Are you a tourist visiting Sri Lanka anytime soon? Already visited the official Sri Lanka visa website, but the process isn’t complete? Are you still stuck on getting the Sri Lanka Tourist visa but waiting for the OTP? Still wondering if On-Arrival visa is valid for you? This guide will help you get answers to many of the questions you have for Sri Lanka Tourist Visa.
Let’s discuss Sri Lanka Visa for Tourists step by step.
Update: no-online visa for sri lanka
Sri Lanka Entry Visa Update [August 2024]
Do Tourists need Sri Lanka Visa?
Yes, all tourists visiting Sri Lanka need a valid Tourist Visa to enter Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka Visa can be obtained in two methods:
- Online if you apply it before landing in Sri Lanka
- On-Arrival if you are already in Sri Lanka and don’t have a valid visa.
Sri Lanka Visa official Website?
There are many scam websites now. So, make sure you visit the Official and Genuine website from the Sri Lanka Government. Although a company called VFS is in charge of the Visa to Sri Lanka, the official website is:
You can also visit the Immigration Department’s website: https://immigration.gov.lk/
This website also redirects you to the listed www.srilankaevisa.lk website. Therefore, both these links are correct if you are planning to apply for Sri Lanka Visa.
You can read through the complete step by step process about applying for the Sri Lanka E-Visa here:
https://www.meshaunjourneys.com/blog/sri-lanka-visa-guide-updated-april-2024/
Sri Lanka visa on-arrival at the Airport?
Yes! Sri Lanka has visa on arrival for almost all nationalities except for a few countries.
Even though it is not advertised on the official Visa website (drama/politics in that end), On-Arrival Visa is available to many nationals. The price is the same for both Online Visa and On-Arrival Visa. Therefore it only makes the difference of standing in a queue and spending more time applying for the Sri Lanka Visa after arriving to the country.
However, not all Nationalities or citizens from Foreign countries can apply for On-Arrival Visa. Nationals of Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Syria and North Korea are required to apply for a visa through the Sri Lankan embassy or through the Department of Immigration & Emigration, Sri Lanka.
How much is Sri Lanka Tourist Visa?
Now this is a simple answer but not correctly mentioned online. So let’s break it down into simple terms.
If you have a Passport of: China/India/Indonesia/Russia/Thailand/Malaysia/Japan ==> Your entry visa is USD 10.00 per person
Even though it is mentioned as Free Visa for the listed countries, in reality there is a service fee of USD 10.00 So the total comes to USD 10 for the nationals from China/India/Indonesia/Russia/Thailand/Malaysia/Japan.
If you have a Passport other than the above listed Nationalities/Countries ==> Your entry visa is USD 50.00 per person
Note that this is the usual 30-Day visa. On the websites and in technical terms it is called the Tourist Visa – Single Entry for 30 Days.
Whether you apply is online before coming to Sri Lanka, or you apply for visa on entry (on-arrival) to Sri Lanka, you still have to pay either visa fee depending on your nationality.
What is ETA Visa for Sri Lanka?
This is the previous visa process or the system which was replaced by the new website from April 2024. This website is no longer working and only use the above listed website for your Visa purposes.
What if my sri lanka visa oTP is missing?
Don’t worry about it. You are not alone. There are literally hundreds of clients who found the system confusing and not-functional. What you can do is, take a print or have the Application reference ready. Once you arrive to Sri Lanka, show the reference to the Immigration Counter Officer at the Airport and they will help you get the Sri Lanka Visa.
FAQ on Sri lanka visa for tourists
- Do you need a visa to go to Sri Lanka?
- Yes, you need a valid visa to go to Sri Lanka.
- Can I get visa on entry to Sri Lanka?
- For 99% of the Tourists, yes. Except for a few nationalities, this is possible and available for tourists.
- Is Sri Lanka visa cheap?
- It is USD 10.00 per person or USD 50.00 depending on your Nationality. Details listed above.
- What is ETA visa?
- This visa system is no longer active for Sri Lanka. This was a visa scheme or website that was used to apply for Sri Lanka Online Visa.
- How long it takes for Sri Lanka Visa?
- It only takes less than 24 hours for Sri Lanka visa to be confirmed to you. However, there are records of system failures and delays.
- Why is Sri Lanka Visa so expensive?
- Well, that depends on what you want to do in Sri Lanka and your budgets.
- Do I need Malaria tablets for Sri Lanka?
- No, that is not necessary to enter Sri Lanka. In fact, there are no medical requirements needed for Sri Lanka entry except for a few nationalities with frequent infections and diseases. More details found on the official visa website.
- What documents are needed for the Sri Lanka visitor or tourist visa?
- You need the details of your Passport, a Passport photograph, working email address to start with the Visa process.
- Is there a 60 Day visa for Sri Lanka?
- Yes, there are 60 day visa and multiple year visas for Sri Lanka. Check the visa website for more information on this.
- Can I arrive to Sri Lanka without visa?
- Yes & No. While many Passport Holders internationally can arrive to Sri Lanka without visa and apply it after arriving, some nationalities require on-line visa or pre-authorized visa to enter Sri Lanka.
- Can I get visa in Sri Lanka Airport?
- Yes & No. While many Passport Holders internationally can arrive to Sri Lanka without visa and apply it after arriving, some nationalities require on-line visa or pre-authorized visa to enter Sri Lanka.
- How long does it take to get Sri Lanka visa to Sri Lanka?
- It takes around 24 hours for Online visa approval. If you are getting the visa on-arrival, it takes less than 30 minutes.
- Is it safe to travel to Sri Lanka now?
- 100% safe. Sri Lanka just reached 1 Million Tourist arrivals in 06 months.
- What is the Standard Visitor Visa for Sri Lanka?
- That is the 60 day valid visa for Sri Lanka. But if you are only traveling within 30 days, go for the 30-day Single entry visa to Sri Lanka.
- How to apply for a Sri Lanka Tourist Visa?
- Follow this guide or click the link here above.
sri lanka visa help?
Hope the post helps you plan your Sri Lanka visa or Holiday to Sri Lanka better. If you happen to have any questions, connect with Meshaun Journeys via WhatsApp/Email or schedule a consultation by clicking the banner.
Meshaun Journeys (Pvt) Ltd is a registered Sri Lankan Travel Company that helps Tourists planning holidays to Sri Lanka. We offer discounted hotels (any!), booking drivers, including experiences and total holiday packages.