Sri Lanka
Italy
Italy visa for Sri Lankan citizens
Entry requirement
Italy requires Sri Lankan citizens to hold a visa issued in advance.
- Where to apply
- 1 mission
- Visa guide
- Italy visa guide
Checked 31 October 2026 · Passport Index · Confirm at ambcolombo.esteri.it
Which Italy visa?
Schengen visa (type C) for tourism
Key facts
- Maximum stay
- Up to 90 days in any 180-day period
- Fee
- €90
Italy’s tourist visa costs €90 at the standard rate published by its authorities. Longest stay on the tourist visa: Up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
Italian missions in Sri Lanka
- Embassy of Italy in Colombo
Jawatta Road 55, Colombo
Italy has 1 mission in Sri Lanka, with its embassy in Colombo.
Italy: visa decisions in Sri Lanka
| Year | Applications | Visas issued | Refused | Refusal rate | Multiple-entry share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 4,031 | 2,240 | 1,791 | 44.4% | 17.2% |
| 2024 | 4,431 | 2,665 | 1,763 | 39.8% | 29.5% |
| 2025 | 5,061 | 3,113 | 1,948 | 38.5% | 72.3% |
In 2025, Italy’s embassy and consulates in Sri Lanka (Colombo) received 5,061 applications for short-stay Schengen visas and issued 3,113. 38.5% of applications were refused. In 2024 the rate was much the same, 39.8%. Applications rose by 14% compared with 2024 (4,431).
For comparison, all Schengen states together refused 29.1% of the applications lodged in Sri Lanka that year. Italy’s consulates worldwide refused 10.8%. Italy was the 3rd most applied-for Schengen state in Sri Lanka.
You apply to the Schengen state that is your main destination (the longest stay or the main purpose; the state of first entry only when there is none), so a lower rate elsewhere is no reason to apply there. The figures cover applications lodged in Sri Lanka, by any nationality: mostly citizens, but also residents from other countries.
Source: European Commission, Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs, visa statistics for consulates 2023–2025 (© European Union, reused under CC BY 4.0). Short-stay (type C) visas. How these figures are made
Italian citizens travelling to Sri Lanka
ItalySri Lanka Visa on arrival Sri Lanka visa for citizens of Italy
Travel advice for Italy
- US State Department Level 2: Exercise increased caution
- UK Foreign Office (FCDO) No advice against travel
- German Foreign Office No travel warning
What the US, British and German foreign ministries tell their own citizens about travelling there, in each ministry’s own terms.
For a trip from Sri Lanka to Italy, the published travel advice reads as follows: the US State Department rates Italy at Level 2, exercise increased caution (updated 9 September 2026), the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office does not advise against travel to Italy (updated 29 October 2026) and the German Foreign Office has no travel warning for Italy (updated 23 October 2026).
Good to know
How long Sri Lankan citizens can stay in Italy
How long Sri Lankan citizens may stay in Italy is set by the visa issued, and the visa type must match the purpose of the trip.
How Sri Lankan citizens apply
In Sri Lanka, applications go to the Italian embassy in Colombo, or to a visa centre acting for Italy; fees, documents and processing times are published by Italy.
Italy and the Schengen area
A Schengen visa issued by Italy lets Sri Lankan citizens travel in all Schengen states; apply to Italy when it is the main destination of the trip.
Italy’s neighbours for Sri Lankan citizens
Switzerland, the Holy See, Slovenia, San Marino, France and Austria require Sri Lankan citizens to obtain a visa in advance.
Italian citizens travelling to Sri Lanka
Italian citizens can get a visa on arrival in Sri Lanka, valid for stays of up to 30 days.
Frequently asked questions
Do Sri Lankan citizens need a visa for Italy?
Italy requires Sri Lankan citizens to hold a visa issued in advance.
Where is the Italian embassy in Sri Lanka?
The Italian embassy in Sri Lanka is in Colombo.
How much does the Italy tourist visa cost?
Italy’s official sources give a standard fee of €90 for the tourist visa.
Do Italian citizens need a visa for Sri Lanka?
Italian citizens can get a visa on arrival in Sri Lanka, valid for stays of up to 30 days.
Can Sri Lankan citizens enter Italy visa-free?
No; Sri Lankan citizens need a visa for Italy obtained in advance.
Visa data: Passport Index via passport-index-data, as of 31 October 2026. Rules change, sometimes overnight. Confirm with the embassy or the official government portal before you book.