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Sri Lanka visa for Indian passport holders

The cheapest and fastest visa on this list. An ETA for Sri Lanka usually clears within a day — but the fee and free-entry policy for Indian nationals have changed repeatedly, so check before you pay.

Package from: ₹3,500
Processing: 1–3 working days
Permitted stay: 30 days, double entry
Visa type: Electronic Travel Authorisation

Get a free document review See what it costs

How the Sri Lanka visa works

Sri Lanka issues an Electronic Travel Authorisation that grants Indian passport holders a 30-day stay with double entry. Policy on the fee has swung more than once: the country has at times waived the ETA charge for Indian nationals as part of tourism drives, and at other times restored it. The application itself is simple, and approval typically arrives within a working day, which makes Sri Lanka a genuine last-minute destination.

Issuing authority: Department of Immigration and Emigration

Where Sri Lanka applications go wrong

Fee policy changes without much notice

The ETA charge for Indian passport holders has been waived and reinstated several times. Check the official immigration site on the day you apply rather than relying on an article from last year.

Copycat ETA sites dominate search results

Several commercial sites rank above the government portal and charge a large markup for the same authorisation. The official system is run by the Department of Immigration and Emigration.

The ETA is not a guarantee of entry

It authorises you to board. Immigration at Colombo still asks for a return ticket and proof of accommodation, particularly from single travellers on one-way tickets.

Visa types

Tourist

Tourist ETA

30 days with double entry, extendable in Sri Lanka up to a longer total stay at an immigration office.

Business

Business ETA

30 days for meetings, conferences and negotiations, filed with a company letter.

Transit

Transit ETA

For stays of up to two days while connecting onward through Colombo.

Documents required

Core documents

✓Passport valid at least 6 months from arrival
✓Return or onward ticket
✓Accommodation details for the first night
✓Contact details in Sri Lanka where available

Business travel

✓Company letter stating the purpose of visit
✓Invitation from the Sri Lankan host organisation

The process, step by step

1
Current policy check
We confirm the fee and eligibility rules in force on the day, since they change more often than for any other destination on our list.
2
ETA filing
The application is filed on the official government system with your passport details entered exactly as printed.
3
Approval
Approval normally arrives within a working day, sometimes within hours.
4
Travel pack
You receive the ETA approval notice along with a short arrival checklist for Colombo immigration.

Sri Lanka visa cost

Package	Processing	Stay	Price
Tourist ETA	1–3 working days	30 days, double entry	₹3,500
Business ETA	1–3 working days	30 days	₹5,500
Family group, 4 or morePer applicant	1–3 working days	30 days	₹2,900

Included: Government ETA fee where charged, online filing and document review.

Prices are starting packages for a single standard applicant and change with visa type, stay length, express processing and group size. Government fees are set by the issuing authority and can change without notice. You receive a fixed written quote before any payment.

Sri Lanka visa questions

Is the Sri Lanka ETA free for Indians?＋

It has been waived for Indian nationals during certain periods and charged during others. Confirm the fee on the official immigration website before applying.

How fast is approval?＋

Usually within one working day. Applications with mismatched passport details take longer because they go to manual review.

Can I extend my stay?＋

Yes. The 30-day ETA can be extended at the Department of Immigration in Colombo, subject to fees and conditions.

Do I need a printed copy?＋

Carry one. Airlines at Indian airports routinely ask to see the ETA approval before issuing a boarding pass.

Official source

Rules, fees and processing times change. Always confirm the current requirements with the issuing authority before you travel.

Sri Lanka Department of Immigration and Emigration ↗

Related guides

Planning

Where an Indian passport takes you without a visa — and the fine print

Visa-free, visa on arrival and electronic authorisation are three different things. Knowing which one applies to you decides whether you board the plane.