How to apply for the Electronic Travel Authorization for Sri Lanka.
Most travelers to Sri Lanka need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before departure. It is a straightforward online application, but we regularly see travelers make small errors that cause delays at arrival — so a few notes are worth setting out.
Apply through the official government ETA portal only. Search results often surface third-party sites that charge an inflated fee for what is essentially form-filling; the official application costs a modest amount, is processed within 24 hours in most cases, and is valid for a 30-day stay in the country. The Sri Lankan visa rules do change from time to time, so we always advise checking the current fees, validity and requirements at the time of application.
Apply at least a week before travel to allow for any delays. You will need a passport valid for at least six months beyond your entry date, a return or onward ticket, your first hotel address (any hotel is fine at the point of application), and a card for payment. Print the ETA confirmation and carry it with you; a screenshot is usually accepted but a printed copy avoids any question at the counter.
On arrival, immigration is generally quick — separate lines for ETA and business visas. Our team meets every traveler in the arrivals hall, so if anything unusual happens at the counter, help is always at hand. If your itinerary requires a longer stay, extensions to 90 days can be arranged in-country; we will guide you through it.
