The Sri Lanka ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) is issued through a single government portal: eta.gov.lk. The process takes around 15 minutes if you have your documents ready. Here is a complete walkthrough, including what the portal asks for, the fees to expect, and the most common reasons applications get held up or rejected.
What You Need Before You Start
Gather these before opening the portal — the form will time out if you pause mid-way:
- Passport: must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned departure date from Sri Lanka. This is strictly enforced.
- Return or onward ticket: you do not need to upload it, but you will be asked for your departure date and flight details. Have your booking confirmation open.
- First accommodation address in Sri Lanka: the form asks for hotel name, city, and address. Use your first booked accommodation; if camping or staying with friends, use the nearest city and note the address.
- Payment card: Visa or Mastercard. The fee is $20 (single entry) or $35 (double entry).
- Email address: your ETA approval will be sent here. Use one you can access while travelling.
Step-by-Step Portal Walkthrough
Step 1 — Go to the Official Portal
Navigate to eta.gov.lk. Look for the “Apply for ETA” button on the homepage. Do not use any other site — third-party services process the same ETA but charge $30–80 extra for no benefit.
Step 2 — Select Visa Type
Choose Tourist ETA from the visa type dropdown. Other options (Business, Transit) have different requirements. For a standard holiday, tourist is correct.
Step 3 — Enter Personal Details
Fill in exactly as shown on your passport:
- Full name (as printed on passport — including all middle names)
- Date of birth
- Nationality and country of birth
- Passport number, issue date, and expiry date
- Place of passport issue
The most common error here: entering your name in a different order or abbreviating a middle name. Any discrepancy between your application and your passport at immigration will cause delays.
Step 4 — Enter Travel Details
- Intended date of arrival in Sri Lanka
- Port of entry (Bandaranaike International Airport for most visitors)
- Departure flight date and number
- First accommodation address
The form also asks whether you have previously visited Sri Lanka and whether you have ever been refused entry. Answer truthfully — immigration records are checked on arrival.
Step 5 — Declaration and Payment
Review all details before the payment screen. Once payment is submitted, the name and passport number on the application cannot be changed without submitting a new application.
Payment is $20 for single entry or $35 for double entry. Visa and Mastercard are accepted. American Express is not accepted on the government portal.
Step 6 — Receive Your ETA
After payment, you will see a confirmation screen and receive an email with your ETA approval within a few minutes (occasionally up to 72 hours). The approval email contains a reference number and your ETA details.
Print the ETA or save it to your phone. Colombo Airport immigration occasionally asks to see the physical or digital copy, especially at busy periods.
Entry Requirements Checklist
Before travelling, confirm you have all of the following:
- ETA approval email received and saved / printed
- Passport valid for 6+ months beyond your Sri Lanka departure date
- Return or onward flight booked
- First night accommodation confirmed and address noted
- Sufficient funds for your stay (LKR 5,000 per day is a rough benchmark cited by Sri Lanka immigration)
- Travel insurance with medical and repatriation cover — get a policy from EKTA Traveling before departure
Travel insurance is not printed on the ETA, but Sri Lanka immigration officers may ask if you have cover, and it is standard procedure at many other visa checks across Southeast Asia. Emergency medical care in Sri Lanka is inexpensive for minor issues but repatriation costs start from USD $15,000 — cover is genuinely worth having.
Fees Summary (2026)
| ETA Type | Entries | Stay | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist single | 1 | Up to 30 days | USD $20 |
| Tourist double | 2 | Up to 30 days per entry | USD $35 |
| Business | 1 | Up to 30 days | USD $25 |
| Transit | 1 | Up to 48 hours | Free |
SAARC nationals (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Maldives): free 30-day visa under a separate arrangement — applied for through the same portal.
Several nationalities are fully exempt from the ETA. The exemption list is updated periodically; check eta.gov.lk for the current list.
Processing Times
| Situation | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Standard application | Under 1 hour |
| Higher scrutiny (travel history, certain nationalities) | 24–48 hours |
| Rare cases / manual review | Up to 72 hours |
Apply at least 48 hours before your flight. Applying months in advance adds no benefit — the ETA is valid from your arrival date, not your application date.
Common Rejection Reasons
ETA rejections are uncommon for straightforward tourist applications but do happen. These are the most frequent causes:
1. Passport validity below 6 months Sri Lanka requires 6 months of remaining passport validity beyond your planned departure. If your passport expires within 6 months of your last day in Sri Lanka, renew before applying.
2. Name mismatch The name on the application does not match the passport exactly. Include all names, in the same order, as printed in your travel document.
3. Previous overstay or immigration violation in Sri Lanka Sri Lanka immigration records are retained. A previous overstay or violation will likely result in refusal and may require written explanation or an appeal to the Department of Immigration.
4. Travel history flags Travel to certain countries within a specific period may trigger additional scrutiny. This is not publicised officially. If your application is held for 48+ hours without approval, contact the Department of Immigration at 011 532 9000.
5. No return or onward travel evidence The form asks for departure details. Applications without a clear exit date or plausible onward travel are more likely to be queried.
6. Card payment failure The government portal occasionally has issues with certain international cards. If payment fails, try a different card or a different browser. The application is not submitted until payment clears.
After Rejection: What to Do
If your ETA is rejected:
- Read the rejection notice carefully — it usually states the reason
- Correct the specific issue (passport details, travel dates, etc.)
- Submit a new application through eta.gov.lk
- If no reason is given or the reason is unclear, call the Department of Immigration: +94 11 532 9000, or email using the contact form on the portal
There is no appeal process through the portal itself — a new application is the standard route. You can submit a new application immediately.
Getting Connected and Getting There
Once your ETA is sorted, two more pre-departure tasks matter:
Flights: Bandaranaike International Airport (Colombo) handles most international arrivals. Compare flights to Sri Lanka — the best prices tend to appear 8–12 weeks out for European and Australian routes.
Mobile data: Sri Lanka has solid 4G coverage in Colombo, Kandy, Galle, and the main tourist regions. An eSIM means you arrive connected without hunting for a SIM card stall at the airport. Get an eSIM for Sri Lanka — Airalo covers the main operators and activates before you board.
What Happens at Colombo Airport
Immigration at Bandaranaike International is straightforward when you have your documents ready. The ETA lanes are clearly signed. Peak season (December to early January) brings significant queues — allow 45–60 minutes from landing to cleared customs.
What the officer may ask:
- ETA reference number (shown on your phone or printed)
- First accommodation address
- Onward departure date and ticket
- Purpose of visit
The officer may not ask for any of these at all during quieter periods. Have them available regardless.
For a full overview of the arrival process — baggage, customs, transport options — see the Colombo airport guide.
The Full Sri Lanka Visa Overview
This page covers the ETA application process specifically. For the broader picture — who is exempt, extension procedures, visa types beyond tourist, and the sea crossing from India — see the Sri Lanka visa and ETA guide.
Before You Travel
🛡️ Travel insurance for Sri Lanka — entry requirement checklist item ✈️ Flights to Sri Lanka 📱 eSIM for Sri Lanka — arrive connected