Field notes
Sri Lanka Visa for Indians 2026 — Complete Guide
Quick answer
The Sri Lanka visa for Indians is an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) — an online approval obtained before departure, not a sticker or consulate application. Indian passport holders get 30 days per visit, double entry within that period, and the fee is free. Apply through the official ETA portal before you fly.
Sri Lanka travel authorisation at a glance
The table below covers every verified detail for Indian passport holders applying for the Sri Lanka ETA. Check the official portal for any update before you book non-refundable travel.
| Authorisation detail | Verified value |
|---|---|
| Category | Tourist visa (ETA) |
| Maximum stay | 30 days |
| Validity and entries | 30 days from the date of first arrival; double entry permitted within the 30-day validity period |
| Fee (as of 2026) | Free |
| Processing time | Not confirmed — check the official portal |
| Application channel | Online before arrival through the official Sri Lanka ETA website |
How to get the Sri Lanka authorisation
The entire process is online. No embassy visit, no appointment, no VFS or BLS centre is involved. Complete all steps before you travel — an ETA must be in hand before you arrive in Sri Lanka, according to the official government portal.
- Authorisation step 1: Open the official channel. Go to the Sri Lanka Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) website — the government portal for this authorisation. Type the URL directly or search for the official Sri Lanka immigration ETA portal. Do not use third-party sites that charge a fee for a service that is free on the official portal. Landing on a page that asks for a service charge before you have even filled in your passport details is a sign you are on the wrong site — close it and start again from the official source.
- Authorisation step 2: Enter your passport and trip details. Fill in the form with your passport information, travel dates and other details the form requests. Have your passport open in front of you so the numbers, name spelling and date of birth match exactly. A mismatch between the ETA and your passport can cause problems at airline check-in or at immigration in Colombo. Double-check the passport number and expiry date before moving to the next screen.
- Authorisation step 3: Confirm no fee is due. The tourist ETA is free as of 2026. Any site asking for a payment card before submission is likely a third-party aggregator — stop and return to the official portal. That official channel does not charge Indian tourists for this authorisation.
- Authorisation step 4: Submit the application. Send the completed form through the official channel. The portal will generate a reference number or acknowledgement. Note this down or take a screenshot immediately — you will need it to follow up on the status of your application.
- Authorisation step 5: Save and carry the approval. Once the authorisation is confirmed, save a digital copy to your phone and email, and carry a printed copy in your travel documents. Both check-in staff in India and immigration officers at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) may ask to see it. Some airlines will not board passengers who cannot show an approved ETA for Sri Lanka.
What the form asks you for
Three items are needed to complete the Sri Lanka ETA form for Indian travellers. Have them ready before you start so the application goes through without interruption.
| Needed for the form | Note |
|---|---|
| Valid passport | Must be valid for not less than 6 months from the date of arrival in Sri Lanka |
| Evidence of sufficient funds | To cover expenses during the stay; the official source does not specify a minimum amount |
| Onward or return ticket | Required if the immigration authority asks for it; carry proof of your return or onward flight |
A few practical points on each of these documents are worth keeping in mind before you sit down to apply.
Passport validity: The 6-month rule is counted from your arrival date in Sri Lanka, not from the date you apply for the ETA. A passport expiring within 6 months of your planned arrival must be renewed before applying. An ETA issued against a passport that is too close to expiry will not help you at immigration.
Evidence of funds: No specific amount or format is named in the official source. In practice, a recent bank statement showing a reasonable balance relative to your trip length is the standard approach for most travellers. Carry a copy — printed or on your phone — in case an immigration officer asks at Colombo.
Onward or return ticket: This requirement is framed as conditional — required if the immigration authority asks. Most travellers flying from India to Sri Lanka already have a return ticket booked. Carry the booking confirmation with you. Travelling onward to another country from Sri Lanka rather than returning to India means you should carry proof of that onward booking instead.
Biometrics, a photograph upload and an interview are not mentioned in the official source for this route. Should the portal ask for anything beyond the above, confirm it on the official immigration site before proceeding.
How long the authorisation lets you stay
Indian travellers can stay up to 30 days in Sri Lanka on a single tourist ETA. The 30-day validity period runs from the date of first arrival, not from the date of application or approval.
Double entry is permitted within that 30-day window. This means you can fly into Colombo, travel to the Maldives or another nearby destination, and return to Sri Lanka for a second leg — provided the second entry falls within the same 30 days from your original arrival date. The clock does not reset on the second entry; it continues from the day you first landed.
A practical example: arriving in Colombo on 1 March gives you a window running until 30 March. A side trip to the Maldives from 10 to 14 March and a return on 14 March sits within the window. A return on 2 April does not — you would need an extension or a fresh ETA process.
Plan your arrival date with this in mind. Applying weeks in advance does not extend the window, since validity starts on the day you first land. Apply once your flights are confirmed and your arrival date is fixed.
Most Indian travellers spend 7 to 10 nights in Sri Lanka, which sits well within the 30-day limit. The double-entry feature is particularly useful for travellers combining Sri Lanka with a short Maldives stay, which is a common routing from India.
Cost and timing of the Sri Lanka authorisation
The tourist ETA for Indian passport holders is free, according to the official government portal. No fee is payable when submitting the application through the official channel. This applies to the standard tourist ETA; the transit ETA is also free when documentary proof is provided.
Because the authorisation is free, there is no reason to use a paid third-party service for this application. Several commercial websites offer to apply on your behalf for a fee. They are not the official channel, and using them does not speed up the process or add any benefit that the official portal does not already provide.
No confirmed processing time is on file for this route. Given this, apply well before your departure date rather than leaving it to the last day before travel. Check the official ETA portal directly at the time of application for any timing guidance. Do not assume same-day approval and plan your trip accordingly.
Staying beyond the first 30 days
An extension beyond 30 days is possible for travellers who want to spend more time in Sri Lanka. Extensions are applied for inside Sri Lanka, not from India before departure, and a fee is payable — the official source confirms this but does not state the amount.
Start the extension process before your current 30-day stay runs out. Overstaying without an approved extension can create difficulties at departure and may affect future visits. Neither the office that handles extensions nor the exact fee is specified in the official source; confirm both on the official immigration site once you are in Sri Lanka. Guesthouses and tour operators are not reliable sources for this — go to the official source directly.
Knowing before you leave India that you want to stay longer than 30 days means you should factor the extension process into your planning. The paperwork takes time, and you do not want to be chasing approvals in the final days of your permitted stay.
Passing through Sri Lanka in transit
A transit ETA is available for stays of up to 2 days, free of charge, when documentary proof is provided. This applies to travellers transiting through Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) and not entering Sri Lanka for tourism purposes. Your onward ticket and any relevant visa for your next destination should be ready when you apply, as documentary proof is required.
Even for a transit stop, the ETA must be obtained before arrival. Official sources confirm that all foreign nationals — including Indian nationals — must have an authorisation before they land at CMB. There is no provision for obtaining a transit authorisation on arrival. Apply through the same official channel as the tourist ETA, selecting the transit category when prompted.
Alternative entry routes are not confirmed by official sources. Treat the ETA as the required step regardless of the purpose of your stop — tourism, transit or otherwise.
Insurance for your Sri Lanka trip
Information on file does not specify whether travel insurance is required or recommended for the Sri Lanka tourist ETA. No cover amount, policy type or insurer is named in the source material, and insurance is not listed as a document required to complete the ETA form.
Arranging travel insurance independently before departure is a sensible step for any international trip. Confirm any official requirement on the portal before you fly, as requirements can change. Do not rely on this page alone for insurance guidance; check the official immigration site at the time of your application.
Official sources for the Sri Lanka authorisation
This authorisation is issued through the Sri Lanka Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) portal, which is the government channel for this process. Immigration policy and entry rules sit with the Sri Lankan Department of Immigration and Emigration. Always confirm current rules on the official immigration site before booking non-refundable flights or accommodation. The visa facts on this page were verified on 15 October 2026.
When checking official sources, go directly to the government portal rather than relying on travel forums, airline websites or third-party visa services. Rules around fees, validity and required documents can change, and only the official portal reflects the current position. Anything on this page that differs from what the official portal states at the time of your application should be resolved in favour of the official portal.
Practical notes for Indian travellers
Most Indian travellers spend 7 to 10 nights in Sri Lanka, which fits comfortably within the 30-day ETA. Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is the main point of entry, located about 30 to 35 km from Colombo city centre — roughly 45 minutes by taxi from the airport to the city.
On the ground, cards are accepted at larger hotels, restaurants and tour operators. Carry Sri Lankan rupee (LKR) cash for tuk-tuks, small vendors and local markets. UPI acceptance is reported at selected tourist establishments; keep an international card and some LKR cash as backup. ATMs are reported to work, with a stated withdrawal charge of LKR 500 noted in one travel guide — confirm charges with your bank before you travel, as your Indian bank may also levy a foreign transaction fee on top.
A common structure for a 7 to 10 night trip is a few nights near the coast or Colombo, two or three nights in the cultural triangle, and a couple of nights in the hill country. A wildlife area can be added if the schedule allows. All of this sits within the 30-day ETA without needing an extension.
Apply for the authorisation once your flights are confirmed. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival, and immigration may ask for proof of funds or an onward ticket. Keep both a digital and a printed copy of the ETA approval with your travel documents — not just on your phone, in case of battery or connectivity issues on arrival.
One common mistake Indian travellers make is applying through a paid third-party site without realising the official ETA is free. Another is applying with a passport that is close to its expiry date. Check both points before starting the application. A third issue is not carrying a printed copy of the ETA — some airlines and immigration counters prefer a physical document alongside the digital version.
For help planning a Sri Lanka itinerary around these entry rules, Tripstor can put a trip together for you.