, and transit only if you'll be in Sri Lanka for two days or less on the way somewhere else.
Step 4: Fill in the form
Enter your name, date of birth, nationality and passport number exactly as they appear in your passport. A mismatch with your passport can cause problems at check-in or at the border. Every traveller, including children, needs their own ETA. Children under 12 are free.
Step 5: Pay, if you need to
If your country is on the free list, there's nothing to pay. Otherwise, pay the US$50 (or US$20) fee by card. The Department of Immigration and Emigration has a no-refund policy, so check your dates and details before paying.
Step 6: Wait for your approval
You'll get an acknowledgment by email straight away, then either an approval notice or a referral notice. A referral means you need to contact your nearest Sri Lankan embassy or high commission.
The official site doesn't give a standard processing time. Approvals often arrive within one to three days, but apply at least a week before you fly to leave room for problems. You can check your status on eta.gov.lk or call the 24/7 ETA call centre on +94 71 99 67 888.
Step 7: Save and print your ETA
Keep a copy of your approval on your phone and a printed copy in your bag. The airline may ask for it at check-in, and immigration may ask for it in Colombo.
Can you still get an ETA on arrival?
Officially, yes, but don't rely on it. The ETA site says there's a "limited facility" for getting an ETA at Bandaranaike International Airport, paid in US dollars by card or cash. It costs more (US$60, or US$25 for the South Asian countries that pay), and queues can be long.
There's a bigger risk too. In August 2026, Sri Lankan embassies reminded travellers that they should hold an ETA before starting their journey, and that travelling without one could mean being refused boarding. If an on-arrival application is referred instead of approved, you can be refused entry and sent back. Apply online before you fly.
What immigration checks when you land
An approved ETA lets you travel, but the officer at the airport makes the final decision. According to the official ETA site, you should have:
- A passport valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date
- A confirmed return or onward ticket
- Enough money to support yourself during your stay
- A copy of your ETA approval
You must enter Sri Lanka within 3 months of your ETA being issued. Your 30 days start on the day you arrive, not the day the ETA was approved.
How double entry works
A tourist ETA allows two entries within the 30 days. Your first arrival starts the clock. If you pop over to the Maldives or India and come back, you only get the days left over from the original 30. It doesn't reset.
How to extend your stay beyond 30 days
If 30 days isn't enough, you can extend from inside the country. According to the official extension page, the maximum stay is 270 days from your arrival, built up in stages:
| Stage | Extra days | Total stay |
|---|---|---|
| Entry with ETA | 30 | 30 days |
| First extension | 60 | 90 days |
| Second extension | 90 | 180 days |
| Third extension | 90 | 270 days |
You can apply online through the Department's e-services portal (eservices.immigration.gov.lk), which handles extensions of up to six months. Or you can go in person to the visa section at the Department of Immigration and Emigration head office in Battaramulla, near Colombo.
Extensions are not free, even if your ETA was. The fee depends on your nationality, so check the current rate on the immigration site. Apply well before your current permission runs out.
Tips for Indian and South Asian travellers
India, Pakistan and Nepal are all on the free-ETA list, so tourists from these countries pay nothing for a 30-day tourist ETA. You still apply on eta.gov.lk in the same way. Nationals of Bangladesh, Bhutan and Afghanistan pay the lower South Asia rate of US$20 online.
Common ETA mistakes to avoid
- Using an agency site by accident. Search results often show paid "visa service" sites first. Only eta.gov.lk is official.
- Assuming free means no application. Even free-ETA nationals must apply before arrival.
- Applying too early. You must arrive within 3 months of the ETA being issued, so don't apply a year ahead.
- Short passport validity. You need 6 months left from your arrival date, not your departure date.
- Typos. Check your passport number and name spelling before you submit.
- Choosing business instead of tourist. The free waiver only covers tourist ETAs.
FAQ
Is the Sri Lanka ETA free for UK and US citizens?
Yes. Since 25 May 2026, UK and US citizens, along with 38 other nationalities, get a free 30-day tourist ETA. You still have to apply online before you travel. The gazette lists the free period as running to 24 November 2026, so check the fee page if you travel after that.
How long does a Sri Lanka ETA take?
The official site doesn't promise a time. Approvals often come within one to three days, but apply at least a week before you fly. If you apply through a Sri Lankan embassy or high commission instead, the official site says they issue ETAs within 3 business days.
Can I get a visa on arrival in Sri Lanka?
A limited on-arrival ETA is available at Colombo airport for US$60 (or US$25 for some South Asian nationalities). Embassies advise getting your ETA before departure because airlines may refuse boarding without one.
Do children need an ETA for Sri Lanka?
Yes, every traveller needs one, but children under 12 get a free tourist ETA for up to 30 days, whatever their nationality.
Can I work remotely on a tourist ETA?
The tourist ETA is for holidays, visiting friends and family, and similar short visits. If you plan to work in Sri Lanka, check the visa options on the Department of Immigration and Emigration's website before you travel.
