If you have friends, business partners, or family members living abroad planning to visit Sri Lanka, tell them to unpack their bags until they check their visas.

The Department of Immigration and Emigration has officially discontinued the traditional physical "Visa on Arrival" counters at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA). Moving forward, every single international traveler entering Sri Lanka must secure an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) online before boarding their flight.

To help your visitors avoid getting turned away at the airline check-in desk, here is the complete, official step-by-step guide to issuing an online Sri Lankan visa.

 

⚠️ The Crucial Change: Plan Ahead

 

Previously, travelers could land at BIA, stand in a secondary queue, pay a fee, and get their passports stamped over the counter. This counter is now closed.

Airlines flying into Colombo have been given strict instructions to deny boarding to any passenger who does not possess a pre-approved digital ETA confirmation email or screenshot. Applications must be completed at least 48 to 72 hours before departure.

 

Step-by-Step: How to Issue a Sri Lankan ETA Online

 

The official visa processing framework is fully centralized online.

1.Access the Official Government Portal:Avoid third-party scam clones.

Go exclusively to the official government website: www.eta.gov.lk. Avoid using Google search ads that mimic this URL, as third-party agencies will charge double the processing fees.

2.Select Your Application Type:Tourism vs. Business.

Click on the "Apply" tab and agree to the terms. Choose your category: Tourist ETA (standard 30-day double entry), Business ETA, or Transit ETA (free if staying under 48 hours).

3.Fill out Traveller Information:Passport Match.

Input the traveler's personal details exactly as they appear on their physical passport page. Crucial: The passport must have at least 6 months of validity remaining from the date of arrival in Colombo.

4.Pay the Digital Visa Fee:Instant Receipt.

Submit the application and proceed to the integrated GovPay payment gateway. Pay the official processing fee using an international credit card (Visa, MasterCard, or American Express).

 

💳 What Does It Cost?

 

The official government fees vary depending on the traveler's home region:

Country / Region of TravelerStandard Tourist ETA Fee (30 Days)
SAARC Countries (India, Maldives, Pakistan, etc.)$20.00 USD
Non-SAARC Countries (UK, USA, Europe, UAE, etc.)$50.00 USD
Exempted Countries (Specific bilateral agreements)Free (Still requires online registration)

 

What Happens Upon Arrival at BIA?

 

Once the digital payment is processed, an automated ETA Approval Notice is emailed within 24 hours.

When your visitor lands in Colombo, they can bypass the old visa lines entirely and walk straight to the standard Immigration Border Desks. They simply present their passport; the immigration officer's terminal will automatically fetch the digital visa approval tied to their passport barcode.