srilanka eta

I thought applying for India and Turkey e-Visas was easy, until I applied for a Sri Lanka ETA. I’m not even sure if “apply” is the right word to use here because it felt like a formality more than anything. I got my Sri Lanka ETA exactly three minutes after completing the application and making payment. Yes, three minutes! It was by far the fastest and easiest “visa application” process I’ve ever had to go through.

If you’re visiting Sri Lanka, then here’s what you need to do to get an ETA.

What is an ETA?

ETA stands for Electronic Travel Authorization. It’s basically the same thing as an e-Visa. It’s issued electronically and there are three types: Tourist, Business, and Transit. Tourist and Business ETAs allow you double entry into Sri Lanka for a maximum stay of thirty (30) days, while a Transit ETA allows you a stay of up to two (2) days.

I visited Sri Lanka for tourism so applying for a Tourist ETA is what this post will focus on. The ETA is issued through an online system so no passport copies, documents, or photographs are required. It really is that easy.

Eligibility


A Tourist Visa is given to those visiting Sri Lanka for;

  • Holidaying
  • Visiting friends and relatives
  • Medical treatment including Ayurvedic and yoga
  • Participate in sporting events, competitions and activities relating to cultural performance

 

Sri Lankan tourist visa is normally issued through Sri Lankan Diplomatic Missions overseas which will be endorsed on passport and usually valid for three months. After arrival, visitors could seek an extension for the tourist visa for up to six months. However, for promotion of tourism and to facilitate entry of tourists to Sri Lanka, the Department of Immigration and Emigration has introduced an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system. The ETA allows tourist to apply for authorization online to travel and remain in Sri Lanka for one month. No passport copies, documents or photographs are required. There is no requirement to endorse the ETA on the passport. After arrival, tourists who may wish to stay longer than one month may apply for an extension to ETA for up to six months.


Application Procedures

Tourists can now use one of the following methods at their convenience

 

 

Immigration Services Center in Colombo:

You can now apply for an ETA at our Immigration Services Center in Colombo. Immigration Services Center works with Department of Immigration Sri Lanka.

 

Applying at our Immigration Services Center is highly recommended if you are planning to invite foreign nationals to Sri Lanka. We also offer, additional services such as document collection from door steps and delivering back ETA. 

Document Requirement For ETA

  • Completed application form
  • Copy of the data page of the applicant’s passport
  • ETA fees and our service fees
Processing Time And Fees

If you apply ETA though our Immigration Services Center, we guarantee your ETA on the same day. Government ETA fee for tourists is 15 USD for nationals of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Countries and 35 USD for other nationalities. As circumstance of every case is different, our service fee depends number of factors including the selection of additional services and could only be determined after all information is available to us. However, as part of our policy to provide transparent and responsible service, our service fee will be clearly notified before we accept application.

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