Complete Guide to Tourist Sri Lanka e-Visa

Updated on May 30, 2024 | Sri Lanka e-Visa

Brief Summary

  • The Tourist e-Visa for Sri Lanka is obtained online. Thus, the application process is extremely easy and quick.
  • One of the most important requirements to obtain a Sri Lanka Tourist e-Visa is a valid passport. Without a six-month valid passport, obtaining a Tourist e-Visa will not be possible.
  • Before the applicant starts the application procedure for the Tourist e-Visa, they are suggested to gather all the required documents and keep it on-hand.
  • The Tourist e-Visa is a 30-Day travel permit to Sri Lanka which allows travellers to enjoy various tourism activities such as sightseeing, exploring beaches and landscapes, trying the Sri Lankan local cuisine, etc.
  • The Tourist e-Visa is issued to the citizens of 100+ counties which makes it a widely accessible travel permit.

Introduction

With glittering beaches, sky-high tides, gorgeous mountains, enormous elephants, imperial history and unique traditions and a welcoming atmosphere, Sri Lanka is one of the top tourist destinations in the world that witnesses millions of tourists each year who enter the country with the sole mission to explore every corner of its beauty and elegance which makes it a truly breathtaking paradise ocean country.

Entering Sri Lanka as an international tourist will need you to meet an important requirement which is A Tourist e-Visa for Sri Lanka. Since e-Visa is an extremely important gateway to enter Sri Lanka as a tourist, it is important to understand what a Tourist e-Visa is and how travellers can obtain it before they start their journey to Sri Lanka.

The main aim of the Tourist e-Visa is to simplify the application procedure through which a visitor can get a valid Sri Lankan Visa. Since this kind of eVisa is issued before the traveller begins their journey to the country, they do not have to worry about going through the lengthy and strenuous application process of obtaining a Visa of Arrival. In-person application is also not required as the e-Visa is applied on a digital application system.

Here is a comprehensive guide to navigate the Sri Lanka Tourist e-Visa for exploring the paradise ocean country.

What Is the Definition of a Tourist e-Visa For Sri Lanka?

As the name suggests, the sole purpose of a Tourist e-Visa for Sri Lanka is to permit international travellers to enter and stay in Sri Lanka for a short period for the purpose of tourism and leisure. This legal document is generally used for going on a vacation or enjoying holidays in Sri Lanka. The most common activities that can be done in Sri Lanka with this e-Visa type is exploring the various landmarks and tourist spots in the country, visiting friends and family members, attending cultural and religious events/occasions, sightseeing, etc.

Complete list of activities allowed on Sri Lanka Tourist e-Visa are:

  • Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions/Events
  • Medical treatment including Ayurvedic (herbal)
  • Participate in Arts, Music, and dance events
  • Participate in Pilgrimages
  • Participate in Sport Events
  • Participate in Weddings
  • Sightseeing or Holidaying
  • Visiting Friends and family

The Sri Lanka Tourist e-Visa is a 30-Day travel permit that remains valid for a maximum period of 90 days from the initial date of issue. The Tourist e-Visa is a latest and modern approach towards facilitating the procedures through which travellers can obtain a valid permit for Sri Lanka and enter the country as tourists without any hassle.

What is The Eligibility Criteria To Obtain A Tourist e-Visa For Sri Lanka?

Obtaining a Tourist e-Visa for Sri Lanka is surely straightforward and uncomplicated. However, an applicant must compulsorily make sure that they are eligible for it before they start the application process. That's why here is a complete list of the most common eligibility criteria to obtain a Sri Lanka Tourist e-Visa

  1. Passport eligibility: Please remember that even though the Tourist e-Visa is issued to the citizens of more than one hundred nations, there are twenty-one countries whose passport holders are not eligible to obtain an e-Visa for Sri Lanka. Thus before an applicant starts applying for a Tourist e-Visa, they are recommended to check if their passport belongs to a nation that is eligible for a Sri Lanka Tourist e-Visa. The United Kingdom and all other EU nations are eligible for a Sri Lankan e-Visa.
  2. Passport validity: Once a traveller confirms that their passport is eligible for a Tourist e-Visa, they should make sure that their passport has enough validity based on the standards of the Tourist e-Visa. Ideally, a passport should be valid for a minimum period of 180 days to be considered eligible for a Sri Lanka e-Visa. If not, then the applicant should either make a new passport or renew their old passport before they start applying for a Tourist e-Visa.
  3. Purpose of visit: The applicant should make sure that their purposes of visit to Sri Lanka should be associated with travel and tourism only since it's a Tourist e-Visa. On this e-Visa type, the traveller won't be permitted to carry out business related activities. Or work/study in Sri Lanka. An applicant will be considered eligible for a Tourist e-Visa only if their travel purposes are aligned with the type of e-Visa they are applying for.
  4. A valid email address: Email is one of the most important mediums of communication between the applicant and the website through which they have applied for a Tourist e-Visa. All necessary updates and approval notices will be provided via email only. Therefore, an applicant should mandatorily provide a valid email address on their e-Visa application form.
  5. A valid credit/debit card: As we all are aware of, the entire application process of the Sri Lanka Tourist e-Visa is carried online only. Thus the form of payment for the e-Visa should be digital too. A valid credit card or debit card should be kept handy by the applicant during the application process so that they can make a payment for their e-Visa application right away.
  6. Financial aid: In the list of important documents, the applicant should keep a bank statement or any other form of evidence ready which proves that they have sufficient funds to cover their entire stay in Sri Lanka.
  7. Return of onward journey ticket: The applicant will have to present a return ticket from Sri Lanka to the nation they have travelled from. Or if the applicant is going to travel to a third destination from Sri Lanka, they will have to present a ticket of the onward journey.

What Are the Steps for Applying for A Sri Lanka Tourist e-Visa?

Online Application Process

One of the standout features of the Tourist e-Visa for Sri Lanka is that it is extremely easy to obtain with an efficient and fast-track application process which takes not more than 10 to 15 minutes. To ensue all applicants, obtain a Tourist e-Visa successfully, here are the steps to complete:

Step 1: Visit Sri Lanka e-Visa website

  • An applicant can start by visiting Online Sri Lanka Visa.
  • Ensure that the applicant is using a smart device for applying which has a stable and strong network connection.

Step 2: Fill out the Online e-Visa Application Questionnaire

  • The applicant will have to start by filling out the online e-Visa application form which will require them to mention various personal details such as Full name, Date of Birth, Gender, Nationality, Place of birth, Occupation, etc.
  • Then the applicant will have to fill out their Passport details such as Passport number, Date of issue, Date of expiry, etc.
  • Moving on, the applicant will have to provide answers for various questions such as The duration of intended stay in Sri Lanka, Planned date of entry, Purpose of visit, Port Of entry
  • Next, the applicant will have to provide details of their accommodation arrangements in Sri Lanka.
  • Lastly, the applicant will be required to upload face photograph and Passport.

Step 3: Review the Filled-In Information

  • Once the applicant has completed filling out the application from, they will have a chance to review the information and details.
  • Double-check if the application form is filled completely and no question fields are left unanswered. In addition to that, the applicant should also check that all answers provided are 100% correct.

Step 4 Pay the Tourist e-Visa Application Fee

  • The fee/charge for the Tourist e-Visa for Sri Lanka should be paid online.
  • Applicants can use their valid credit card or debit card to make a secure payment.
  • Get the payment confirmation and receipt after the payment is successful.

Step 5 Wait for Approval and Receive the e-Visa

  • Once the application is submitted, the wait time will only be 02 to 03 business days.
  • After these days come to an end, the applicant will be sent an email containing the outcome of the application.
  • If the e-Visa application is approved, the applicant will receive an email with their approved e-Visa in a pdf file format.

What Are the Pros of Obtaining a Tourist e-Visa Over A Traditional Sri Lankan Visa?

Here the pros of obtaining a Tourist e-Visa for Sri Lanka over a traditional Sri Lankan Visa.

  • As compared to the in-person application process of a traditional Visa, the applicant will not have to visit an Embassy or consulate office to apply for an e-Visa as the entire application process is carried online.
  • As compared to the expensive fee of a traditional Sri Lankan Visa, the Tourist e-Visa for Sri Lanka is affordable.
  • As compared to the time, money and effort consuming nature of the traditional Sri Lankan Visa application process, the Tourist e-Visa application process is pretty time-saving and cost-saving as the applicants will be provided with the luxury of applying for a Sri Lanka Tourist e-Visa from the comfort of their home.

What Are the Cons of Obtaining a Tourist e-Visa Over A Traditional Sri Lankan Visa?

Here the cons of obtaining a Tourist e-Visa for Sri Lanka over a traditional Sri Lankan Visa.

  • When applying for a traditional Sri Lanka Visa from the Embassy, the applicant will be provided with constant support and guidance from the side of the Embassy staff through constant communication. However, this is not the case for the e-Visa application as the applicant may not receive constant communication with the website staff through which they are applying for an e-Visa. Thus the applicant will have to resolve all the issues taking place in the application procedure on their own.

Navigating The Sri Lanka Tourist e-Visa for Exploring The Paradise Ocean Country Conclusion

Travelling to Sri Lanka for this year's vacation is one of the best choices any traveller can make. To facilitate the process through which travellers can obtain a valid Visa for Sri Lanka, the Sri Lankan Government introduced the Tourist e-Visa for Sri Lanka which allows all travellers to stay in the country for a period of 30 days and enjoy double entries on each e-Visa.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Sri Lanka Tourist e-Visa

How can applicants check the status of their Sri Lanka Tourist e-Visa?

To check the status of the Tourist e-Visa for Sri Lanka, the applicant can use Sri Lanka Visa Status utility.

Can travellers extend the validity of their Tourist e-Visa?

Yes. Travellers can extend the validity of their Tourist e-Visa. For this, they should make sure that they are applying for the extension well in advance from the date on which their e-Visa expires.

For how many days will the Tourist e-Visa remain valid for?

The total validity of the Tourist e-Visa for Sri Lanka is ninety days (90) and the number of days for which travellers can stay in Sri Lanka with that e-Visa is thirty days.

Can travellers work or study in Sri Lanka with the Tourist e-Visa?

No. Travellers will not be permitted to work or study in Sri Lanka with the e-Visa. The Tourist e-Visa is specially tailored for those travellers who plan to enter and stay in Sri Lanka for a short period to indulge in travel and tourism related activities. With the Tourist e-Visa, visitors can visit their friends and family members in Sri Lanka. The Sri Lanka Tourist e-Visa. If you need to visit Sri Lanka for business purposes, then you should instead apply for Online Sri Lanka Business Visa

READ MORE:
Frequently Asked Questions about the Sri Lanka e-Visa. Get answers to the most common questions about the requirements, important information and documents required to travel to Sri Lanka.