An intended traveller planning a holiday visit, a short business trip or to transit through, needs to apply and obtain an ETA prior to arrival in Sri Lanka.

Receive ETA approval or a referral notice. If a referral notice is served, you may contact Department of Immigration and Emigration for the necessary ETA.

The application for ETA should be submitted electronically using one of the six submission methods mentioned above. The Department maintains a NO REFUND policy.

An ETA holder is entitled to enter Sri Lanka within three months from the date of issue of ETA.

In the event of ETA being rejected, the system will send a referral notification to the applicant and he/she needs to contact the nearest Sri Lanka Overseas Mission for necessary assistance.

List of Sri Lanka Overseas Missions

View sample ETA approval notice and/or referral notice.

If you are planning a short visit to Sri Lanka, you can submit your ETA application online to the Department of Immigration & Emigration.

Click on the Apply button and fill in the ETA application. Pay the relevant ETA processing fee using your electronic payment cards (credit card/e-commerce enabled debit cards) and submit the application. Only Visa, Master and American Express Cards are accepted. If you are unable to pay by electronic payment cards (credit card/e-commerce enabled debit cards), you have to select one of the alternative options. Apply If your application is successfully submitted, you will receive an acknowledgment promptly. View sample ETA approval notice and/or referral notice.

To check your ETA application status you may log onto the ETA website or contact 24/7 dedicated ETA call centre on 0094 71 99 67 888

View sample ETA approval notice and/or referral notice.

List of Sri Lanka Overseas Missions

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 should fulfill the following requirements at the port of entry.

A passport valid for not less than 6 months from the date of arrival.

A confirmed return ticket.

Sufficient funds to meet the expenses during the stay.

The ETA is initially limited up to 30 days from the date of arrival and it can be extended up to six months.

How to extend my short visit visa?

If you are planning a Short Visit to Sri Lanka, you can obtain the services of a third party such as travel agents, airlines, friends, or relatives etc., to apply for an ETA on your behalf.

Contact your preferred third party and advise them to lodge your ETA application.

The third party may pay the relevant ETA processing fee and submit your application. Only Visa, Master and American Express Cards are accepted. If the application is submitted successfully, an acknowledgement will be sent as requested in the application. View sample Acknowledgement.

Receive your ETA approval notice or referral notice. If a referral notice is served, you may contact Department of Immigration and Emigration for necessary assistance. List of Sri Lanka Overseas Missions

To check your ETA application status you may log on to the ETA website or contact the 24/7 dedicated ETA call centre on 0094 71 99 67 888.

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 should fulfill the following requirements at the port of entry.

View sample ETA approval notice and/or referral notice.

List of Sri Lanka Overseas Missions

A passport valid for not less than 6 months from the date of arrival.

A confirmed return ticket.

Sufficient funds to meet the expenses during the stay.

The ETA is initially limited to 30 days from the date of arrival but it can be extended for up to six months.

How to extend my short visit visa?

If you are planning a Short Visit to Sri Lanka, you can submit your ETA application through a Sri Lanka Overseas Mission. View list of Sri Lanka Overseas Missions. This method is recommended for those who wish to obtain ETA from a Sri Lanka Overseas Mission and have a visa endorsed on their passports.

Sri Lanka Overseas Missions are authorized to issue ETA for up to 30 days and Short Visit visas (Tourist Visa with single or double entry and Business Purposes ETA with single, double or multiple entries) for up to 03 months. Charges may vary according to the category of visa

OM ETA processing fee and visa fee

Proceed to the nearest Sri Lanka Overseas Mission. Fill in the ETA application and/or visa application and hand it over to the visa officer together with the relevant fee.

Sri Lanka Overseas Mission, with the concurrence of the Department of Immigration & Emigration (DI&E), will issue ETA or short stay visa within 03 business days.

Upon submission of the application, an acknowledgement with a reference number will be sent to the respective Overseas Mission and to the main applicant as requested in the application. View sample Acknowledgement. Application status can be viewed by the Overseas Mission.

Receive your ETA approval notice or collect your passport with the endorsed visa.

To check your ETA application status you may log on to the ETA website or contact our 24/7 dedicated ETA call centre on 0094 71 99 67 888.

It is advisable to keep a copy of the ETA approval with you to be produced at the point of entry in Sri Lanka. All ETA holders should produce the following requirements at the port of entry:

A passport valid for not less than 6 months from the date of arrival.

A confirmed return ticket.

Sufficient funds to meet the expenses during the stay.

The ETA is initially limited to 30 days from the date of arrival but it may be extended for up to six months.

If you wish to invite a foreign national for a holiday visit or short business trip to Sri Lanka, you may submit an ETA application by visiting the Department of Immigration and Emigration Head office at Suhurupaya, Sri Subuthipura Road, Baththaramulla.

Visit the Department of Immigration and Emigration office in Colombo. Fill in the ETA application form and hand it over to the visa officer together with the relevant fee for ETA processing. (For more info...)

A notification of approval or referral will be sent as requested in the application to the applicant with a copy to the party who submitted the application.

Receive your ETA approval notice or referral notice. If referral notice is served, you may contact Department of Immigration and Emigration for necessary assistance.

To check your ETA application status you may log onto the ETA website or contact our 24/7 dedicated ETA call centre on 0094 71 99 67 888.

It is advisable to keep a copy of the ETA approval with you to be produced at the point of entry in Sri Lanka. All ETA holders should produce the following requirements at the port of entry:

A passport valid for not less than 6 months from the date of arrival.

A confirmed return ticket.

Sufficient funds to meet the expenses during the stay.

The ETA is initially limited to 30 days from the date of arrival but it may be extended for up to six months.

For travellers who wish to visit Sri Lanka without prior ETA approval, a limited facility to obtain ETA at BIA is available. Additional fees will apply.

Upon arrival at the BIA, report to the ETA issuing counter and fill in the ETA application form and pay the relevant ETA processing fee only in US$. (For more info...) Only electronic payment cards (credit card/e-commerce enabled debit cards) and cash in US$ are accepted.

If your application is approved, the ETA will be issued for up to 30 days.

Receive your ETA approval notice or referral notice. If referral notice is served, you will be refused entry and returned to your original destination.

Once you have received your ETA, please proceed to the Immigration Counter and submit your passport.

It is advisable to keep a copy of the ETA approval with you to be produced at the Immigration Counter at BIA. All ETA holders should produce the following requirements at the port of entry:

A passport valid for not less than 6 months from the date of arrival.

A confirmed return ticket.

Sufficient funds to meet the expenses during the stay.

The ETA is initially limited to 30 days from the date of arrival but it may be extended for up to six months.