Sri Lanka transit visa

The Department of Immigration and Emigration describes the transit visa as a short entry permit for foreigners whose stay in Sri Lanka is incidental to a journey to another destination. It applies to passengers using Sri Lankan airports or seaports who need to enter the country, for instance for an overnight connection or a short stopover, and who will travel on to the next country within two days.

You must show proof of your onward air ticket or sea passage, and you must be able to enter your destination country within the two-day period. Paid or unpaid work, self-employment, business activity and repeated transits used to live in Sri Lanka are not allowed. The general ETA rules on passport validity and funds also apply at the border.

The transit ETA is free of charge for every nationality, whether requested online, through a mission or at the airport. It is valid for two days and the Department states that it cannot be extended to continue the transit. If your plans change and you want to stay longer, you need a tourist ETA instead, which is free for 30 days for nationals of the 40 listed countries.

Select the transit option on eta.gov.lk, enter your passport and flight or voyage details and submit. No payment is taken. Keep the approval notice for check-in and immigration. If your connection does not require you to leave the international transit area, check with your airline whether an ETA is needed at all; the Department's rule refers to passengers who need a visa to enter Sri Lanka.

Questions about an ETA can be put to the 24-hour ETA call centre on +94 71 99 67 888 or to the Department of Immigration and Emigration on 1962 or +94 112 101 500. Sri Lankan embassies and high commissions abroad can also help.