Sri Lankan visa resources
How to apply for a Sri Lankan visa
An overview of the routes for applying to enter or reside in Sri Lanka, from the online ETA system for short visits to residence-visa applications made through the Department of Immigration and Emigration.
Important
Sri Lanka separates short visits from longer stays. Short tourist, business and transit visits are handled through the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system, which most travellers apply for online before departure through the Department of Immigration and Emigration. Longer stays are handled through the Residence Visa system, with applications submitted to the Department's offices in Colombo and Battaramulla.
For an ETA, you complete the online form, pay the fee and receive an approval notice to present on arrival, where the actual visa is endorsed in your passport. Citizens of certain countries may be eligible for a visa on arrival or fee-free entry, but eligibility depends on nationality — always confirm your own category on the official site.
Residence, investment, digital-nomad, dependant and citizenship applications each have their own forms, supporting documents and fees, and are assessed case by case by the relevant division of the Department.
Next steps
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.