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Consulate General of Sri Lanka - Los Angeles

 

Click here to download

 

You should apply for a tourist visa if you are travelling for one or several of the following purposes:

 

  1. Sightseeing, holidaying, excursions & relaxation

  2. Visiting friends and relatives

  3. Medical treatment including ayurvedic treatment and yoga

 

 

1:1 Short-term tourist visa

 

If the length of stay in Sri Lanka is less than 30 days, the applicant or a third party on his/her behalf can apply for the visa by submitting an ETA application online via the ETA website www.eta.gov.lk.

 

It is advised to keep a copy of the ETA approval notice with the traveler to be produced at the port of entry in Sri Lanka.

All applicants, except children below 12 years of age, must pay an ETA processing fee online. The online payment must be paid with a valid debit or credit card. Click here to see the ETA processing fee..

 

For last-minute travelers who travel to Sri Lanka for tourist/transit purposes without prior ETA approval, a limited facility to obtain the ETA is available at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo. An additional fee of US$ 5 will apply. (Please refer the ETA processing fee.)

 

When applying for an ETA through third parties, payments have to be made through www.eta.gov.lk and an acknowledgement of the ETA application should be obtained. Any payments made to other websites or agencies are not valid to process the ETA. Therefore, please ensure that the payment is made on www.eta.gov.lk to avoid having to pay again at the port of entry to Sri Lanka.

 

If you are unable to submit the online application due to technical reasons, the duly completed application can be forwarded to the closest Sri Lanka diplomatic mission to apply on your behalf.

Documents required:

 

  1. ETA application form (click here to download)

  2. One recent passport-size photographs

  3. Return air ticket

  4. Proof of hotel accommodation or an invitation from hosts in Sri Lanka

  5. Passport – n.b. The validity of the passport must be at least six months beyond the date of entry into Sri Lanka.

  6. ETA processing fee

  • (Payable by money order, bank certified check or cash in favor of the Consulate General of Sri Lanka.) An additional US$ US$ 40.00 (within California) or US$ 45.00 (out of California) is charged to return the passport to the applicant by post. 

  • Processing time: 2-4 business days

 

1:2 Long-term tourist visa

 

If you wish to stay more than 30 days in Sri Lanka for tourism purposes, an application must be forwarded to the nearest Sri Lankan diplomatic mission to obtain a long term multiple entry tourist visa.

Documents required:

 

  1. Multiple entry visa application form 

  2. One recent passport-size photographs

  3. Invitation /sponsor letter from hosts in Sri Lanka

  4. Copy of the bank statement showing adequate funds for your stay in Sri Lanka and for the payment of your return passage out of Sri Lanka. (This requirement is not applicable to Sri Lankan Americans.)

  5. A letter explaining the requirement of a long stay visa

  6. Visa fee of US$ 135/-

  • (Payable by money order, bank certified check in favor of the Consulate General of Sri Lanka or cash.) Additional US$ 40.00 (within California) or US$ 45.00 (out of California) is charged to return the passport to the applicant by post. 

  • Passport – n.b. The validity of the passport must be at least six months beyond the date of entry into Sri Lanka.

  • Processing time: 3-7 business days

You should apply for a business visa if you are travelling to Sri Lanka for one or several of the following purposes:

  1. Participation in business meetings and negotiations
  2. Conferences, workshops and seminars
  3. Short term training programmes
  4. Participation in art, music and dance events
  5. Participation in symposiums
  6. Participation in religious events

 

2:1 Short-term business visa

If the length of your stay in Sri Lanka is less than 30 days, the applicant or third party his/her behalf can apply for the business visa by submitting a business ETA applications visa from the ETA website, www.eta.gov.lk.

If you are unable to submit the online application due to technical reasons, the duly completed applications can be forwarded to the closest Sri Lanka Diplomatic Missions to apply on your behalf.

Documents required:

  1. ETA application form (click here to download)
  2. Two recent passport-size photographs
  3. The invitation from the host company in Sri Lanka. A copy should also be sent directly by the company to the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Los Angeles. (email- slcg.losangeles@mfa.gov.lk)
  4. Letter from the sending US organization.
  5. Return air tickets

  6. ETA processing fee

  • (Payable by money order, bank certified check or cash in favor of the Consulate General of Sri Lanka.) An additional US$ US$ 40.00 (within California) or US$ 45.00 (out of California) is charged to return the passport to the applicant by post. 

  • Passport – n.b. The validity of the passport must be at least six months beyond the date of entry into Sri Lanka.

  • Processing time: 3-7 business days
 
2:2 Long-term business visa

If the length of your stay is more than 30 days, you must apply for a long-term business visa.

Documents required:

  1. Multiple Entry visa application form (click here to download)
  2. Two recent passport-size photographs
  3. Invitation from the host company in Sri Lanka. A copy should also be sent directly by the company to the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Los Angeles. (email- slcg.losangeles@mfa.gov.lk)
  4. Letter from the sending US organization.
  5. Return air tickets
  6. Passport – n.b. The validity of the passport must be at least six months beyond the date of entry in to Sri Lanka.

  7. ETA processing fee

  • (Payable by money order, bank certified check or cash in favor of the Consulate General of Sri Lanka.) An additional US$ US$ 40.00 (within California) or US$ 45.00 (out of California) is charged to return the passport to the applicant by post. 

  • Passport – n.b. The validity of the passport must be at least six months beyond the date of entry into Sri Lanka.

  • Processing time: 3-7 business days

 

 

Please note that if you are not leaving the airport, a transit visa is not required.

The applicants themselves or a third party on their behalf can apply for a transit ETA by submitting an ETA application online via the ETA website www.eta.gov.lk.

If you are unable to submit the online application due to technical reasons, the duly completed application can be forwarded to the closest Sri Lanka diplomatic mission to apply on your behalf.

Documents required:

  1. Transit ETA application form (click here to download)
  2. Two recent passport-size photographs
  3. Air ticket
  4. Passport – n.b. The validity of the passport must be at least six months beyond the date of entry in to Sri Lanka.
  5. If the transit time exceeds 48 hours, an ETA processing fee of US$ 50 will be charged. (Payable by money order, bank certified check or cash in favor of the Consulate General of Sri Lanka.) An additional US$ 40.00 (within California) or US$ 45.00 (out of California)  is charged to return the passport to the applicant by post.
 

Processing time: 1-2 business days

For last-minute travelers who need to visit Sri Lanka on tourist/ transit purposes without prior ETA approval, a limited facility to obtain ETA is available at the Airport in Sri Lanka. An additional fee of US$ 5 will apply.

Holders of diplomatic or official passports visiting Sri Lanka for official purposes have to apply for visa at the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Los Angeles.

Visas will be issued free of charge by the Consulate General for diplomatic and official passport holders traveling to Sri Lanka for official purposes. Please note that diplomatic and official passport holders traveling to Sri Lanka for other purposes must follow the relevant application procedure.

4:1 Short-term diplomatic or official visa

If the length of stay in Sri Lanka is less than 90 days, diplomatic and official passport holders must apply for a short-term diplomatic or official visa.

Documents required:

  1. Diplomatic/official ETA application (click here to download)
  2. Note verbale/diplomatic note from the US Department of State, relevant Embassy or International Organization
  3. Two passport-size photographs
  4. Passport – n.b. The validity of the passport must be at least six months beyond the date of entry in to Sri Lanka.

Processing time: 1-10 business days.

 

4:2 Long-term diplomatic or official visa

Holders of diplomatic or official passports traveling to Sri Lanka on long-term assignments in their relevant diplomatic mission in Sri Lanka must apply for a long-term diplomatic or official visa, as relevant.

Documents required:

  1. Application for entry visa ‘Form B’ (click here to download)
  2. Application for entry visa for employment/ assignment at diplomatic missions (click here to download)
  3. Details required for clearance of Visa through Electronic Travel Authorization (Click here to download)
  4. Diplomatic note from the U.S. Department of State, relevant Embassy or International Organization
  5. Two passport-size photographs.
  6. Passport – n.b. The validity of the passport must be at least six months beyond the date of entry in to Sri Lanka.
 

Processing time: 7-14 business days.

Residence visa is issued to non-Sri Lankans to whom it has been decided to extend residence facilities for the purpose of investment or otherwise, in circumstances where the prescribed authority is satisfied that their stay in Sri Lanka and the pursuit of their vocations are not prejudicial to the best interests of Sri Lanka.

To obtain a residence visa, the applicant must enter Sri Lanka on an entry visa issued by a Sri Lanka diplomatic mission abroad. Entry visa will be issued by the Consulate General only upon approval by the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration. The applicant must clearly state that he/ she wishes to apply for a residence visa when applying for the entry visa and submit the necessary supporting documents.

A tourist visa cannot be converted into a residence visa.

For more information on residence visa, please visit http://www.immigration.gov.lk

Documents required:

  1. Entry visa application (Click to download)
  2. A copy of the entry visa approval notice of the Department of Immigration & Emigration of Sri Lanka
  3. Two passport-size photographs
  4. Passport – n.b. The validity of the passport must be at least six months beyond the date of entry in to Sri Lanka.

  5. ETA processing fee

  • (Payable by money order, bank certified check or cash in favor of the Consulate General of Sri Lanka.) An additional US$ US$ 40.00 (within California) or US$ 45.00 (out of California) is charged to return the passport to the applicant by post. 

  • Passport – n.b. The validity of the passport must be at least six months beyond the date of entry into Sri Lanka.

  • Processing time: 3-7 business days

All media personnel visiting Sri Lanka should obtain a visa prior to arrival in Colombo from the Consulate General of Sri Lanka. Media personnel visiting Sri Lanka on a media assignment cannot enter Sri Lanka on a tourist or business visa.

Documents required:

  1. Application for entry visa ‘Form B’ (click here to download)
  2. Passport – n.b. The validity of the passport must be at least six months beyond the date of entry in to Sri Lanka.
  3. Two recent passport-size photographs
  4. Letter of Commission: a letter from the respective media organization detailing the tentative programme with dates, places and if it contains interviews, the persons to be interviewed etc. (For freelance journalists, a letter from the editor of the publication)
  5. Equipment list for electronic media along with a carnet or bank guarantee for customs purposes
  6. Letter undertaking that the equipment will be re-exported at the end of the visit
  7. Return air ticket

  8. ETA processing fee

  • (Payable by money order, bank certified check or cash in favor of the Consulate General of Sri Lanka.) An additional US$ US$ 40.00 (within California) or US$ 45.00 (out of California) is charged to return the passport to the applicant by post. 

  • Passport – n.b. The validity of the passport must be at least six months beyond the date of entry into Sri Lanka.

  • Processing time: 3-7 business days

 

About Online Visa Application to Sri Lanka (ETA)

All citizens of the United States and Mexico planning for short visits to Sri Lanka are required to obtain Visa for the purpose. The visa should be applied online though Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system on www.eta.gov.lk.

The above is applied for all non U.S. citizens other than the citizens of Maldives and Singapore irrespective of the country of their residence.

Guide to ETA Application Process

01. If your intended visit to Sri Lanka is a short-visit please log on to www.eta.gov.lk and click on Apply to start the application process.

*    What is a Short-visit? [Click Here]

*    How to submit an application? [Click Here]

 02. Fill out the required details and submit the application after paying the online processing fee of US$ 30 applicable for United States and Mexican citizens above 12 years of age. Only Visa, Master and American Express Cards are accepted

* More details on ETA processing fees  [Click Here]

* Exceptions for ETA  [Click Here]

  03. You may be required to pay the visa fee when you are applying visa for a period more than 30 days as applicable. The Visa fee when applicable can be paid online, or at the port of entry to Sri Lanka or to the nearest Sri Lanka mission.

* More details of Visa fees  [Click Here]

 04. Receive the acknowledgment notice sent to your email

* View sample acknowledgment notice [Click Here]

 05. Receive the approval notice or a referral notice in case of your ETA application being rejected sent your email within 24 hours upon the receipt of your acknowledgement notice.

* View ample approval notice [Click Here]

 06. If you receive a referral notice informing that your ETA application has been rejected, please contact the Sri Lanka Immigration Head Office in Colombo through the following contacts for further assistance.

Department of Immigration and Emigration
Suhurupaya, Sri Subuthipura Road, Baththaramulla

Hotline : 0094 71 9967888
Telephone : 0094 70 1777555 , 0094 11 5329422
Fax : 0094 11 2674631
E-Mail : eta@immigration.gov.lk
Web Site: www.immigration.gov.lk

Email : controller@immigration.gov.lk

* View samples of referral notices

* Notice 1 – [Click Here]

* Notice 2 – [Click Here]

* Notice 3 – [Click Here]

* Notice 4 – [Click Here]

* Notice 5 – [Click Here]

  07. In case you did not receive the approval notice or a referral note after 24 hours upon the receipt of your acknowledgement notice you can check the status of your ETA application on the following:

* Log on to ETA website and enter your confirmation code and passport number –[Click Here]

* Or contact 24/7 dedicated ETA call center on 00 94 71 99 67 888

 08. Please keep a copy of the ETA approval notice to be produced at the port of entry in Sri Lanka with the following:

* A passport valid not less than 6 months from the date of arrival

* A confirmed return ticket

* Sufficient funds to meet the expenses

The ETA is initially limited upto 30 days from the date of arrival and it can be extended up to six months [Click Here]

  09.  Diplomatic and Official Visits – Citizens of United States, Mexico and U.N. Passport   holders in the United States, planning to visit Sri Lanka on official purposes should submit their ETA applications to the Department of  Immigration and Emigration through the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Los Angeles.

Click here for more details

  10. If required, you can still submit your ETA applications through the nearest Sri Lanka Mission.

Click here for more details

VISA TO SRI LANKA

IMPORTANT NOTICE

ETA process fee has been revised and the new fee schedule will be effective from December 28, 2015 click here to see the ETA Process Fee.

With effect from 1st January 2012, all Holiday or Business travelers to Sri Lanka must have a valid Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to enter in to Sri Lanka. Please visit http://www.eta.gov.lk for more information.

The ETA requirement is applicable to all nationalities except nationals of the Republic of Maldives, the Republic of Singapore and the Republic of Seychelles, who on the basis of reciprocity, are exempt from this requirement.

The objective of the Sri Lankan visa is to facilitate the legal entry of non-Sri Lankans into Sri Lanka and to regulate the period and conditions governing their stay.

The competent authority for issuing Sri Lankan visas is the Department of Immigration and Emigration. On behalf of the Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka diplomatic missions abroad have been authorized to issue visas.

What are the general eligibility requirements for Sri Lankan visas?

Sri Lanka Immigration and Emigration may issue a visa to you if:

  • it is satisfied that you are suitable to enter Sri Lanka.
  • it approves the purpose for which you are entering Sri Lanka.
  • you hold a passport valid for a minimum period of six months from the date you arrive in Sri Lanka.
  • it is satisfied that you have adequate funds for your stay in Sri Lanka and for the payment of your return passage to the country which issued your passport.
  • you are in possession of a return air ticket to the country of domicile or a visa to the next country of destination.

Who is eligible for visa exemption?

  • Sri Lankan dual citizens.
  • Children born to Sri Lankan parents whose birth have been registered under section 5(2) of Citizenship Act – 1948 up to 21 years of age.
  • Children born in Sri Lanka to Sri Lankan parents under 21 years of age, now living abroad.

Visa categories 

RESIDENCE VISA
JOURNALIST VISA
DIPLOMATIC & OFFICIAL VISA
TRANSIT VISA
BUSINESS VISA
TOURIST VISA