Almost every foreign visitor needs an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before flying to Sri Lanka. It's not a visa stamp — it's an online pre-approval linked to your passport, and for most nationalities it's a straightforward 10-15 minute application. Here's what to expect.
Who needs an ETA, and what it costs
Most foreign nationals need a tourist ETA to enter Sri Lanka, applied for online before departure. As of 25 May 2026, citizens of 40 countries — including the UK, USA, Australia, Canada, most of the EU, India and China — can get the tourist ETA free of charge. Other SAARC-region nationals pay a reduced rate; most other nationalities pay a standard fee. Fees and the free-country list are set by the Sri Lankan government and do change, so confirm current terms at the official portal before applying.
How to apply
Apply only at the official government site — eta.gov.lk — and nowhere else; several third-party sites mimic the official portal and charge inflated fees for the same free or low-cost service. You'll need your passport (valid at least 6 months beyond your arrival date), your travel dates, and the address of your first night's accommodation in Sri Lanka. Payment, where required, is by Visa or Mastercard. Most applications are approved within 24-48 hours, occasionally within a few hours, though applying at least a week before departure gives you a safe buffer.
Length of stay, extensions, and the arrival card
The standard tourist ETA grants an initial 30-day stay (some nationalities receive longer). If you want to stay beyond that, extensions are available in Sri Lanka through the Department of Immigration and Emigration, in stages up to a total of around 270 days. Separately from the ETA, all arriving passengers must also complete a Digital Arrival Card online before landing — a short declaration covering health, travel history and local contact details. This is a different form from the ETA and doesn't replace it.
