Sri Lanka Visa on Arrival - Application and Requirements

Do you seek an easier way to get a Sri Lankan visa for transit, tourism, or commercial-related purposes? If so, applying for a Sri Lanka Visa on Arrival can save you a lot of effort and time. By reading this blog post, you will be happy to know that getting a Sri Lankan visa at the Port of Entry (POE) is now easier than ever.

Currently, the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka offers visas on arrival to citizens of many countries. The application process is quick and straightforward, especially when you have access to a guide like this. Sri Lanka visas are often sought-after as a South Asian country with many to offer foreign nationals.

In this blog post, we will go over everything that has to do with getting a Sri Lanka Visa on Arrival, including its eligibility criteria, requirements, and application process.

Who can Apply for Sri Lanka Visa on Arrival (VOA)?

A Visa on Arrival for the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is one of the methods open to foreign nationals from about 235 countries in getting a Sri Lankan visa at the port of entry. This type of visa allows its holder to enter Sri Lanka for tourism, commercial-related, and transit purposes.

On the contrary, citizens of Singapore, Seychelles, and the Maldives have an exemption for Sri Lanka Visa on Arrival and can enter the country without a visa.

As a Maldivian or Singaporean citizen, you can only visit Sri Lanka for 30 days except if you applied for a visa extension. Supposing that you are from Seychelles, your visa on arrival will let you stay in the country for not more than 60 days.

Remember that you can pre-register for Sri Lanka VOA through the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) online application. You can save plenty of time you would have spent at the port of entry.

Eligibility Criteria for Sri Lanka Visa on Arrival

To be eligible for Sri Lanka VOA, you must satisfy each of the conditions below.

#1. Your passport must be valid. You also need to hold all other documents required for Sri Lanka Visa on Arrival application.

#2. You must be a citizen of one of Sri Lanka Visa on Arrival countries.

These countries include:

India
Trinidad and Tobago
Azerbaijan
Rwanda
France
Comoros
The British Virgin Islands
Afghanistan
Papua New Guinea
Zambia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Vatican City State
Kazakhstan
Antarctica
Suriname
Vanuatu
Bolivia
Turkey
Estonia
Reunion
Austria
Bahrain
Lithuania
Belarus
Cape Verde
Romania
Vietnam
Guinea-Bissau
Ecuador
Brazil
Ireland
Kiribati
Dominica
Gibraltar
Brunei
Tunisia
Qatar
Burkina Faso
Aruba
Ethiopia
The Cook Islands
Uruguay
Ukraine
Curacao
The Czech Republic
Belgium
Denmark
Egypt
Italy
Algeria
Eritrea
Israel
Belize
The Faroe Islands
Micronesia
American Samoa
Jordan
Fiji
Bhutan
Macau
Hungary
Switzerland
Gabon
New Zealand
Bermuda
Liberia
Tajikistan
Andorra
Guam
The Democratic Republic of the Congo
Bangladesh
Moldova
Guernsey
Aland Islands
Guinea
Barbados
Cocos Islands
Malaysia
Tanzania
Christmas Island
Haiti
Australia
Bonaire
Saudi Arabia
Indonesia
Cuba
The Bahamas
Antigua and Barbuda
US Virgin Islands
Iraq
Saint Lucia
The United Kingdom
Djibouti
Bulgaria
Jamaica
Guadeloupe
South Korea
Canada
Kenya
Tuvalu
Botswana
Greece
Equatorial Guinea
Libya
Spain
British Indian Ocean Territory
Honduras
Guyana
El Salvador
Iceland
Cyprus
Venezuela
Luxembourg
Kuwait
Puerto Rico
The Gambia
Malawi
Pakistan
The Cayman Islands
Angola
Guatemala
Hong Kong
Mauritius
Saint Martin
Mexico
Germany
San Marino
The Isle of Man
Latvia
Mozambique
Myanmar
Iran
The Central African Republic
Sweden
Burundi
Somalia
Namibia
Liechtenstein
Niger
The Falkland Islands
Norway
Malta
Palau
Mayotte
Anguilla
Senegal
Peru
The Philippines
Montenegro
South Africa
Poland
Monaco
Benin
Mali
Georgia
Chad
Montserrat
Russia
Mauritania
Samoa
Japan
Costa Rica
Nauru
Madagascar
Serbia
Cambodia
Paraguay
Morocco
New Caledonia
Laos
Sudan
Armenia
The Marshall Islands
Panama
Nepal
Chile
Saint Barthelemy
Taiwan
China
Saint Helena
Lesotho
Togo
Mongolia
The Dominican Republic
North Korea
Macedonia
UAE
Portugal
Martinique
The United States of America
Slovenia
Finland
Uzbekistan
Colombia
Thailand
Albania
Oman
The Netherlands
South Sudan
Lebanon
Kyrgyzstan
Swaziland
Jersey
Croatia
Syria
Yemen
Tokelau
Slovakia
Nicaragua
Greenland
The Solomon Islands
Zimbabwe
Tonga
Uganda
Congo
Sierra Leone, among others.

Sri Lanka Visa on Arrival Fee

Foreign nationals who intend to get Sri Lanka VOA must pay a fee in cash while at the port of entry. The cost of getting the visa on arrival is $40, payable in no other currency but the United States Dollars.

Processing Time for Sri Lanka Visa on Arrival Application

It usually takes 24 hours to process a Visa on Arrival ETA application for the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. To ensure no disappointment, applying online when it remains a few days to your intended departure date from your home country is best.

Sri Lanka Visa on Arrival Requirements

Each foreigner who wants to get a visa on arrival to the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka must possess a passport valid for a minimum of six months following their entry into the country.

Below are all you need to pre-register and obtain a Sri Lankan visa via ETA.

An electronic copy of your passport’s data page
Your email address, which must be accessible to you only
A valid debit or credit card to pay your visa fee

Upon pre-registration and approval, you must tender the documents listed below at the port of entry in Sri Lanka.

A filled-out Sri Lankan Disembarkation Card
A hardcopy of the approved ETA (printed from your email)
Confirmed round-trip ticket to the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
Recent proof of funds, like your account statement
A valid visa and travel ticket for your destination country (required to travel through Sri Lanka to another country)
A Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever (required depending on your country of origin)

How to Get a Sri Lanka Visa on Arrival

You must undertake each step below to get a Sri Lankan visa at the port of entry.

Determine your eligibility for Sri Lanka Visa on Arrival
Consider pre-registering through ETA online application
Expect receipt of Sri Lanka ETA in your email
Travel to Sri Lanka and get your visa at the entry-point

Step 1: Determine your eligibility for Sri Lanka Visa on Arrival

Before anything else, foreigners who want to obtain a Sri Lankan Visa at the entry point must first get to know whether they are eligible or not. Most importantly, you need to possess the nationality of one of the countries aforementioned in this blog post.

Step 2: Consider pre-registering through ETA online application

Even though this step and the next step (3) are not necessary to take towards getting Sri Lanka Visa on Arrival, undertaking them creates possibilities for faster entry into the country. This step requires you to fill out Sri Lanka ETA online application form.

Information on the form includes your full name, date of birth, native land, nationality, email address, contact information, passport number, and its issuance and expiry date. It would be best if you also ticked why you want to enter Sri Lanka with an on-arrival visa.

Step 3: Expect receipt of Sri Lanka ETA in your email

This step involves waiting 24 hours to receive your Electronic Travel Authorization in your email.

Step 4: Travel to Sri Lanka and get your visa at the entry-point

Once you have received the ETA in your email, you can leave for Sri Lanka. Make sure you take along all the required documents, as they are necessary for entry.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does Sri Lanka have a visa on arrival for Indian citizens?

Of course, the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka offers its visa on arrival to Indian nationals.

How much does Sri Lanka Visa on Arrival cost?

Sri Lanka VOA costs US$40, payable in the same currency. Its holder can enter Sri Lanka for up to 30 days for fun or commercial purposes.

Can I get a visa for Sri Lanka at the airport?

Yes, you can get a Sri Lankan visa at the airport. The type of visa issued is widely known as Visa on Arrival (VOA) and does not involve visiting a Sri Lankan embassy or consulate.

Do I need a tourist visa to enter Sri Lanka?

Yes, you have to apply for Sri Lanka Tourist Visa only if you are a national of a country that is not visa-exempt for the country.

Can I get Sri Lanka Visa on Arrival from the United States?

Yes, US citizens can obtain a visa for Sri Lanka while entering the country for transit, sightseeing, or business-related purposes.

What is Sri Lanka Visa on Arrival duration?

You can only stay for 30 days with a VOA for tourism or commercial purposes in Sri Lanka. However, supposing you applied for Sri Lanka VOA to travel through the country to your destination, you can stay for up to two days.

Conclusion

Getting a Sri Lankan visa on arrival is a hassle-free way to enter the country. In addition, it has several advantages over other visa application methods for the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

If you plan a tour or business trip to Sri Lanka, you may have to choose this convenient option.

Thanks for reading!

Sri Lanka Visa on Arrival – Application and Requirements

Who can Apply for Sri Lanka Visa on Arrival (VOA)?