Overview
Sri Lanka is located south - east from the southern tip of India, the place where Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean converge. It was earlier known as Ceylon and the present name of Sri Lanka was adopted in the year 1972. Sri Lanka has a rich cultural heritage and history that is believed to be as old as the epic Ramayana. Today, Sri Lanka is really progressive, vibrant and a country teeming with opportunities.
But what the rest of the world doesn’t know about is, Sri Lanka’s amazing geography. It is an island nation so you can obviously find so many beaches here, in all directions. Maybe there are a few hundred beaches scattered around or maybe there is just one beach which encircles the entire country, it is upto the tourists to decide. The south - central part of Sri Lanka is mountainous region from where numerous rivers flow in all directions. The highest point in Sri Lanka is Pidurutalagala which is 8,261 Ft. high.
The capital of Sri Lanka is Colombo. It is situated on the western coast of the country. The area between India and Sri Lanka is called the Gulf of Mannar. Also, in the North - West, Sri Lanka is connected to India through ‘Adam’s Bridge’ or ‘Ram Setu’ as it is known in India. This Limestone bridge is 3 to 30 Ft. deep and researchers believe that it was destroyed by a cyclone in the 15th century. So, if you want to explore what is hidden in the heart of this curious island nation, here is the complete travel and visa guide for Sri Lanka.
Application Process
All the tourists as well as business travellers must obtain Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for entering Sri Lanka. The ETA is valid for 30 days from the date of entry in Sri Lanka and it can be extended for up to 6 months. The application can be done online as well as at Sri Lanka Overseas Missions and the Head Office of the Department of Immigration & Emigration, Colombo. Business ETA for single/ double/ multiple entry can be obtained by applying online. And the applicants can not engage in any kind of trade, business or employment activities while they are in Sri Lanka, regardless of paid or unpaid, which are not mentioned in the valid ETA.
- You can apply for an ETA yourself or can get your application submitted through third party service providers such as travel agents and airlines.
- Step 1 - Submit Application
Fill in all the details required in the online Application form, as they are mentioned in the passport.
Add basic information of the applicant(s) such as name, DOB, nationality, and passport details. The details of children can be attached along with their parents’ application. Also, furnish the details of your travel plan, contact details and formal declaration required in the application form.
The applicant needs to furnish the address in Sri Lanka
If applying for business Visa, the applicant needs to add contact details of the applicant’s company and contact details of the Sri Lankan company concerned, is required to be submitted.
- Step 2 - Review Information:
Always check and recheck the application to make sure that there are no typo-errors and wrong information is not furnished.
You can change the information if needed, and confirm if all information is correct.
- Step 3 - Payment Options:
The payment of fees is not needed for Indian citizens going for tourism purposes.
The applicants can deposit the payment for Visa application fees using electronic payment cards, on the official website of ETA - Government of Sri Lanka www.eta.gov.lk and get formal acknowledgment of their ETA application.
The department has NO REFUND policy so, make sure you pay the right amount on the right portal with the right information.
- Step 4 - ETA Confirmation:
The status of Visa application and authenticity of the Visa application can be checked online using the link: http://www.immigration.gov.lk/web/index.php?lang=en
Based on the information furnished and documents attached, the Visa authority may approve your Visa application or they may serve a referral notice to you for making amendments/ alterations in the application. The applicant may contact the Sri Lanka Overseas Mission, for further actions as per the referral notice. You can see some examples of acknowledgement/ referral notices/ approval letter on this link: http://www.eta.gov.lk/slvisa/visainfo/sample.jsp?locale=en_US
The applicants need to visit the Sri Lanka Overseas Mission personally for collecting the Visa, if their Visa application is approved.
The ETA holder should enter Sri Lanka within 3 months of the date of issuing ETA. The applicant should keep a copy of ETA approval ready while entering in Sri Lanka, at the port of entry.
Documents Required
- A passport valid for a minimum of 6 months from the date of entry in Sri Lanka
- A round trip ticket booking for your tentative visit in Sri Lanka
- Hotel/ Accommodation booking details including telephone number and address
- Passport size photographs of the applicant
- Documents explaining the applicant’s financial stability and ability to meet the expenses in the visit to Sri Lanka
- The same documents that are furnished for obtaining the Visa, should be used by the applicant while entering Sri Lanka. If there is any mismatch in documents or information provided by the applicants, they might have to pay the visa fees again.
Important Update for Indian citizens
Under the ETA Fee Waiver Program, Indian citizens travelling to Sri Lanka for tourism purposes from 01 August 2019 to 31 January 2020, are exempted from paying ETA fee. However, travelers need to obtain the ETA compulsorily.
Types of Sri Lanka Visa
There are three main types of categories for which the eligible applicants can apply for…
Tourist ETA
Applicable for tourism, holidaying, Ayurvedic - Yoga and other medical treatments, participation in cultural or sporting competitions, and personal visit to family and friends
Transit ETA
Applicable only for transiting through Sri Lanka
Business ETA
Participation in meetings, conferences, workshops, seminars, symposiums, short-term training-programs, art events, religious events, and other business negotiations. Applicants should note that Online ETA is not available for media and journalism related activities such as…
Participation in media/ journalism related conferences, workshops, and seminars
Attending meetings/ conferences/ seminars with political parties and groups
Engaging in activities carried out by NGOs and INGOs
The applicants must obtain prior approval from appropriate authorities of the Government of Sri Lanka, if they wish to engage in the above mentioned activities.
FAQs
Where do I apply for a Sri Lankan visa?
The government of Sri Lanka considers a visa as Electronic Travel Authorization or ETA. You can file your ETA application on www.eta.gov.lk.
How much would I be charged for a Sri Lankan visa?
As of now, the government of Sri Lanka has mandated that Indian citizens do not need to pay any fees until January 2020.
Do I need to get travel insurance while traveling to Sri Lanka?
The need for travel insurance is not mandatory, even though the importance of travel insurance for any vacation should not be ignored. If you find yourself without your baggage or in the midst of an accident, travel insurance from providers like Bharti AXA could go a long way.
What is the best time to visit Sri Lanka?
Different parts of the country are best visited in different times during the year. For instance, the western and southern coasts of Lanka are best visited during October-March. The best time to visit the central hills is March, while the perfect weather for the eastern and northern areas is between April and September. The time to avoid while visiting this region is the inter-monsoonal period, which is October-November.
