Passport and visa regulations
Nationalities
| Passport required | visa required | Return ticket required | |
| Turkey | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Other EU countries | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Switzerland | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Austria | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Germany | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Passport information
Generally required, must be valid for at least 6 months when you leave the country. The passport should always be carried because of controls in the country.
Note on the passport
Entry regulations can change at short notice.
Visa information
A visa is generally required. ETA visa Citizens of the following countries listed in the table above can obtain an entry visa online for a fee, provided they have a return or onward ticket and are traveling as tourists or business travelers for stays of up to 30 days (can only be extended in a few exceptional cases) : EU countries, Switzerland and Turkey. Attention: The online ETA visa (www.eta.gov.lk) is issued for stays of up to 30 days and costs US$ 35 for tourists (double entry) and US$ 40 for business travelers (multiple entries). Visa on arrival Citizens of the following, Countries listed in the table above can be granted an ETA tourist visa or an ETA business visa (max. stay: 30 days) or a transit visa without prior ETA approval upon arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo if they have sufficient financial resources Have funds for your stay and be able to present a return or onward travel ticket and, if applicable, valid visas for the next destination. The ETA visa can only be paid for at the airport by credit card or in US dollars. According to the Department of Immigration and Emigration Sri Lanka, a business visa without prior ETA approval cannot be applied for upon arrival. EU countries, Switzerland and Turkey. Note: It is always advisable to obtain a visa before entering the country. The application at the airport can involve long waiting times.
Note on the visa
Citizens of all countries (except Seychelles, Singapore and the Maldives) must apply for a visa at the responsible consular representation or online at www.eta.gov.lk before departure, or they can still receive a tourist visa for a surcharge (max. stay: 30 days) upon entry. Transit visas applied for upon arrival are free. The ETA visa to be applied for online is to be paid online by credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express). Tourist visa on entry costs US$40 processing fee (business visa on entry US$50). Tourist visas applied for at the embassy entitle you to a maximum stay of 30 days and two entries.
- Thembaprograms: Offers ultimate guide to duty-free shopping in Sri Lanka. Also includes import and export regulations, as well as embassy and telecommunication information about this country.
Costs
Germany, Austria and Switzerland Different depending on nationality. Visas for children under 12 are free for a maximum stay of 30 days. Fees for German citizens: ETA Transit Visa Free, (single entry, up to 7 days stay). Business visa 40 € (multiple entries, up to 30 days stay) (application via online ETA system); 40 € (single entry, up to 90 days stay) (application at the responsible diplomatic mission); 40 € (double entry, up to 90 days stay) (application at the responsible diplomatic mission). Tourist visa US$35 (double entry, up to 30 days stay) (application at the responsible diplomatic mission or application via the online ETA system); US$ 35 (single or double entry, up to 90 days stay) (application at the relevant diplomatic mission or application via the online ETA system). ETA Visa on Arrival Tourist Visa: US$40 processing fee, stay up to 30 days. Business Visa: US$50 processing fee, stay up to 30 days.
Visa types and costs
ETA visa for tourists (single entry) and business travelers (multiple entries), transit visa (single and multiple entries), work/technical visa for work stays (e.g. for fitters and technicians).
Validity
ETA tourist and business visas are available for stays of up to 30 days.
Transit
Travelers who otherwise require a visa, who fly on within 8 hours, do not leave the transit area and have valid documents for the onward journey do not require a visa. However, it is strongly recommended that you obtain a transit visa. In person at least 2 weeks before departure or by post at least 5 weeks before departure at the consulate or at the consular section of the embassy for visas for stays of 31 to 90 days. Online at www.eta.gov. lk only tourist and business short-term visas up to 30 days stay as well as transit visas can be applied for. Visas can also be applied for for tourist stays upon arrival at the airport. However, the application at the airport can be associated with a long waiting time. Visas for longer stays must be applied for in advance at the relevant diplomatic missions. However, the application at the airport can be associated with a long waiting time. Visas for longer stays must be applied for in advance at the relevant diplomatic missions. However, the application at the airport can be associated with a long waiting time. Visas for longer stays must be applied for in advance at the relevant diplomatic missions.
Application required
(a) Online application for the ETA visa (ETA) at www.eta.gov.lk or an application form can be downloaded from the responsible diplomatic mission. (b) Passport valid for at least 6 months upon entry and with at least one blank page. (c) 2 passport photos, which must be signed on the back. (d) Fee (in cash when applying, depending on the consulate also by crossed check or bank transfer with receipt). (e) Confirmed return ticket with travel agent certification. (f) Itinerary or hotel reservations. (g) Address and telephone number in country of residence. (h) Third-country nationals require a valid visa for their country of residence. Business visa: (a) – (h) and (i) Introduction letters from the home country company and the Sri Lankan company. A stamped and addressed envelope (registered mail) should be enclosed with the postal application.
Processing time
In person: immediately (only in Frankfurt); by post: 1-2 weeks (Frankfurt), 11 working days (Berlin), for queries in Colombo up to 4 weeks.
Proof of sufficient funds
Foreigners must have sufficient funds (equivalent to at least US$15 per person per day).
Legally Required Registration
Business travelers are required to register at the Geuda Trading Center (Ratnapura) within 3 days to purchase Geuda gemstones.
Documents required upon entry
Travelers must present sufficient funds or proof of a paid package deal or confirmed return or onward travel tickets.
Extension of stay
Inquiries to the competent consular representation. Extensions of tourist visas are only possible in a few exceptional cases. Early registration with the Department of Immigration and Emigration (45 Ananda Kumaraswamy Mawatha, Colombo 8, Tel: (0094) (011) 532 90 00. Internet: www.immigration.gov.lk) is strongly recommended.
Entry with children
German: Machine-readable children’s passport or your own passport (recommended). Austrians: Own passport. Swiss: Own passport. Turks: Own passport. Note: The same visa regulations apply to children as to their parents. Since June 27, 2012, children need their own travel document (passport / children’s passport) to travel abroad (also within the EU). Entries of children in the parental passport are no longer possible.
Entry restrictions
An unkempt appearance can lead to problems upon entry or even to refusal of entry. Foreign nationals need a permit from the Sri Lankan Ministry of Defense to enter the Northern Province. The application (in English) must be sent to the Ministry of Defense: Secretary Ministry of Defense and Urban Development 15/1, Baladaksha Mawatha Colombo 3 Attention: Major General Palitha Fernando USP psc Tel: 0094 11 2430860 Fax: 0094 22 2328109
Entry with pets
An import permit for all pets must be obtained from either the Chief Animal Quarantine Officer (41 Morgan Road, Colombo 2, Sri Lanka, Tel: (+94) 112 44 86 83) or the Animal Quarantine Officer (BIA, Katunayake, Sri Lanka, Tel: ( +94) 112 25 34 30) can be requested. When entering the country, cats and dogs must be presented with a rabies vaccination certificate and a health certificate issued by the official veterinarian of the country of origin. The health certificate must confirm that the animal is healthy. An entry fee of RS250 must be paid for each dog upon entry.
