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Visa to Travel to Sri Lanka

The Department of Immigration and Emigration of Sri Lanka may issue a visa to an applicant if;

  • the Department is satisfied that the applicant is suitable to enter Sri Lanka.
  • the Department approves the purpose of entry to Sri Lanka.
  • the applicant holds a passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of first arrival in Sri Lanka.
  • the Department is satisfied that the applicant has sufficient funds for the stay in Sri Lanka, and for the return passage to the country of origin.
  • the applicant possesses a written assurance (ticket) to return to the country of origin, or to an onwards destination.

Who are eligible for Visa Exemptions?

  • Dual Citizens of Sri Lanka (Dual Citizenship Certificate/endorsement in the Passport should be provided at the port of entry)
  • Children under the age of 21, born overseas, whose birth & citizenship have been registered under Section 5(2) of the Citizenship Act 1948 of Sri Lanka. (Sri Lankan Citizenship Certificate/endorsement of the Passport should be provided at the port of entry)
  • Children under the age of 21, born in Sri Lanka to Sri Lankan parents. (Sri Lankan Birth Certificate/endorsement in the Passport should be provided at the port of entry)try)

 TYPES OF VISA

  • Tourist Visa, Transit Visa & Business Visa
  • Visa for Media Personnel: Journalists/Photojournalists & Film Crew
  • Visa for Elective Studies/Voluntary Work
  • Work Visa / Study Visa / Long Term Resident Visa

Tourist Visa, Transit Visa & Business Visa

TOURIST VISA

Tourist Visas are issued to bona-fide tourists who wish to visit Sri Lanka for sightseeing or holidaying, visiting friends & relatives, medical treatments including Ayurvedic, participate in sports events competitions and activities relating to cultural performance for a short period of time.

Conditions for Tourist visa holders:

  • Visitors cannot engage in any form of employment, paid or unpaid, in any trade/business other than that specified in the visa during their stay.
  • The visa must be utilised before the specified date of expiry.
  • An extension of two (2) months beyond the original 30 days shall be granted at the Department of Immigration & Emigration, if required.
  • Further extensions will be considered only with valid reasons. This restriction will not apply to ex-Sri Lankans.
  • For minors below the age 12, ETA will be issued free of charge.

Required documents for Tourist Visa:

  1. Duly filled Tourist Visa Application Form.
  2. Current Passport (valid for at least 6 months from the expected date of arrival).
  3. One recent passport-sized (3.5cm x 4.5cm) photograph
  4. Confirmed Return Ticket.
  5. Self-addressed registered envelope, if the applicant wishes to have their visa stamped passport posted back to them (please do not tear off the slip on the envelope).

BUSINESS VISA

Business Visas are issued to foreign nationals who visit Sri Lanka for business purposes (business meetings & negotiations, conferences, workshops, seminars, short-term training programmes, art/music/dance events, religious events or symposiums) for short periods of time. Visas may be issued for single, double, or multiple journeys.

Conditions for Business Visa holders:

  • Visa must be utilized before the specified date of expiry.
  • Application for the extension of visa should be made to the Department of Immigration and Emigration Head Office.

Required documents for Business Visa

  1. Duly filled Business Visa Application Form.
  2. Current Passport (valid for at least 6 months from the expected date of arrival).
  3. One recent passport-sized (3.5cm x 4.5cm) photograph
  4. Confirmed Return Ticket.
  5. International Vaccination Certificate
  6. Letter from relevant authority/business partner
  7. Letter from the Sri Lankan organization recommending the issuance of Visa.
  8. Self-addressed registered envelope, if the applicant wishes to have their passport posted back to them (please do not tear off the slip on the envelope).

HOW TO APPLY Tourist, Transit or Business Visa

  • Sri Lanka has introduced an online system to issue an authorization (Electronic Travel Authorization or ETA) for short visits, which can be obtained by applicants on their own through eta.gov.lk
  • To apply for an ETA, visit ONLY the official ETA website eta.gov.lk. It has been reported that third-party websites offer Sri Lankan ETA and charge exorbitant amounts. The government of Sri Lanka would not be liable for any payment made to these third-party sites or agencies.
  • Applying at our counter: If you so require, we can facilitate your ETA application. You can submit your application by visiting us in person after obtaining a prior appointment through our website stockholm.embassy.gov.lk. You can obtain an appointment on any working day between 9.30am -1.30pm. through the link provided in the website. For public holiday closures please visit here.
  • Submitting via post:You can also submit your application for ETA for more than 30 days (Up to 90 days) via post. You must send the application to us at least 7 working days prior to your departure. 

 Visa for Media Personnel (JOURNALIST VISA)

All journalists & media personnel travelling to Sri Lanka must obtain a visa from the Embassy prior to their travel to Sri Lanka.

  • Media teams are advised to submit visa requests at least 2 weeks in advance of their date of departure.
  • Regulations pertaining to media equipment are strictly enforced by Sri Lanka Customs
  • Visiting journalists & media personnel must obtain a Carnet (a temporary import document) for their media equipment (cameras, etc.), for customs clearance.
  • In the absence of a Carnet, a bank guarantee for the value of the imported media equipment must be submitted.
  • If the visit is sponsored by a state institution, a letter from the institution concerned, guaranteeing that the media equipment will be re-exported, must be provided.
  • Telephone equipment such as satellite phones require a prior license from the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Regulatory Commission
  • A list of media equipment to be carried by the visiting journalists & media personnel must be sent to the Public Diplomacy Division of the Foreign Ministry, Sri Lanka through the Embassy in Stockholm, to facilitate clearance at airport Customs. A letter of undertaking must also be provided by the media organization, guaranteeing that the media equipment will be re-exported upon the departure of the media personnel.
  • All foreign media personnel working in Sri Lanka must obtain media accreditation. (Media accreditation will not be recommended/granted for any person who travels to Sri Lanka with a tourist visa.)
  • Media personnel must possess the relevant visa, issued by the Embassy, in order to obtain media accreditation.
  • Media accreditation requests submitted to the Embassy are forwarded to the Department of Government Information  via the Foreign Ministry, Sri Lanka. Accreditation is provided upon recommendation from the said Ministry.
  • Journalists wishing to obtain media accreditation should visit the Department of Government Information in Colombo.
  • Journalists may contact the Public Diplomacy Division, Foreign Ministry for courtesy meetings, clearance of media equipment, coordination to meet VVIPs, etc.

Guidelines for shooting films in Sri Lanka

  1. The filming of all documentaries & feature films (except Tourism Promotional Documentaries & Wildlife Documentaries) require prior approval from the National Film Corporation (NFC)
  2. Media teams must complete & submit the NFC Agreement, a synopsis of the documentary/film, itinerary of the media team while in Sri Lanka, and filming locations.
  3. Media teams intending to film Tourism Promotional Documentaries, or participate in FAM tours, must complete the Application “Selection Criteria for Journalists/TV Crews for FAM Tours”
  4. Prior approval from the Department of Wildlife Conservation is necessary to film in Protected Areas. The “Application for Filming in Wildlife Protected Areas” form must be completed and submitted.

Required documents for Journalist Visa

  1. Duly filled relevant Application
  2. Duly signed Journalist Declaration
  3. Current Passport (valid for at least 6 months from the expected date of arrival).
  4. One recent passport-sized (3.5cm x 4.5cm) photographs
  5. International Vaccination Certificate
  6. Confirmed travel itinerary
  7. Credentials
  8. List of equipment to be cleared by Sri Lanka Customs on arrival
  9. Letter of Invitation by the Sri Lankan authorities (if applicable)

Visas for expatriates working and seeking to work in voluntary social service organizations/NGOs

Government of Sri Lanka has introduced a set of new guidelines in granting of visas to expatriates attached to NGOs/INGOs in Sri Lanka.

Following are some of the key requirements laid down in the new guidelines:

  • All Voluntary Social Service Organizations/NGOs registered under the Voluntary Social Service Organizations Act No. 31 of 1980 and wish to obtain visas should submit their NGOs/INGOs registration certificate and MoU signed with Government of Sri Lanka to the Department of Immigration and Emigration for the registration of the organization.
  • Visa will only be processed for the organizations fulfill the above requirement.
  • All foreign nationals who intend to work in NGO/INGO in Sri Lanka should apply for prior visa/entry visa following the new procedure.
  • Residence visas are issued by the Controller-General of Immigration and Emigration for the expatriates who are holding entry visas on the recommendation of the Director of National Secretariat for Non-Governmental Organizations, subject to a minimum period of one year. Any extensions of Residence visa for expatriates to work in Sri Lanka beyond first one year will not exceed three years.
  • Foreign nationals holding tourist visas are not recommended or considered for granting of Residence visas.
  • Non-Sri Lankans who wish to enter in to Sri Lanka to work in social service organizations /NGOs need to apply for visa at the Embassy.

How to apply for Journalist Visa & Visas for expatriates working and seeking to work in voluntary social service organizations/NGOs

  • Applying at our counter:You can submit your application by visiting us in person after obtaining a prior appointment through our website stockholm.embassy.gov.lk. You can obtain an appointment on any working day between 9.30am -1.30pm. through the link provided in the website. For public holiday closures please visit here.
  • Submitting via post:You can also submit your application via post. You must send the application to us at least three (3) months prior to your departure. 

Payment

For Payments at the Counter:

  • Payment must be made at the time of tendering the application, and the receipt kept for reference.
  • Personal/Company cheques not accepted.
  • All payments are non-refundable.

For Applications submitted via post –The scanned copy of the receipt will be emailed to the applicant after the payment is received and application is processed.

Work Visa / Study Visa / Long Term Resident Visa

Visas under these categories are issued only by the Department of Immigration & Emigration in Colombo. For further details, please visit the website of the Department of Immigration & Emigration, Sri Lanka