Almost every person will require a Sri Lanka visa to travel to the country. However, for some countries, the processes may be different or simpler.
Visa applications for Sri Lanka can be done online, at an embassy or consulate, or upon arrival. For more information keep reading this article until the end.
Sri Lanka visa types
- Sri Lanka visitor visa – granted to foreigners who want to visit Sri Lanka for different purposes such as tourism, business, or family visits
- Transit visa – it will be granted to people who are going to travel to a third destination from Sri Lanka and it is valid for only two days
- Work visa for Sri Lanka – for those people who wish to work in Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka family visa – for Sri Lankan citizens and residents’ spouses and minor children
- Sri Lanka investment visa – granted if you want to invest in something in Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka study visa – issued for purposes of studying in an educational institution in Sri Lanka
- Religious visa of Sri Lanka – granted to clergy from other countries
Requirements for Sri Lanka visa
- Valid travel documents such as a passport
- Evidence of financial resources to cover your expenses
- Evidence that you will not remain in the country after the visa expires
- Documents that state the purpose of your visit such as an invitation letter
Nevertheless, you must always consult the embassy or consulate to make sure of what documents you need to submit.
How to apply for Sri Lanka visa?
As mentioned above, the ways to apply for a Sri Lanka visa are different and vary in your country.
Here is how you can apply for a Sri Lanka visa:
- Upon arrival
- Online at the official website
- At an embassy or consulate in your home country
Upon arrival visa application
If you are from the countries below then you can get a Sri Lanka visa upon arrival free of charge:
- Maldives (for up to 30 days)
- Seychelles (60 days)
- Singapore (30 days)
Do know that the visa can be extended for a specific amount of time.
Online Sri Lanka visa application
A Sri Lanka visa can be applied for online by anyone (apart from people from countries that need to apply at an embassy) This is also classified as an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), and it can be obtained in the following ways.
Before traveling
The steps to take are:
- Upload the application at the Immigration department website
- Pay the fee
- Wait for the process to finish. If it has been approved then you check its status at the website or via email. Make sure that you remember your confirmation number.
Upon arrival
You can apply for the eTA at a point of entry. Do know however that it might be a bit stressful as you may have to wait in line.
At an embassy or consulate
This is probably the better option to apply for an eTA as you will get help from the embassy or consulate in your home country.
Sri Lanka application at an embassy or consulate
The following countries must apply for a Sri Lanka at an embassy or consulate, meaning that they do not have the option to apply online or upon arrival.
- Afghanistan
- Cameroon
- Republic of the Congo
- The Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Cote d’Ivoire
- Gabon
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Kenya
- Liberia
- Mali
- Myanmar
- Nigeria
- North Korea
- Pakistan
- Sierra Leone
- Sudan
- Syria
- Uganda
The steps to take are:
- Schedule an appointment with the embassy/consulate or just contact them.
- Fill out the application form and send it to the embassy/consulate along with your visa payment, a valid passport, and any other necessary document for your application
- Afterward, you will be sent a reference number and will be notified if the visa has been authorized or not.
- If the visa has been authorized then all you need to do is go to the embassy or consulate to receive it along with your passport
How to extend Sri Lanka visa?
If your Sri Lanka visa is about to expire and you wish to remain in the country for a longer period of time then you can apply for a visa extension.
Here’s what you will need for a Sri Lanka visa extension:
- Your passport
- A passport size photo
- Evidence that you can financially support yourself
- Evidence that you will not remain in Sri Lanka after the visa expires
- Additional documentation depending on different factors
Sri Lanka visa fee
An online visa for Sri Lanka has the following prices:
- Single or double-entry visa – $35
- Multiple-entry – $40
- Free of charge – Transit visa
If you apply for a Sri Lanka at an embassy or consulate then the visa fee will depend on the country and reciprocity.
Sri Lanka visa validity
The initial validity of a Sri Lanka online visa is 30 days, however, you have the option to also extend it
- Single or multiple entry visas are valid for up to 3 months
- A transit visa is valid for two days only
