Sri Lanka ETA: how to apply and entry requirements
Sri Lanka welcomes most visitors through its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, a straightforward online step that clears you for a short tourist stay before you fly. This guide explains how the ETA works, who needs one, and how to arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport ready to travel, including how to get online the moment you land.
We inform rather than advise. Always confirm the current rules for your own passport on the official Sri Lankan government portal before you book.
What is the Sri Lanka ETA
The ETA is an official pre-arrival approval linked electronically to your passport. For most nationalities it functions as a visa on arrival that you arrange in advance, granting a tourist stay of up to 30 days from the date of entry. It is issued by the Department of Immigration and Emigration and applied for through the government site at eta.gov.lk.
Approval is usually quick, but processing times can vary during busy periods, so it is sensible to apply a few days before departure rather than at the airport.
Who needs one
The great majority of travellers arriving for tourism need an ETA before boarding. A small number of nationalities are exempt or follow a different process, and rules change from time to time. Check your specific corridor on the Sri Lanka entry page and cross-reference the official portal so you are working from the current position for your passport.
If your trip involves work, study, or a stay longer than the tourist limit, the ETA is not the right route and a different visa category applies. This guide covers tourist entry only.
How to apply
The process is entirely online and takes only a few minutes:
- Go to the official portal at eta.gov.lk and select the tourist ETA.
- Complete the form with your passport details, arrival date, and address in Sri Lanka. A hotel or guesthouse booking is enough for the address field.
- Submit the application and pay the government charge on the secure page.
- Wait for the approval notice, which arrives by email. Save a copy to your phone and print a backup.
Apply using the passport you will actually travel on, and make sure the details match exactly. A mismatch between your ETA and your passport is the most common cause of delay at the desk.
At the border
When you land, immigration officers confirm your ETA against your passport electronically. Have your approval notice and onward or return travel details ready. Your passport should be valid for at least six months from your date of arrival, a standard requirement across most of the region.
Officers may ask about the purpose and length of your stay. Answer clearly, and keep your accommodation details to hand.
How long you can stay
A tourist ETA allows a stay of up to 30 days. Extensions are handled inside Sri Lanka through the immigration department for travellers who want to stay longer, subject to the department's own rules and processing. Plan your onward travel around the 30-day window unless you have arranged an extension.
Staying connected when you land
Sri Lanka's mobile networks cover the main tourist regions well, from Colombo to the hill country, though coverage thins in remote rainforest and highland areas. An eSIM lets you skip the airport SIM queue and arrive with data already working, which is genuinely useful when you need a ride into the city or want to confirm a guesthouse on arrival.
Saily offers eSIM data plans that cover Sri Lanka, so you can set everything up before you fly and connect automatically once you land.
Get a Saily eSIM for Sri Lanka
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you.
Once you are online, the highlands open up quickly. The tea town of Hatton is the classic base for climbing Adam's Peak, while Deniyaya is the gateway to the Sinharaja rainforest in the south.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an ETA to visit Sri Lanka as a tourist?
Most nationalities do. The ETA is arranged online before travel and clears you for a tourist stay of up to 30 days. Confirm your own passport's position on the official portal before booking.
How long does the Sri Lanka ETA take to process?
Approvals are often issued quickly, sometimes within a day, but times vary during busy periods. Apply a few days ahead of departure to allow a buffer.
How long can I stay in Sri Lanka on an ETA?
A tourist ETA permits a stay of up to 30 days from your date of entry. Extensions are possible inside the country through the immigration department.
Can I get the ETA on arrival instead of applying online?
It is strongly preferable to arrange your ETA before you fly. Applying in advance avoids airport delays and reduces the risk of being turned away at boarding.
What passport validity does Sri Lanka require?
Your passport should generally be valid for at least six months from your arrival date. Check that it has blank pages for entry stamps.
Does the ETA cover business or work travel?
No. The tourist ETA is for tourism only. Business, work, or study travel falls under different visa categories with their own requirements.
Can I extend my stay beyond 30 days?
Yes, extensions are handled inside Sri Lanka through the Department of Immigration and Emigration, subject to their rules and processing times.
Where is the official Sri Lanka ETA website?
The official government portal is eta.gov.lk. Avoid third-party sites that add charges, and apply directly through the official page.
Will my phone work in Sri Lanka when I arrive?
Mobile coverage is good across the main tourist areas. An eSIM such as Saily lets you arrive with data already active rather than hunting for a SIM at the airport.