Sri Lanka Visa Guide for UK, EU and Australian Travellers

Everything about the ETA · cost, timing, and the official portal you should actually use.

Ceylon Essence Editorial · 2026-06-01

Full article publishing soon. Always use the official ETA portal at eta.gov.lk — there are many copycat sites that charge a markup.

Most approvals land before you reach Colombo. Print one copy anyway.

Do UK, EU and Australian travellers need a visa for Sri Lanka?

Yes, an Electronic Travel Authorisation arranged online before arrival. Approval is usually quick, but apply at least a few days ahead.

Can I get a visa on arrival?

On-arrival processing exists but queues are long after a night flight. The online ETA before you fly is the calmer path. [CONFIRM: current on-arrival status at publish time]

How long can I stay?

The standard tourist ETA covers 30 days with extensions possible in Colombo. [CONFIRM: current terms at publish time]

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