Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)’ fully operational since 1st January 2012

The Department of Immigration & Emigration of Sri Lanka has established an internet-based on-line visa issuance system namely the ‘Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)’ in order for foreign nationals intending to visit Sri Lanka for short term-tourism, business, or transit to obtain authorization to enter/transit Sri Lanka.

Foreigners, who wish to visit Sri Lanka for a short stay for any of the following purposes, must obtain ETA through one of the established mechanisms.

TOURIST:

Sightseeing, holidaying, visiting friends and relatives, medical treatment including Ayurvedic (herbal) and yoga, Participate in sporting events, competitions and activities relating to cultural performance.

BUSINESS:

Participate in business meetings and negotiations, conferences, workshops and seminars, short training courses, Participate in art, music and dance.

TRANSIT:

Transiting through Sri Lanka

PERSONAL VISITS BY DIPLOMATIC AND OFFICIAL PASSPORT HOLDERS:

May follow one of the normal ETA application procedures.

PERSONNEL OF GOVERNMENT AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS ON OFFICIAL AND DIPLOMATIC:

Duly accredited to Governments and international organizations based in Italy, Albania, Cyprus, Greece(Hellenic Republic) and Malta and intending to undertake short-term visits to Sri Lanka for Official or Diplomatic purposes should forward their applications through the Sri Lanka Overseas Missions and obtain prior approval for the visas.

By email: or by telephone  +39.(0)6.8554560; +39.(0)6.8840801 during working hours.

ETA is an official authorization for Short Visit to Sri Lanka and it is issued electronically by the Department of Immigration & Emigration, Sri Lanka. The ETA holders will be issued 30 days short visit ETA at the port of entry in Sri Lanka. The ETA holder is entitled to enter Sri Lanka within three months from the date of issue of the ETA. It is advisable to keep a copy of the ETA approval and produce it at the port of entry in Sri Lanka.

The ETA holders should fulfil the following requirements at the port of entry and should possess:

  • A Passport valid for not less than 6 months from the date of arrival.
  • A Confirmed Return ticket.
  • Sufficient funds to meet the expenses during the stay.

The ETA is initially limited up to 30 days from the date of arrival and it may be extended up to six months. The air and ship crew and Passport holders of Singapore and Maldives, on the basis of reciprocity, are exempted from obtaining ETA prior to their visit to Sri Lanka.

The foreign visitors are advised to apply for the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA ) through the on-line system via www.eta.gov.lk, which is established at the Department of Immigration & Emigration in Sri Lanka. The applications are required to be submitted electronically only in English and no passport copies, documents or photographs are required.

An administrative fee called ETA processing fee will be charged and it can be paid using credit cards. An ETA may be obtained through any of the following options:

  • By the applicant,
  • By a third party,
  • Registered agents,

At the Head Office of the Department of Immigration and Emigration On arrival at the Port of entry in Sri Lanka

Through the relevant Embassy/High Commission of Sri Lanka. For Passport holders from the following countries namely, Italy, Albania, Cyprus, Greece(Hellenic Republic) and Malta – please see below. for more information visit –www.eta.gov.lk.

Passport holders from the following countries namely[1], Italy, Albania, Cyprus, Greece (Hellenic Republic) and Maltamay submit applications to obtain an ETA through the Sri Lanka Mission in Rome following the under-mentioned procedure. This method is recommended for those who wish to obtain an ETA and have a visa endorsed on their passports, prior to departure through the Sri Lanka Embassy/High Commission in Rome.

The Sri Lanka Embassy/High Commission in Rome is authorized to issue ETA for up to 30 days and Short Visit visas (Tourist Visa with single or double entry and Business Visa with single or multiple entries) for up to 03 months. The issuance is subject to the approval of the Dept. of Immigration and Emigration in Sri Lanka.

Fill in the ETA application and/or visa application and hand it over to the visa officer at the Embassy in Rome together with the relevant fee. The Sri Lanka Embassy/High Commission in Rome, with the concurrence of the Department of Immigration & Emigration (DI&E), will issue ETA or short stay visa within 03 business days.

  • A passport valid for not less than 6 months from the date of arrival.
  • A confirmed return ticket

Sufficient funds to meet the expenses during the stay The ETA is initially limited to 30 days from the date of arrival but it may be extended for up to six months.

Upon submission of the application, an acknowledgement with a reference number will be sent to the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Rome and to the main applicant as requested in the application. Those based in Cyprus and Greece may submit the application forms through the respective Honorary Consulates of Sri Lanka. The Hony Consulate will then forward same to the Embassy/High Commission in Rome. Such visa applications would require a minimum of three weeks for clearance and issuance of the authorization.

To check your ETA application status you may log on to the ETA website or contact the 24/7 dedicated ETA call centre on 0094 71 99 67 888. The applicants who made applications through the Sri Lanka Embassy/High Commission in Rome may, after 3 working days, inquire the status of the ETA approval from the Embassy of Sri Lanka Rome.ETA Fee and Visa Charges vary according to the category of visa, the nationality of the passport, period of stay. These charges are subject to change without prior notice.

For further information, please visit the website: www.eta.gov.lk