What Are the Complete Requirements for a Sri Lanka e-Visa?
The Sri Lanka e-Visa (Electronic Travel Authorization) requires specific eligibility criteria, documentation, and application procedures. Understanding these requirements is essential for successful visa approval and smooth travel to Sri Lanka. This comprehensive guide covers all aspects of the e-Visa application process.
Understanding Sri Lanka e-Visa Basics
The Sri Lanka Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is an online visa system that allows eligible travelers to obtain pre-approval for entry into Sri Lanka. This system streamlines the visa process and reduces waiting times at entry points.
Key Features:
- Online Application: Complete application process online
- Multiple Entry Types: Tourist, business, transit, and other categories
- Fast Processing: 24-72 hours standard processing time
- Electronic Approval: No physical visa sticker required
- Entry Points: Valid at all authorized airports and seaports
Visa Types Available:
- Tourist ETA: For tourism and leisure travel
- Business ETA: For business meetings and conferences
- Transit ETA: For transit through Sri Lanka
- Medical ETA: For medical treatment
- Conference ETA: For conference attendance
Eligibility Requirements
Nationality Requirements
- Eligible Countries: Most nationalities are eligible for e-Visa
- Visa-Free Countries: Maldives, Singapore, Seychelles (no e-Visa needed)
- Restricted Countries: Some nationalities may have additional requirements
- Diplomatic Passports: May have different requirements
Age Requirements
- All Ages: e-Visa required for all travelers regardless of age
- Children: Individual applications needed for each child
- Infants: Separate applications required (fee exempt)
- Seniors: No upper age limit restrictions
Travel Purpose Requirements
- Valid Purpose: Must have legitimate travel purpose
- Tourism: Sightseeing, cultural visits, leisure activities
- Business: Meetings, conferences, trade activities
- Transit: Passing through to another destination
- Medical: Medical treatment and consultations
Criminal Record Requirements
- Clean Record: No serious criminal convictions
- Security Check: Background verification may be conducted
- Disclosure: Must disclose any relevant criminal history
- Assessment: Each case evaluated individually
Required Documents
Essential Documents
- Valid Passport: Minimum 6 months validity from entry date
- Passport Scan: Clear copy of bio-data page
- Recent Photograph: Passport-style photo (if required)
- Travel Itinerary: Flight details and accommodation
- Application Form: Completed online application
Additional Documents by Purpose
- Tourist Travel: Hotel bookings, travel plans
- Business Travel: Business invitation, company letter
- Medical Travel: Medical appointment letter, hospital details
- Conference Travel: Conference registration, invitation letter
- Transit Travel: Onward flight ticket, transit details
Document Specifications
- Format: PDF or JPEG files
- Size: Maximum 2MB per document
- Quality: Clear and legible scans
- Language: English or official translations
- Validity: Documents must be current and valid
Special Documentation
- Birth Certificate: For children and infants
- Marriage Certificate: If applicable for visa purposes
- Employment Letter: For business travelers
- Financial Documents: Bank statements or proof of funds
- Travel Insurance: Proof of coverage
Passport Requirements
Passport Validity
- Minimum Validity: 6 months from entry date
- Recommended: 12 months validity for flexibility
- Expired Passports: Not accepted under any circumstances
- Damaged Passports: Must be in good condition
Passport Type Requirements
- Ordinary Passports: Standard requirement for most travelers
- Diplomatic Passports: May have different processing
- Service Passports: May require additional documentation
- Emergency Passports: Limited acceptance
Passport Scan Requirements
- Bio-data Page: Clear scan of passport information page
- All Pages: May be required for some nationalities
- Quality: High-resolution, readable scan
- Format: JPEG or PDF format
- Size: Within 2MB file size limit
Passport Information Accuracy
- Personal Details: Must match application information
- Nationality: Must match selected nationality
- Date of Birth: Must be accurate
- Passport Number: Must be correctly entered
- Issue/Expiry Dates: Must be current and valid
Application Process Requirements
Online Application Steps
- Create Account: Register on the e-Visa platform
- Select Visa Type: Choose appropriate visa category
- Fill Application: Complete all required information
- Upload Documents: Provide all necessary documents
- Review Information: Double-check all details
- Submit Payment: Pay applicable processing fees
- Receive Approval: Get e-Visa via email
Information Requirements
- Personal Details: Full name, date of birth, nationality
- Passport Information: Number, issue date, expiry date
- Contact Information: Email, phone number, address
- Travel Details: Entry date, exit date, purpose of visit
- Accommodation Details: Hotel bookings or host information
Application Accuracy
- Complete Information: All fields must be filled
- Accurate Details: Information must match documents
- Consistent Data: Same information across all documents
- Current Information: All details must be up-to-date
Application Submission
- Single Submission: Only one application per person
- No Duplicates: Multiple applications may cause delays
- Correct Category: Must select appropriate visa type
- Valid Payment: Payment must be processed successfully
Financial Requirements
Processing Fees
- Standard Processing: Standard fee for 24-72 hour processing
- Rush Processing: Additional fee for 24-hour processing
- Emergency Processing: Premium fee for 5-12 hour processing
- Children Under 12: Exempt from processing fees
Payment Methods
- Credit Cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express
- Debit Cards: Most major debit cards accepted
- Online Banking: Direct bank transfers available
- Digital Wallets: PayPal and other digital payment methods
Proof of Funds
- Bank Statements: Recent bank account statements
- Credit Card Statements: Credit card account details
- Employment Letter: Proof of employment and salary
- Sponsorship Letter: If sponsored by another person
Financial Sufficiency
- Daily Expenses: Must demonstrate ability to cover daily costs
- Accommodation Costs: Proof of accommodation bookings
- Return Travel: Sufficient funds for return journey
- Emergency Funds: Additional funds for emergencies
Health and Medical Requirements
General Health Requirements
- Good Health: Must be in good general health
- No Contagious Diseases: Free from communicable diseases
- Medical Declaration: May need to declare medical conditions
- Health Insurance: Recommended for all travelers
COVID-19 Requirements
- Vaccination Status: May require proof of vaccination
- Testing Requirements: May need pre-travel testing
- Health Declarations: COVID-19 health declarations
- Quarantine Rules: Current quarantine requirements
Medical Travel Requirements
- Medical Appointment: Confirmed medical appointment
- Hospital Letter: Letter from treating hospital
- Medical Records: Relevant medical documentation
- Treatment Plan: Detailed treatment itinerary
Health Documentation
- Medical Certificates: If required for specific conditions
- Vaccination Records: Proof of required vaccinations
- Health Insurance: Comprehensive health coverage
- Emergency Contacts: Medical emergency contact information
Travel Insurance Requirements
Insurance Coverage
- Medical Coverage: Comprehensive medical insurance
- Emergency Evacuation: Emergency medical evacuation
- Trip Cancellation: Trip cancellation and interruption
- Personal Liability: Personal liability coverage
Insurance Requirements
- Valid Coverage: Insurance must be valid for entire stay
- Adequate Limits: Sufficient coverage limits
- Repatriation: Medical repatriation coverage
- 24/7 Support: 24-hour emergency assistance
Insurance Documentation
- Insurance Certificate: Proof of insurance coverage
- Policy Details: Policy number and coverage details
- Emergency Contacts: Insurance company contact information
- Coverage Period: Must cover entire travel period
Recommended Coverage
- Medical Expenses: Minimum $50,000 medical coverage
- Emergency Evacuation: Emergency evacuation coverage
- Trip Interruption: Trip interruption and cancellation
- Personal Belongings: Personal belongings coverage
Accommodation and Itinerary Requirements
Accommodation Requirements
- Confirmed Bookings: Hotel or accommodation bookings
- Valid Address: Complete accommodation address
- Contact Information: Hotel contact details
- Booking Confirmation: Proof of accommodation booking
Travel Itinerary Requirements
- Flight Details: Arrival and departure flight information
- Travel Dates: Exact entry and exit dates
- Travel Purpose: Detailed purpose of visit
- Planned Activities: Intended activities during stay
Itinerary Planning
- Realistic Schedule: Feasible travel schedule
- Accommodation Details: Complete accommodation information
- Transportation Plans: Internal transportation arrangements
- Activity Planning: Planned activities and visits
Documentation Requirements
- Hotel Confirmations: Confirmed hotel bookings
- Flight Itineraries: Complete flight details
- Travel Plans: Detailed travel itinerary
- Contact Information: Local contact details
Processing Time and Validity
Processing Times
- Standard Processing: 24-72 hours
- Rush Processing: 24 hours
- Emergency Processing: 5-12 hours
- Peak Seasons: May take longer during high volume periods
e-Visa Validity
- Approval Validity: 30 days from approval date
- Entry Window: Must enter within validity period
- Stay Duration: Maximum 30 days per entry
- Multiple Entries: Depends on visa type
Entry Requirements
- Valid e-Visa: Must have approved e-Visa
- Valid Passport: Passport must be valid for entry
- Entry Point: Must enter through authorized ports
- Entry Date: Must enter within validity period
Extension Requirements
- Extension Process: May apply for extension in Sri Lanka
- Extension Fees: Additional fees for extensions
- Extension Limits: Maximum extension periods apply
- Extension Documentation: Additional documents may be required
Common Application Mistakes
Documentation Errors
- Expired Passports: Using expired or near-expired passports
- Poor Quality Scans: Unreadable document scans
- Missing Documents: Incomplete document submission
- Wrong Formats: Documents in unsupported formats
Information Errors
- Incorrect Details: Wrong personal or travel information
- Incomplete Applications: Missing required information
- Inconsistent Data: Different information across documents
- Outdated Information: Using outdated contact details
Payment Issues
- Failed Payments: Payment processing failures
- Insufficient Funds: Insufficient funds for payment
- Wrong Payment Method: Using unsupported payment methods
- Payment Delays: Delays in payment processing
Application Process Errors
- Multiple Applications: Submitting duplicate applications
- Wrong Visa Type: Selecting incorrect visa category
- Rushed Applications: Submitting without proper review
- Missing Deadlines: Missing application deadlines
Special Requirements by Visa Type
Tourist ETA Requirements
- Travel Purpose: Tourism and leisure activities
- Accommodation: Hotel or tourist accommodation
- Itinerary: Tourist activities and sightseeing plans
- Duration: Maximum 30 days stay
Business ETA Requirements
- Business Purpose: Legitimate business activities
- Business Invitation: Letter from Sri Lankan business
- Company Details: Employer or company information
- Business Itinerary: Business meetings and activities
Transit ETA Requirements
- Transit Purpose: Passing through to another destination
- Onward Ticket: Confirmed ticket to next destination
- Transit Duration: Maximum 48 hours stay
- Transit Route: Clear transit route and purpose
Medical ETA Requirements
- Medical Purpose: Medical treatment or consultation
- Medical Appointment: Confirmed medical appointment
- Hospital Details: Treating hospital information
- Medical Documentation: Relevant medical records
Conference ETA Requirements
- Conference Purpose: Conference or seminar attendance
- Conference Registration: Conference registration confirmation
- Conference Details: Conference name, dates, and location
- Invitation Letter: Conference invitation letter
Frequently Asked Questions
What documents do I need for a Sri Lanka e-Visa?
You need a valid passport, passport scan, travel itinerary, and completed application form.
How long does it take to get a Sri Lanka e-Visa?
Standard processing takes 24-72 hours, rush processing takes 24 hours.
Do I need a visa if I'm from a visa-free country?
No, citizens of Maldives, Singapore, and Seychelles don't need e-Visas.
Can I apply for an e-Visa if my passport expires soon?
No, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from entry date.
What if my e-Visa application is rejected?
Contact our support team at Visa@SriLanka-Immigration.com for assistance and reapplication guidance.
Do children need separate e-Visas?
Yes, each child needs their own e-Visa application regardless of age.
Can I extend my e-Visa while in Sri Lanka?
Yes, you can apply for extensions at immigration offices in Sri Lanka.
What happens if I lose my e-Visa approval?
You can reprint your e-Visa approval from your email or contact support.
Do I need travel insurance for Sri Lanka?
While not mandatory, comprehensive travel insurance is highly recommended.
Can I enter Sri Lanka without an e-Visa?
No, you must have an approved e-Visa before traveling to Sri Lanka.
Summary: Sri Lanka e-Visa requirements include valid passport, complete documentation, proper application process, and payment of applicable fees. Ensure all requirements are met for smooth visa approval and travel.
