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Sri Lanka visa requirements (2026)

Of 198 passports, 193 can travel to Sri Lanka without arranging a visa in advance. 0 can apply online for an e-Visa and 4 need a visa from an embassy or visa centre.

Who can visit Sri Lanka: passports by requirement

How to enter Sri Lanka: official routes

Checked November 2026
Official route

Sri Lanka ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) - tourist

Fee
Free for nationals of 40 listed countries (incl. US, UK, Australia, Canada, China, India, Japan, Germany, France) and for Maldives, Seychelles and Singapore from 25 May 2026; charges apply to all other nationalities
Valid for
30 days, double entry (second entry only gets the balance of the 30 days); 90 days for Maldivian nationals
Processing
Online before arrival
Official site →

At the border

  • Every foreign national, including those eligible for a free ETA, must obtain an ETA before arriving.
  • The free ETA is valid for 30 days from first arrival; staying longer requires a paid visa extension.
  • Nationals of some countries (e.g. Nigeria, Ghana, Afghanistan, Syria, Taiwan, Kosovo) must apply through a Sri Lankan sponsor at the Department's head office in Battaramulla.
  • Diplomatic and official passport holders on official duty from specified countries may get a visa without a prior ETA.

Recent changes

  • May 2026: from 25 May 2026, nationals of 40 countries get a free 30-day tourist ETA; fees paid before that date are not refunded.

Official source: Department of Immigration & Emigration, Sri Lanka - Official ETA website · Not yet confirmed officially: eta.fee for nationalities outside the free list (official fee page did not load), eta.processing time, Visa on arrival / airport ETA option and fee ('alternative options' mentioned but not detailed), Passport validity, onward ticket and funds rules (not on the pages read), scamWarning: none found on the pages read

Do I need a visa for Sri Lanka?

Entry requirement Choose a passport and a destination.

Popular passports

PassportRequirementStay
United States Visa on arrival –
United Kingdom Visa on arrival –
India Visa on arrival –
Philippines Visa on arrival –
Nigeria Visa required –
Pakistan Visa on arrival –
Canada Visa on arrival –
Australia Visa on arrival –
China Visa on arrival –
Germany Visa on arrival –

Access by passport region

Passports that enter visa-free, with a visa on arrival or an eTA.

RegionPassports
Europe 46/46
Asia 47/49
Africa 51/54
North America 23/23
South America 12/12
Oceania 14/14

Working remotely from Sri Lanka? The Sri Lanka digital nomad visa requires US$2,000 per month remitted.

Passports that can enter Sri Lanka visa-free

2 passports

Passports that get a visa on arrival in Sri Lanka

191 passports

Passports that need a visa for Sri Lanka

4 passports

Passports that are not admitted

1 passports

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa to visit Sri Lanka?

It depends on your passport. 2 passports can enter Sri Lanka visa-free, 191 get a visa on arrival, 0 need an eTA, 0 can apply for an e-Visa online and 4 need a visa from an embassy or visa centre.

Which countries can enter Sri Lanka without a visa?

2 passports can enter Sri Lanka visa-free, including Seychelles, Singapore.

Holding a Sri Lanka passport? See where the Sri Lanka passport can travel visa-free.

Data last updated February 2026. Rules can change at short notice and may differ by purpose of travel. Confirm with the embassy or official immigration website of Sri Lanka before you book.