Sri Lanka Tightens Entry Rules: Online ETA Now Mandatory Before Travel

Starting October 15, 2025, Sri Lanka will no longer permit tourists to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) upon arrival. Sri Lankan embassies in France, Indonesia, Turkey, and others have confirmed the rule.

Until now, many travellers have relied on the option of applying online or picking up their ETA at the airport. That flexibility is gone. From mid-October, every traveller must have their ETA approved before boarding their flight.

Who is Affected By the New Rule?

This change applies to all foreign nationals, regardless of their nationality. Even travellers from countries that currently enjoy a fee waiver, like India, China, Russia, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Japan, will still need to complete the ETA process online before departure.

How to Apply for a Sri Lanka ETA

The ETA is essentially a short-term online visa. Here’s what travellers need to know:

• Where to apply: Only through the official government website eta.gov.lk.
• Fee: $50 USD for a double-entry ETA.
• Processing time: Approval is usually emailed within minutes to a few hours.
• Validity: Six months from the date of issue.
• Stay allowed: Up to 30 days, extendable with Sri Lankan immigration once in the country.

What about Sri Lanka’s ETA Fee Waiver Plan?

Back in July, the government announced it was considering expanding its fee waiver to 33 more countries, including the US, UK, Australia, most of Europe, and parts of the Middle East.

Here’s the catch: the plan hasn’t been finalised. Until the government officially confirms and implements the broader fee waiver, all travellers must continue paying the standard fee when applying for their ETA.

Here is the complete list of potential countries which will be eligible for the ETA fee waiver in the future;

1. Australia
2. Austria
3. Bahrain
4. Belarus
5. Belgium
6. Canada
7. Czech Republic
8. Denmark
9. Finland
10. France
11. Germany
12. Iran
13. Israel
14. Italy
15. Kazakhstan
16. Kuwait
17. Nepal
18. Netherlands
19. New Zealand
20. Norway
21. Oman
22. Pakistan
23. Poland
24. Qatar
25. Saudi Arabia
26. South Korea
27. Spain
28. Sweden
29. Switzerland
30. Turkey
31. United Arab Emirates
32. United Kingdom
33. United States

It’s worth mentioning here that, as of now, only the following 7 countries currently qualify for a free ETA:

1. China
2. India
3. Indonesia
4. Japan
5. Malaysia
6. Russia
7. Thailand

Rising Tourist Arrivals in 2025

Despite stricter rules on paperwork, Sri Lanka’s tourism industry is having a strong year. More than 1.7 million international visitors have already arrived in 2025, with nearly 150,000 in September alone. India remains the top source of tourists, fueling much of this growth.

Industry experts say the momentum could carry Sri Lanka beyond its previous record of 2.3 million arrivals set in 2018. The updated entry requirement is unlikely to slow demand but will make preparation more important.

What This Means for Travellers

The takeaway is simple: don’t expect to sort out your visa at Colombo airport anymore. Apply online before you leave, keep the confirmation handy, and make sure the details match your passport.

Sri Lanka is doubling down on digital processes, and while the change closes a door for last-minute travellers, it also makes the entry process more predictable.