Frequently asked questions

1. What is an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)?

An ETA is a short-visit electronic visa introduced by the government of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. It has been active since the 1st of January 2012.
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2. Do I require a visa to enter Sri Lanka?

The citizens of Singapore, Seychelles, and Maldives are exempted from the obligation of obtaining a visa to enter Sri Lanka. The citizens of all the other countries are required to hold a valid visa, which can be obtained online, in order to enter the country.
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3. Why am I required to get an ETA to visit Sri Lanka?

Any foreign individual who intends to visit Sri Lanka is required to hold a valid visa that was issued by the Department of Immigration & Emigration, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
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4. How do I receive my ETA?

Your ETA e-visa will be sent to you through email.
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5. Do I have to visit the Sri Lankan embassy or consulate in order to apply for/collect my ETA visa?

Only the citizens of Liberia, Guinea, Mali, Nigeria, Cameroon and Sierra Leone, are required to visit their respective Sri Lankan embassy to apply for and collect their visas. All the others can apply for the ETA online and will receive an email confirmation with their ETA number.
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6. How do I apply for my ETA?

You can apply for your Sri Lankan ETA in 3 easy steps;

1. Fill-in our easy online application (Make sure that the information you provide matches the information on your Passport).
2. Make the online payment.
3. Check your email for the payment confirmation.

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7. What are the conditions I must meet before applying for my ETA?

In order to successfully apply for a Sri Lankan ETA, you must:

• Reside outside Sri Lanka at the moment of application.
• Hold a passport that is valid for at least six months from the date of arrival in Sri Lanka.
• Make sure that you apply with the same passport that you would carry with you when you are travelling to Sri Lanka (The ETA is connected to your passport number).

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8. Do I need to buy a plane ticket before applying for my ETA?

No! a plane ticket is not a prerequisite to apply for an ETA e-visa.
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9. Is the ETA required in order to board a plane to Sri Lanka?

No! A valid ETA is not required to board your plane to Sri Lanka.
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10. How long does it take before I get a reply for my Sri Lankan ETA Visa application?

In the majority of cases, a Sri Lankan ETA is processed within 2 to 3 business days. However, the processing times might be prolonged in cases of invalid or inaccurate data submissions, or when the applicant has a criminal record.
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11. Do I have to print my ETA?

We strongly recommend carrying a printed copy of your ETA.
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12. What is the duration of validity of a Sri Lankan ETA?

An ETA is valid for 30 days from the initial date of entry into Sri Lanka. You can enter the country within 3 months from the date the visa was initially granted.

You are allowed to enter the country for a second time, within a 30-day period from the first entry, using the same ETA.
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13. How secure is my personal data and the online payment methods used by this website?

The website of ETA Sri Lanka is hosted on secure servers and uses encrypted connections to transfer data between your computer and the server (using HTTPS).

In addition to this, we make sure to only use PCI-certified payment providers.
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14. Does the ETA have to be stamped on my passport?

No! Your Sri Lankan ETA is electronically linked to your passport number. Hence, there’s no need to get it stamped on your passport.
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15. Once I enter Sri Lanka with my visa, for how long can I stay there?

A single ETA allows you to stay in the country for a maximum duration of 30 days. You are allowed to leave and re-enter the country for a second time within those 30 days. Upon the second entry, you will be able to stay in Sri Lanka for the remaining number of days from the initial 30 days.
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16. Am I required to get separate visas for my children?

Any children that doesn’t hold a Sri Lankan passport (not a Sri Lankan citizen) are required to hold an ETA in order to visit the country.

If any of the children hold their own passports, they are required to apply for separate, individual ETAs.
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17. Can I cancel my ETA Application?

Since we initiate the application procedure as soon as you make the payment, it is impossible to cancel the order. Hence once you make the payment, it is non-refundable. Please make sure that you’ve entered correct details before you make the payment.
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18. I have made a mistake while filling out the form; how can I correct it?

In case if you have made a mistake while filling the application form and notice it on the review page, you can delete the old application from the cart and fill out a new application form.

Please note that corrections are not possible after you make the payment!
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19. I have submitted wrong information; how can I correct them?

Unfortunately, it is not possible to make corrections once the payment is done. Please review and make sure that you’ve entered the correct data before you make the payment.

In the event of submitting wrong data, you will have to apply for a new ETA with the correct data and pay the relevant fee.
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20. Why is it not possible to make corrections after submission?

The Department of Immigration & Emigration (DI&E) of Sri Lanka does not allow corrections to be made once an ETA application is submitted.

Therefore, you have to apply for a second time with the correct data and repay the relevant fees.

Please note that if it is found that you’ve entered wrong data, the Immigration officer at the port of entry would demand that you to obtain a new ETA before entering the country.
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21. Why does ETA Sri Lanka charge more than the price that’s listed at the immigration department?

Please note that it is possible to visit a Sri Lankan embassy/consulate or purchase your ETA on arrival.

However, dealing with government officials or waiting in line at the airport (up to 2 hours) can be a rather frustrating experience. We charge a minimum service fee to save you from these frustrations and support our infrastructure costs. In addition, we also offer payment methods that are not available through the official government channels.
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22. Can I work in Sri Lanka with an ETA?

No! It is strictly prohibited to work after you enter Sri Lanka with an ETA.
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23. Am I allowed to study in Sri Lanka with an ETA?

If your stay does not exceed 30 days, you are allowed to take part in studies.
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24. Is having a health insurance a prerequisite for getting an ETA?

No! you do not need to be covered by a health insurance to apply for an ETA, or enter Sri Lankan territory. However, we strongly advised you to take travel health insurance before you travel abroad.
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25. What type of payment methods are accepted?

We support payments through Bancontact, iDEAL, Sofort, Visa, Mastercard and American Express.
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26. Can I apply for a new ETA visa while I’m still in Sri Lanka?

No! You are not allowed to apply for a new ETA while you are in Sri Lanka, regardless of whether your existing visa is valid or expired.
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27. What should I do in case if my ETA application is rejected by the authorities?

In case of rejection, we will assist you with contacting the nearest Sri Lankan mission and they will provide you with further assistance.
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