Visa Information  

1. General Visa Requirements

Instructions

The Department of Immigration & Emigration of Sri Lanka may issue a visa to an applicant if:

• The Department is satisfied that the applicant is suitable to enter Sri Lanka.

• The Department approves the purpose of entry to Sri Lanka.

• The applicant holds a passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of first arrival in Sri Lanka.

• The Department is satisfied that the applicant has sufficient funds for the stay in Sri Lanka, and for the return passage to the country of origin.

• The applicant possesses a written assurance (ticket) to return to the country of origin, or to an onwards destination. Visa is not required to enter into Sri Lanka for;
• Dual Citizens of Sri Lanka (Dual Citizenship Certificate/endorsement of the Passport should be provided at the port of entry)         
• Children under the age of 21, born overseas, whose birth & citizenship has been registered under Section 5(2) of the Citizenship Act 1948 of Sri Lanka. (Sri Lankan Citizenship Certificate/endorsement of the Passport should be provided at the port of entry)
• Children under the age of 21, born in Sri Lanka to Sri Lankan’s parents. (Sri Lankan Birth Certificate/endorsement of the Passport should be provided at the port of entry)
• Minors below the age of 12. (ETA should be applied, ONLY visa fee will be exempted)

2. Persons Who Do Not Require a Visa

A visa is not required for entry into Sri Lanka in the following cases:

2.1 Dual Citizens of Sri Lanka

Dual citizens may enter Sri Lanka without a visa. A Dual Citizenship Certificate or an appropriate endorsement in the passport should be presented at the port of entry.

2.2 Children Born Overseas to Sri Lankan Parents

Children under 21 years of age, born overseas, whose birth and citizenship have been registered under Section 5(2) of the Citizenship Act No. 18 of 1948, do not require a visa.

A Sri Lankan Citizenship Certificate or appropriate passport endorsement should be presented at the port of entry.

2.3 Children Born in Sri Lanka to Sri Lankan Parents

Children under 21 years of age, born in Sri Lanka to Sri Lankan parents, do not require a visa.

A Sri Lankan Birth Certificate or appropriate passport endorsement should be presented at the port of entry.

2.4 Minors Below 12 Years

Minors below 12 years of age are exempt from the visa fee. However, an ETA should still be obtained.

3. Categories of Visa

Sri Lanka issues the following categories of visas for non-Sri Lankan nationals:

3.1 Tourist Visa

Tourist visas are issued to bona fide tourists visiting Sri Lanka for purposes such as:

• Sightseeing and holidays
• Visiting friends and relatives
• Medical treatment, including Ayurvedic treatment
• Participation in sports events and competitions
• Participation in cultural performances and related activities for a short period

Conditions for Tourist Visa Holders

• Visitors may not engage in any form of employment, whether paid or unpaid, or in any trade or business other than that specified in the visa.
• The visa must be utilised before the specified date of expiry.
• An extension of two months beyond the original 30-day period may be granted by the Department of Immigration & Emigration, if required.
• Further extensions will be considered only for valid reasons. This restriction does not apply to ex-Sri Lankans.

3.2 Business Visa

Business visas are issued to foreign nationals visiting Sri Lanka for short-term business-related purposes, including:

• Business meetings and negotiations
• Conferences
• Workshops and seminars
• Short-term training programmes
• Art, music and dance events
• Religious events
• Symposiums

Business visas may be issued for single, double or multiple journeys.

Conditions for Business Visa Holders

• The visa must be utilised before the specified date of expiry.
• Applications for extension of the visa should be made to the Head Office of the Department of Immigration & Emigration.

3.3 Transit Visa

Transit visas are granted to foreign nationals entering Sri Lanka for a short period while travelling to another destination.

Current provision: Transit visas are not presently issued by the Department of Immigration & Emigration of Sri Lanka.

However, passengers with a confirmed onward connection are permitted a maximum transit period of 16 hours at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Colombo.

This provision has been applicable from 0001 hrs on 16 November 2021 and remains in effect until further notice.

3.4 Journalist Visa

Journalists and media personnel travelling to Sri Lanka are required to obtain a journalist visa from the Sri Lanka High Commission in Canberra prior to travelling to Sri Lanka.

3.5 Visa for Expatriates Working with Voluntary Social Service Organisations/NGOs

Non-Sri Lankan nationals who intend to work with social service organisations, NGOs or INGOs in Sri Lanka are required to apply for the relevant visa through the Sri Lanka High Commission in Canberra.

3.6 Work Visa, Study Visa and Long-Term Resident Visa

Visas under these categories are issued only by the Department of Immigration & Emigration in Colombo.

For further information, applicants should refer to the official website of the Department of Immigration & Emigration of Sri Lanka.

3.7  Visas for Official and Diplomatic passport holders

Diplomatic and Official passport holders if travelling for a purpose listed below are also expected to apply online. However if they are travelling on official government business other than the purposes indicated below, they need to apply through the Sri Lanka High Commission/CG. If they are travelling for private purpose, issuance of visa on gratis basis will be considered on the basis of reciprocity.

• Visiting friends and relatives
• Tourism/ Sightseeing/ Holiday
• Medical treatment
• Participation in sports, cultural performances
• Business meeting
• Conference, workshops & Seminars
• Short training
• Participation in art, music and dance performance/workshops

Documents required:

• Duly filled application
• A valid passport with a photocopy (six months validity is required from the date of arrival)
• Formal note [TPN] from the respective government stating the purpose of visit
• Applicable return postage. If needed, courier service should be arranged by the applicant.
• Applicable visa Fee

Gratis Visa

The holder of a Diplomatic or Official Passport or a passport with a valid Diplomatic or Official endorsement, and decided by the Diplomatic Mission based on request.

4. How to Apply

4.1 Short Visit Visa – Tourist / Business / Transit

Sri Lanka has introduced an online system for obtaining an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for short visits of up to 180 days.

Applicants may apply directly through the official ETA website.

Applicants are strongly advised to use only the official ETA website. Third-party websites may offer to arrange Sri Lankan ETAs and charge substantially higher fees. The Sri Lanka High Commission will not be responsible for payments made to third-party websites or agencies.

Applying at the High Commissions' Consular Counter

Applicants who require assistance may submit their ETA application in person at the High Commission.

A prior appointment is required.

4.2 Submitting an Application by Post

Applications for ETAs exceeding 30 days and up to 90 days may also be submitted by post.

Applications should reach the High Commission at least seven working days prior to the intended departure date.

5. Journalist Visa – Application Guidelines

Journalist visas can be obtained only through the Sri Lanka High Commission in Canberra.

Applicants should observe the following requirements:

1. Media teams should submit visa requests at least two weeks prior to the intended departure date.
2. Regulations concerning media equipment are strictly enforced by Sri Lanka Customs.
3. Visiting journalists and media personnel must obtain a Carnet (temporary import document) for media equipment such as cameras.
4. In the absence of a Carnet, a bank guarantee equivalent to the value of the imported media equipment must be submitted.
5. Where the visit is sponsored by a State institution, a letter from the relevant institution guaranteeing the re-export of the media equipment must be provided.
6. Telephone equipment, including satellite phones, requires prior approval/licensing from the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka.
7. A list of media equipment to be brought into Sri Lanka must be submitted to the Public Diplomacy Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Sri Lanka High Commission in Canberra to facilitate Customs clearance.
8. A letter of undertaking from the media organisation guaranteeing the re-export of the equipment upon departure must also be provided.
9. All foreign media personnel working in Sri Lanka must obtain media accreditation.
10. Media accreditation will not be recommended or granted to persons travelling to Sri Lanka on a tourist visa.
11. Applicants must possess the relevant journalist visa issued by the Sri Lanka High Commission in Canberra in order to obtain media accreditation.
12. Applications for media accreditation submitted to the High Commission are forwarded through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Department of Government Information.
13. Journalists wishing to obtain media accreditation should contact the Department of Government Information in Colombo.
14. Journalists may contact the Public Diplomacy Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding courtesy meetings, media equipment clearance, coordination of meetings with VVIPs and related matters.

6. Guidelines for Filming in Sri Lanka

1. Prior approval from the National Film Corporation (NFC) is required for filming documentaries and feature films, except Tourism Promotional Documentaries and Wildlife Documentaries.
2. Media teams must submit the relevant NFC Agreement, together with:Synopsis of the documentary/filmItinerary of the media teamProposed filming locations
3. Media teams intending to film Tourism Promotional Documentaries or participate in FAM Tours must complete the relevant Selection Criteria for Journalists/TV Crews for FAM Tours application.
4. Prior approval from the Department of Wildlife Conservation is required for filming in protected areas. The relevant application for filming in Wildlife Protected Areas must be completed and submitted.

7. Visas for Expatriates Working with NGOs/INGOs

The Government of Sri Lanka has introduced guidelines concerning the issuance of visas to expatriates attached to NGOs/INGOs operating in Sri Lanka.

Key requirements include:

• NGOs/INGOs registered under the Voluntary Social Service Organizations Act No. 31 of 1980 and seeking visas for expatriates must submit their registration certificate and the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the Government of Sri Lanka to the Department of Immigration & Emigration for registration of the organisation.
• Visa applications will be processed only for organisations that fulfil the relevant requirements.
• Foreign nationals intending to work with an NGO/INGO in Sri Lanka must obtain a visa/entry visa prior to travelling to Sri Lanka under the applicable procedure.
• Residence visas are issued by the Controller-General of Immigration & Emigration to expatriates holding entry visas, on the recommendation of the Director of the National Secretariat for Non-Governmental Organizations, subject to a minimum period of one year.
• Extensions of residence visas beyond the initial one-year period may be granted for periods not exceeding three years.
• Foreign nationals holding tourist visas are not recommended or considered for the granting of residence visas.

8. Application Forms

The following application forms and documents are available:

1. Application for Tourist Visa
2. Application for Business Visa
3. National Film Corporation Agreement
4. Selection Criteria for Journalists/TV Crews for FAM Tours
5. Application for Filming in Wildlife Protected Areas
6. Journalist Declaration Annex A

7. Application for Gratis Visa

9. Supporting Documents

Applicants applying for a visa through the Sri Lanka High Commission in Canberra are required to submit the relevant supporting documents.

9.1 Tourist Visa

1. Duly completed Tourist Visa Application Form.
2. Current passport valid for at least six months from the expected date of arrival.
3. One recent passport-sized photograph (3.5 cm × 4.5 cm).
4. Confirmed return ticket.
5. Self-addressed registered envelope, if the applicant wishes to have the passport returned by post. The slip on the envelope should not be removed.

9.2 Business Visa

1. Duly completed Business Visa Application Form.
2. Current passport valid for at least six months from the expected date of arrival.
3. One recent passport-sized photograph (3.5 cm × 4.5 cm).
4. Confirmed return ticket.
5. International Vaccination Certificate.
6. Letter from the relevant Australian authority/business partner.
7. Letter from the Sri Lankan organisation recommending the issuance of the visa.
8. Self-addressed registered envelope, if the applicant wishes to have the passport returned by post. The slip on the envelope should not be removed.

9.3 Journalist Visa

1. Duly completed relevant application form.
2. Duly signed Journalist Declaration.
3. Current passport valid for at least six months from the expected date of arrival.
4. One recent passport-sized photograph (3.5 cm × 4.5 cm).
5. International Vaccination Certificate.
6. Confirmed travel itinerary.
7. Relevant credentials.
8. List of equipment to be cleared by Sri Lanka Customs upon arrival.
9. Letter of invitation from the relevant Sri Lankan authorities, where applicable.

10. Payment

10.1 Payments at the Counter

• Payment must be made at the time of submitting the application.
• The receipt should be retained for future reference.
• Payment may be made by cash, credit, and debit card.
• Personal and company cheques are not accepted.
• All payments are non-refundable.

10.2 Applications Submitted by Post

For applications submitted by post, the relevant fee should be sent by:

• Postal Money Order (Australia Post); or we will send payment instructions to your given email address.

The payment should be submitted together with the completed application and all relevant supporting documents.

11. Notification & Collection of the visa endorsed Passport

For ETA applied on your own – notification will be sent to you directly by the Department of Immigration & Emigration.

For the applications submitted to the High Commission - approval granted for the visa will be notified to you by email, by the Sri Lanka High Commission in Canberra.

You do not need to obtain a prior appointment for collection of the passport endorsed with visa. You can collect your passport by visiting the Sri Lanka High Commission in Canberra between 9:30 am - 1:30 pm on Monday to Thursday only. Please check our website for any public holiday closures prior to visiting us.

For collection of your visa stamped passport by a third party, you are required to provide the third party with an authorization letter and the receipt issued by the Sri Lanka High Commission in Canberra at the time of the submission of your application.

If you wish to receive your visa endorsed passport via registered post, please email to consulor.canberra@mfa.gov.lk with your name, passport number, application reference number and the postal address. The tracking number will be emailed to you to follow-up, once your passport posted.