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Visa General Information ETA

 

Issuance of Tourist Visa Free of Charge for selected 40 countries

1. With effect from 25.05.2026, nationals of the following 40 countries are eligible to obtain tourist visa (ETA) free-of-charge for a period of 30 days.

   

1.  AUSTRALIA 11. FRANCE     21. MALAYSIA  31. SAUDI     ARABIA 
2. AUSTRIA 12. GERMANY 22. NEPAL 32. SOUTH       KOREA    
3.  BAHARAIN 13. INDIA 23. NETHERLAND 33. SPAIN
4. BELARUS 14. INDONESIA 24. NEW ZEALAND 34. SWEDEN
5. BELGIUM 15. IRAN 25. NORWAY 35. SWITZERLAND
6. CANADA 16. ISRAEL 26. OMAN 36. THAILAND
7. CHINA 17. ITALY 27. PAKISTAN 37. TURKEY
8. CZECH REPUBLIC 18. JAPAN 28. POLAND 38. UAE
9. DENMARK 19. KAZAKHSTAN 29. QATAR 39. UNITED KINGDOM
10. FINLAND 20. KUWAIT 30. RUSSIA 40. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

 

 

2. Nationals of the above-mentioned countries holding Diplomatic, Official, Service, or Ordinary passports shall be eligible to obtain tourist visa (ETA) free-of-charge under this scheme.

3. Please note that all foreign nationals, (except those referred to in paragraph vii below) including nationals of the above-mentioned 40 countries as well as nationals of Maldives, Seychelles, and Singapore, are required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) prior to their arrival in Sri Lanka. As per the bilateral reciprocal agreement between Sri Lanka and Maldives, Maldivian nationals will receive 90 days tourist visa through ETA system.

4. The Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for nationals of the above-mentioned 40 countries and nationals of Maldives, Seychelles and Singapore shall be processed free of charge. However, ETA fees paid by the applicants prior to 25.05.2026 are non-refundable.

5. Under this scheme, tourists of above 40 countries are entitled to a free tourist visa (ETA) valid for 30 days with double-entry permitted from the date of first arrival in Sri Lanka during the second entry only the balance period of the 30 days will be granted.

6. Applicants who have obtained a tourist visa (ETA) free of charge and wish to remain in Sri Lanka beyond 30 days may apply for a visa extension upon payment of the applicable visa fee.

 

7. Visa Gen. Information (ETA)

An intended traveler planning a holiday visit, a short business trip or to transit, needs to apply and obtain an ETA (Electronic Travel Authority) online prior to arrival in Sri Lanka.

(Note: Syrian citizens are not entitled)

Please visit http://www.eta.gov.lk for more information

The following categories are eligible for visa exemptions.

  • Sri Lankan dual citizens
  • Children whose births have been registered under section 5(2) of citizenship Act. 1948 up to 21 years of age
  • Children born in Sri Lanka under 21 years of age even when they hold foreign passports

The following nationals & categories are exempt from ETA

  • The Republic of Singapore
  • The Republic of Maldives
  • The Republic of Seychelles
  • Crew members of flight or ships
  • Children under 12 years of age (Only ETA processing fee is exempt)

The type of ETA

  • ETA for Tourist purpose with single entry for 30 (thirty) days
  • ETA for Business purpose with single entry for 30 (thirty) days
  • ETA for transit up to 02 days Free of charge basis (Document proof needed)

ETA application can be submitted using one of the following options:

  • By the applicant or third party online – Please visit – www.eta.gov.lk
  • At the Sri Lanka Embassy in Lebanon

Person intending to visit Sri Lanka for 30 days or less can apply for ETA online. If visa is required for more than 30 days the intended travelers must visit and apply for visa at the Department of Immigration and Emigration visited to Sri Lanka.

Visa categories:

  • Tourist Visa
  • Business Visa
  • Gratis Visa
  • Journalist Visa
  • Residence Visa

Tourist / Business ETA cannot be converted into a Residence visa to obtain a Residence visa, it is necessary to arrive in Sri Lanka on an Entry Visa processed through the Department of Immigration and Emigration of Sri Lanka after submission of necessary supporting documents.

Please visit http://www.eta.gov.lk

ETA holder is entitled to enter Sri Lanka within three months from the date of issuance of ETA. It is advisable to keep a copy of the ETA approval with you to be produced at the port of entry in Sri Lanka. All ETA holders must fulfill the following requirements at the port of entry.

  • A passport valid for not less than 06 months for the date arrival
  • A confirmed return ticket
  • Sufficient funds to meet the expenses during the stay

For travelers who wish to visit Sri Lanka without prior approval, a limited facility to obtain ETA at the airport is available. Additional fees will apply
Diplomatic and official passport holders should not apply for Tourist / Business ETA on their official visits.

The traveler should not engage in any form of employment, paid or unpaid or in any trade or business other than that specified in the visa during the period of stay in Sri Lanka.

Online ETA facility is not available for under mentioned purposes,

  • To participate in Media / Journalist conferences / workshops / seminars etc
  • To engage in meetings, seminars, conferences etc. with political parties and / or groups
  • To participate in official events, meetings etc
  • To engage in the activities carried out by the NGOS OR INGOs

All applicants may obtain the relevant visa either from the Sri Lanka Embassy in Lebanon or from the visa Division of the Department of Immigration and Emigration of Sri Lanka, by submitting proof of evidence for the above purposes.

For more information please visit http://www.eta.gov.lk

 

7:1. Requirements for tourist / Business Visa if applying through the Embassy

  • Duly completed visa application form with signature. Please clearly write applicant’s name, address and telephone number Click here for Application - Annexed -7
  • Two recent passport size colour photos
  • Valid passport with at least one unused visa page. The passport should be valid for six months from the date of departure for Sri Lanka after the intended visit
  • Copy of air ticket or cruise – ship reservation
  • For business visa proof concerning the purpose of the visit

Important: Copy of the letter of invitation by the Sri Lankan company / organization to the applicant and a formal letter from the company / organization in Lebanon requesting for a visa to the person concerned with a brief introduction about the company, nature of business and details of conduct person/company in Sri Lanka should be attached as proof when applying business visa.

Please visit visa fees page of http://immigration.gov.lk to refer the country fee.

Important: Prior approval for visa is required for persons proceeding to Sri Lanka for Educational assignments/ academic research, employment, voluntary work in social service organizations and non-governmental organizations, officers designated to Diplomatic Missions in Sri Lanka and other International Organizations or to join their spouses in Sri Lanka.

 

7:2. ETA for Official and Diplomatic passport holders

Foreign diplomats intending to visit Sri Lanka for official purposes should forward the following documents to this Embassy to obtain prior approval from Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Colombo. Therefore, please submit relevant documents well in advance to obtain prior approval.

  • Note viable issued by their respective Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  • Dully filled application Click here for Application - Annexed - 8
  • Two recent passport size photos
  • Valid passport (more than 6 months)

The Gratis Visa will be granted after obtained prior approval from Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Colombo with consultation of Department of the Immigration & Emigration in Colombo.

Diplomatic and Official passport holders should not apply tourist /business ETA for their official or to engage in any official assignment in Sri Lanka.

Diplomatic and Official passport holders should follow the normal ETA application procedure for their personal visits.

 

7:3. Residence Visa

The Embassy requires prior approval from the Controller General, Immigration and Emigration of Sri Lanka (CG, I&E) to issue entry visa under this category. Please see Residence Visa section in the website www.immigration.gov.lk for details.

Business Organization or the NGO in Sri Lanka should submit the application for work / resident visa on behalf of the applicant directly to the Controller General, I & E. The Controller General, I & E will then authorize this Embassy to issue entry visa to the applicant.

On receipt of the approval from the Controller General of Immigration & Emigration, the Embassy could issue entry visa once the applicant submit the documents mentioned under 'REQUIREMENTS'.

Requirements for entry visa:

  • Duly completed visa application – form B/ application for entry visa Click here for Application - Annexed -9 
  • Two passport size colour photos per person
  • Valid passport with at least one unused visa page
  • Clearance letter from the Controller General, Immigration and Emigration (CG, I & E) or Ministry of Foreign Affairs Colombo.
  • Copy of air ticket
  • Relevant fee

 

7:4. Journalist Visa

Applicants are required to submit applications to the Embassy. Please note that visa will be provided only after clearance is granted from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Colombo.

Requirements:

  • Duly filled visa application form for each member Click here for Application - Annexed -X
  • Two passport size colour photographs.
  • Copy of the passport and Residence permit in Lebanon.
  • Duly completed Agreement form
  • Itinerary.
  • Equipment list.
  • Letter from organization requesting visa, encapsulating Details of visit /Programme.
  • Relevant visa fee. (US$ 40.00 for less than a 30- day stay in Sri Lanka)

 

7:5. Transit Visa

Passengers wishing to transit through Sri Lanka may apply for transit visa (single Entry) online OR at the port of their Entry (Free of charge) only for 02 days (48 hours)

To apply please visit http:///www.eta.gov.lk 

 

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