Quick facts
ETA needed?
Yes — but free
Since 25 May 2026 for UK citizens
Max stay
30 days
Extendable in-country for longer trips
Entries
Double entry
Single-entry ETAs also available
Processing time
Usually fast
Apply at least a few days ahead
Passport validity
6 months
From date of arrival
Where to apply
eta.gov.lk
Only official site — beware lookalikes
Your pre-departure checklist
Essential — Before booking
✓
British passport valid 6+ months from your entry date
Checked both for your ETA application and again on arrival.
✓
Apply for your free ETA at the official site before you fly
Use eta.gov.lk only. Several lookalike sites still charge UK travellers a fee for what is now a genuinely free government service.
✓
Choose single or double entry based on your actual plans
Planning a side trip to India or the Maldives and returning to Sri Lanka? You need double entry — a single-entry ETA won't let you back in without reapplying.
Before you fly
✓
Save your ETA approval — email and screenshot
Sent electronically once approved. Keep it accessible offline in case of patchy WiFi at check-in or on arrival.
✓
Proof of onward or return travel
Required as part of your ETA application and may be asked for again at the border.
✓
Travel insurance
Not a formal entry requirement, but genuinely worthwhile for private medical care if needed during your trip.
✓
Money that works in rupees
UK cards typically add ~3% forex fees. A multi-currency card avoids the mark-up on every transaction.
On arrival
✓
Present your ETA approval and passport at immigration
Your ETA is converted into a Tourist Visit Visa stamp at the border — this is the actual entry permission, not the ETA itself.
✓
Need longer than 30 days? Extend in-country
Extensions are available through the Sri Lankan Department of Immigration while you're already in the country — arrange this before your initial 30 days run out.
How to apply for your ETA — step by step
01
Go to the official ETA site
Only use eta.gov.lk — several copycat sites still exist that charge for what's now a free government service for UK applicants.
02
Select tourist purpose and your entry type
Choose single or double entry based on whether you're planning any side trips out of Sri Lanka during your visit.
03
Enter your passport and accommodation details
Have your first night's hotel address ready — required as part of the application, even if your plans change later.
04
Submit — no fee, confirmation arrives electronically
Processing is usually fast for straightforward applications, but apply a few days ahead rather than the night before to leave buffer.
Mistakes that catch Brits out
Paying for an ETA that's now free. This is the single most common trap since the May 2026 fee removal — plenty of third-party sites haven't updated and still charge UK applicants, often significantly above what was ever the official fee.
Applying for single entry when you actually need double. A side trip to the Maldives or South India mid-visit means you need to re-enter Sri Lanka — a single-entry ETA won't cover that without a fresh application.
Confusing the ETA with your actual visa. The ETA is pre-approval to travel; it becomes your Tourist Visit Visa only once stamped at the Sri Lankan border. Both steps matter — the ETA alone isn't your final entry permission.
Leaving the application to the last minute. While usually fast, processing times can vary — applying with at least a few days' buffer avoids any risk of delay disrupting travel plans.
Smart traveller essentials
Travel insurance for Sri Lanka
Not a formal entry requirement, but genuinely worthwhile for private medical care if needed during your trip.
Compare travel insurance →
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Spend in rupees without the mark-up
A multi-currency card converts GBP to LKR at the real rate — standard UK cards quietly add ~3% to every transaction.
Get a Wise card →
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Sri Lanka data from the moment you land
Skip the airport SIM counters — an eSIM installed before you fly activates automatically on arrival in Colombo.
Browse Sri Lanka eSIMs →
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Official sources
This checklist is compiled from
- → Sri Lanka Electronic Travel Authorization — Official government portal
- → GOV.UK — Sri Lanka travel advice for British citizens
✓ Last verified: 1 October 2026 · The ETA became free for UK citizens on 25 May 2026 — always confirm current status before travel