Sri Lanka makes tourist ETA free for 40 nationalities from May 25, 2026

Travelers must still obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization before arrival, but the fee has been waived

Sri Lanka has made its tourist Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) free of charge for nationals of 40 countries, effective May 25, 2026. However, travelers must still apply for and obtain an ETA before arriving in the country.

According to a notice on the Sri Lanka ETA website, nationals of the eligible countries holding diplomatic, official, service, or ordinary passports can now obtain a tourist visa through the ETA system without paying any fee.

Eligible nationalities

The 40 countries eligible for the free tourist ETA are: 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, UAE, United Kingdom, and United States.

ETA still required

The notice emphasizes that all foreign nationals, including those from the 40 eligible countries and nationals with bilateral reciprocal agreements with Sri Lanka (Maldives, Seychelles, and Singapore), are still required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization prior to arrival in Sri Lanka. Only the fee has been waived.

ETA fees paid prior to May 25, 2026 are non-refundable.

Visa validity and extensions

Under this scheme, tourists are entitled to a visa valid for 30 days with double-entry facility permitted from the date of first arrival within the 30-day validity period. Maldivian nationals receive 90 days under their bilateral agreement with Sri Lanka.

Applicants who obtain a free visa and wish to remain in Sri Lanka beyond 30 days may apply for a visa extension upon payment of the applicable fee.

Nationals of all other countries not listed above continue to be subject to the general rules and regulations governing the Sri Lanka ETA system.

Restricted nationalities

Visitors from Cameroon, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Ghana, and Afghanistan who wish to apply for an ETA must do so through a Sri Lankan sponsor at the Head Office of the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Battaramulla. Required documents include a request letter from the sponsor, an affidavit signed before a Justice of the Peace or lawyer, a certified copy of the sponsor's NIC or passport, the applicant's police clearance report, passport photocopy, and proof of accommodation.

Visitors from Taiwan-China, Kosovo, and Syria who wish to apply for tourist or business visas must also apply through a Sri Lankan sponsor, submitting the same documentation to the Department of Immigration and Emigration.