Travelers planning to visit Sri Lanka for short stays will now need to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before departure, according to the latest statement by the Department of Immigration and Emigration of Sri Lanka.
Citizens of the Maldives, Seychelles, and Singapore who are visiting the country for tourism will continue to be exempted from the ETA fees in accordance with bilateral arrangements.
Additionally, Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Indonesian, Malaysian, Thai, and Russian passport holders visiting for tourism will continue to be exempted from the ETA fees as part of the pilot program implemented on March 31, 2024, to rebuild the tourism industry.
With the ETA, visitors will be able to sightsee, visit friends and relatives, receive medical treatment, and participate in sporting events, competitions, and cultural activities.
However, the fee for an ETA for business purposes is still required for all applicants regardless of nationality. The ETA for business purposes may be issued for single, double, or multiple entries and is for short-term stays for business purposes.
Both ETAs for tourism and business purposes will be valid for 6 months allowing short stays of up to 30 days, and permit a maximum of two entries within the validity period. If visitors wish to stay for more than 30 days, they can extend their ETA by submitting an application online or visiting the Department of Immigration and Emigration.
The new regulation is expected to ease the congestion at the airport and aims to make entry into the country seamless. It is recommended to apply for an ETA well in advance to avoid delays upon arrival.
