FAQ Sri Lanka Visa and ETA

The official languages in Sri Lanka are Sinhala and Tamil. English acts as a bridging language and is widely understood by the majority of the population, especially in the tourist areas. However, the further away from popular destinations, the fewer people speak English. Major hotels, restaurants and stores always use English. Road signs throughout the country are duplicated in Sinhalese and English.

All mobile operators in Sri Lanka support GSM in the 900/1800 bands. WAP and GPRS technologies are widespread, while 4G and wireless internet are available in Colombo. Wi-Fi zones are available at certain locations in major cities.

Sri Lanka is considered to be a fairly safe country to travel and one of the most picturesque countries in the world. The country is peaceful and the tourist flow is constantly increasing. Sri Lanka is one of the few places in Asia that has preserved its natural purity.

It is recommended to keep valuables such as money, passports and tickets in hotel safes. By international standards, hotels are not responsible for items left in the room. Valuables should not be left unattended on beaches or balconies. It is also important not to keep money and passport in your luggage, and to write down traveler's check numbers separately from the checks themselves.

Most major hotels and restaurants offer a separate vegetarian menu. Some local establishments may claim that dishes are vegetarian, but they may have fish or anchovies in them. South Indian restaurants are completely vegetarian.

Halal food is not common, but can be found in the Galadari and Holiday Inn hotels in Colombo and some others on the west coast. There are a few restaurants with halal menus in Colombo and Kandy. Otherwise, seafood is preferred.

Meals at these resorts include traditional Sri Lankan cuisine, mainly rice and vegetable curries, with the addition of chicken or fish.

The Sri Lankan rupee is used within the country. US dollars and euros are accepted in major hotels and tourist spots, but not in local stores. It is better to bring currency and change it as needed.

Credit cards, especially Visa and MasterCard, are widely accepted. However, it is worth making sure that your card is valid for use in Sri Lanka.

ATMs are available in major cities and most of them support Visa and MasterCard. However, you should check the card's compatibility with the ATM, paying attention to the Maestro and Cirrus logos.

The best seasons for travel are December to March on the west and south coasts and May to September on the east coast. Since Sri Lanka has two monsoons, there is always a dry season in one part of the island, making the country available for tourism all year round.

You can travel all over the country, but you must get permission from the Department of Defense to travel north.

The voltage in the country is 220/240 volts.

British (type G) and Indian (type D) sockets are common in hotels.

Always use your right hand for passing items and eating. Never touch or buy coral or sea shells or turtle shells to avoid damaging the environment.

ETA is an acronym for Electronic Travel Authorization, a paperless electronic travel authorization. The online visa system is offered by the Department of Immigration and Emigration (DI&E) of the Democratic Republic of Sri Lanka.

The online system is currently available for those planning a tourist stay, business trip or transit in Sri Lanka for a period not exceeding 30 days. All other visa categories require a visit to a Sri Lankan diplomatic mission.

The visa is usually valid for 3 months from the date of issue if you are traveling for tourist purposes. The period of stay is limited to 30 days from the date of first entry. Tourist visas allow two entries, transit visas allow one visit for a maximum of 2 days.

You can check your status on the ETA website using your personalized control number. If you order your visa online through us, we will provide you with the necessary access data.

No, it is not possible to cross the border without a visa. Since January 1, 2012, German citizens and citizens of other European countries have been required to obtain a visa, for which a fee is charged.

Citizens of Seychelles, Singapore and Maldives do not require a visa for short stays of up to 30 days. In addition, airplane and ship crews arriving in Sri Lanka as part of a work assignment are exempt from visa requirements.

Yes, an ETA must be obtained for each traveler, including children, prior to departure.

No, it is not necessary to book a boat trip or airfare before applying for an ETA. However, you must be able to provide proof of your return or return airfare reservation and sufficient funds for lodging (e.g., in the form of a bank statement) when you enter the country.

The online visa is valid for 3 months from the date of issue and is linked to your passport. You cannot apply for a new ETA with the same passport during the validity period.

No, applying while in Sri Lanka is not allowed.

No, there is only one version in English.

No, a visa is not a requirement to board a plane or cruise ship to Sri Lanka. The company will not ask for your details.

Third parties, such as visa agencies and travel agencies, are allowed to complete the application. We will be happy to assist you in obtaining a visa.