Sri Lanka ETA visa application - how to apply correctly, common problems, and what to do if it is rejected?
I am flying to Sri Lanka in 3 weeks and I want to sort the visa without problems. The process seems straightforward but I keep reading about people having issues.
1. What is the correct official website for the Sri Lanka ETA application?
2. What nationalities are eligible for ETA and which need a different visa type?
3. What information and documents do I need before starting the application?
4. How long does approval normally take and can I apply right before flying?
5. What are the most common reasons ETA applications are rejected or delayed?
6. What should I do if my ETA is rejected close to my travel date?
7. Is there an arrival visa option if I cannot get the ETA in time?
8. I have heard about third-party visa sites that look official but charge extra fees - how do I identify the real one?
3 Answers
Visa questions are the most common thing I help visitors with. Here is the complete accurate guide.
The official website: eta.gov.lk is the Sri Lanka Department of Immigration and Emigration official ETA portal. This is the only government site. Bookmark it directly and do not use search engine ads to find it - several fraudulent lookalike sites appear in paid search results.
ETA eligibility: citizens of most European, North American, Australian, and many Asian countries are eligible. The full list is on the official site under "Eligible Countries". Some nationalities (including Indian citizens) can apply for ETA online. A small number of nationalities require a different visa category applied for at a Sri Lanka High Commission or Embassy before travel.
Documents needed: valid passport with at least 6 months validity beyond your intended departure date. A return or onward flight booking. A hotel or accommodation address for your first night (you do not need to have your full trip planned). Debit or credit card for the fee payment.
The fee and processing time: as of 2025, the tourist ETA fee is USD 35 for a single entry (30 days, extendable to 90 days at the Department of Immigration in Colombo). Processing is normally within 24-72 hours. Apply at least 72 hours before your flight, ideally a week in advance.
Common reasons for rejection or delay:
Passport details entered incorrectly - double-check every field.
Expired credit card or card that blocks international transactions.
Applying for the wrong visa category - make sure you select "Tourism" not "Transit".
Technical errors on the site during peak periods - if payment processes but no confirmation arrives within 24 hours, email the Immigration Department directly with your application reference.
If rejected close to travel: contact the Sri Lanka High Commission or Embassy in your country immediately. Explain the situation with your application reference number. In genuine cases of urgency they can assist.
Third-party sites: they are legal intermediaries but charge service fees of USD 15-30 on top of the government fee. The visa they produce is identical. Only use them if you find the official site genuinely unusable. Never pay more than USD 50-60 total for a standard tourist ETA.
Adding the extension process for those who want to stay longer than 30 days: ETA extensions are processed at the Department of Immigration and Emigration on Ananda Rajakaruna Mawatha in Colombo 10. The office handles tourist extensions to 90 days total. Go in person with your passport, printed ETA approval, and proof of accommodation for the extended period. The process takes 1-2 working days and the fee is small. Arrive as early as possible when the office opens. Some long-stay visitors get this done during their first days in Colombo rather than waiting until their 30 days are nearly expired.
Security note on the fake sites: they are very convincing and rank highly in Google results with domain names like "sri-lanka-eta-online.com" or "srilankaetavisa.net". The real government site is eta.gov.lk and it will have the .gov.lk domain. Any site without .gov.lk in the domain is not the official government portal. The fake sites do sometimes successfully apply for the real ETA on your behalf using the government system - but they charge a large markup and collect your passport and payment details. Use the official site directly. If you are unsure when on the site, look for the Department of Immigration and Emigration seal and the .gov.lk address bar confirmation.
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