🇱🇰 Sri Lanka Visa Guide · June 2026
Sri Lanka Visa
for Indians
Visa-free entry since 2024, its history of extensions, and the ETA backup option — what to know, and what to verify, before you fly.
Visa-Free
since 2024, verify current terms
₹0*
if current policy applies
ETA
standard backup process
⚡
QUICK ANSWER
Current Policy
Visa-Free
Since 2024, up to 30 days typically
Status
Extended Multiple Times
Genuinely worth verifying before booking
Backup Route
ETA Online
Sri Lanka's standard e-visa system
📋
Current Visa-Free Policy
UPDATED JUNE 2026
Sri Lanka has offered visa-free entry for Indian passport holders since 2024, typically allowing tourism stays of up to 30 days. No advance visa application or fee applies under the current policy.
⚠️ Genuinely important: This policy has a documented history of being introduced as a trial and extended multiple times since. While it has remained in effect through mid-2026, always confirm the current status directly with Sri Lankan immigration or the official ETA website (eta.gov.lk) before booking non-refundable flights.
🕰️
A Quick History — Why This Needs Verifying
HELPFUL CONTEXT
Understanding how this policy evolved explains why we (and you) should keep checking for updates rather than treating it as permanently settled.
Before 2024
Paid ETA required
Indian travellers applied for a standard Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) online before travel, paying a visa fee.
2024
Visa-free trial introduced
Sri Lanka launched a visa-free entry trial for several countries including India, aimed at boosting tourism.
Since
Extended multiple times
The policy has been renewed repeatedly rather than made permanently, indefinitely fixed — genuinely worth a final check before you commit to travel dates.
ℹ️ Bottom line: The visa-free policy is real, active, and has held for a while — but its trial-and-extension history means a five-minute check before booking is a genuinely sensible habit here.
💻
The ETA — Sri Lanka's Backup Visa System
IF VISA-FREE ISN'T ACTIVE
If the visa-free policy isn't active for your travel dates, or is ever discontinued, Sri Lanka's standard Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) remains the fallback route — a genuinely simple online process.
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Apply online at the official ETA site
eta.gov.lk is the official government portal — avoid third-party sites charging inflated "service fees."
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Processing is typically fast
Approval often comes within minutes to a few hours for a standard tourist ETA application.
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Valid for up to 30 days, extendable
Standard tourist ETAs allow a 30-day stay, with extensions available in-country if needed.
📑
Documents Required at Immigration
✓
Valid passport
With at least 6 months' validity remaining from your date of entry.
✓
Confirmation of visa-free eligibility or ETA approval
Whichever applies to your travel dates — keep a saved copy accessible offline.
✓
Return or onward flight ticket
Proof you'll be leaving Sri Lanka within your permitted stay.
✓
Proof of accommodation
Hotel or guesthouse booking confirmation for at least your first few nights.
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Proof of funds (rarely checked, technically required)
Bank statements or cash showing you can support your stay — infrequently requested in practice.
🛂
What Happens at Colombo Airport
01
Land at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
The primary international gateway for flights from India, near Colombo.
02
Present your passport and visa-free/ETA confirmation
Immigration officers verify your entry status alongside your passport.
03
Entry stamp issued for your permitted stay
No fee is collected under the current visa-free policy. Note the stamped duration carefully.
04
Proceed to baggage claim and transport
Airport taxis, pre-booked transfers and ride-hailing apps are all available for the trip into Colombo or onward.
🛡️
Travel Insurance (Not Mandatory)
Travel insurance isn't a formal entry requirement. It's still genuinely worth having — hill country roads and wildlife safari activities carry real, ordinary travel risk worth covering.
🛡️
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🚫
Common Mistakes to Avoid
✕
Assuming the visa-free policy is permanently fixed
Given its history of extensions, a quick check close to your travel dates is genuinely worth the five minutes it takes.
✕
Using unofficial ETA websites
Only eta.gov.lk is the official government portal — third-party sites often charge inflated fees for the same free/low-cost process.
✕
No return or onward ticket
A one-way ticket alone may raise questions at immigration — always carry proof of your exit plan.
✕
Booking non-refundable flights before confirming your entry status
Especially relevant here given the policy's extension history — confirm first, then book.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do Indians need a visa for Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka has offered visa-free entry for Indian passport holders since 2024, typically for tourism stays of up to 30 days. This policy began as a trial and has been extended multiple times since — always confirm the current status directly with Sri Lankan immigration or the ETA website before booking.
What is the Sri Lanka ETA?
The Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is Sri Lanka's standard online visa system. Before the 2024 visa-free policy, Indians applied for a paid ETA before travel. It remains the backup route if the visa-free policy isn't active for your travel dates.
Why does this visa policy need extra verification compared to other countries?
Sri Lanka's visa-free policy for Indians began as a trial in 2024 and has been extended multiple times rather than made permanently fixed. It has remained active through mid-2026, but given this history, a quick check before booking is a genuinely sensible precaution.
How long can Indians stay in Sri Lanka visa-free?
The current policy typically allows stays of up to 30 days for tourism purposes. Always confirm the exact permitted duration at the time of your entry, as this is stamped in your passport.
What if the visa-free policy has ended by the time I travel?
If visa-free entry isn't active, apply for a standard ETA at eta.gov.lk before travel — a genuinely simple and typically fast online process that serves as the reliable fallback option.