Sri Lanka

Every Sri Lanka visa route, explained

Sri Lanka has a route for every purpose — short visits (the online tourist ETA), plus transit, business ETA, and residence visas for work, study and family. Routes with verified step-by-step guides link straight to them; the rest link to eta.gov.lk and the Department of Immigration & Emigration.

The routes

Visit & tourism

Tourist ETA

Short visits for tourism — almost all visitors apply online for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA): a 30-day stay with double entry, free for some nationalities and paid for the rest.

Tourists and short family/leisure visits

30 days, double entry (extendable up to 270 days)

10 verified step-by-step guides →

Transit

Transit visa

Short entry permit for travellers passing through Sri Lanka en route to another destination.

Up to 2 days

official page →

Study

Residence visa (study)

For foreign students enrolled in a recognised course or institution in Sri Lanka.

Students admitted to a Sri Lankan institution

official page →

Work & business

Business ETA

Online authorization for attending business meetings, conferences or trade exhibitions in Sri Lanka.

Business visitors and conference attendees

30 days, double/multiple entry

official page →

Residence visa (employment)

Long-stay visa for foreigners taking up approved employment in Sri Lanka, issued by the Department of Immigration & Emigration.

Foreigners with approved employment in Sri Lanka

official page →

Family & residence

Residence visa (family / dependant)

For dependants of a resident or of a Sri Lankan national to stay long-term.

Spouses and dependants of residents / nationals

official page →

Verified step-by-step guides

Grounded on official sources — documents, fees, timeline, every fact dated and linked.

🇦🇺 Australia → Sri LankaVisit — ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization)

Australian citizens apply online for a Sri Lanka ETA — a 30-day stay with double entry, before they travel.

🇨🇳 China → Sri LankaVisit — ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization)

Chinese citizens apply online for a Sri Lanka ETA — a 30-day stay with double entry, before they travel.

🇩🇪 Germany → Sri LankaVisit — ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization)

German citizens apply online for a Sri Lanka ETA — a 30-day stay with double entry, before they travel.

🇫🇷 France → Sri LankaVisit — ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization)

French citizens apply online for a Sri Lanka ETA — a 30-day stay with double entry, before they travel.

🇬🇧 United Kingdom → Sri LankaVisit — ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization)

British citizens apply online for a Sri Lanka ETA — a 30-day stay with double entry, before they travel.

🇮🇳 India → Sri LankaVisit — ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization)

Indian citizens apply online for a Sri Lanka ETA — a 30-day stay with double entry, before they travel.

🇯🇵 Japan → Sri LankaVisit — ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization)

Japanese citizens apply online for a Sri Lanka ETA — a 30-day stay with double entry, before they travel.

🇳🇱 Netherlands → Sri LankaVisit — ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization)

Dutch citizens apply online for a Sri Lanka ETA — a 30-day stay with double entry, before they travel.

🇷🇺 Russia → Sri LankaVisit — ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization)

Russian citizens apply online for a Sri Lanka ETA — a 30-day stay with double entry, before they travel.

🇺🇸 United States → Sri LankaVisit — ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization)

American citizens apply online for a Sri Lanka ETA — a 30-day stay with double entry, before they travel.