- Public Opening Hours - Monday to Friday from 10.00am to 3.00pm.
- No prior appointments - First come first served basis.
- All original documents must be submitted along with photocopies.
- Fees - Only Cash at the Embassy.
Types of Visa
- Tourist Visa & Transit Visa
- Business Visa
- Residence / Work Visa
- Visa for Media Personnel: Journalists/Photojournalists & Film Crew
Please submit your visa Application in Advance to avoid unnecessary delays
Duration to process Visa Application
The Earliest You Can Apply Is 3 Months Before You Travel
- Tourist Visa - Issuing after 05 working days between 10.00am to 3.00pm (Download Application)
- Business Visa - Issuing after 05 workingdays between 10.00am to 3.00pm (Download Application)
- Entry Visa - 1-2 working days to process the application. (Download Application)
- Diplomatic Visa - 8 Working days between 10.00am to 3.00pm (Download Application)
Visa Application forms can be obtained
- From the Consular Division, of this Embassy between 10.00a.m. to3.00p.m.
Inquiries
Who are eligible for Visa Exemptions?
- Sri Lankan dual citizens.
- Children, whose birth has been registered under section 5(2) of Citizenship Act – 1948 up to 21 years of age.
- Children born in Sri Lanka if they are under 18 years of age. (even when they hold foreign passports)
The Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) Facility
The Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system is now in operation. ETA website: www.eta.gov.lk
However, the ETA is not a pre-condition to board a flight/vessel to Sri Lanka.
Bona-fide tourists who arrive in Sri Lanka without an ETA reference number would be issued visas on arrival upon payment of the relevant ETA processing fee.
If there is any difficulty in accessing ETA System, visitors could obtain visa in person from Embassyof Sri Lanka prior to travel.
Passports should have at least six months (180 days) of validity when travelling to sri lanka.
Please note that there is a strict validity period applies for all passports to travel to Sri Lanka.
Other Relevant Information
- Under no circumstance could you change the status of visa while in Sri Lanka. For example: a person who visits Sri Lanka on holiday cannot engage in any business, profession, social work, charity or any other form of voluntary work or employment paid or unpaid without obtaining prior visas for such purposes. If such changes are required after arrival in Sri Lanka, the person will be required to leave the country and obtain the appropriate visa from the nearest Sri Lankan Mission, with the approval of the Controller General of Immigration & Emigration.
- If the applicant is unable to come personally to the Embassy to collect the Passport/ documents, he/she may authorize another person, in writing. The person who comes for collection of documents should produce his identity and the original receipt issued by this Embassy.
- Incomplete applications received by courier service [DHL] will be returned.
- Visa fees paid will not be refunded.
- If a visitor wishes to extend his stay in Sri Lanka, he/she should apply to the Department of Immigration & Emigration,Suhurupaya, Sri Subuthipura Road, Baththaramulla, Sri Lanka before the expiry of visa
- Visitors should hold a return onward air ticket or sufficient funds for air ticket.
- Visitors should possess sufficient funds equivalent to US$. 30.00 (minimum) per day for board and lodging for the duration of stay.
Under certain circumstances interviews will be conducted by the Embassy and the interviewees might be asked to provide extra documents if necessary.
Under any circumstances there is no refund.
For Residence or Work visa and visa for Volunteer Work or personnel attached to Non-Governmental Organizations please contact:
Controller (Visa)
- Department of Immigration & Emigration,
Suhurupaya, Sri Subuthipura Road,
Battaramulla. - +94 115 329 000
- +94 112 885 358
- This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- www.immigration.gov.lk