Visa policy of Sri Lanka

All travellers visiting Sri Lanka for short-stay purposes are required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization before arrival to Sri Lanka, unless they are exempt from obtaining one. However, citizens of some countries must obtain a visa in advance before being allowed to enter Sri Lanka. All visitors must hold a passport valid for 6 months.

Visa exemption

Ordinary passports

Citizens of the following countries are eligible to obtain a free ETA to enter Sri Lanka, for stays up to the duration listed below:
_{# - Exempt from the requirement to obtain an ETA as per bilateral arrangements.}

_{1 - 90 days within any 1-year period.}

Holders of a United Nations Passport, regardless of nationality, do not need a visa to enter Sri Lanka for a maximum stay of up to 90 days.
Holders of a Interpol Passport, regardless of nationality, do not need a visa to enter Sri Lanka for a maximum stay of up to 90 days.

Non-ordinary passports

Holders of diplomatic, official, service or special passports of the following countries do not need a visa to enter Sri Lanka, for stays up to the duration listed below:
_{D – Diplomatic passports}

_{O – Official passports}

_{S – Service passports}

_{Sp – Special passports}

_{PA – Passports endorsed for "public affairs".}

_{1 – 90 days}

_{2 – 30 days}

_{3 – 60 days, 90 days within any 1 year-period.}

_{4 – 90 days within any 180-day period.}

_{5 – 30 days within any 60-day period.}

Visa required in advance

Citizens of the following countries are ineligible to apply for ETA independently, and thus must obtain a visa in advance from one of the Sri Lankan diplomatic missions around the world:
When obtaining a visa at a Sri Lankan diplomatic mission, they must present the following documents:

Police clearance report
If the applicant is coming from another country after staying for more than 6 months, are required to provide Police clearance from that country and copy of the Visa
Certificate from a Sri Lankan guarantor & a photocopy of the guarantors NIC
Affidavit from a Sri Lankan JP or a Lawyer
Accommodation information

Entry restrictions

Mandatory yellow fever vaccination

Citizens of the following countries must present a yellow fever vaccination certificate upon arrival in order to enter Sri Lanka:

History

In 2012, Sri Lanka launched an Electronic Travel Authorisation system, created and operated by Mobitel, a state-owned enterprise.
On 17 April 2024, Sri Lanka replaced its previous Electronic Travel Authorisation system with a new e-Visa system, operated by VFS Global.
On 2 August 2024, the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka issued an interim order, which suspended the e-Visa system operated by VFS Global and ordered the restoration of the previous ETA system operated by Mobitel.
On 4 August 2024, Ada Derana reported that the Ministry of Public Security would make a final decision the next day, and noted that the suspension of the e-Visa system meant that tourists needed to obtain their visas on arrival.
On 5 August 2024, the Department of Immigration and Emigration notified the Sri Lankan diplomatic missions around the world of the discontinuation of the e-Visa system. According to Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles, the old ETA system has yet to be reinstated due to changes made to the Department of Immigration and Emigration's computer system.
On 2 September 2024, Sri Lanka decided to implement visa-free access for citizens of 38 countries, including India, China, Thailand, the UK, the USA, and Indonesia. Although it was initially planned to be implemented on 1 October 2024, the decision was advanced due to the inconvenience caused to tourists at the visa-on-arrival counters, where overcrowding was a significant issue.
As of October 15, 2025, travelers visiting Sri Lanka for short stays must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization before departure.