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Everything You Need To Know About Sri Lankan Visa

sri-lanka-visa-image British nationals, embarking on a short-term trip to Sri Lanka, either for tourism or business purposes, can enter the country by availing the ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) facility.

However, this option is only available for visits not exceeding 30 days. If your travel plan exceeds this period, you need to apply for a visa through the High Commission of Sri Lanka in London.

Therefore, for your better understanding, below are the major types of visas available for UK citizens applying for entry documents to Sri Lanka

Tourist E-visa or Tourist ETA
Business E-visa or Business ETA
Regular Tourist Visa
Regular Business Visa
Transit E-visa or Tranist ETA
Work or Residence Visa
Visa for Media Personnel
Visa for Elective Studies or Voluntary Work

Tourist E-visa/ETA

A tourist ETA is an authentic document that grants entry into Sri Lanka for tourism purposes. It is available in the double-entry category and comes with a validity of 180 days. This means that you can enter the country twice within 6 months. However, each stay cannot exceed 30 days.

An ETA, just like an E-visa, can be applied for electronically. It is an approval document that is issued online as well. Quick and simple, all you need to do is fill up the online visa application form, without personally visiting the embassy.

No documents need to be uploaded (except a scanned copy of your passport, along with copies of two passport-size photographs) and you receive the document on your registered email.

However, do note that once your application is approved, you will get only an approval letter. You need to keep a printout of this document and present it to the immigration authorities, along with the other required documents.

These include your valid and original passport with at least two blank pages and proof of funds, detailed itinerary, and documentation to your next destination. If everything is in order, the officer shall stamp the actual visa in your passport.

Note: You need to apply for individual tourist ETAs if you are traveling with kids below 12 years.

Business E-visa/ETA

A business ETA allows you to enter Sri Lanka if you plan to visit the nation for non-income-generating business purposes. It arrives in multiple entries and offers a maximum validity of 6 months -- granting a maximum stay period of 30 days per visit.

The requirements and process of applying for a business ETA are similar to that of the tourist ETA. The only difference is in the documents that need to be presented at the port of entry, which specifies the purpose of your travel into the country. You can check the list in our requirement section for a business ETA.

Regular Tourist Visa

A regular tourist visa, issued by the High Commission, is mandatory when your intended period of stay in Sri Lanka is more than 30 days. It is available in double entries, offering validities of up to 1, 2, or 3 months. The maximum allowable stay per visit is 90 days.

A tourist visa is granted when you enter Sri Lanka to seek medical or ayurvedic treatment, participate in sports or cultural performance, travel for sightseeing or vacations, or visit friends and family.

The documentation required to avail a tourist visa is minimal. You just need the standard ones, such as an original and valid passport with a minimum of 2 blank pages, 2 recent passport size photographs, a passport copy, and of course, the completed and signed visa application form.

If the applicant is a child under 16 years, he or she needs to present a consent letter from the parents, a copy of the parents’ marriage certificate, a copy of the child’s birth certificate,and copies of his or her parent’s passports.

After that, the process is quite simple. You don’t even need a prior appointment with the embassy to submit your application. It is a first-come, first-serve basis!

Note: If you are a non-British or non-EU citizen, you are required to own and present a valid UK visa.

Regular Business Visa

A regular business visa is required when you travel to Sri Lanka for a period exceeding 30 days. It is available in single, double, and multiple-entry types -- each offering a validity of 3 months. The maximum allowable stay per visit is 30 days.

A business visa can be used when your travel plan includes attending conferences, workshops, and seminars or partaking in art, music and dance events. It is also applicable if you are traveling to attend business meetings and negotiations, participating in religious events, symposiums, or short term training programs.

The process is similar to that outlined under the tourist visa section. But there is a slight difference in the documentation requirements. Apart from the passport, its copy, photographs, and application form, you need to submit an employment letter and business letter. That’s it!

Transit E-visa/ETA

A transit visa is not required when you are transiting via Sri Lanka but not leaving the airport. But, if you are staying over for a brief period before continuing to your next destination, you will need a transit ETA.

A transit E-visa can be applied by following the same process as the other ETAs. It comes in a single entry, has a validity of months, and allows a stay of 48 hours.

Work Visa or Residence Visa

A residence or work visa must be obtained by an UK national after he/she enters Sri Lanka. But in order to be gained entry in the first place, the applicant should have an entry visa issued by a High Commission of Sri Lanka, which again needs to get prior approval from the Controller General, Immigration & Emigration (CG, I&E) in Sri Lanka.

Therefore, you must ensure that you obtain prior approval from the Department of Immigration & Emigration in Sri Lanka before applying for an entry visa under this category. After this, you can submit your application to the High Commission.

The additional documents required are:

A fully completed and signed visa application form (FORM B)
An original passport that is valid for a minimum of 6 months after your entry date in Sri Lanka. It should have at least two blank visa pages
A copy of the biodata pages of your passport
A copy of the approval letter, issued by the Controller of Immigration & Emigration
2 recent, passport-sized photographs, not older than 6 months
If you are a non-British or non-EU citizen, you need to present a valid UK visa
Required visa fee, paid in cash at the consular counters (Applications submitted via post must contain a postal order or Banker’s draft, addressed to the High Commission of Sri Lanka.
After receipt of your documents, the High Commission needs to seek prior approval from the Ministry of External Affairs in Sri Lanka. Therefore, it is recommended that you make your application at least 2 weeks in advance.

Visa for Media Personnel

If you are visiting Sri Lanka on a media assignment, you should know that you cannot enter the country on a tourist or business visa. You need a separate visa for this purpose.

The documents required are:

A fully completed and signed ETA business visa application form
A passport that is original and has a validity of at least 6 months. It should also contain a minimum of two unused pages.
A copy of the data page of your passport
Two recent passport-size photographs, taken within the last 6 months
A valid UK visa for non-British or non-EU citizens
An invitation letter from the host in Sri Lanka addressed to the Visa Section of the High Commission. It should be typed by an authorized officer on company letterhead.
A request letter addressed to the High Commission. It should specify the complete description of the project -- film details, duration, locations visited, and your name and passport details
An approval letter issued by the National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka
Carnet for the media equipment taken into the country
When filming in wildlife-protected areas, you must submit prior approval from the Department of Wildlife conservation
Relevant visa fee in cash. For postal applications, include a postal order/banker’s draft to High Commission of Sri Lanka

Visa for Elective Studies or Voluntary Work

In order to issue a visa under this category, the High Commission will need prior approval from the Controller General, Immigration & Emigration (CG, I&E) in Sri Lanka.

The specific educational institute or NGO in Sri Lanka requires submitting an application for a residence visa on your behalf to the CG/I&E. After they give their authorization, the Commission can issue an entry visa to the applicant.

The documents required to be submitted include:

A completed visa application form (FORM B)
An official, original British passport that has at least two unused visa pages. It should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months post your arrival in Sri Lanka
A copy of the photo page of your passport
A copy of the approval letter from the Controller of Immigration & Emigration.
2 recent photographs in passport size and not older than 6 months
A valid UK visa if you are a non-British or non-EU citizen
Exact visa fee. The consular counters accept the fees only in cash. If you apply through the post, please share a postal order or banker’s draft, addressed to the High Commission of Sri Lanka.