Sri Lanka ETA and Visa in 2027: Who Needs One, What It Costs and How to Apply

Choose the passport you will travel on. We only give a definite answer for countries we could confirm by name; for anyone else, the official portal has the final word.

Countries we have confirmed in the free scheme so far: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States. The full scheme covers 40 countries, so if yours is not listed here it may still qualify. Check eta.gov.lk.

Yes, for the 40 countries in the scheme. Sri Lanka's Cabinet approved free tourist visas for 40 countries on 30 March 2026, Parliament approved it on 7 May 2026, and it took effect on 25 May 2026. The UK Foreign Office updated its advice the next day to say ETAs “are issued free of charge” and are valid for 30 days.

Three details that catch people out:

• Free does not mean optional. You still need an approved ETA before you fly.
• It covers 30 days. Longer stays need a paid extension.
• Fees paid before 25 May 2026 were not refunded. If you applied early for a 2026 trip, that ETA stands.

1. 1

   Check your passport

   It must be valid for at least six months after the day you arrive in Sri Lanka, with a blank page for the entry stamp.
2. 2

   Go to the official portal

   Type eta.gov.lk into your browser yourself. Do not follow ads or links from search results that point anywhere else.
3. 3

   Choose the tourist ETA

   Select the tourist category and your nationality. If your country is in the free scheme, the fee shows as zero.
4. 4

   Fill in the form

   Enter your passport details exactly as printed, your arrival date, your first address in Sri Lanka (your hotel) and your contact details.
5. 5

   Submit and save the approval

   Keep the approval email and a screenshot of the reference number. Print a copy as a backup for check-in.
6. 6

   Carry your onward ticket

   Have your return or onward flight details and proof you can support yourself during your stay ready to show at check-in or immigration.

The portal does not publish a processing time. Most travellers apply one to four weeks before departure, which leaves time to correct a typo. A passport number typed wrongly is the most common reason an ETA does not match at check-in.

Sri Lanka's Controller General of Immigration and Emigration has named three websites as unauthorised:

Rules of thumb for any visa site:

• The official address ends in .gov.lk. Not .org.lk, not .com.
• If a site charges a “service fee” for an ETA that should be free for your country, close it.
• Search ads often sit above the official site. Type the address yourself.
• Never send a scan of your passport by email or WhatsApp to anyone offering to “process” your ETA.

Airlines check these at departure, so a missing ETA or a passport that expires too soon can stop you boarding, not just entering Sri Lanka.

Most visitors arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) at Katunayake, about 30 km north of Colombo and 20 minutes from Negombo. Have your passport, ETA approval and hotel address ready for immigration. After baggage collection you will find currency exchange and mobile network counters (Dialog and Mobitel sell tourist SIM cards; bring your passport).

Many long-haul flights land overnight. If you are travelling with Zelenso, your driver meets you in the arrivals hall with a name board, whatever time you land. Not sure where to spend the first night? Our 10-day itinerary explains when to stay in Negombo and when to head straight inland.

The free tourist ETA covers 30 days. To stay longer, apply for an extension through the Department of Immigration and Emigration's online services before your 30 days run out. Extensions are charged; the fee is shown when you apply. Overstaying, even by a day, can lead to fines and problems on departure.

Children

Every traveller needs their own ETA, including babies, and their own passport valid for six months after arrival. Apply for the whole family in one sitting so the details match your bookings.

Business trips

The free scheme is for tourist ETAs. If you are attending meetings, a conference or a trade visit, choose the business category on eta.gov.lk; different rules and fees may apply. Travel agents and tour operators visiting suppliers should check this before booking flights.

Twin-centre trips and transit

If you visit Sri Lanka and the Maldives on one trip, the free ETA's double entry can help if you return through Colombo. The Maldives has its own free 30-day visa on arrival and requires an online traveller declaration (IMUGA) before you arrive. Our Sri Lanka vs Maldives guide covers the logistics.