How to Apply for Sri Lanka Visa from India , Step-by-Step 2026

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Last updated April 2026 · Verified against official sources

How to Apply for Sri Lanka Visa from India , Step-by-Step Guide 2026

The Sri Lanka e-visa application is entirely online and takes about 20 minutes to complete. No embassy visit, no courier, no biometrics appointment. The two steps that trip up most Indian applicants are the photo background (Vietnam requires white, Indian studios use grey) and the credit card settings (most Indian banks disable international transactions by default). Sort both before you open the form and the remaining steps are straightforward.

📑 In This Article
  1. Prepare These Before Opening the Form
  2. Step-by-Step Application Guide
  3. After Your Application , Tracking and Receiving Approval
  4. Frequently Asked Questions About Applying
  5. Sri Lanka vs Other Southeast Asia Destinations for Indians
  6. Before You Apply , Final Checklist
  7. Common Mistakes Sri Lanka Travelers Wish They Had Known
  8. Sri Lanka Visa Guide by Departure City
Application , Key Facts
Portal
Official Site
https://eta.gov.lk/slvisa/
Time Required
20 minutes
When documents are prepared
Fee
Rs 0
Visa or Mastercard only
Processing
Usually within 24 hours
Apply 2 weeks before travel

Prepare These Before Opening the Form

Do This First , Before Opening the Application

1. Enable international payments on your card. Open your bank app and enable international online transactions. HDFC: Cards, Manage Card, International Usage, enable E-Commerce. SBI YONO: Cards, Manage Card, Transaction Limits. If you skip this, your card declines after 15 minutes of form filling.

2. Fix your photo background. Go to remove.bg, upload your passport photo, download the white-background JPEG. Zoom in on the result and check all corners , no grey patches. This prevents the most common rejection cause.

3. Open your passport and keep it visible throughout. You will need to copy your full name exactly, passport number character by character, and entry airport from your flight booking.

Step-by-Step Application Guide

1
Go to eta.gov.lk/slvisa/ — only this portal
Open eta.gov.lk/slvisa/ directly. Do not search ‘Sri Lanka ETA application’ and click the first result — many paid third-party sites appear above the official portal in search results. The official domain always ends in .gov.lk. This site charges nothing for Indian tourists.

2
Select Tourist ETA and your application type
From the left menu, select Tourist ETA. Then choose Individual Application (for one person) or Group Application (for family). Click Apply. You are redirected to the application form.

3
Fill the application form — passport details only
Enter: full name exactly as in passport, passport number exactly as printed, date of birth (DD/MM/YYYY format), passport expiry date, nationality, email address, intended arrival date in Sri Lanka, accommodation address in Sri Lanka (hotel name or host address). No document upload required — just text fields. Double-check passport number and dates before proceeding.

4
Payment — select free (for Indians)
On the payment screen, the system should show zero fee for Indian passport holders. If you are seeing a fee being charged, you may be on a third-party site, not the official portal. Confirm you are on eta.gov.lk. Indian tourist ETA is free — no payment should be required.

5
Submit and check email for approval
After submission you receive a confirmation with an application reference number. Approval typically comes within 24 hours by email. Check your spam folder if you don’t see it within 24 hours. You can also check status at eta.gov.lk/etaslvisa/pages/checkStatus.jsp using your passport number.

6
Print approval and carry when traveling
Print the ETA approval notice in colour. Also save on your phone. Carry it along with your passport to Sri Lanka. At Bandaranaike International Airport (Colombo), hand over your passport and ETA printout to the immigration officer. They will stamp your passport for 30 days.

7
Extension if staying beyond 30 days
Apply for extension before your 30-day stamp expires. Options: apply online at eta.gov.lk or in person at the Department of Immigration and Emigration, 41 Ananda Rajakaruna Mawatha, Colombo 10 (Battaramulla). Extension gives you up to 90 days total per entry. A fee applies for extensions (approximately Rs 3,400 equivalent in LKR). Set a reminder before day 25 of your stay.

After Your Application , Tracking and Receiving Approval

Check your application status at https://eta.gov.lk/slvisa/ using the “Check E-Visa Status” option with your application code and passport number. The status will show Processing, Approved, or Rejected. Most Indian applicants receive a decision within Usually within 24 hours.

When approved, download the PDF from your email immediately. Print two copies before you fly , one for the Indian airport check-in counter, one for Sri Lanka immigration. The letter has a QR code that officers scan to verify your visa. Make sure the printout is clear enough for the scanner to read it.

Frequently Asked Questions About Applying

Can I save the Sri Lanka Visa application and complete it later?
The portal has a save feature but it is not always reliable on mobile browsers. Have all documents ready and complete the application in one 20-minute session.
Can I change my entry airport after paying?
No. The application is locked after payment. If your plans change, you need a fresh application and pay Rs 0 again. This is why verifying the entry airport against your actual flight booking before paying is critical.
My card was declined. What do I do?
Open your bank app and enable international online transactions , this is disabled by default at most Indian banks. HDFC: Cards, Manage Card, International Usage, enable E-Commerce. SBI YONO: Cards, Manage Card, Transaction Limits. If still failing, use a family member’s Visa or Mastercard.
Do I need to print the Sri Lanka Visa approval letter?
Yes , print two physical copies. One for the check-in counter at your Indian departure airport, one for immigration in {c[‘name’]}. Some counters do not accept phone screens.
What if I don’t receive approval email after 3 business days?
Check your spam folder first. Then check status at https://eta.gov.lk/slvisa/ using your application code. If status shows Processing after 5 business days, this may indicate an issue , contact Sri Lanka Immigration via the email on the official portal.

Sri Lanka vs Other Southeast Asia Destinations for Indians

Country Visa for Indians Fee Stay Best For
Sri Lanka Free ETA (apply at eta.gov.lk) Rs 0 30 days stay Beaches, temples, hill country, wildlife, tea
Maldives Visa-free 30 days Rs 0 30 days stay Overwater villas, honeymoon, diving
Thailand Visa-free (open-ended) Rs 0 30 days stay Beaches, temples, nightlife, street food
Malaysia Visa-free until 31 Dec 2026 Rs 0 30 days stay Cities, Langkawi, Penang, food
Bali Indonesia e-VOA + Tourist Levy Rs 3,380 30 days stay Rice terraces, temples, wellness, honeymoon

Before You Apply , Final Checklist

Check These Before Submitting Payment
  • Photo background is pure white , verified by zooming into corners. Use remove.bg if any grey. Saves Rs 0 reapplication cost.
  • Name copied exactly from passport , full name including middle name, same capitalisation as bio-data page.
  • Entry airport matches actual flight , checked against your flight booking or e-ticket, not memory.
  • Passport number verified twice , character by character. O vs 0, I vs 1.
  • Passport validity at least 6 months beyond entry date , check expiry date now.
  • International transactions enabled on your card , in your bank app before opening the form.
  • Entry type selected correctly , single or multiple depending on your itinerary. Check fees for each in the visa types table.
  • Applying at least 14 days before travel , enough buffer for any rejection and reapplication.

Common Mistakes Sri Lanka Travelers Wish They Had Known

Booking non-refundable flights before getting visa approval. The e-visa takes Usually within 24 hours but can extend during Vietnamese public holidays. Always wait for the approval email before booking flights you cannot cancel.

Using a travel agent for the e-visa. Agents in India charge Rs 3,000 to Rs 8,000 to fill a 15-minute form available at the official portal for Rs 0. The visa you receive is identical. Apply at https://eta.gov.lk/slvisa/ directly.

Printing only one copy of the approval letter. You need it at two points: the check-in counter at the Indian airport, and Sri Lanka immigration on arrival. Print two copies and carry both.

Arriving at the airport with only a phone screen. Some immigration counters in Sri Lanka do not accept phone screens. Physical printed copies are always accepted. Print before you leave home.

Choosing the wrong entry type. Single entry (Rs 0) is right for a Vietnam-only trip. Multiple entry (check visa types table for Sri Lanka fee) is needed if you plan to exit to Cambodia or Laos and return. Confirm which you need before paying.

Sri Lanka Visa Guide by Departure City

MumbaiCity-specific guide
DelhiCity-specific guide
BangaloreCity-specific guide
KolkataCity-specific guide
ChennaiCity-specific guide
HyderabadCity-specific guide
PuneCity-specific guide
AhmedabadCity-specific guide
JaipurCity-specific guide
LucknowCity-specific guide
Full Sri Lanka Visa Guide

This page covers how to apply for sri lanka visa from india. For the complete Sri Lanka visa guide with all topics: Sri Lanka Visa for Indians 2026 , Complete Guide

Apply for Sri Lanka Visa

Cost: Rs 0. Processing: Usually within 24 hours. Apply at least 2 weeks before travel.

Official portal: https://eta.gov.lk/slvisa/

Updated April 2026. For information only. Verify at official sources before booking travel.

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📅 Last updated: April 9, 2026