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Sri Lanka ETA for US Citizens: 30-Day Rules, Fees and How to Apply
US citizens need a Sri Lanka ETA before travel: 30-day tourist stay with double entry, 3-month validity, the free-ETA scheme and how to apply, from official sources.
About this route
This guide covers the official Sri Lanka entry process for United States passport holders: required documents, the application steps, and where our optional support fits in.
Do United States citizens need a visa for Sri Lanka?
Yes, in the form of an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) obtained before arrival. The official ETA portal of Sri Lanka's Department of Immigration and Emigration states that anyone planning a holiday, a short business trip or a transit must apply for and obtain an ETA prior to arrival. The ETA is the tourist visa; there is no separate sticker to collect for a short visit.
The Department of Immigration and Emigration in Battaramulla issues the ETA. Applications are submitted electronically, by the traveller, by a third party, at a Sri Lankan overseas mission, at the department's head office in Colombo, or on arrival at the port of entry, but the department's clear preference is the online application before departure.
The free 30-day tourist ETA scheme from 25 May 2026
The ETA portal home page announces that, with effect from 25 May 2026, nationals of 40 listed countries are eligible for a tourist ETA free of charge for 30 days, whether they hold diplomatic, official, service or ordinary passports. The scheme grants a free visa valid for 30 days with double entry from the date of first arrival; on the second entry only the balance of the 30 days is granted. Nationals of Maldives, Seychelles and Singapore are processed free of charge under separate arrangements.
- Check the list of 40 countries on the portal before you apply; the scheme applies only to the nationalities named there.
- ETA fees paid before 25 May 2026 are not refunded.
- Travellers who hold a free visa and want to stay beyond 30 days may apply for an extension on payment of the applicable visa fee.
- All other nationalities remain subject to the general ETA rules and the ETA processing fee, which is not refundable and not transferable once paid.
Other destinations for United States passport holders
You can apply yourself.
This guide covers the full official process step by step. Honesty builds trust. If you have questions, you can reach us through the contact options above.
What the short-visit ETA allows
The Department of Immigration and Emigration describes the tourist visa as the permission for bona fide tourists who come for sightseeing or holidays, visiting friends and relatives, medical treatment, art, music and dance events, or sports events for a short period. It may be issued for single or double entry. A business purpose visa covers short business visits and may be single, double or multiple entry.
- Tourist ETA: holidays, family visits, medical treatment, cultural and sports events for a short period; 30 days, double entry from first arrival.
- Business ETA: obtained from Sri Lanka overseas missions or the visa section in Colombo, with documentary proof of the business purpose; single, double or multiple entry.
- Not available online: media and journalist activities, conferences or seminars, and meetings with political parties or groups need a visa obtained through the department, not the online ETA.
- Everything else: employment, study and longer residence require the appropriate visa before arrival.
Documents and details required for the Sri Lanka ETA
The online application asks for the passport and travel details and an electronic payment where a fee applies. The portal accepts Visa, Mastercard and American Express cards. A third party can complete and pay for the application on your behalf.
- Passport details entered exactly as they appear in the document.
- Travel details, including the intended arrival date, since the ETA holder is entitled to enter within 3 months from the date of issue.
- An email address to receive the approval notice or a referral notice.
- A Visa, Mastercard or American Express card for the processing fee where applicable.
How to apply for the Sri Lanka ETA step by step
The portal lists six submission methods, but the sequence for the standard online application is short.
⏱️ Application Steps
1. Step 1: Go to eta.gov.lk
Use only the official website of the Department of Immigration and Emigration.
2. Step 2: Complete the application
Enter passport and travel details for a short visit; choose the tourist or business category that matches your trip.
3. Step 3: Pay the processing fee if it applies
Nationals of the 40 listed countries receive the 30-day tourist ETA free of charge; others pay by Visa, Mastercard or American Express.
4. Step 4: Receive the approval or a referral notice
A referral means the application was not approved online; contact the nearest Sri Lankan mission for assistance.
5. Step 5: Travel within 3 months
The ETA holder may enter Sri Lanka within three months from the date of issue; carry the approval notice.
Applying at the ETA counter on arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport is also possible, with the processing fee paid only in US dollars or by card, but the department asks travellers to obtain approval before arrival to avoid delays and referrals at the airport.
Extending a stay beyond 30 days
The 30-day tourist ETA can be extended in Sri Lanka on payment of the applicable visa fee, including for travellers who entered under the free scheme. Extensions are handled by the Department of Immigration and Emigration, which publishes a separate guide to visit visa extensions. Anyone who expects a longer stay from the outset should look at the extension rules before travel rather than rely on a decision at the last minute.
| Question | Online ETA before travel | ETA on arrival at the airport |
|---|---|---|
| Where | eta.gov.lk, by you or a third party | ETA issuing counter at Bandaranaike International Airport |
| Payment | Visa, Mastercard, American Express | Cards or cash in US dollars only |
| Risk | A referral notice arrives before you fly | A referral at the counter delays entry |
| Department's advice | Preferred | Available, not recommended |
Business visits, journalists and other purposes
Business ETAs are not a self-service product. The portal states that multiple, double or single entry business ETAs are obtained from Sri Lanka overseas missions and the visa section of the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Colombo, with documentary proof of the business purpose. Online ETA is expressly unavailable for media and journalist activities, for meetings, seminars or conferences with political parties or groups, and all purposes other than a short visit require the necessary visa before arrival.
Pros of applying for the ETA yourself
- The portal is free for nationals of the 40 listed countries and takes minutes
- Third parties and family members can apply and pay on your behalf
- Double entry within the 30 days suits a Maldives side trip
Cons of applying for the ETA yourself
- A referral notice requires a visit or call to a Sri Lankan mission
- Business, media and conference visits cannot be handled through the online ETA
- Look-alike sites charge fees the department will not recognise at the airport
Official Sources
The information on this page has been verified from the official sources below.
Questions & Answers(7)
1Do US citizens need a visa to visit Sri Lanka?
2Is the Sri Lanka ETA free?
3How long can I stay in Sri Lanka on a tourist ETA?
4How long is the ETA valid for entry?
5Can I get the ETA on arrival at Colombo airport?
6What happens if I receive a referral notice?
7Can I apply for a business ETA online?
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