Everything You Need To Know About Sri Lankan Visa
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.