ETA expired mid-trip - what actually happens at exit?
3 Answers from travellers
You pay a fine at Immigration on exit. For 3 days overstay: approximately USD 100-150 fine, plus possibly a warning stamp. Not deportation, no ban, no lasting consequences for a short accidental overstay. What to do: don't panic, don't try to hide it, don't try to be clever. Arrive at CMB 4 hours before flight (extra time for the fine process). Go to Immigration counter marked 'Overstay/Extension'. Explain calmly - 'I miscounted, my ETA was 30 days and I stayed 33'. Pay fine. Get a stamp. Board your flight. That's it.
^ this. Also: if you'd caught it 5+ days before expiry, you could have extended at Battaramulla Immigration office ($100 for 60 more days). Now it's too late - just pay the exit fine. Not a big deal for 3 days. Bigger deal if it were 30 days late.
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