Do UK citizens need a visa for Sri Lanka?
If you’re a UK passport holder travelling to Sri Lanka, you’ll need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for a short tourist visit rather than a traditional visa. UK travellers should apply online before flying.
UK citizens travelling to Sri Lanka for tourism should apply for a Sri Lanka ETA online at eta.gov.lk before departure. As of 25 May 2026, the tourist ETA is free of charge for UK passport holders, and allows a stay of up to 30 days with double entry.
This guidance covers the standard tourist ETA; a different category applies if you’re travelling for work, study or a longer stay.
At a glance
- UK citizens need an ETA for short tourist visits and should apply before travelling.
- The 30-day tourist ETA is free for UK passport holders since 25 May 2026.
- Apply online at eta.gov.lk; processing times can vary, so apply before you travel.
- The ETA allows a 30-day stay with double entry, with the 30-day period running from your first arrival.
Eligibility and passport requirements
Your passport needs at least six months’ validity from the date you arrive in Sri Lanka. Renewing after applying means a new ETA linked to the new passport number, so check how long a passport renewal takes if yours is close to expiring.
What you will need to apply
- A valid passport meeting the requirements above
- Your travel itinerary, including arrival and departure dates
- Accommodation details for your stay
- A working email address, since your ETA approval arrives by email
- A debit or credit card, in case a fee applies to your travel category
You won’t need bank statements, proof of funds or passport photos to upload as part of a standard tourist ETA application. However, you should be able to show a confirmed return ticket and sufficient funds for your stay when entering Sri Lanka. If yours needs renewing and you’re short on time, a fast-track passport service can help.
How to apply for a Sri Lanka ETA: step by step
Applying takes most travellers well under half an hour. Here’s how it works:
- Go to the official ETA portal at eta.gov.lk. Third-party sites sometimes charge extra for the same application, so it’s worth double-checking the web address before you start.
- Select the tourist ETA category, or business or transit if either fits your trip better.
- Fill in the online form with your passport, contact and travel details.
- Pay the fee if one applies — most UK tourist applications have been free of charge since 25 May 2026.
- Wait for your approval by email, or a referral notice if the application needs further review. Processing times can vary, so it’s sensible to apply before you travel.
- Save or print your approval. A printed copy isn’t required, but it’s a useful backup if you don’t have signal when you land.
Sri Lanka visa types: which one do UK travellers need?
Most UK travellers visiting for a holiday need only the tourist ETA. If you’re travelling for meetings or other eligible short-term business activities, such as conferences, negotiations, workshops or training, a business ETA covers you instead, and if you’re simply transiting through Colombo by air with a connecting flight inside 24 hours, you won’t need any ETA at all.
If you’re planning to stay longer, work or settle in Sri Lanka, those routes sit outside the tourist and business ETA system, and Sri Lanka’s Department of Immigration and Emigration is the right place to check current residence visa requirements. It’s worth knowing Egypt’s visa process follows a similarly online-first model, if you’re weighing up other stops on a longer trip.
ETA cost and validity
As of 25 May 2026, the Sri Lankan government made the 30-day tourist ETA free of charge for passport holders from 40 eligible countries, the UK included, replacing the roughly $50 fee that applied before then. Your ETA allows a 30-day stay from your first arrival, with double entry during that period. If you enter Sri Lanka for a second time, you can stay for the remaining balance of the original 30 days. Wanting to stay longer means applying for an extension through Sri Lanka’s Department of Immigration and Emigration before your current permission runs out.
At the border: what to expect
When you land at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo, immigration staff check your ETA electronically against your passport, so a printed copy may not be needed for the electronic check, but Sri Lankan immigration authorities advise keeping a copy with you as a backup. Officers may ask about your accommodation or onward travel, so it helps to have those details ready. It’s also worth checking the FCDO’s travel advice for Sri Lanka before you go, since it can change closer to your travel dates.
If you’re planning to hire a car, Sri Lanka drives on the left, like the UK — one of several right-hand-drive countries — useful if you’re weighing self-driving against hiring a driver.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do UK citizens need a visa for Sri Lanka?
UK citizens travelling for tourism should obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation before they travel. The ETA is the standard electronic authorisation used for short tourist visits.
How much does a Sri Lanka ETA cost for UK citizens?
As of 25 May 2026, the standard 30-day tourist ETA is free of charge for UK passport holders, along with travellers from 39 other eligible countries. This replaced the roughly $50 fee that applied before that date, so it’s worth checking eta.gov.lk directly rather than relying on older guidance.
How long does a Sri Lanka ETA take to process?
Processing times can vary. Apply before you travel and allow extra time in case your application needs further review.
Can I extend my stay beyond 30 days?
Yes. You can apply for an extension through Sri Lanka’s Department of Immigration and Emigration before your current ETA expires. Extensions are generally granted in blocks rather than indefinitely, so it’s worth applying with time to spare and your travel plans ready to show.
What happens if my ETA application is rejected?
If your application isn’t approved automatically and you receive a referral notice, follow the instructions provided and contact Sri Lanka’s Department of Immigration and Emigration if necessary. It’s worth double-checking that your details match your passport before submitting.
What’s the difference between an ETA and a visa?
An ETA is a lighter-touch electronic authorisation, applied for and approved online, and is used as the short-stay visa authorisation for many visitors to Sri Lanka. For UK tourist and short business trips, the ETA is the standard route.
Key takeaways: Sri Lanka visa for UK citizens
Getting your Sri Lanka ETA sorted is one of the more straightforward parts of planning your trip: it’s quick to apply for, currently free for UK passport holders, and usually approved well before you fly. Once that’s arranged, it’s worth reading up on currency in Asia, and knowing Remitly can help if you need to send money to Sri Lanka while you’re there.
- UK citizens need a Sri Lanka ETA for short tourist visits and should apply before travelling.
- The 30-day tourist ETA has been free of charge for UK passport holders since 25 May 2026.
- Apply online at eta.gov.lk before you travel; processing times can vary.
- Extensions beyond 30 days go through Sri Lanka’s Department of Immigration and Emigration, not the ETA portal.
Sources
- Sri Lanka Department of Immigration and Emigration, Free Tourist Visas for Nationals of 40 Selected Countries: https://www.immigration.gov.lk/pages_e.php?id=60
- Official Sri Lanka Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) portal: https://eta.gov.lk/slvisa/
- GOV.UK, Sri Lanka Entry Requirements: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/sri-lanka/entry-requirements
Last reviewed: September 2026
