Login / Signup

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Visa Guide For Indians 

Officially known as the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka is an island country in the Indian Ocean. The country has a historical significance in Indian mythology. Sri Lanka visa for Indians is a courtesy for those who have always wanted to explore the speciality of this little island to the south of India.

 

About Sri Lanka Visa

When a foreign individual is willing to travel to Sri Lanka for a given purpose, a visa for Sri Lanka is issued in their name. There are several reasons why applicants issue a visa for Sri Lanka from India. As per the type, the holder is allowed tourism, business, visiting friends and family members, employment and even education. The duration of stay and the validity will differ for each type and as per the number of entries permitted on the visa. Also, note that even if you have the permit, it does not guarantee you an entry into the country. If the border control or the Immigration officer find an issue with your visa or yourself, there are chances that you may not be allowed to cross the border and even can be asked to return.

 

Procedure to Get Visa for Sri Lanka

There are multiple ways to get a visa for Sri Lanka from India. However, you first need to be an eligible candidate for the same. The eligibility criteria will differ depending on the type of visa. Majorly, the process is online and the Sri Lanka visa on arrival as well. The different processes for getting Sri Lanka visa online are given as follows:

  • Sri Lanka Visa Online
  1. This application is made by the applicant online.
  2. Fill out the ETA application form.
  3. Submit the form and pay the required fee.
  4. Receive an ETA approval notice.
  5. Print the notice and travel to Sri Lanka.
  6. Present the required documents to the Immigration Counter at the border.
  • Through a Visa Agency
  1. Provide the required information and documents to the visa agency.
  2. Let the agency make the application for you.
  3. The agency and you shall receive the acknowledgement notice.
  4. Print this notice and travel to Sri Lanka.
  5. Present the required documents to the Immigration Counter at the border.
  • Sri Lanka Overseas Mission
  1. You can hand over your passport and other details to the Sri Lanka Mission in India.
  2. Let the mission make the ETA application for you.
  3. After the approval, the mission and you shall receive the acknowledgement notice.
  4. Print the notice and carry it with you at the time of travelling to Sri Lanka.
  5. Collect your passport from the mission after the notice has been received.
  6. Present the required documents to the Immigration Counter upon arrival.
  • At the Head Office of the Department of Immigration and Emigration
  1. This application can be made by the host inviting the Indian national to Sri Lanka.
  2. The application is to be made to the Head Office of Department of Immigration and Emigration.
  3. ETA application form is to be filled out by the host and handed over to the visa officer.
  4. Acknowledgement notice is provided to the host as well as the invitee.
  5. Print the notice and carry it with you when travelling to Sri Lanka.
  6. Present the required documents at the Immigration Counter at the border.
  • Sri Lanka Visa On Arrival
  1. When you have arrived in Sri Lanka, fill out the ETA application form.
  2. Pay the required fee for the ETA.
  3. Upon approval, you will be provided with a notice.
  4. Go to the Immigration Counter then and present your passport along with the notice and other required documents.


These are mainly online procedures and are applicable when obtaining a short term permit. Generally, through any of these processes, you will receive a single entry permit with a stay duration of 30 days and the same validity or a multiple entry permit that is valid for 3 months allowing a stay of up to 30 days per visit. However, if you obtain a Sri Lanka visa on arrival, you will be provided with a single entry permit with validity and stay duration of 30 days and not a multiple entry permit.

If you need to obtain a visa for Sri Lanka for long term purposes, you will have to apply to the Sri Lanka Mission. The process for the same is as follows:

  • Stamp Visa
  1. You can fill out the offline visa application form.
  2. Attach recent photographs.
  3. Collect all the documents as per the provided list.
  4. Submit the duly signed application form along with the documents.
  5. Pay the required fee to the Mission.
  6. You can then collect your passport after completion of the stamping process.

There is a set of precautions that you need to take care of at the time of application. When filling out any of the application forms, be it ETA or offline application form, make sure that you are providing the correct information. The provided information must match the details in the passport and other travel documents. If any of the information is found to be incorrect or false, there are chances that the visa may get rejected. There are other reasons for a visa rejection as well. Such chances of rejection can be minimised by employing professional visa services.

 

Types of Srilanka Visa

There are different kinds of visa for Sri Lanka. These can be classified based on the purpose of visit, duration of stay, validity of the permit, and others. Common types of issued visa for Sri Lanka from India are listed as follows:

Sri Lanka Tourist Visa - A tourist visa for Sri Lanka is issued to the travellers who are willing to visit the country for the sole purpose of leisure. This is mostly provided to the tourists and foreigners who have plans of sightseeing and other leisure activities in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka Business Visa - A business visa for Sri Lanka is provided to the business people who are planning to visit the country to carry out business activities. The process follows to get this permit is generally prior to arrival and the validity can vary as well.
Sri Lanka Visit Visa - This permit is issued to the ones are visiting Sri Lanka for the purpose of meeting with their friends and family members. Other kinds of tourism and leisure activities are also allowed on this permit.
Sri Lanka Work Visa - A work permit is issued to the workers who are travelling to Sri Lanka for the purpose of employment. It could be for short term contract work or even for long term employment