The ETA Sri Lanka visa on arrival is open to nationals from other countries who are either on the visa-exempt list of Sri Lanka or those who qualify for a visa on arrival.
Since not everyone qualifies for Sri Lankan ETA or visa on arrival, you should check your status before applying for either of these travel documents.
This page contains information about Sri Lanka's electronic travel authorization permit and the visa on arrival for eligible travelers. Keep reading to learn more.
What Is Sri Lanka ETA?
Sri Lankan ETA is a special travel document available online for citizens from visa-exempt countries.
The Sri Lankan government has a special visa-exempt list containing selected countries. Visitors from these countries do not require a visa to enter Sri Lanka, but they still need special authorization; the electronic travel authorization permit is a special document that allows them to do so.
This document can be applied for online, and the holder doesn’t need to visit the Embassy in their home country to get it. They can simply fill out the application form online, attach their documents and submit them for approval. The ETA is approved and forwarded to their designated email address which they must print out and bring with them on their trip.
ETA is easy to apply for and designed for short trips such as tourism, short business visits, or visits to family and friends. Furthermore, it takes only 3 days or less to get your application approved, making it the best document for emergency trips.
How To Apply For Sri Lanka ETA?
You must submit your application via a reputable website such as VisaHQ. The application process is straightforward in a few steps.
Log onto VisaHQ
Select Sri Lanka as your destination
Select your citizenship
Choose ETA as your preferred visa
Fill out the application form
Scan and upload all travel documents required
Pay the visa fee
Submit for approval
These are the steps to take to apply for Sri Lanka ETA online. Within three days or less, the status of your application will be made known to you through your registered email. If your application is successful, the ETA will be sent to your email, which you must print out.
Sri Lanka Visa On Arrival
Not all foreign nationals require a visa before landing in Sri Lanka; some nationals from selected countries qualify for a visa on arrival. A Visa on arrival is issued to eligible visitors who don’t have an ETA or a conventional visa. This visa is similar to an ETA because it is digital, but the difference is that rather than applying online and getting it before embarking on the trip, you can get it once you arrive at Sri Lanka’s Bandaranaike International Airport.
Visa on arrival is only open to passport holders of a few countries, so you need to be sure that your country is on the list before boarding a plane for Sri Lanka; otherwise, you will be sent back to your home country. Application for a visa on arrival may take up to one hour at the airport or more during peak periods when so many applicants wait at the arrival section of the immigration kiosk. If you don’t want to waste time in the waiting line, we recommend applying and getting an ETA before making the trip.
Criteria For Visa On Arrival
Applicants for a visa on arrival must meet the following criteria.
Eligibility: The applicant must be from a country on the visa-on-arrival list. You will not be issued this visa if you are not from an eligible country.
Immigration Compliance: The immigration officers on duty must be satisfied with the purpose of your visit before allowing you into the country.
Passport: The applicant must have a passport with a minimum of 6 months' validity
Funds: Applicants must show proof that they have sufficient funds to cover their expenses during their stay in the country.
Return Ticket: A Return ticket is required to serve as proof that the visitor plans to return to their home country.
Visa On Arrival Fee
A Sri Lanka visa on-arrival application fee is about $25, but this fee is subject to change. The fee is collected in dollars or Sri Lankan Rupees in cash.
How To Apply For Sri Lanka Visa On Arrival?
This visa is available at the arrival desk of Sri Lanka immigration. Once you arrive in Sri Lanka, you will be ushered to the application point, where you will b issued a form to fill out. Please provide your details, attach your passport and other documents to the form, including the application fee, and submit it to the officer on duty. The visa on arrival will be issued to you so you can enter the country.
Now that you know about the eta Sri Lanka visa on arrival, consider applying for an ETA via VisaHQ instead, so you don’t waste time at the airport applying for a visa on arrival.