Nearly all visitors to Sri Lanka still need an Electronic Travel Authorization, but since 25 May 2026 nationals of 40 countries pay nothing for it. Here is what the free scheme covers, what everyone else pays, and how to avoid the lookalike visa sites that charge many times the official fee.
Cover image: Sigiriya rock fortress rising above forested plains in central Sri Lanka. — photo by Gayomiw, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Almost every foreign visitor to Sri Lanka needs an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before travel — but since 25 May 2026 the tourist visa fee has been waived for nationals of 40 countries, including the UK, US, India, China, Germany, France, Australia and Canada. Eligible travellers get a free 30-day, double-entry tourist visa; they must still complete the ETA application, just without paying. Everyone else pays US$50 online (US$20 for most SAARC nationals), rising to US$60 (US$25 SAARC) if left until arrival.
One warning before anything else: the only official application site is eta.gov.lk, run by Sri Lanka's Department of Immigration and Emigration. Google is crowded with commercial lookalike sites that charge US$80–150 or more in "service fees" for the same authorisation — and for travellers who now qualify for a free visa, anything they charge is pure mark-up. Check the address bar ends in .gov.lk before entering card details.
Who qualifies for Sri Lanka's free tourist visa?
Under a scheme approved by Cabinet in March 2026 and in force from 25 May 2026, the Department of Immigration and Emigration issues free 30-day tourist ETAs to nationals of 40 selected countries: Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belarus, Belgium, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Poland, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, the UAE, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Nationals of Singapore, Seychelles and the Maldives are also visa-fee-exempt under separate reciprocal agreements, with Maldivians granted 90 days. Key points:
- "Free" waives the fee, not the process — you must still apply for the ETA before travel.
- The visa allows 30 days with double entry; on the second entry only the balance of the original 30 days is granted.
- Stays can be extended beyond 30 days through the immigration department on payment of the applicable extension fees.
- Fees paid before 25 May 2026 are non-refundable.
How much does the Sri Lanka ETA cost in 2026?
For nationalities outside the free scheme, these are the official fees published by the Department of Immigration and Emigration. Applying online is always cheaper than paying on arrival.
| Category | Online fee | On-arrival fee | Stay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist — 40 free-scheme countries (from 25 May 2026) | Free | Free | 30 days, double entry |
| Tourist — SAARC nationals (not on free list) | US$20 | US$25 | 30 days, double entry |
| Tourist — all other countries | US$50 | US$60 | 30 days, double entry |
| Business — SAARC / other countries | US$30 / US$55 | Online or mission only | 30 days, multiple entry |
| Transit | Free | Free | Up to 2 days |
Children under 12 of any nationality get the tourist ETA free for up to 30 days. Extensions beyond 30 days are charged by nationality.
How do I apply on the official website?
Apply at eta.gov.lk with your passport, travel dates and a Visa or Mastercard (if a fee applies). The form takes about ten minutes; approval arrives by email and is checked electronically at the border, so nothing needs to be printed, though a copy is sensible. Applications are typically processed within 24 hours; allow up to 72 hours, so apply at least three or four days before departure. Airlines can verify ETA status at check-in.
At the border you should carry a passport valid for at least six months from arrival, a return or onward ticket, and be able to show sufficient funds for your stay if asked. The pattern will be familiar to anyone who has used other pre-travel systems — Sri Lanka's ETA works much like the UK's Electronic Travel Authorisation, and the pre-registration logic mirrors Malaysia's entry rules and MDAC arrival card.
Can I get a visa on arrival in Sri Lanka?
Yes — an on-arrival ETA counter operates at Bandaranaike International Airport, Colombo, but it is the most expensive option (US$60 versus US$50 online for most paying nationalities) and means queueing after a long flight with the risk of extra scrutiny. Free-scheme nationals lose nothing either way, but immigration authorities direct all travellers to apply online before boarding. If Sri Lanka is part of a longer Asia itinerary, note that Vietnam's e-visa system has no on-arrival fallback for most nationalities — plan that leg earlier.
Transit and overstays
Passengers passing through Sri Lanka can obtain a free transit ETA valid for up to two days, regardless of nationality; those remaining airside for a short same-day connection generally do not need one. Overstaying a tourist visa is treated seriously: expect fines and fresh visa charges when regularising the stay, and possible detention or removal in extended cases — extend in good time through the immigration department in Colombo instead.
Frequently asked questions
Do British and American tourists need a visa for Sri Lanka?
They need an ETA, but not a paid visa. The UK and US are both on the 40-country free-visa list in force since 25 May 2026, so the 30-day double-entry tourist ETA costs nothing — provided it is obtained via the official eta.gov.lk portal rather than a commercial intermediary.
Is eta.gov.lk the only official Sri Lanka visa website?
Yes. The ETA system is operated solely by Sri Lanka's Department of Immigration and Emigration at eta.gov.lk. Other sites offering Sri Lanka ETAs are commercial agents that add service fees of several times the official price, and some are outright scams.
How long does the Sri Lanka ETA take to be approved?
Most online applications are approved within 24 hours, with confirmation sent by email. Allow up to 72 hours to be safe, and apply a few days before departure rather than at the airport, where the on-arrival fee is higher for paying nationalities.
Can I extend the free 30-day visa?
Yes. The free scheme covers the first 30 days only; travellers wanting to stay longer apply to the Department of Immigration and Emigration for an extension and pay the applicable fee for their nationality, typically up to a total stay of 90 days initially.
Sources
- Sri Lanka ETA (Department of Immigration and Emigration) — Visa Fees
- Department of Immigration and Emigration — Extending free visas for selected nationals
- Sri Lanka ETA — Visa information
- Department of Immigration and Emigration — Free Tourist Visas for Nationals of 40 Selected Countries (PDF)
- Wego — Sri Lanka ETA 2026: How to apply before entering the country
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