Sri Lanka Travel Without Visa

By Andrew Lewis on 25 Sep 2023

Tourist visas are constantly evolving and changing to meet the needs of modern travelers in a fast-paced, interconnected world. Whereas it used to take weeks to months to process, now most travelers can get tourist visas within days or minutes. Some countries have even eliminated tourist visas for official passport holders to make visiting more accessible and straightforward.

If you’re planning to visit Sri Lanka, you may be wondering if you can get a visa on arrival—or arrive without needing to get a tourist visa at all. Read on for all the answers you’re looking for regarding visa-free travel to Sri Lanka.

Can I Travel to Sri Lanka Without a Visa?

Probably not. Almost all non–Sri Lanka passport holders—including US citizens and passport holders—are required to have a valid visa in order to enter Sri Lanka. Depending on the purpose of your visit, you can apply for a Visit Visa (tourist visa) or a Business Visa.

Which Countries Don’t Need Visas for Sri Lanka?

Global travelers from nearly all countries need to have a visa to enter Sri Lanka, with Sri Lankan passport holders and Sri Lankan citizens being the only exception. As Sri Lanka nationals or permanent residents, they are permitted to travel visa-free.

Sri Lanka Visa on Arrival

While there are no visa-free countries, Sri Lanka does issue visas on arrival to three countries, valid for one to two months:

  • Singapore: arrival visa valid for 30 days
  • Maldives: arrival visa valid for 30 days
  • Seychelles: arrival visa valid for 60 days

How Do I Get a Sri Lanka Visa?

Even though you do need to get a visa in advance for your trip to Sri Lanka, it’s easy to do so. Most travelers qualify for the country’s Electronic Travel Authorization, a fast and affordable digital visa that’s processed within a few days.

Booking a visa with Entriva ensures you get the right visa in time, every time. In addition to mandatory government fees, Entriva charges among the industry’s lowest handling fees (starting at just $50).

Be Visa-Ready for Sri Lanka

Obtaining a visa is an essential part of planning your trip. At Entriva, we can easily and efficiently help with every aspect of getting a Sri Lanka visa. Start your visa application process.

For more information on other aspects of travel to Sri Lanka, including local laws, health and safety, and banking, money, and currency, visit our Sri Lanka content hub.