Is a transit visa required for a stopover in Sri Lanka?

Would you like to know if a visa is required for a transit or stopover in Sri Lanka? Find out the answer and the procedure here.

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Transit visa Sri Lanka

For British travellers, it is required to obtain a visa or eTA online for tourist, business or medical travel to Sri Lanka. But what about simple transits or stopovers in this country? It may happen that you are travelling to another destination with a flight that stops over in Sri Lanka or is in transit. In this case, is it also necessary to obtain a visa and under what conditions is it possible to obtain it? This is what we propose to find out here in detail.

 

Is a visa required for a simple transit or stopover in Sri Lanka?

In reality, even if your flight is simply transiting Sri Lanka without disembarking from the aircraft or simply staying in the airport area, you will of course need a visa to make the trip.

Specifically, the visa you will need to obtain is called a transit eTA. This is an electronic travel authorisation that you can obtain online and completely free of charge. Unlike the tourist eTA which allows you to stay in Sri Lanka for up to 30 consecutive days, the transit eTA will be valid for a single period of 2 days and is completely free of charge.

However, the fact that this visa is free of charge does not exempt you from obtaining it and you must apply for a transit eTA online before your departure in order to have it with you at the time of your stopover or transit in the Sri Lankan airport.

One of the main advantages of the transit eTA for Sri Lanka is that it can be obtained directly online by filling in a form in just a few minutes. Following this online application, the transit eTA will be sent to you by email and you will be able to use it during your trip.

With this transit eTA, you will have a genuine permission to stay in Sri Lanka for a maximum of 48 hours. This means that if your transit or stopover in Sri Lanka lasts for a certain period of time, you will be able to visit the area around the airport with this visa. The visa will be checked by immigration on arrival at the airport along with your passport. Of course, you will also need to show your transit ticket.

 

What is a transit eTA for Sri Lanka?

As we have just seen, the eTA for Electronic Travel Authorization is an electronic travel authorization that allows you to stay in Sri Lanka or to transit through Sri Lanka under the transit eTA. More precisely, the transit eTA is an authorisation that allows you to stay on Sri Lankan soil for a maximum of 2 days.

In the past, it was necessary to go to the Sri Lankan consulate or embassy in your country to obtain this travel document, but now it is possible to obtain it directly online and completely free of charge.

To do so, you just have to go to the official website or the website of a service provider allowing you to fill in the eTA application form for Sri Lanka. This is the case of the website we present to you on this page and which is a quality service provider able to accompany you throughout your process.

The introduction of this 100% online electronic procedure is intended to facilitate travel to and through Sri Lanka.

 

Where and how to obtain a transit eTA for Sri Lanka?

As we have just seen, an eTA is the equivalent of an electronic visa for Sri Lanka that allows you to stay or, in this case, transit through the country. Here are the different steps to follow to obtain it in just a few days:

  • Firstly, you will need to fill in an online transit eTA application form via the official website or the website of a service provider. In this form you will simply need to fill in some data about yourself such as your name and date of birth, your passport number, the date of issue of your passport and its expiry date, your country of birth, your occupation, your city of arrival in Sri Lanka, the airline you flew with, your flight number, your address and your telephone number.
  • Under normal circumstances and for a tourist eTA application for Sri Lanka, you will be required to pay the processing fee for your application. But this step will not be compulsory if you are applying for a transit eTA. Similarly, no supporting documents will be required to process your application.
  • Once your application has been validated and the form sent, you only have to wait a few days to receive the eTA transit permit for Sri Lanka by email. Once obtained, this authorisation does not need to be printed and you can simply take it with you in digital format by downloading it onto your phone or tablet. You can then simply present it with your passport when you board your flight and when you stop over in transit in Sri Lanka.

 

What documents are required for transit travel to Sri Lanka?

Several documents are therefore essential for a simple transit or stopover in Sri Lanka. The following documents are recommended for transit through Sri Lanka:

  • A valid passport with a validity of at least 6 months after the expected date of arrival in Sri Lanka, the number of which must be identical to the number indicated on the eTA application.
  • A valid eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) for Sri Lanka, which can be obtained online from the official website of the Sri Lankan government. Remember that this will be a transit eTA.
  • An onward ticket to your next destination and back.
  • Valid travel documents (such as a visa) for your final destination if required.

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

Children must also obtain an eTA to enter Sri Lanka, including for transit. Children travelling with their parents must have their own eTA and passport. It is important to note that for children under the age of 12, a free eTA is available. It is therefore advisable to check the current entry requirements before travelling, as these may vary depending on the health situation. It is also important to check with your airline to see if any additional restrictions apply for stopovers or transits in Sri Lanka. Minor children must also have their own passport and not just be listed on their parents' passport.

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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

Is it possible to leave Sri Lanka airport with a transit visa?

The Sri Lanka eTA transit visa is an electronic visa that allows you to stay in Sri Lanka for up to 2 days. It has the same value as a regular visa and allows you to leave the airport and visit the surrounding area if you have time. The only condition is that you must catch your next flight within 48 hours of your landing time.

How to obtain a transit eTA for Sri Lanka?

As we have detailed on this page, it is very easy to obtain an eTA transit visa for Sri Lanka directly online. The procedure set up by the Sri Lankan government is a 100% digital procedure which simply consists of filling in a free form and submitting it. Your eTA will then be emailed to you within a few days at most.

What other documents are required for transit to Sri Lanka?

If your trip includes a transit or stopover in Sri Lanka, you will of course need to have a valid transit eTA, but also a passport in your name, the validity of which must cover at least 6 months after your transit date in the country. Please ensure that you have both documents with you when you travel to avoid problems at border controls.