With effect from 1st January 2012, all Holiday or Business travelers to Sri Lanka must have Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for entering in to Sri Lanka. Please visit http://www.eta.gov.lk for more information. The facility for applying Business Purpose Visa is at present available only at the Head Office of the Department of Immigration & Emigration and the Sri Lankan Overseas Missions. When applying ETA by third parties payments are to be made through the arrangement made in our website www.eta.gov.lk and obtain acknowledgement of ETA application. Any payments made to other websites or agencies are not valid to process a valid ETA. Therefore, always ensure that the payments made by accessing to Sri Lanka ETA website and avoid making repayment at the port of entry to Sri Lanka.
What is a Sri Lankan Visa?
A Sri Lankan visa is an endorsement on a passport or a similar document to facilitate the legal entry of non Sri Lankans into the country and to regulate the period of their stay and the conditions governing such stay.
What are the Types of Sri Lankan Visas?
There are four kinds of visas which permit a person to enter and/or stay in Sri Lanka.
- Visit Visa
- Residence Visa
Visit Visa
A Visit Visa is an entry permit signifying the consent of the Sri Lankan Government for the admission of a foreign national to the country. The Visa contains details of the period of time and the condition/s of the stay. There are two sub-categories which come under visit visas.
Tourist Visa - A Tourist Visa is issued to bona-fide tourists who want to enter Sri Lanka for sightseeing, excursions, relaxation, visit relatives or yoga training for a short period of time.
- How can I renew my tourist visa? - Every bona-fide tourist who enters Sri Lanka within the period of the landing permit granted by the Immigration officials at the port of entry can apply for a visa extension before the expiry of the visa. Two (02) months extension beyond 30 days shall be granted at the Department of Immigration Emigration (Head Office) . However further extension shall only be considered with valid reasons. This restriction will not be applicable to Ex-Sri Lankans.
- Download printable versions of the Application Forms here
- What are the other conditions applicable to renewal of my tourist visa ? -Your intended stay in Sri Lanka should end at least two months before the expiry date of your travel document.
Business Purpose Visa - A Business Purpose Visa is issued to foreign nationals who visit Sri Lanka for business purposes for short period of time. This visa may be issued for single or double journeys.
- How can I renew my Business Purpose Visa ? - Applications for the extension of all visas should be made to the Department of Immigration and Emigration Head Office.
- Download printable versions of the Application Forms here
- What are the other conditions applicable to renewal of my Business Purpose Visa ? - In order to extend your visa necessary documentary proof has to be submitted by the relevant Sri Lankan Company/ Agency / Institution etc.. Your intended stay in Sri Lanka should end at least two months before the expiry date of your travel document.
Residence Visa
A residence visa is a permit for a non-Sri Lankan to obtain residence facilities for special purposes.