Sri Lanka Visa for Indians
The free ETA that gets Indian passports into Sri Lanka - zero fee, 30 days with double entry, applied online at eta.gov.lk before travel, approved in a day or two.
Sri Lanka is free for Indian passport holders, but not paperwork-free - you still apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) online before travelling, the fee is just waived. The free ETA gives 30 days from arrival with double entry, and approval typically lands in 24 to 48 hours from the official portal, eta.gov.lk. India is among 40 nationalities covered by the fee waiver implemented in May 2026, running for at least a year. Passport needs six months' validity; extensions up to 270 days are possible in Colombo once you are there.
Sri Lanka is the cheapest international stamp an Indian passport can collect right now: the visa fee is zero. The one mistake travellers make is reading "free visa" as "no visa" - an Electronic Travel Authorization is still mandatory, applied for online before you fly. It just costs nothing.
This page covers the free ETA, what it grants, and the short application. The official portal is eta.gov.lk, run by Sri Lanka's Department of Immigration and Emigration - apply there directly and skip the agent sites that charge for a free document.
Sri Lanka Visa Requirements, Fees & Processing Time
The essentials for Indian citizens:
- ETA required, fee waived - Indians apply online like everyone else, but pay nothing under the free scheme
- Stay: 30 days from first arrival, double entry - leave and re-enter once within the same 30-day window
- Processing: typically 24 to 48 hours; apply a few days before flying to be safe
- The scheme: India is one of 40 nationalities under the fee waiver implemented on 25 May 2026, scheduled to run at least a year - Indians have had free access under earlier pilots since 2023
- Extensions: possible in-country through the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Colombo, up to 270 days total
- Passport: six months' validity from arrival
How to apply, step by step
- Go to eta.gov.lk - the official portal. The fee shows as zero for Indian passports; anywhere charging you is a middleman.
- Fill the short form - passport details, travel dates, address in Sri Lanka (first hotel works).
- Submit and wait a day or two - approval arrives by email as an ETA confirmation.
- Carry the confirmation with your passport, return ticket and hotel booking.
- On arrival, immigration matches the ETA to your passport and stamps 30 days. No payment, no counter queue beyond the stamp itself.
- Staying longer? Apply for an extension at the immigration office in Colombo before your 30 days run out.
Documents you need
- Passport valid at least six months from arrival
- ETA confirmation from eta.gov.lk
- Confirmed return or onward ticket
- Proof of accommodation for the first nights
- Enough funds for the stay (rarely checked, occasionally asked)
The short version
Sri Lanka for Indians in one line: a free ETA from eta.gov.lk before you fly - zero fee, 30 days, double entry, approved in a day or two. The only way to get it wrong is skipping the application because "it is visa-free", or paying an agent for what the government gives away. Verify the current terms on eta.gov.lk close to travel, and plan the island loop itself in Tripmojo.
Rules change - double-check your exact passport and travel dates with the visa checker, then plan the rest of the trip in Tripmojo.
Frequently asked questions
Do Indians need a visa for Sri Lanka?
An Electronic Travel Authorization, yes - applied online at eta.gov.lk before travel. The fee is waived for Indian passports, so it costs nothing, but the application itself is mandatory.
Is Sri Lanka really free for Indians?
Yes - India is among 40 nationalities under the fee waiver implemented in May 2026, and Indians were already covered by earlier free-visa pilots since 2023. You pay zero; you still apply.
How long can Indians stay in Sri Lanka?
30 days from first arrival, with double entry within that window. Extensions up to a total of 270 days are available through the immigration department in Colombo.
How long does the Sri Lanka ETA take?
Typically 24 to 48 hours by email. Apply a few days before your flight rather than at the airport - boarding staff want to see the approval.
Can Indians get a Sri Lanka visa on arrival?
Do not plan on it - the ETA is designed as a pre-travel application, and airlines check for it at check-in. The online form is short and free, so there is no reason to leave it to the airport.
Written and fact-checked by Tripmojo’s editorial team. Drafted with AI assistance, then reviewed by a human before publishing. Visa rules change - always confirm with the official source before you book.
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