Sri Lanka Visa for Indians 2026 — Free ETA, 30-Day Double Entry & How to Apply
Sri Lanka — close to India, affordable and packed with beaches, tea country, ancient cities and wildlife — is one of the easiest international trips for Indian travellers, thanks to a simple online travel authorisation. This in-depth guide explains everything Indian passport holders need to know about the Sri Lanka visa (ETA) in 2026: whether you need one, how to apply, fees, validity, documents, entry requirements and tips for a smooth, hassle-free trip.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tourist ETA fee (Indians) | Free |
| Stay | 30 days, double entry |
| Extensions | Up to 270 days (paid, in Colombo) |
Do Indians need a visa for Sri Lanka?
Indian passport holders need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to visit Sri Lanka — a quick, online pre-approval that functions as a tourist visa. It’s applied for before travel (or, less ideally, on arrival), and approval is usually fast. The ETA for tourism typically allows a 30-day stay with double entry. Sri Lanka has periodically changed its fee policy (including short-lived free-visa pilots), so always confirm the current fee and rules on the official ETA portal before applying.
The ETA explained
The tourist ETA grants a stay of up to 30 days from arrival, with double (two) entries — convenient if you plan a side trip and return. It’s an electronic authorisation linked to your passport; you don’t get a sticker in advance. For longer stays, the ETA can be extended in Sri Lanka through the immigration department. Other visa types exist for non-tourism purposes. For a standard holiday, the tourist ETA is all you need.
How to apply
Apply on the official Sri Lanka ETA portal (use only the government site to avoid overpriced third-party agents): (1) complete the online form with your passport and travel details; (2) pay the fee online by card; (3) receive your ETA approval by email, usually quickly. Print a copy to carry. You can also obtain an ETA on arrival, but applying online in advance is cheaper and smoother. Apply a few days before travel.
Fees and validity
The tourist ETA carries a fee (the amount has changed over time and differs for online vs on-arrival, so confirm the current figure on the official portal). It’s valid for entry within a window and permits a 30-day, double-entry stay. Applying online in advance is usually cheaper than on arrival. Extensions are possible within Sri Lanka for longer stays, for an additional fee.
Documents and entry requirements
The ETA application is light on paperwork — you mainly need your passport details (valid at least six months) and travel information. On arrival, carry your ETA approval printout, passport, proof of onward/return travel, accommodation, and sufficient funds. Immigration may ask to see these. Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport (and Mattala) handle ETA arrivals routinely, and the process is generally quick and smooth.
Tips for a smooth application
Apply on the official ETA portal only (many third-party sites charge much more), ensure your details exactly match your passport, and apply a few days before travel. Carry a printout of your ETA and your onward-travel and accommodation proof for immigration. Confirm the current fee and the 30-day double-entry terms before applying, as Sri Lanka has changed its visa fees and policies more than once. Online-in-advance is cheaper than on-arrival.
Why visit Sri Lanka
The easy ETA unlocks a remarkably varied island: the southern beaches (Mirissa, Unawatuna) and surf at Arugam Bay; the hill country’s tea plantations and the scenic Kandy–Ella train; the ancient cities and rock fortress of Sigiriya; and superb wildlife (leopards at Yala, whales off Mirissa). It’s close to India, excellent value and welcoming — see our Sri Lanka travel guide and Sri Lanka itinerary to plan.
Frequently asked questions
Do Indians need a visa for Sri Lanka? Yes — an ETA (electronic travel authorisation), applied online in advance, allowing a 30-day double-entry stay.
How much does the Sri Lanka ETA cost? There’s a fee that has changed over time — confirm the current amount on the official portal; online is cheaper than on arrival.
How long can I stay? Up to 30 days, double entry, extendable within Sri Lanka for longer stays.
Where do I apply? On the official Sri Lanka ETA portal only — avoid overpriced third-party sites.
Can I get the ETA on arrival? Yes, but it’s usually more expensive than applying online in advance.
Extending your stay
If you want to stay longer than the 30-day ETA allows, you can extend it within Sri Lanka by applying to the Department of Immigration and Emigration (in Colombo or online, where available), for an additional fee and subject to conditions — commonly extendable in stages up to a few months total. For a standard holiday the 30-day double-entry ETA is ample; only frequent or long-stay visitors need to extend. Plan extensions before your ETA expires to avoid overstay penalties.
Best time to visit and getting there
Sri Lanka has two monsoons affecting different coasts, so timing depends on where you go: the south and west coasts and hill country are best December–March, while the east coast shines May–September. Being so close to India, Sri Lanka is reached by short, frequent and often cheap flights from many Indian cities to Colombo (with southern-India departures the quickest). This proximity, plus the easy ETA, makes it one of the simplest overseas trips for Indians.
Exploring the island
The double-entry ETA suits Sri Lanka’s compact variety. A classic loop combines Colombo and the south-coast beaches, the hill country (Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, with the famous scenic train), and the Cultural Triangle (Sigiriya, Dambulla, Anuradhapura), plus wildlife safaris at Yala or Udawalawe. The whole island is small enough to see a lot in a week or two, and trains and buses are cheap (a private driver adds convenience). See our Sri Lanka itinerary for a route.
What a Sri Lanka trip costs
Sri Lanka is excellent value: beyond the modest ETA fee, guesthouses, local food and trains cost very little, and even mid-range travel is affordable. The main costs are flights (cheap from southern India), accommodation, and a few paid experiences like safaris or whale watching. See our budget Sri Lanka guide and the Trip Cost Calculator to estimate your spend — a week here is very affordable.
More frequently asked questions
Can I extend the Sri Lanka ETA? Yes — within Sri Lanka through the immigration department, for a fee, beyond the initial 30 days.
When is the best time to visit? December–March for the south/west and hills; May–September for the east coast.
Is online or on-arrival ETA cheaper? Online in advance is usually cheaper and smoother than getting it on arrival.
How close is Sri Lanka to India? Very — short, frequent flights to Colombo make it one of the easiest overseas trips for Indians.
The bottom line for Indian travellers
Sri Lanka is about as easy as overseas travel gets for Indians: a quick online ETA (30 days, double entry) applied for on the official portal, short and cheap flights from India, and rock-bottom on-the-ground costs. Confirm the current fee (it has changed more than once), apply online in advance rather than on arrival to save money, and carry your ETA printout plus proof of onward travel, accommodation and funds. With that done, a wonderfully varied island awaits — beaches, tea-country train rides, ancient cities and wildlife safaris — all within a short hop of home and on a modest budget. It’s one of the best-value first international trips an Indian traveller can take.
Disclaimer: This is general information, not immigration advice. Entry rules change without notice — verify current requirements, fees and process on the official embassy or government portal before you apply or fly.
Plan your trip: use the visa checker, read the Sri Lanka travel guide, estimate spend with the Trip Cost Calculator, and see more visa guides.
Last updated: June 2026. Visa rules, fees and processing times change frequently — always confirm on the official embassy/government portal before applying or booking.
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