Sri Lanka ETA explained: apply before you fly
Nearly all visitors need an Electronic Travel Authorization before arrival, even where the fee is waived. How the ETA works and the official place to apply. Sri Lanka requires an Electronic Travel Authorization for almost every nationality, standard stay 30 days, double entry. Many passports currently get the tourist ETA free of charge, but free does not mean.
The practical picture
Sri Lanka requires an Electronic Travel Authorization for almost every nationality, standard stay 30 days, double entry. Many passports currently get the tourist ETA free of charge, but free does not mean skip it: the authorization itself is still required before you board.
Apply only at the official portal, eta.gov.lk, and ignore the lookalike agent sites that charge hefty markups for the same form. Approval usually lands by email within a day or two. Rules shift, so confirm your nationality's current terms close to travel.
Frequently asked
Do I need a visa for Sri Lanka?
Where do I apply for the ETA?
How long can I stay?
Places in this guide
Sources
We compile and link to public sources; details change, so verify time-sensitive specifics before you travel.