Sri Lanka: Entry requirements for a tourist trip to this country

A trip to Sri Lanka is undoubtedly a trip that will stay with you for the rest of your life. But it is also a trip that needs to be prepared in advance and that requires certain administrative formalities to be completed. On this page, we will explain the entry requirements for Sri Lanka and the various documents and procedures you will need to complete in advance. In particular, we will look at the need to have a passport and an eTA, as well as the vaccinations required to travel to Sri Lanka.

Entry requirements for Sri Lanka: key points

• A passport is a required document for travel to Sri Lanka
• You must also apply for a visa to enter Sri Lanka
• Visa requirements can be completed online with the e-visa for Sri Lanka
• You should allow a few weeks before departure to complete the entry requirements for a trip to Sri Lanka.

Entry requirements and passport requirements for Sri Lanka

The first requirement for being able to visit Sri Lanka as a European traveller is of course a passport. This passport must be issued in your name, be from your country of residence and be valid for a minimum of 6 months after your date of entry into Sri Lanka.

It is important to note that minors, even the youngest, must also have their own valid passport. They will not be able to be mentioned simply on their parents' identity document. It should also be remembered that minors travelling with one of their two legal parents must also be in possession of an authorisation to leave the country signed by one of their two legal guardians, together with a copy of the latter's identity document.

In addition to your passport, it will be necessary to have a return air ticket with you when you enter the country.

The eTA or electronic visa requirement for entry to Sri Lanka

The second essential entry requirement for travel to Sri Lanka is, of course, an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization). This is in fact the equivalent of a visa, and can be obtained directly online. It is both nominative and personal.

The procedure for obtaining the eTA is very simple as you only need to fill in an online form without the need to attach any supporting documents to obtain it. This electronic residence permit will allow you to stay legally in Sri Lanka in accordance with Sri Lankan immigration law.

There are currently different types of eTAs for Sri Lanka with :

• Tourist eTA: This electronic residence permit will allow you to stay for 30 consecutive days in Sri Lanka. It is also a double entry permit, which means that you can enter and leave Sri Lanka twice during this period. It is possible to obtain this Tourist Visitor's eTA directly in Sri Lanka, but we recommend that you do this online and before you travel.
• Transit eTA: If you are not planning to stay in Sri Lanka but are making a journey that involves a stopover or transit through the country, you will also need to have an electronic transit eTA. This can be obtained free of charge. It is valid for a single entry and for a period of 2 consecutive days.
• Long stay eTA: To stay longer in Sri Lanka for up to 180 days, you will need to apply for a long stay eTA. This will allow you to stay in the country for a longer period of time for a higher processing fee.

Once accepted, an eTA will be sent to you directly by email. It will not be necessary to print it, you can simply choose to take it with you in digital format by downloading it to your smartphone or tablet. Your residence permit will be checked both at the time of boarding and once you arrive.

It is also important to note that minors under the age of 12 do not need to obtain an eTA for a fee. However, they will still require an eTA and their parents will need to apply online to obtain an eTA without paying the fee.

It should also be remembered that the online eTA application procedure is a fee-based procedure which will require payment of the application processing fee by credit card or by an electronic payment system such as Paypal.

It usually takes a few days at most to obtain an eTA for Sri Lanka. However, we recommend that you apply for an eTA several weeks before your trip to be prepared for any eventuality, especially if your first application is refused due to an error.

When and how quickly can I obtain an eTA visa for Sri Lanka?

The online eTA visa application procedure for Sri Lanka will take just a few minutes to complete, validate and pay for.

The average time taken to obtain this visa by email is 4 to 5 working days, but it can be shorter or longer depending on the busy period or the need to make corrections or changes to your file.

However, it is advisable to apply for your visa at least 2 weeks to a month before your departure date to ensure that you get it in time. It is possible that your application will require an additional or random check, which will take several extra days to process. Similarly, if you have made a mistake when filling in the eTA visa application form, you will have to submit a new application, repeating the procedure from the start, if you are refused.

How do I apply for an eTA online for travel to Sri Lanka?

An eTA application can be made directly online and in just a few minutes. Here are the steps to apply for an eTA for Sri Lanka:

• Access the official Sri Lankan government website for eTA applications or simply access the website of a provider such as the one we recommend on this website.
• Choose the destination for which you wish to obtain a travel authorisation and follow the procedure on the screen.
• Fill in the online form with the requested information, such as your passport details, travel information, and contact information.
• Upload a recent photo of yourself, following the various recommendations, or take the photo with your smartphone.
• Submit your application by clicking after checking that the information you have given in the form is correct.
• Pay the fees for processing your eTA visa application by credit card or via a Paypal account according to the terms and conditions proposed by the website where you apply.
• You will receive an email confirmation once your eTA application has been approved. It is important to keep this confirmation as you will need to carry it with you when you travel.

It is important to check the entry requirements before travelling, as they may vary depending on the health situation. It is also advisable to apply for the eTA well in advance to avoid any delay problems. It is also advisable to check with your airline to see if any additional restrictions apply for stopovers or transits in Sri Lanka.

It should be remembered that the procedure for applying for an eTA is much quicker and simpler than the traditional visa application. It is therefore possible to obtain this residence permit in just a few minutes.

What are the vaccination requirements for travel to Sri Lanka?

At present, the Sri Lankan government does not impose any compulsory vaccinations on travellers from Europe. However, it is recommended that you ensure that you are up to date with certain vaccinations including:

• Universal vaccinations such as diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio or hepatitis B.
• Vaccination against hepatitis depending on local travel conditions.
• Vaccination against typhoid fever, especially for long stays.
• Vaccination against Japanese encephalitis, especially for stays in submerged culture areas and essential for long stays or expatriation.
• Finally, as there are many wild animals and stray dogs and cats in Sri Lanka, it is recommended to be vaccinated against rabies.

Adeline HARMANT
As a web writer and globetrotter with a passion for travel and tourism, I have acquired in-depth knowledge of the procedures that are essential for travellers. I help travellers to complete all the formalities required for a successful trip, particularly when it comes to obtaining a visa online. With several years' experience in this field, I'd like to offer you some valuable advice to help you discover the world with complete peace of mind.