Almost every foreign traveller needs a Sri Lanka tourist ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) before arriving in Sri Lanka in 2026, with narrow exceptions such as some diplomatic and official passport holders. This applies even to travellers whose government fee is zero. Since 25 May 2026, nationals of 40 countries pay no government fee [immigration.gov.lk][lankalens.com]. The ETA itself is valid for 6 months. Once you arrive, you may stay up to 30 days from first arrival, with double entry — a second entry only uses whatever is left of that same 30-day window. It is issued by Sri Lanka's Department of Immigration and Emigration.
TL;DR
- Tourists of every nationality, including fee-free nationals, must hold a Sri Lanka ETA before arrival.
- Since 25 May 2026, nationals of 40 countries pay a USD 0 government fee.
- The ETA is valid for 6 months. Stay is up to 30 days from first arrival, with double entry.
- A new ETA cannot be issued while a previous one is still running on the same passport.
- You can apply yourself through the Department of Immigration and Emigration's official portal, or have Issa Compass file the Sri Lanka tourist ETA for you.
About the Author: This guide was written by the Issa Compass team. Issa Compass is an online visa platform that works alongside immigration experts and a legal team, with 100,000+ clients served across the region. The guide draws on travel documentation practices to help you understand ETA fee structures and validity rules.
Who travels to Sri Lanka free in 2026, and who pays?
"Free" is the most misunderstood word around the Sri Lanka tourist visa. It describes the government fee, not the obligation to apply. What travellers usually call the Sri Lanka e visa is this same ETA, and the rules split into three groups:
- Fee-free tier: nationals of 40 countries pay a USD 0 government fee. Sri Lanka's Department of Immigration and Emigration lists this as in effect since 25 May 2026 on its official ETA site, and its general visa page also references the 40-country count [immigration.gov.lk][lankalens.com].
- Everyone: must obtain an ETA before arriving, whichever tier applies.
Separately, a gratis basis exists for diplomatic and official passport holders [eta.gov.lk]. That category sits outside the ordinary tourist ETA.
A fee-free status that applied on an earlier trip is therefore not proof that it applies to this one.
What does the Sri Lanka ETA fee include?
Once you know which tier your passport sits in, the Sri Lanka ETA fee is easier to understand as a straightforward cost structure.
| Fee layer | Who it applies to | Amount | Paid to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government fee (fee-free tier) | Nationals of the 40 fee-free countries | USD 0 | Sri Lankan government |
| Government fee (standard) | All other nationalities | USD 20 to USD 50, by nationality | Sri Lankan government |
- The government fee depends on nationality and is the same regardless of how you file the application.
- If you apply yourself, you pay only the government fee that applies to your nationality.
What is the Sri Lanka ETA validity, and how many entries does it allow?
Fees decide what you pay. Validity decides how you can plan the trip, and the detail that matters most is when the clock starts.
- ETA validity: 6 months (the window in which you must make your first arrival).
- Stay: 30 days counted from first arrival in Sri Lanka.
- Entries: double entry, so you can leave and come back once.
- Anchor point: the stay window is tied to your first arrival. Leaving and re-entering does not restart it.
Example: a traveller lands in Colombo, spends several days on a side trip to the Maldives, then flies back into Sri Lanka. The second entry uses the double-entry allowance, and the stay still ends 30 days after that first landing. Build any side trip into the same window rather than treating the return as a fresh start.
This guide covers the initial tourist ETA only. For a Sri Lanka ETA extension, or any stay longer than the ETA allows, confirm the current process directly with the Department of Immigration and Emigration.
What should you check before applying for the Sri Lanka ETA?
Before submitting a Sri Lanka ETA application, two key points are worth confirming:
- Nationality and fee status: confirm whether your passport qualifies for the fee-free tier or which government fee applies within the USD 20 to USD 50 range.
- Running ETA check: confirm your passport has no ETA still running. A new ETA cannot be issued until the current one expires.
The running-ETA rule works like a single-occupancy hotel room tied to one name. Until the current booking ends, the front desk cannot assign the same guest a second room. The same applies here: an ETA obtained for a trip you later cancelled can still block a new one on that passport. Spotting this before you apply saves a wasted application fee.
How Issa Compass files the Sri Lanka tourist ETA
Issa Compass files the Sri Lanka tourist ETA. Before filing, Issa Compass checks your fee-free status and whether an ETA is already running on your passport. Applying yourself through the official portal remains an equally valid option. For the current breakdown, see issacompass.com/sri-lanka-visas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Sri Lanka ETA if my country is on the fee-free list?
Yes. Tourists of every nationality, including fee-free nationals, must obtain an ETA before arriving. Fee-free status removes the government fee, not the application.
How much is the Sri Lanka ETA fee in 2026?
The government fee is USD 0 for nationals of 40 countries [immigration.gov.lk][lankalens.com] and USD 20 to USD 50 for everyone else, depending on nationality.
Can I complete a Sri Lanka ETA application online myself?
Yes. You can apply directly through the Department of Immigration and Emigration's official portal at eta.gov.lk.
What if my passport already has an ETA from a cancelled trip?
A new ETA cannot be issued until the current one expires. Check your passport's ETA history before planning a new trip.
How long is the Sri Lanka tourist ETA valid?
The ETA itself is valid for 6 months. Once you arrive, you may stay up to 30 days from first arrival, with double entry. For an extension, contact the Department of Immigration and Emigration.
About Issa Compass
Issa Compass is an online visa platform operated by Singapore-based Issara Platforms Pte. Ltd. Its main work remains Thai visas, including the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), Non-O, LTR, SMART and Elite visa types, and it works alongside immigration experts and a legal team. As of November 2026, Issa Compass holds a 4.8/5 rating from 865 Google reviews and a 4.6/5 rating from 106 Trustpilot reviews. Issa Compass is not a government agency. Final visa approval rests with the relevant Thai government authorities. For the Sri Lanka ETA, final approval rests with Sri Lanka's Department of Immigration and Emigration.
Planning a trip to Sri Lanka, or a longer stay in Thailand afterwards? Issa Compass can file your Sri Lanka tourist ETA, and you can learn more about Thai visa options at Issa Compass.
References
- Sri Lanka: no free visas, ETA still necessary and chargeable - VisasNews (google.com)
- General Information on Visa (immigration.gov.lk)
- Online Visa Application (eta.gov.lk)
- Sri Lanka ETA 2026: cost and how to apply · Lanka Lens (lankalens.com)
- Sri Lanka to Issue Free Visas to Tourists from 5 Countries - travelobiz (travelobiz.com)
