Sri Lanka Reinstates eTA: What Tourists Need to Know Now

Sri Lanka has confirmed that tourists must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before travel, starting October 15, 2025, with embassies and the UK High Commission issuing public notices to that effect. The official eTA portal remains the channel for applications, including for travelers under the ongoing fee‑free scheme for seven countries.

What changed and when

• Effective date: October 15, 2025, tourists are required to secure eTA approval prior to arrival. The requirement has been reiterated by multiple Sri Lankan missions abroad.
• Background: Sri Lanka reverted from an eVisa experiment back to the long‑running eTA system following legal proceedings noted in local coverage.

Who must apply, and who is exempt

• Broadly applicable: Most foreign nationals visiting for tourism must obtain an eTA in advance via the official site.
• Fee‑free but still apply: Nationals of China, India, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Japan currently enjoy a free visa regime but must still apply for an eTA before travel.
• eTA‑exempt nationals: Citizens of Singapore, Maldives, and Seychelles are listed as exempt from eTA for short visits up to 30 days on the official site. Travelers from these countries should verify current practice before departure.

Permitted stay and visa types

• Tourist eTA: Double entry, up to 30 days on arrival, with options to extend in country.
• Business eTA: Multiple or double entry options, typically up to 30 days initially.
• Transit eTA: Up to 2 days, granted on a free‑of‑charge basis with proof of onward travel.
• Extensions: The Department of Immigration and Emigration provides online and in‑person routes to extend tourist visas; official guidance references extension pathways and categories.

Fees

• The official eTA fee schedule shows a tourist eTA at US$20 for SAARC nationals and US$50 for other nationalities when applying online. Children under 12 are free.
• Note that fee‑free eligibility for the seven nominated countries does not remove the requirement to apply for an eTA in advance.

How to apply for the eTA (concise)
1) Prepare your passport and trip details, then apply online through the official eTA portal.
2) Pay the applicable fee if required and await the approval email.
3) Carry your eTA confirmation and be ready to show a return ticket and proof of funds at the border. Apply now.

Visa on arrival
Embassy and High Commission notices specify that travelers must have eTA approval before boarding from October 15, 2025, which effectively ends reliance on on‑arrival issuance for tourists. Travelers who are ETA‑exempt by nationality remain subject to their exemption rules. When in doubt, confirm with your nearest Sri Lankan mission.

Passport validity and documents

• Passport validity: Official guidance indicates at least six months’ validity beyond the date of entry.
• Keep a printed copy of your eTA approval and ensure you have a return or onward ticket and sufficient funds.

Useful traveler information

• Arrival e‑Card: Sri Lanka provides an online Arrival and Departure Card facility up to three days before travel. If the site is unavailable, paper cards are typically provided at the airport.
• Travel volumes: Sri Lanka recorded 158,971 tourist arrivals in September 2025 and 1.72 million visitors in the first nine months of 2025, according to SLTDA‑based reports, underscoring renewed demand.

Context and the current debate
The visa shift arrives alongside a domestic debate over whether to explicitly market LGBTQ tourism. Senior Buddhist clergy and other religious leaders publicly objected, while the Tourism Ministry clarified on September 30, 2025 that no dedicated LGBTQ campaign has been approved and that any initiatives would be evaluated for social harmony.

Key official websites

• Apply for eTA and check fees: eta.gov.lk
• Department of Immigration and Emigration information and extensions: immigration.gov.lk
• Recent embassy notices confirming the Oct 15 change: Sri Lanka High Commission in the UK, Sri Lankan Embassies in Ankara and Jakarta.

Sources

• Official eTA portal, alerts and fees, including fee‑free scheme and eTA types. (eta.gov.lk)
• Sri Lanka High Commission London, notice effective Oct 15, 2025. (srilankahc.uk)
• SLTDA‑based coverage on September 2025 arrivals and year‑to‑date totals. (newswire.lk)
• Ministry clarification and reports on LGBTQ tourism debate. (ceylontoday.lk)