Visa Services

SPECIAL NOTICE

The Department of Immigration and Emigration of Sri Lanka has reinstated the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) System with effect from 26 September 2024.

Accordingly, you may obtain ETA through the following link:

https://eta.gov.lk/slvisa/

You may refer to the ETA website for relevant visa fee.

Note: PASSPORTS SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST SIX MONTHS (180 DAYS) OF VALIDITY AT THE TIME OF ENTRY TO SRI LANKA (This is strictly applicable and no exceptions are made) 

Procedure to follow for the nationals of below countries:

Afghanistan, Cameroon, Columbia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Madagascar, Nigeria, North Korea, Syria, Yemen and Uzbekistan. 

A Sri Lankan representative shall visit the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Sri Lanka to submit the following documents on behalf of the applicant.

1. Request letter from the Sri Lankan representative
2. National Identity Card (NIC) or the Sri Lankan Passport copy of the Sri Lankan representative
3. An Affidavit mentioning the undertaking of the responsibilities of the applicant’s visit in Sri Lanka – to be provided by the Sri Lankan representative
4. Passport copy of the applicant
5. UAE Police clearance report of the applicant*
6. Flight booking details of the applicant
7. Accommodation details of the applicant
8. Valid email address of the applicant
9. Valid email address of the Sri Lankan representative

*Note: If the applicant is arriving from a country other than UAE after staying for more than 6 months in that particular country, required to provide a Police clearance from that country together with a copy of the Visa.

The approval or the rejection notice will be sent to the applicant and to the Sri Lankan representative via an Email.

The Consulate General strongly advise applicant to refrain from travelling to Sri Lanka without receiving the ETA from the Department of Immigration and Emigration of Sri Lanka.

Updated 30 May 2025

The objective of the Sri Lankan visa is to facilitate the legal entry of non-Sri Lankans into Sri Lanka and to regulate the period and conditions governing their stay.

The competent authority for issuing Sri Lankan visas is the Department of Immigration and Emigration. On behalf of the Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka Diplomatic Missions abroad have been authorized to issue visas.

What are the general eligibility requirements for Sri Lankan visas?

Sri Lanka Immigration and Emigration may issue a visa to you if:

• It is satisfied that you are suitable to enter Sri Lanka.
• It approves the purpose for which you are entering Sri Lanka.
• You hold a passport valid for a minimum period of six months from the date you arrive in Sri Lanka.
• It is satisfied that you have adequate funds for your stay in Sri Lanka and for the payment of your return passage to the country which issued your passport.
• You are in possession of a return air ticket to the country of domicile or a visa to the next country of destination.

Who is eligible for visa exemption?

• Sri Lankan dual citizens.
• Children born to Sri Lankan parents whose birth have been registered under section 5(2) of Citizenship Act – 1948 up to 21 years of age.
• Children born in Sri Lanka to Sri Lankan parents under 21 years of age, now living abroad.

 You may please visit the following to obtain further details in relation to each category of visas to Sri Lanka

https://www.srilanka.travel/srilanka-at-a-glance

Important Notice for Visitors to Sri Lanka 

With effect from 1st January 2012, all Holiday or Business travellers to Sri Lanka must have a valid Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to enter into Sri Lanka. Please visit www.eta.gov.lk for more information.The ETA requirement is applicable to all nationalities except nationals of the Republic of Maldives, the Republic of Singapore and the Republic of Seychelles, who on the basis of reciprocity, are exempt from this requirement.The objective of the Sri Lankan visa is to facilitate the legal entry of non-Sri Lankans into Sri Lanka and to regulate the period and conditions governing their stay.The competent authority for issuing Sri Lankan visas is the Department of Immigration and Emigration. On behalf of the Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka diplomatic missions abroad have been authorized to issue visas.However, the ETA is not a pre-condition to board a flight/vessel to Sri Lanka.

There is a limited facility available for Bona-fide tourists who will arrive in Sri Lanka without an ETA reference number to be issued visas on arrival at the BIA International Airport, Colombo, upon payment of the relevant ETA processing fee.

However, it is advisable to obtain a prior valid Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to enter into Sri Lanka before departing UAE/any other departing country.Consulate General of Sri LankaDubai & Northern Emirates

Sri Lanka is a photographer’s delight. However, permits are required before you can take photos at certain sites. Entrance tickets to individual sites are available only from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. These tickets cover charges for photography, recording and parking. Rates are quoted in US Dollars and rupee parities are subject to fluctuation.

Custom Imports

You are allowed to bring into the country duty free 1.5 litres of spirits, two bottles of wine, a quarter-litre of toilet water, and a small quantity of perfume and souvenirs with a value not exceeding US $250. The import of personal equipment such as cameras and laptop computers is allowed but must be declared on arrival. However, personal equipment must be taken out of the country upon the visitor.s departure. The import of non-prescription drugs and pornography of any form is an offence.

Sri Lanka Customs: www.customs.gov.lk

Custom Exports

On leaving the country you are allowed to export up to 10kg of tea duty free.

No antiques : Antique. defined as anything more than 50-years-old – rare books, palm-leaf manuscripts and anthropological material can be exported without permission from theDirectorNational Archives,7 Reid Avenue, Colombo 7.Tel: +94-11-2694523, +94-11-2696917www.archives.gov.lk

Director GeneralDepartment of Archaeology,Sir Marcus Fernando Mw, Colombo.Tel: +94 11 269 2840/1 Tel. +94 11 269 4727, +94 11 266 7155www.archaeology.gov.lk

Purchase and export without license of any wild animal, bird or reptile, dead or alive . also the export of parts of animals, birds or reptiles, such as skins, horns, scales and feathers is prohibited. Occasional exports are, however, permitted exclusively for bona fide scientific purposes. It is prohibited to export of 450 plant species without special permits. The export of coral, shells or other protected marine products is also strictly prohibited.

Applications for special permission to export fauna should be made to theDirectorDepartment of Wildlife Conservation,382 New Kandy Road, MalabeTel :+94 11 25060380www.dwlc.lk

flora should be made to theDirectorForest Department,82 Rajamalwatta Road, Battaramulla.Tel : +94 11 286 6616/ +94 11 286 6632www.environmentlanka.com

Foreign Currency Regulations

Visitors to Sri Lanka bringing in more than US$10,000 should declare the amount to the Customs on arrival. All unspent rupees converted from foreign currencies can be re-converted to the original currency on departure as long as encashment receipts can be produced.

Health Precautions

The health risks in Sri Lanka are different to those encountered in Europe and North America. Watch out for bowel diseases such as diarrhoea and amoebic dysentery, vector borne diseases such as malaria and dengue fever, and a variety of fungal infections. Sri Lanka.s physicians, though, many of whom have trained in the West, are particularly experienced in dealing with locally occurring diseases.

Before You Go

No inoculations are compulsory unless you are coming from a yellow fever or cholera area. (Cholera is very occasionally reported in Sri Lanka, so is not considered a serious risk.) However, the following vaccinations are recommended, particularly if you plan a long trip or intend visiting remote areas:Typhoid (monovalent), Polio, Tetanus, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Rabies.

Children should, in addition, be protected against:Diphtheria, Whooping Cough, Mumps, Measles, Rubella

Remember to plan well ahead with vaccinations. Allow up to six weeks to receive the full course, for some vaccinations require more than one dose, and some should not be given together.

The risk of malaria exists throughout the whole country apart from the districts of Colombo, Kalutara and Nuwara Eliya. Medication has to start one week prior to travel, continue during the trip, and finish four weeks after your return. Once again, planning is essential, as well as care to ensure the course is followed.

Investor Visa Category

Sri Lanka offers an Investor Visa program to encourage foreign nationals to invest in the country. The Investor Visa allows individuals to enter and reside in Sri Lanka while managing their investments. The primary aim of the visa is to promote foreign investment in various sectors, including information technology, and tourism, among others.

1.   Eligible Persons

• Foreign Nationals
• Spouse and dependants of main applicant

2.   Making investments in Sri Lanka

I. Minimum Investment Amount

• USD 100,000 – for a 5 year
• USD 200,000 – for a 10 year

II.Fund Transfer Mechanism 

1. First step
2. Second step
3. Subsequently, applicant may invest such funds through

III. Permitted investments 

1. Investments in voting shares issued by companies incorporated in Sri Lanka under the Companies Act, 7 of 2007, as amended, subject to the „Exclusions‟ and „Limitations‟ specified in the Regulation No. 02 of 2021 issued under the provisions of Foreign Exchange Act No. 12 of 2017 (FEA). Such „Exclusions‟ and „Limitations‟ are specified in the Annex I of these guidelines. Investment of the applicant shall not be less than 10% of the voting share capital of the company.
2. Opening and operating places of business in Sri Lanka as an overseas company registered under the Companies Act, No. 7 of 2007, as amended, subject to the conditions specified in the Regulation No. 02 of 2021 issued under the provisions of the FEA. Such conditions are specified in the Annex II of these guidelines
3. Investments in debt securities denominated in Sri Lanka Rupees and any designated foreign currency, with the minimum maturity period of 5 years issued by;
4. Term Deposits in LKR or designated foreign currencies with any
5. Acquisition of Immovable Property subject to other written laws of Sri

3.  All applicants are required to submit the following documents:

1. Dully filled Visa Application Form
2. Request Letter from the applicant

• Photocopy of Passport (valid for at least 6 months)

1. Two recent passport-sized photographs
2. Investment Proposal
3. Marriage Certificate (for spouse)

• Birth Certificate (for dependants)
• Dully filled Security Clearance Form

1. Medical Clearance Report
2. Recent Police Clearance Certificate from the applicant‟s home country or country of residence (not older than 3 months)
3. Confirmation letter from the LCB indicating following information

4.  Visa Issuance Procedure

• Step 1 – Submission

• Step 2 – Evaluation

• Step 3 – Approval & Visa Issuance

5.  Visa Duration

1. Minimum Investment of USD 100,000 for 05 years
2. Minimum Investment of USD 200,000 for 10 years

6.  Visa Fees 

1. Main applicant – USD 200 per year
2. Spouse – USD 200 per year

• Each Dependant – USD 200 per year

7.  Terms and Conditions 

1. Visa endorsement is initially granted for 5 years. For applicants who have made a minimum investment of USD 200,000, an official letter will be issued by the Department of Immigration and Emigration to extend the visa for an additional 5 years.
2. Notify the Department in writing of any material changes (investment details, personal particulars, etc.) within 2 months.

• Applicant should comply with all immigration laws, tax, and legal obligations in Sri

1. Refrain from any political or disruptive
2. The Investment Project will be reviewed every 2 years by the Department‟s Investigation

8.  Termination of Visa

An investor must:

1. Provide 2 months‟ written notice to terminate the investment
2. Notify authorities 14 working days in advance if leaving Sri Lanka

• Transfer of funds shall be in line with the Directions issued under Foreign Exchange Act No. 12 of 2017 (FEA).

9.  Contact & Inquiries

Department of Immigration and Emigration –Visa Division “Suhurupaya”,Battaramulla, Sri Lanka

• Website : immigration.gov.lk
• Email : contvisa@immigration.gov.lk
• Phone 0094112101540