Get the Sri Lanka visa for UK citizens
Fast, secure, and expert-led visa processing for British citizens traveling to Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka visa requirements for British citizens
UK citizens need a visa or travel authorization to enter Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is not visa-free for UK passport holders, so approval must be obtained before traveling.
Sri Lanka Tourist ETA: an online travel authorization issued for UK citizens visiting Sri Lanka for tourism or leisure. The Tourist ETA usually allows a stay of up to 30 days. Travelers must have a passport valid for at least 6 months, provide basic travel details, and pay the ETA fee. The approved Tourist ETA should be printed and shown on arrival.
Sri Lanka Business ETA: an online travel authorization issued for UK citizens traveling to Sri Lanka for business-related purposes, such as meetings of conferences. The Business ETA also usually allows a stay of up to 30 days and must be obtained before departure. The approved Business ETA should be printed and presented on arrival.
Sri Lanka entry requirements for British citizens
Requirements verified against official government sources
- Sri Lanka Business ETA
- UK passport valid for at least 6 months
- Approved Sri Lanka Tourist ETA of Business ETA
- Proof of onward or return travel
- Evidence of sufficient funds
- Other supporting documents depending on purpose or situation
Sri Lanka visa cost for British citizens
One all-in price. The checkout total includes our service fee, expert review, and support — no surprises.
Sri Lanka Tourist ETATravel authorisation
- Who it's for
- The Tourist ETA is for eligible travelers visiting Sri Lanka for tourism, visiting family and friends, medical treatment, or cultural events. Citizens of Singapore, Maldives, and Seychelles are currently exempt from the ETA requirement.
- Permitted activities
- Tourism, visiting family and friends, medical treatment, and attending cultural events. The ETA is an official authorization for a short visit, not a full visa, and does not permit employment.
- Duration and entries
- The standard Tourist ETA allows double entry within its 30-day validity period, with stays of up to 30 days per entry.
- Who needs their own
- Every traveler, including children and infants, must have their own individual ETA.
- Delivery format
- Once approved, you'll receive your Tourist ETA by email. We recommend keeping a copy to present to immigration officers at your point of entry, along with your passport.
- Validity
- 6 months
- Length of stay
- 30 days per entry
- Entry
- Double entry
- Processing time
- Get it in as fast as 2 hours
Sri Lanka Business ETATravel authorisation
- Who it's for
- The Business ETA is for travelers entering Sri Lanka for commercial purposes. Nationalities eligible for Sri Lanka's free tourist visa scheme are not exempt: if you're traveling for business, you must apply for a Business ETA regardless of your nationality.
- Permitted activities
- Business meetings, commercial negotiations, conferences, workshops, seminars, short-term training programs (under one month), symposiums, and religious or cultural events. It strictly prohibits local employment, running a business, or retail trade.
- Duration and entries
- A standard online Business ETA is valid for 30 days from your initial arrival date and grants a double-entry facility, with stays of up to 30 days per entry.
- Extensions
- You can extend a short-visit Business ETA for up to 6 months. You must submit an extension application and pay the required fees directly to the Department of Immigration and Emigration before your current stay expires.
- Delivery format
- Once approved, you'll receive your Business ETA by email. We recommend printing a physical copy to present to immigration officers at the border point of entry, along with your passport.
- Validity
- 30 days
- Length of stay
- 30 days per entry
- Entry
- Double entry
- Processing time
- Get it in as fast as 15 minutes
How British citizens can apply for a Sri Lanka visa
Three simple steps — iVisa prepares, reviews, and files your Sri Lanka document for your trip from the United Kingdom.
Complete the application
Answer a few simple questions and upload your documents, choose your processing speed, and pay securely. Most travelers finish in minutes.
We review and submit your application
Our experts check your application for the errors that cause government rejections, fix them with you, then submit it directly to the Sri Lanka government on your behalf.
Receive your Sri Lanka travel document
Once approved, your Sri Lanka travel document arrives by email — ready to travel, with clear instructions on how to use it.
Why British citizens choose iVisa
Applying for a visa on your own can be confusing and time-consuming. iVisa simplifies the process, reviews errors, and gives you peace of mind — so you just show up and travel.
Start my application- 3M+happy customers
- 24/7customer support
- 13+years of experience
- 99%approval rate across all destinations
Amazing service. I nearly missed my flight as I didn’t realise I needed a visa. It was completed in less than 15 minutes. Honestly this service saved my holiday!!!
Straight forward. Easy to use Don't take long Plenty of feed back about the application
The application process was easy and clear. I have had a Sri Lankan tourist visa before and the application process was much easier this time.
This is my first time I applied for ivisa.. Really amazing service and got the visa too.. Really I’m glad bcoz I got the Ivisa within a day.. Thank you All..
Quick and very easy to use. Kept me updated on the progress of my ETA.
The application process was straightforward and relatively easy apart from uploading photographs that were suitable, (an ongoing difficulty for anyone with technology issues). The only real downside was the cost.
Very helpful customer service to make sure I filled in the correct form. I would definitely recommend this company
I would recommend iVisa because they made the whole process fairly straightforward. I tried doing it myself for India on the normal India website and gave up. It will cost more with iVisa but for me was well worth the extra cost. The visas arrived by email a few days later
It was a simple and easily completed process. The cost seemed reasonable but I have nothing to compare it with.
simple, quick and easy process .. 15 mins beginning to end !
Sri Lanka visa FAQs
Quick answers for British citizens traveling to Sri Lanka.
Still have questions?
Our visa experts are available 24/7 on chat, email, and WhatsApp.
Do UK citizens need a visa for Sri Lanka?
Yes, UK citizens need a visa to enter Sri Lanka for tourism or business. The most common method is obtaining an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) online.
What is the processing time for a Sri Lanka visa for UK citizens?
The 30-day Tourist ETA is usually processed in 24–72 hours (often within 1–2 working days). With iVisa, you choose your processing speed at checkout, and the option you pick is shown with its delivery time before you pay.
How long can UK citizens stay in Sri Lanka?
With an approved ETA for a visa, UK citizens can stay in Sri Lanka for up to 30 days, depending on the authorization granted.
Do UK travelers need to print the Sri Lankan ETA?
Yes. It is recommended to print a copy of the approved ETA and carry it when traveling, as immigration officers may request it upon arrival.
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