Exciting news for tourists from 40 countries, including India, the UK, the US, Australia, Germany, China, and the UAE, can now enter Sri Lanka with a free 30-day Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) from May 25, 2026.
But there’s a catch. Travellers must still apply online before departure. This is not visa-free entry in the traditional sense. Airlines can deny boarding if passengers arrive without an approved ETA.
Applications are available through the official Sri Lanka ETA Portal.
What Is Sri Lanka’s ETA?
The Sri Lanka ETA is a digital travel approval linked electronically to your passport. It is not a visa sticker and does not require a visit to an embassy. Tourists must obtain it before boarding their flight to Sri Lanka.
Once approved, travellers can enter through major airports, including Bandaranaike International Airport.
Who Gets the Free Sri Lanka ETA?
Sri Lanka’s free tourist ETA now covers travellers from these 40 countries:
- Australia
- Austria
- Bahrain
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Canada
- China
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- India
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Kazakhstan
- Kuwait
- Malaysia
- Nepal
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Poland
- Qatar
- Russia
- Saudi Arabia
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Thailand
- Turkey
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- United States
Sri Lanka ETA Validity
Travellers from the above-mentioned 40 countries will currently receive:
- Free tourist ETA
- Valid for 30 days
- Double-entry permission
- Short leisure and tourism visits only
Travellers planning longer stays, work, study, or business activities must apply under different visa categories.
How You Can Apply for a Sri Lanka ETA
The process is fully online and usually takes only a few minutes.
Step-by-Step Process
- Visit the official ETA website
- Select Tourist ETA
- Fill in passport and travel details
- Upload the required information if requested
- Submit the application online
- Receive approval by email
Most approvals arrive quickly, though travellers should still apply a few days before departure instead of waiting until the last minute.
Documents and Requirements
Indian travellers generally need:
- Passport valid for at least six months
- Confirmed return or onward ticket
- Hotel booking or accommodation details
- Valid email address
- Proof of sufficient funds if requested
Airlines may deny boarding if passengers arrive without a valid ETA approval.
Flights From India to Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka remains one of the easiest international beach breaks for Indian travellers, thanks to short flight times and frequent connectivity. Direct flights operate from hubs including:
- Delhi
- Mumbai
- Chennai
- Bengaluru
- Hyderabad
Carriers such as IndiGo, Air India, and SriLankan Airlines continue operating regular services to Colombo.
Why This Matters for Travellers
Sri Lanka is clearly trying to boost tourism while still keeping tighter digital control over arrivals. That balance is now becoming common across global travel systems, especially in Asia and the Middle East.
For travellers, the process remains relatively easy. But spontaneous airport departures without checking the entry rules first are becoming risky
Take
We see this as a smart middle ground. Travellers from 40 countries still get free access, but Sri Lanka now gets tighter control over arrivals before flights even depart.
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