Getting into Sri Lanka as a tourist requires an Electronic Travel Authorization, known as the ETA. The process is online, straightforward, and inexpensive. There is one important rule that changed in October 2025 and one significant update from 2026 that affects which nationalities pay a fee. Both are worth knowing before you book flights.
The rule that changed in October 2025. Before October 15, 2025, some tourists could obtain their ETA on arrival at the airport. That option no longer exists. As of October 15, 2025, all tourists must apply for and receive their ETA online before travelling to Sri Lanka. If you arrive without one, you will not be permitted to enter. Apply before you fly, not at the airport.
Where to apply. The official website is eta.gov.lk. Apply there and nowhere else. Third-party websites that process Sri Lanka ETAs charge additional service fees on top of the government fee. The official government website is straightforward to use and approval typically arrives by email within a few hours to 48 hours. Print or save the approval email before you travel.
What the ETA gives you. A tourist ETA allows double entry into Sri Lanka and an initial authorised stay of 30 days from the date of arrival. It is valid for six months from the date of issue. If you need more time in the country, the stay can be extended up to a total of 270 days through the Department of Immigration and Emigration, done in stages. Extensions require visiting the immigration office in Colombo or using the online extension portal.
Which countries pay and which countries get it free. As of May 25, 2026, tourists from the following 40 countries receive their ETA free of charge for stays of up to 30 days: Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belarus, Belgium, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Poland, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
If your nationality is not on that list, the standard tourist ETA fee is $50 USD for double entry. This applies to most other nationalities.
A few practical points. Apply at least a few days before your departure date to allow time in case of any processing delay, even though approval usually comes through quickly. Keep the approval confirmation accessible on your phone or printed. If you are travelling on a passport from one of the 40 free-entry countries, you still need to complete the ETA application process at eta.gov.lk even though the fee is waived. Free does not mean automatic.
Visa requirements in Sri Lanka change periodically. The information above is accurate as of June 2026. For the most current and officially confirmed requirements before you travel, check eta.gov.lk directly.