Sri Lanka Visa Application and Immigration Requirements – 2019

This Article contains information on the Sri Lanka Visa Application and Immigration Requirements: 2019. Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon) is an island nation south of India in the Indian Ocean. Its diverse landscapes range from rainforest and arid plains to highlands and sandy beaches. It’s famed for its ancient Buddhist ruins, including the 5th-century citadel Sigiriya, with its palace and frescoes.

Yearly, many people travel to Sri Lanka for numerous reasons either for tourism, business, study, visit or immigration. Depending on the purpose of the trip to Sri Lanka, there are different types of visas that apply to the occasion.

Sri Lanka offers a visa on arrival which eliminates the strenuous process of gathering documents and visits to the embassy. If you’re vacationing in Sri Lanka, you will simply need to apply online, once your ETA has been approved you’ll be able to journey to Sri Lanka and receive your visa at the port of entry. Follow our ETA guide and find out how simple it really is to jet off to this beautiful destination.

So before applying for a Sri Lanka visa, it is necessary to know the Sri Lanka visa requirements and which of the visa category that you are eligible for.

TYPES OF VISAS

• Short Visit Visa – No passport copies, documents or photographs are required for the application process.
• Business Visa – to be submitted upon application at the High Commission (Pretoria) 14 days prior to travelling to Sri Lanka.
• Transit Visa – Duration ranges from 2 to 15 days spent in Sri Lanka

LIST OF DOCUMENTS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR A SRI LANKA VISA APPLICATION

The following documents are required for the Sri Lanka visa application:

• Original passport – valid for more than 6 months from the date of arrival and must have 2 blank pages
• 2 colour photographs
• Letter of invitation from company in Sri Lanka
• Hotel booking
• Confirmed return ticket
• Employment letter

AT THE PORT OF ENTRY:

All that is needed at the port of entry of Sri Lanka is the following:

• Original passport (valid for at least six months from the date of arrival)
• A confirmed return ticket
• Evidence of sufficient funds to cover your expenses in Sri Lanka (bank statements)
• Copy of visa approval
• It is advisable to bring a copy of the ETA approval notice

HOW TO APPLY FOR A VISA

Applications are done online, known as an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). It is an official authorisation for short visits to Sri Lanka, issued electronically by the Department of Immigration and Emigration of Sri Lanka. The Sri Lanka ETA system is an efficient, reliable and simplified service to those visiting the country. Find out what you will need to obtain a Sri Lankan visa.

There are various ways of applying for your ETA:

• By the applicant
• Third parties
• Registered Agents
• Embassy
• Department of Immigration and Emigration (Head Office)

Steps to follow when submitting your ETA application online:

• Fill in the ETA application.
• Pay the relevant visa processing fee.
• If your ETA application is submitted without any complications, you should promptly receive a referral notice, you may contact the Department or Immigration and Emigration for the necessary ETA.

Applying through the Embassy of Sri Lanka:

• Fill in the ETA form at the Embassy and hand it over to the visa officer with the relevant fee.
• The Embassy, with the agreement of Sri Lanka’s Department of Immigration and Emigration, will issue an ETA/short stay Sri Lankan visa within 3 business days.
• An acknowledgement with the reference number will be sent to the Embassy and to the principal applicant.
• You can check your ETA application status on the ETA website or contact the 24/7 ETA call centre on 0094 71 99 67 888.

Third Party Submissions:

• Travel agents, airlines, friends or relatives can apply for an ETA on your behalf.
• The third party may pay the ETA processing fee and submit your application.
• An acknowledgement of your Sri Lankan visa application will be sent if the application is submitted successfully.
• If a referral notice is served you may contact the Department of Immigration and Emigration for assistance.

Validity of ETA

If your ETA is granted, you are eligible to enter Sri Lanka within three months from the date of issue.

The ETA is valid for six months and a new ETA cannot be obtained using the same passport until that ETA expires. It may be extended up to 90 days from the date of arrival. For a Sri Lankan visa extension, you can apply at the visa section of the Department of Immigration and Emigration.

Cost of ETA

*Note: When applying at the Sri Lanka embassy/consulate in home country, the guardian or parent should accompany their under-age children.

Please consult the Sri Lanka Embassy in your country for the updated Sri Lanka Visa requirements!

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