Sri Lanka visa: How much does an online eTA cost?

Want to know how much an eTA visa for Sri Lanka costs? Find out here with the detailed pricing.

Apply for your eTA Sri Lanka!

Sri Lanka is one of the most popular destinations for British and European travellers at the moment. But a trip to this country needs to be organised in advance, particularly with regard to the official documents you need to have in your possession. This of course includes obtaining an online visa, also known as an eTA, which will allow you to enter Sri Lanka legally. In this page, we propose to discover what is the price of an eTA visa for Sri Lanka depending on the purpose of your trip.

Cost of an eTA visa for Sri Lanka: key points

  • The price of an eTA visa for Sri Lanka is currently $50 per traveller.
  • The cost of an eTA business visa for Sri Lanka is $55.
  • The price of a transit visa for Sri Lanka is $0.
  • The eTA visa for Sri Lanka is also free for children under the age of 12.

The price of the eTA tourist visa

Firstly, if you wish to travel to Sri Lanka for tourism purposes, you should be aware that the type of electronic permit you will need to apply for will be the tourist eTA. This will work in particular for stays to visit family for a holiday or for leisure travel.

With this electronic residence permit, it will be possible to reside in Sri Lanka for a maximum of 30 consecutive days.

If the tourist eTA is the travel authorisation you wish to obtain, you should know that its price, through our partner's website, is currently 50$ per traveller (excluding processing fees).

Once obtained, this electronic authorization will be valid for 6 months and will allow double entry into the country.

Apply for your eTA Sri Lanka!

The price of the eTA business visa for Sri Lanka :

If you wish to travel to Sri Lanka on business, you will need to apply for a specific eTA called a business eTA. This eTA applies to business travellers to Sri Lanka for the purpose of attending meetings, seminars or training.

Unlike the tourist eTA, the business eTA is valid for a stay of 30 consecutive days, but may allow you to make multiple and unlimited entries into Sri Lanka during its validity. The total validity of this business visa is 90 days.

On the website of the provider we recommend on our page this business eTA will be available for a price of approximately $55 (excluding processing fees)

 

What is the eTA for Sri Lanka and how do I get it?

The eTA is in fact an electronic travel authorisation which allows the holder to travel for a total of 30 days within Sri Lanka. It is particularly aimed at travellers who wish to visit Sri Lanka for tourism or business purposes. One of the main advantages of this eTA is that it can be obtained directly online in a matter of minutes.

The price of the eTA for Sri Lanka will vary depending on the website through which you apply. Generally, you should expect to pay around 50$ for a simple tourist visa. The application and processing fees for your eTA are of course payable immediately after filling in the form and online using an electronic payment method such as a credit card or Paypal.

Once you have completed the application form and paid the fee, you will be able to have your tourist visa application processed within a very short time. Please note that in order to benefit from the eTA for Sri Lanka, it is necessary to respect some requirements, including the fact that you must have left one of the eTA member countries, including the UK and EU countries.

Apply for your eTA Sri Lanka!

Is it possible to get a visa for Sri Lanka for free?

As we have just seen, the fee for the eTA to travel to Sri Lanka is relatively low compared to what it was necessary to pay to obtain a visa previously. However, there are exceptions and free of charge for certain eligible applicants since 2019.

The following are the special cases where you will not need to obtain an eTA to travel to Sri Lanka:

  • In transit through Sri Lanka: If your travel destination is not Sri Lanka but your aircraft has a stopover or transit in the country, you will not need to obtain an official travel authorisation for a fee. You will, however, need to present a transit eTA which is provided free of charge. This type of eTA allows you to stay in the country for up to 48 hours.
  • For minors under 12 years of age: Finally, minors under 12 years of age who travel in the company of an adult with an eTA authorisation do not have to apply for a fee. The travel authorisation will be issued to them free of charge.

However, it should be remembered here that if you are eligible for a free eTA application, you will still have to apply for it in order to obtain this travel authorisation. It is not strictly speaking a visa waiver.

Thus, you will have to fill in the visitor visa application form in the same way as a tourist or business traveller, providing the same information. The only difference is that this time you will not have to pay a fee.

 

How to avoid paying too much for your eTA visa for Sri Lanka?

As we have just seen, it is relatively easy to obtain an eTA visa for travel to Sri Lanka directly online. However, although your application can be completed in a matter of minutes, this does not mean that you will always have the approval of the Sri Lankan authorities to obtain this famous travel document.

However, if your application for an eTA is rejected by the Sri Lankan authorities, you will have to reapply as soon as possible and pay the application fee again. So it will cost you a lot more.

For this reason, we strongly recommend that you use a quality service provider who offers online application support and who will also systematically check all the information on your form before sending it to the Sri Lankan authorities. This will prevent you from making mistakes in the form that could lead to a refusal and the need to reapply.

Apply for your eTA Sri Lanka!

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.

 

Frequently asked questions

When should I apply for an eTA for Sri Lanka?

Obtaining an eTA for Sri Lanka is quick and takes less than 3 working days. However, it is advisable to apply relatively early to ensure that in case of refusal, you have time to reapply. Remember that the Electronic Travel Authorisation for Sri Lanka, once obtained, will be valid for 3 months, if it is a business eTA or for 6 months if it is a tourist eTA.

How to obtain an eTA visa for Sri Lanka?

It is no longer necessary to apply for a traditional visa to travel to Sri Lanka as it is possible to benefit from the eTA, which is an electronic travel authorisation system directly online. This can be applied for directly on the internet using your personal details and passport number. You will not be asked for any proof of identity.

What payment methods are accepted for the eTA visa for Sri Lanka?

Payment for your eTA visa application for Sri Lanka can be made by any electronic payment method offered by the website you are using. This can be by credit card, but also by an e-wallet system such as Paypal or other.