Sri Lanka's tourist ETA fee waiver is useful for a short break, but the word free can create the wrong expectation. The Immigration Department's notice says eligible travellers must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization before arrival even when the government processes it without a fee.
A fee exemption is therefore not permission to skip the application.
Check nationality, not your residence address
The scheme took effect on 25 May 2026 and covers nationals of 40 named countries for a 30-day tourist ETA. The official list includes the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait, as well as India and Pakistan. Afghanistan is not on that list.
A person living in Dubai should use the nationality on their passport when checking this benefit. Residence in an eligible country does not turn a different passport into one covered by the list.
Read what the free permission includes
The notice describes double entry within the 30-day period measured from first arrival. Staying longer requires an extension and the applicable fee. Fees paid before the scheme began are not refundable under the notice.
Those conditions matter for a traveller combining Sri Lanka with another destination. Write down the first arrival date, intended return and final departure before relying on a second entry.
Apply through an official starting point
Start with the Immigration Department website and follow its ETA instructions. Check the passport number and travel details before submission, and retain the resulting approval so it can be retrieved during the journey.
If a commercial service charges for assistance, ask it to distinguish its own charge from the government ETA fee. Do not interpret a payment receipt as the travel authorization itself.
For an extension or a nationality outside the list, consult the separate official route before making plans. Confirm the current conditions again close to departure, particularly when travel dates or passports have changed.
Official sources
- Sri Lanka Immigration: official 40-country free tourist ETA notice
- Sri Lanka Immigration: visa and ETA services
- Sri Lanka Immigration: visa extension service
Sources reviewed on 25 Oct 2026. Requirements can change and depend on your nationality and circumstances. This article is general information, not a personal eligibility assessment.
