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Visa Information for Sri Lanka

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Find comprehensive information about the country you are visiting including its population to climate.

Name: Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

Location: Indian sub continent

Time: IST (+) 1/2 hour

Capital: Colombo

Language: Sinhala (official and national language) 74%, Tamil (national language) 18%, other 8% and English

Area: 65,610 sq kms

Population: 21,675,648 (July 2013 est.)

National Day: 04 Feb (Independence Commemoration Day)

Climate: Being an island nation, Sri Lanka enjoys tropical climate. Here, the upland areas are cooler and more temperate while the coastal areas are cooled by sea breezes. Moreover, there are two monsoon seasons, which occur in "May to July" and "December to January".

Holidays-Year 2018: 1st January: 1 Jan - New Year's Day, 13 Jan - Milad un Nabi (Birth of the Prophet Muhammad), 14 Jan - Tamil Thai Pongal Day, 15 Jan - Duruthu Full Moon Poya Day, 4 Feb - National Day, 14 Feb - Navam Full Moon Poya Day, 27 Feb - Mahashivratri, 16 Mar - Medin Full Moon Poya Day, 13 Apr - Sinhala and Tamil New Year, 15 Apr - Bak Full Moon Poya Day, 18 Apr - Good Friday, 1 May - Labour Day, 6 May - Vesak (Buddha's Birthday), 13 Jun - Poson Full Moon Poya Day, 12 Jul - Esala Full Moon Poya Day, 28 Jul - Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan), 10 Aug - Nikini Full Moon Poya Day, 9 Sep - Binara Full Moon Poya Day, 4 Oct - Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice), 7 Oct - Vap Full Moon Poya Day, 24 Oct - Diwali (Festival of Lights), 5 Nov - Il Full Moon Poya Day, 6 Dec - Unduvap Full Moon Poya Day, 25 Dec - Christmas Day

Airline Name: Air Lanka (UL)

International Airports: Katunayake (Colombo Bandaranayake) (CMB)

Find each detail of visa rules and visa information including business visa and tourist visa, check-out the below written content.

Tourist Visa

For a Short Visit to Sri Lanka, travelers are required to obtain an ETA with effect from 1st of January 2012. Applicants can login to the following link for more information: //www.eta.gov.lk/slvisa/visainfo/center.jsp?locale=en_US
The traveler planning a holiday visit, to transit through, should apply and obtain an ETA before arriving in Sri Lanka.
ETA application can be submitted using one of the following options:
By the applicant
By Third party
By Registered agents
At Sri Lanka Overseas Missions
At the head office of the Department of Immigration and Emigration (DI & E), Colombo
On arrival at the port of entry in Sri Lanka
The application for ETA should be submitted electronically using one of the six submission methods mentioned above. Applicants must note that the Department maintains a NO REFUND policy.
An ETA holder is permitted to enter Sri Lanka within three months from the date of issue of ETA.
The types of ETA provided:
ETA for Tourist purpose with double entry for 30 (thirty) days
ETA for Transit for 7 (seven) days. (First 48 hours free of charge.)
General Steps to be followed:
Applicant should first submit the application.
An acknowledgement will be received.
Later, receive ETA approval or a referral notice. If a referral notice is served, applicants can further contact Department of Immigration and Emigration for the necessary / respective ETA.
Submission of ETA application by the applicant:
Click on the 'Apply' button and fill in the ETA application. Applicant should pay the relevant ETA processing fee using his / her electronic payment cards (credit card / e-commerce enabled debit cards) and submit the application. It should be noted that only "Visa", "Master" and "American Express" Cards are accepted. If applicant(s) are unable to pay by electronic payment cards (credit card/e-commerce enabled debit cards), he / she have to select one of the alternative options. Apply, if the application is successfully submitted, the acknowledgement will be received promptly.
To check ETA application status, applicants may log onto the ETA website or contact 24 X 7 dedicated ETA call centre on "0094 71 99 67 888".
Submission of ETA application by Third Party:
If applicant wants a third party way of ETA application submission then he / she contact his / her preferred third party and advise them to lodge the ETA application.
The third party may pay the relevant ETA processing fee and submit the application. Only Visa, Master and American Express Cards are accepted. If the application is submitted successfully, an acknowledgement will be sent as requested in the application.
Later, receive the ETA approval notice or referral notice. If a referral notice is served, applicant may contact Department of Immigration and Emigration for necessary assistance.
To check ETA application status, applicants may log onto the ETA website or contact 24 X 7 dedicated ETA call centre on "0094 71 99 67 888".
Submission of ETA application through Sri Lanka Overseas Missions:
If the applicant is planning a Short Visit to Sri Lanka, he / she can submit his / her ETA application through a Sri Lanka Overseas Mission. This method is recommended for those applicants who wish to get ETA from a Sri Lanka Overseas Mission and have a visa endorsed on their passports.
Sri Lanka Overseas Missions are authorized to issue ETA for up to 30 days and Short Visit visas (Tourist Visa with single or double entry) for up to 3 months. The charges may vary according to the category of visa.
Apply to the nearest Sri Lanka Overseas Mission. Complete the ETA application and/or visa application and hand it over to the visa officer along with the relevant fee.
Sri Lanka Overseas Mission, with the agreement of the Department of Immigration & Emigration (DI&E), will issue ETA or short stay visa within 3 business days.
After submission of the application, an acknowledgement with a reference number will be sent to the respective Overseas Mission and to the main applicant as requested in the application. Moreover, application status can be viewed by the Overseas Mission.
Receive the ETA approval notice or collect your passport with the endorsed visa.
To check ETA application status, applicants may log onto the ETA website or contact 24 X 7 dedicated ETA call centre on "0094 71 99 67 888".
Submitting an ETA application at the Head office of the Department of Immigration and Emigration (DI&E):
If the applicant wish to invite a foreign national for a holiday visit to Sri Lanka, he / she may submit an ETA application by visiting the Department of Immigration and Emigration Head office at 41 Ananda Rajakaruna Mawatha, Colombo 10.
Visit the Department of Immigration and Emigration office in Colombo. Fill-in the ETA application form and submit it to the visa officer along with the relevant fee for ETA processing.
A notification of approval or referral will be sent as requested in the application to the applicant with a copy to the party who submitted the application.
After receiving an ETA approval notice or referral notice, the referral notice is served and then, the applicant may contact Department of Immigration and Emigration for other necessary assistance.
To check ETA application status, applicants may log onto the ETA website or contact 24 X 7 dedicated ETA call centre on "0094 71 99 67 888".
Submitting an ETA Application at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Colombo:
For travelers who intend to visit Sri Lanka without prior ETA approval, a limited facility to get ETA at BIA is available. However, an additional fee will be required.
On arrival at the BIA, report to the ETA issuing counter and fill-in the ETA application form and pay the relevant ETA processing fee. Applicants should note that only electronic payment cards (credit card/e-commerce enabled debit cards) and cash in foreign currencies designated by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka will be accepted.
If the application is approved, the ETA will be issued for up to 30 days.
Receive ETA approval notice or referral notice. If referral notice is served, applicants will be refused entry and returned to the original destination.
After the applicants receive the ETA, they can proceed to the Immigration Counter and submit the passport.
The ETA is primarily limited up to 30 days from the date of arrival and can be extended up to six months.
Applicants are advised to keep a copy of the ETA approval with them to be produced at the port of entry in Sri Lanka. All ETA holders should fulfill the following requirements at the port of entry.
A passport with validity of not less than 6 months from the date of arrival. (Clear scanned passport copies of the first, last and observation pages if any)
A confirmed return ticket.
Enough funds to meet the expenses during the stay.
Confirmed documents of Hotel Reservation.
Following is the ETA Processing Fee (US$) for SAARC Countries:

Tourist visa with Double Entry for 30 days amount is N/A other amount is US $15
Transits visa with Single Entry for 3 to 7 days amount is N/A other amount is US $15
Transits visa with Single Entry for 2 days amount is N/A other amount is FREE
Tourist visa with Double Entry for 30 days.(On arrival at the port of entry in Sri Lanka) amount is N/A other amount is US $20
Children under 12 years of age is N/A other amount is FREE

Business Visa

At present, the facility of applying "Business Purpose Visa" is available only at the Head Office of the Department of Immigration & Emigration, the Sri Lankan Overseas Missions and also, on-arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) and Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA).
The ETA under the Business Category is unavailable till further notice.
Applicants can submit their applications for Business Visa with the below mentioned documents:
Applicant should hold a valid original passport with validity of 6 months. The photocopy of the passport's first & last page should also be submitted.
The Visa application form duly filled-in and signed by the applicants.
2 latest passport size colored photographs with white background mat finish (35 x 45 mm) with 70 to 80 % of the face should be visible in it.
Confirmed return air ticket.
The application form should be submitted along with an original covering letter from the company with complete details addressing it to "Sri Lanka High Commission", New Delhi.
Original Invitation letter from Sri Lanka should be submitted with the application. One copy of the invitation should be sent directly through fax to Sri Lanka High commission at the Fax No.: 00911123793604.
Foreign exchange should be endorsed on the passport OR International credit card copy (front and back).
The Visa Processing time can take be to 2-3 working days.

Business visa with Multiple Entry for 30 days amount is N/A other amount is US $25
Business visa with Multiple Entry for 30 days.(On arrival at the port of entry in Sri Lanka) amount is N/A other amount is US $30
Children under 12 years of age amount is N/A other amount is FREE

Work Permit Visa

Applicant should have a passport valid for at least 2 months from the date of expiry of the visa.
One duly filled-in visa form (photocopy is allowed).
Two latest passport-size photographs (with the name and signature on the reverse).
Application should be submitted along with covering Letter from the Applicant / Indian Company explaining (in brief) about the nature and duration of the work to be undertaken is required.
Work Permit approval from the Immigration Department in Sri Lanka.
Confirmed onward / return air ticket.
An entry visa will be issued for 30 days with single entry and the period of stay will be given at the time of entry.
The Visa Processing time may take up to 24 hours.

Visa Fee is Rs. 150 other amount is N/A

Read on to this section to find-out about details of the nearest embassy of country or consulate of the country you want to visit. Apart from the office details, this section also includes the contact information and timings (for the visits).

New Delhi

Name: High Commission for the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
Address: 27, Kautilya Marg, Chanakyapuri
City: New Delhi - 110 021
Country: India
Telephone: 011- 2301 7498/ 2301 0201/ 2301 0202/ 2301 0203
Fax: 011- 2379 3604
Timings: Mon to Fri, 0900 to 1700 hrs
Visa Timings: 0900 to 1200 hrs
Notes: Visa is handled.
Email: lankacomnd@mea.gov.lk, lankacomnd@gmail.com
Collection Timings: 1600 to 1700 hrs

Mumbai

Name: Consulate General of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
Address: Sri Lanka House, 34, Homi Modi Street
City: Mumbai - 400 021
Country: India
Telephone: 022- 2204 5861/ 8303
Fax: 022- 2287 6132
Timings: Mon to Fri, 0900 to 1645 hrs
Visa Timings: 0930 to 1200 hrs
Email: slcon@mtnl.net.in
Collection Timings: 1530 to 1630 hrs

Kolkata

Name: Honorary Consulate of Sri Lanka
Address: Flat No. 302A, Centre Point Building, 28/2, Shakespeare Sarani
City: Kolkata - 700 017
Country: India
Telephone: 033- 2281 5354, 2461 5539
Fax: 033- 2246 5964
Timings: Mon to Fri, 0930 to 1730 hrs
Email: senabhijit58@gmail.com

Bangalore

Name: Honorary Consulate of Sri Lanka
Address: Royal Orchid, No.371, 2nd Floor, 13th Cross, 8th Main, Upper Palace Orchards, Sadashivanagar
City: Bangalore - 560 080
Country: India
Telephone: 080- 4097 9688, 4117 8469, 4173 4514
Fax: 080- 4099 6755, 2322 5069
Timings: Mon to Fri, 0900 to 1830 hrs.
Email: honconsul@gmail.com, secretaryhonconsul@gmail.com
Notes: Visa is not Handled.

Chennai

Name: Deputy High Commission for the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
Address: 56, SterlingRoad, Nungambakkam
City: Chennai - 600 034
Country: India
Telephone: 044- 2824 1896, 2825 2612, 2824 1047
Fax: 044- 2824 1894, 2825 4242
Timings: Mon to Fri, 0900 to 1715 hrs
Visa Timings: 0900 to 1200 hrs
Collection Timings: 1630 to 1730 hrs

In this section, you can download the visa forms for the destination country according to your requirement and purpose of the tour. However, one must note that submission / acceptation of forms will subject to the visa rules and regulations of the specific country.