40-country free tourist ETA
Nationals of 40 selected countries can obtain a tourist ETA free of charge for 30 days with double-entry facility.
Latest 2026 Update • Free Tourist ETA • Official Links
Sri Lanka Free ETA 2026: 40 Countries Now Eligible
From 25 May 2026, nationals of 40 selected countries can obtain a tourist ETA free of charge for 30 days. ETA should still be obtained before arrival. Use this guide for official links, eligibility, fees for other nationalities, arrival documents, extensions and safe airport pickup support.
40 countriesfree 30-day tourist ETA from 25 May 2026
ETA requiredeligible travelers should apply before arrival
Double entrywithin the first 30-day free ETA period
US$50standard non-SAARC tourist ETA fee for other nationalities
Last updated: • Latest official update checked: free tourist ETA for 40 selected countries effective from 25 May 2026. Visa rules can change quickly, so always confirm your passport nationality on official Sri Lanka government portals before travel.
Quick Answer
Is Sri Lanka ETA free now?
Yes, for nationals of 40 selected countries, Sri Lanka tourist ETA is free of charge from 25 May 2026 for a 30-day stay. However, this is a fee waiver, not a “no-formality” entry. Travelers should still obtain ETA before arrival and keep the approval/reference ready.
ETA portal
Fee guide
Arrival documents
Airport pickup
Important warning
Use only official government portals for ETA and visa extension. Many third-party visa sites can charge extra. Eligible travelers should see the ETA fee waived on the official system.
Latest Update: Sri Lanka Free Tourist ETA for 40 Countries
Effective from 25 May 2026, Sri Lanka offers free tourist ETA for nationals of 40 selected countries. The key point for travelers: the ETA fee is waived, but the ETA process should still be completed before arrival.
ETA still required before arrival
The latest Immigration notice says nationals of the 40 countries, plus Maldives, Seychelles and Singapore, are required to obtain ETA prior to arrival.
Reciprocal free ETA countries
Seychelles and Singapore receive 30 days free ETA, while Maldives receives 90 days through the ETA system.
Standard ETA fees for other nationalities
Travelers outside the free-ETA lists continue under the general Sri Lanka ETA rules and fee table.
ETA fee payment
Official ETA terms state fees paid before 25.05.2026 are not refundable; standard ETA processing fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Plain-English update: Say “free ETA” or “visa fee waived,” not simply “no visa.” The traveler still needs to use the official ETA process before arrival; only the ETA/tourist visa fee is waived for eligible nationalities.
How to Apply for Sri Lanka ETA
Follow the official process and keep your approval notice ready for your airline and immigration check.
Open official ETA portal
Go to the official Sri Lanka ETA website and choose Apply or Check Status.
Choose purpose
Select Tourist, Business or Transit. Enter passport details exactly as printed.
Review carefully
Check passport number, name order, nationality, date of birth and email before submitting.
Pay fee only if applicable
Eligible 40-country travelers and Maldives, Seychelles and Singapore travelers should see free processing. Other nationalities pay the official ETA fee.
Wait for approval
Save the ETA approval email/reference. Check status if approval does not arrive or if details look wrong.
Sri Lanka ETA Fees: Planning Table
For the 40 selected countries and reciprocal free-ETA countries, the tourist ETA fee is waived. Other nationalities continue under the standard ETA fee table.
| ETA / visa type | Validity | Online fee guide | Arrival / notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Tourist ETA Fee is waived, but travelers should still obtain ETA before arrival. Fees paid before 25.05.2026 are non-refundable. |
40 selected countries: 30 days, double entry / Maldives: 90 days | Free for eligible 40 countries, Maldives, Seychelles and Singapore | Apply before arrival through the official ETA system |
| Tourist ETA – other nationalities For countries not eligible for the free ETA facility, the standard ETA fee table applies. |
30 days, double entry | SAARC: US$20 / Other countries: US$50 / Children under 12: Free | SAARC: US$25 / Other countries: US$60 / Children under 12: Free |
| Business ETA Business purpose can include meetings, conferences and negotiations. Do not use a tourist ETA for employment. |
30 days, multiple entry | SAARC: US$30 / Other countries: US$55 / Children under 12: Free where applicable | Verify business visa procedure with the official ETA/Immigration source |
| Transit ETA For short transit only. If you leave airport/transit area or stay longer, check the correct ETA category. |
2 days, single entry | Free | Free |
| Tourist visa extension Free ETA travelers who stay beyond 30 days must apply for extension and pay the applicable visa fee. |
Beyond initial free/standard period | Apply via official e-services or Immigration head office | Not applicable |
Important: ETA fees paid before 25.05.2026 are non-refundable. For other nationalities, the official ETA fee table still shows children under 12 as free for 30 days.
40 Countries Eligible for Sri Lanka Free Tourist ETA
Effective from 25 May 2026, nationals of these 40 selected countries can obtain a Sri Lanka tourist ETA free of charge for 30 days. ETA should still be obtained before arrival.
Free 30-day tourist ETA countries
The ETA fee is waived for these nationalities, with double-entry facility during the first 30 days.
Australia Free ETA
Austria Free ETA
Bahrain Free ETA
Belarus Free ETA
Belgium Free ETA
Canada Free ETA
China Free ETA
Czech Republic Free ETA
Denmark Free ETA
Finland Free ETA
France Free ETA
Germany Free ETA
India Free ETA
Indonesia Free ETA
Iran Free ETA
Israel Free ETA
Italy Free ETA
Japan Free ETA
Kazakhstan Free ETA
Kuwait Free ETA
Malaysia Free ETA
Nepal Free ETA
Netherlands Free ETA
New Zealand Free ETA
Norway Free ETA
Oman Free ETA
Pakistan Free ETA
Poland Free ETA
Qatar Free ETA
Russia Free ETA
Saudi Arabia Free ETA
South Korea Free ETA
Spain Free ETA
Sweden Free ETA
Switzerland Free ETA
Thailand Free ETA
Turkey Free ETA
United Arab Emirates Free ETA
United Kingdom Free ETA
United States of America Free ETA
Reciprocal free ETA countries
These countries are also processed free of charge through the ETA system. Maldives receives 90 days; Seychelles and Singapore receive 30 days.
Maldives 90 days
Seychelles 30 days
Singapore 30 days
Important wording for travelers: This is best described as “free ETA” or “Sri Lanka tourist ETA fee waived.” It is not the same as entering without any application. Travelers should apply/check status through the official ETA portal before flying.
Arrival Requirements & Practical Checks
These are the checks travelers, airlines and immigration officers may look for.
Passport validity
Carry a passport that is normally valid for at least 6 months from arrival date. Your airline may also check this before boarding.
ETA approval notice
For the free ETA scheme, complete the ETA process before arrival and keep the ETA approval/reference ready for airline and immigration checks.
Return or onward ticket
Air travelers can be asked to show a round-trip or onward ticket at the port of entry.
Sufficient funds
Immigration can ask for evidence that you can cover your expenses during your stay.
No local employment
An ETA holder should not engage in paid or unpaid employment or business outside the stated ETA purpose.
Official portals only
Use eta.gov.lk, immigration.gov.lk and eservices.immigration.gov.lk. Avoid copycat visa websites and inflated third-party charges.
Tourist Visa Extension
Free ETA travelers who want to stay longer than the initial 30-day period should apply for an extension through official channels and pay the applicable extension fee before the visa expires.
Official extension process
- Tourist visa categories can be extended online through the official e-services portal or at the Immigration head office in Battaramulla.
- Common extension documents include return air ticket, accommodation address/telephone, application with photograph, and valid passport.
- Double-entry facility is normally only available during the first 30-day period and can be affected by extension rules.
Official Links & Helpful Planning Pages
Use official government links for visa decisions. Use our travel links for airport pickup, route planning and chauffeur-driven tours after your ETA is ready.
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Sri Lanka Visa & ETA FAQ
Expanded answers for global travelers, airline check-in questions and AI search snippets.
Fast answers
Yes, from 25 May 2026, tourist ETA is free of charge for nationals of 40 selected countries for a 30-day stay. Maldives, Seychelles and Singapore also receive free ETA processing under reciprocal arrangements.
Yes. The latest Immigration notice says all foreign nationals, including nationals of the 40 selected countries and Maldives, Seychelles and Singapore, are required to obtain Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) prior to arrival in Sri Lanka.
It is better to call it a “free ETA” or “visa fee waiver,” not completely visa-free entry. Eligible travelers still need to complete ETA formalities before travel, but the ETA fee is waived.
For the 40 selected countries, the free tourist ETA is valid for 30 days with double-entry facility during the 30-day period. Maldives receives 90 days through the ETA system.
Fees and country rules
The 40 countries are Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belarus, Belgium, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Poland, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and United States of America.
The official ETA terms state tourist ETA is also granted free of charge to Seychelles and Singapore for 30 days and Maldives for 90 days. The latest Immigration notice also says these nationalities should obtain ETA prior to arrival.
For travelers who are not eligible for free ETA, the official ETA fee table shows 30-day tourist ETA online processing fees of US$20 for SAARC countries and US$50 for other countries. Children under 12 are shown free for 30 days.
No. The official ETA fee page states ETA processing fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. The 2026 free-ETA notice also says fees paid before 25.05.2026 are non-refundable.
Documents and airport arrival
Carry your passport, ETA approval/reference, return or onward air ticket, accommodation details, and evidence of sufficient funds. If you are arriving from or transiting through a yellow-fever-risk country, check vaccination certificate rules.
No. ETA terms say an ETA holder should not engage in employment, paid or unpaid, or in any trade or business other than the purpose specified in the ETA.
No. The official ETA terms state that possession of ETA does not by itself entitle a traveler to enter if the person is found inadmissible at the port of entry.
We can guide travelers to the official government ETA and Immigration links and help with airport pickup, hotel transfer and route planning. We do not replace the Department of Immigration and cannot guarantee visa approval.
Extensions and longer stays
Yes. The Immigration notice says free-ETA travelers who wish to remain beyond 30 days may apply for a visa extension by paying the applicable visa fee.
The Immigration Department commonly lists documents such as return air ticket, accommodation address/telephone, application with photograph, and valid passport for tourist visa extension.
Do not assume a tourist ETA allows local employment or business activity. For longer stays or remote-work arrangements, check current Immigration guidance and the correct visa category before travel.
Arrival support
ETA checked? Need airport pickup?
Once your ETA is ready, send us your flight and hotel details for a reliable CMB airport transfer or private-driver route.
- Arrival flight number
- Arrival date and time
- Hotel / drop location
- Passengers and luggage
- Need placard meet-and-greet?
Ask for Airport Pickup Help
This uses your existing website contact form route.