Do Indians Need a Visa for Sri Lanka? (2026)

Do Indians Need a Visa for Sri Lanka in 2026? (Direct Answer)

Indian passport holders do not pay any visa fee to enter Sri Lanka in 2026. However, you do need to complete a free Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) online before you depart. The Sri Lankan government officially extended its free-ETA programme to 40 countries — India firmly on that list — with the new rules taking effect on 25 May 2026 following parliamentary approval on 7 May 2026.

The practical answer: go to eta.gov.lk, fill in the form, receive your approval, and travel. The government fee is zero for tourist visits. There is no visa sticker, no embassy appointment, no physical application. For most Indian travellers planning a holiday, this is as close to visa-free travel as it gets.

If you are travelling for business, the standard ETA fee does still apply — the fee waiver covers tourism, family visits, and short transit stays only.

Sri Lanka's Current Entry Rules for Indians

The Free Tourist ETA

From 25 May 2026, nationals of 40 countries — including India — can obtain a Sri Lanka tourist ETA free of charge for a period of 30 days. The scheme extends the free tourist ETA to nationals of 40 countries, with India remaining on the list along with UAE, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, UK, USA, and 34 others. The ETA carries double-entry permission, meaning you can leave and re-enter Sri Lanka within the 30-day window without applying again.

The application is entirely online. You apply at eta.gov.lk — Sri Lanka's official Department of Immigration and Emigration portal — fill in your travel details, upload a copy of your passport bio page, and receive approval by email. Processing is typically fast, often within a few hours.

Is the ETA Mandatory?

The bottom line is that you do not pay any visa fee, but you still need to complete the online ETA before you fly. Airlines at Indian airports are instructed to verify ETA approval before boarding. Applying at the airport on arrival is technically possible at Bandaranaike International Airport, but completing it online in advance avoids any last-minute delays.

Business and Transit ETA

The fee waiver applies to tourist ETAs only. Indian travellers visiting Sri Lanka for conferences, business meetings, or corporate engagements need a Business ETA, which carries the standard government fee of approximately USD 35 per person. Transit ETAs are also available for travellers connecting through Colombo to a third country.

What Changed: Recent Updates

Sri Lanka's entry policy for Indians has gone through several shifts in 2024 and 2025 before settling into its current form.

• Before 2023 — Indians paid USD 20–35 for a standard tourist ETA, the same as most nationalities.
• 2023 — Sri Lanka launched a free-ETA pilot programme for a small group of countries, including India, as part of a broader push to rebuild post-pandemic tourism arrivals.
• November 2024 — The fee waiver was extended and confirmed through 2024 for Indian nationals and a handful of other high-arrivals markets.
• October 2025 — Sri Lanka briefly introduced a mandatory pre-departure ETA rule that would have required all visitors to hold approved ETAs before checking in at origin airports. Sri Lanka announced that the recently introduced rule mandating an ETA for all short-stay visitors from 15 October 2025 was revoked until further notice, with visa and ETA services continuing to operate under the same procedures that were in place before the 15 October deadline.
• April 2026 — Sri Lanka's High Commissioner to India confirmed that the Cabinet approved draft regulations to make the pilot permanent and to widen it to 39 additional countries. Indians may obtain a no-cost double-entry ETA valid for 30 days, covering tourism, family visits, and short business meetings.
• 7 May 2026 — Sri Lanka's Parliament approved a free-visa facility for nationals of 40 countries, expanding a programme that previously covered only seven nationalities. The ETA remains mandatory and only the fee is being waived.
• 25 May 2026 — The free tourist ETA for 40 countries formally came into effect, as confirmed on the official eta.gov.lk portal.

Fees and conditions are set by the Sri Lankan Department of Immigration and Emigration and are subject to periodic review. It is worth checking the official eta.gov.lk site directly before your trip, as policies can change between parliamentary sessions.

Documents Required for Entry

Because the ETA is a free online form rather than a traditional visa application, the documentation requirements are minimal. Immigration officers at Bandaranaike International Airport may ask for any of the following.

• Passport — valid for at least six months beyond your intended date of arrival in Sri Lanka, with at least one blank page for the entry stamp.
• ETA approval — the confirmation email or printed ETA reference number you receive after completing the form at eta.gov.lk.
• Return or onward ticket — a confirmed booking showing you are departing Sri Lanka within 30 days.
• Proof of accommodation — a hotel booking confirmation, a rental agreement, or a letter of invitation from a host in Sri Lanka.
• Proof of sufficient funds — a bank statement or credit card showing you can cover your living expenses during the stay. There is no fixed minimum amount stated, but officers use discretion.

No visa application form, no photographs, no cover letter, and no bank statements with specific minimum balances are formally required for the tourist ETA. The process is designed to be quick.

How Long Can Indians Stay

The standard tourist ETA grants a stay of 30 days from the date of first entry. Indian citizens can stay for up to 30 days on their initial entry. The double-entry feature means you can travel to a neighbouring country — such as the Maldives — and return to Sri Lanka within that same 30-day window without reapplying, as long as you have not exhausted both entries.

The 30-day period begins from your actual arrival date, not from the date the ETA was issued. If you applied three weeks in advance, you do not lose those three weeks — the clock starts when you cross the border.

If You Need a Longer Stay — Your Options

Visa Extension at Colombo Immigration

If you wish to stay longer than 30 days, you can apply for extensions at the Department of Immigration in Colombo. The maximum total stay with extensions is 270 days. Extensions are applied for in person at the Department of Immigration and Emigration office in Battaramulla, Colombo. The office accepts physical applications between 8:30 AM and 2:00 PM on working days.

Applications for extensions are typically submitted at least three working days before your current authorised stay expires. Express processing is available for an additional fee of approximately USD 40 for same-day service, while normal processing involves no extra fee for next-day service. Key documents for an extension include your passport, the original ETA, proof of accommodation, a return ticket, and financial proof.

When an Extension May Not Apply

Extensions are granted for continued tourism, medical treatment, family visits, or unavoidable travel disruptions. They are not intended for employment or business activities beyond what the original ETA permitted. Applicants are expected to have a clear and reasonable justification for the extended stay.

Travel Tips for Indians

• Apply for your ETA at least 48–72 hours before departure. While approvals often arrive within hours, applying early avoids any complications if your application needs review.
• Use only the official portal at eta.gov.lk. Third-party websites that charge a service fee for the ETA application are not the government site. The tourist ETA is free; you should not pay anyone a processing fee for it.
• Print or screenshot your ETA approval. Having a physical copy at immigration is faster than searching your email at the counter.
• Children require their own ETA. Each traveller — including infants — must have a separate ETA reference, regardless of whether they are on a parent's passport.
• If travelling for business, budget for the Business ETA fee (approximately USD 35). The free-ETA benefit applies only to tourism.
• Travel insurance is not mandatory but is strongly recommended. Medical costs in Sri Lanka for foreign nationals are paid out of pocket, and policies that cover emergency evacuation to India are widely available from Indian insurers at reasonable premiums.
• At Bandaranaike International Airport, carry a printed copy of your hotel booking. While not always checked, having it ready speeds up immigration if officers ask.
• The Indian Rupee is not accepted in Sri Lanka. Carry USD for any airport transactions, and exchange to Sri Lankan Rupees either at the airport or at authorised money changers in Colombo. Avoid unofficial exchange counters.

FAQ

Do Indians need a visa for Sri Lanka in 2026?

Indians do not need a paid visa. However, they do need to complete a free Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) at eta.gov.lk before travelling. The tourist ETA is free of charge for Indian passport holders as of 25 May 2026, under a policy extended to 40 countries by Sri Lanka's Parliament.

How much does a Sri Lanka ETA cost for Indian citizens?

The tourist ETA costs nothing. Sri Lanka has waived the government ETA fee for Indian nationals under the expanded free-ETA programme effective May 25, 2026. The only fees that apply are for Business ETAs (approximately USD 35) and for stay extensions beyond 30 days, which are processed in Colombo.

Is the ETA the same as a visa for Sri Lanka?

Functionally, yes. The ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) is the entry permission that allows Indian nationals to visit Sri Lanka. It is simply processed online rather than through an embassy. It grants the same right of entry as a traditional tourist visa and appears as a stamp in your passport on arrival.

Do I need to apply for the ETA in advance, or can I get it at the airport?

Applying online at eta.gov.lk before departure is strongly recommended and, as of the May 2026 rules, the standard requirement. An on-arrival facility exists at Bandaranaike International Airport, but it can involve queuing. Airlines may also ask for ETA confirmation at check-in. Applying online at least 48 hours before travel is the safer approach.

How long can I stay in Sri Lanka on a tourist ETA?

The tourist ETA permits a stay of up to 30 days from the date of first entry, with double-entry permission. Extensions of up to a further 240 days are possible at the Department of Immigration in Colombo, giving a maximum possible stay of 270 days in total.

What documents do I need at Sri Lanka immigration?

You need a passport valid for at least six months, your ETA approval reference, a confirmed return or onward flight ticket, and proof of where you are staying (hotel booking or host letter). Immigration officers may also ask for evidence of sufficient funds for your stay. No visa photo, no cover letter, and no notarised documents are required.

Can I travel to Sri Lanka for business on a tourist ETA?

No. If your purpose is business — meetings, conferences, client visits, or any professional engagement — you need a Business ETA, not a tourist ETA. The free-ETA benefit applies only to tourism. The Business ETA for Indians costs approximately USD 35 and is also applied for at eta.gov.lk.

What happened to the old paid ETA for Indians?

Until 2023, Indian nationals paid USD 20–35 for a standard tourist ETA. Sri Lanka launched a free-ETA pilot in 2023 and progressively expanded it. By May 2026, Parliament formally approved the free ETA for 40 countries, making India's zero-fee status permanent rather than a temporary pilot. If any website still shows a fee for Indian tourist ETAs, that information is outdated.

Is the ETA free for children travelling with Indian families?

Yes. The free tourist ETA applies to all Indian passport holders regardless of age, including children and infants. Each traveller needs a separate ETA application and reference number, even if they are listed on a parent's passport in older travel documents.

Are there any other costs Indian travellers should budget for?

The ETA itself is free. Beyond that, standard travel costs apply: flights, accommodation, food, transport, and activities within Sri Lanka. If you extend your stay beyond 30 days, an extension fee is payable at the Colombo immigration office. Travel insurance, while not mandatory, is recommended for covering medical emergencies or unexpected trip changes. Final fee structures and entry conditions are set by the Sri Lankan government and may be updated — checking eta.gov.lk or the official immigration.gov.lk site before you travel is the most reliable way to confirm current requirements.