Sri Lanka Travel Requirements

• Passport: You’ll need to travel with a valid passport with at least one blank page. It should also be valid for at least six months from your expected date of departure from Sri Lanka.
• Valid Visa: With a few exceptions, all foreign nationals are required to have a valid travel visa to enter Sri Lanka, whether it’s an Sri Lankan Tourist Visa, Sri Lankan Electronic Travel Authority e-Visa, or Sri Lankan Business Visa. You can typically get a visa within three business days. Curious about how to visit Sri Lanka without a visa? We’ve got you covered.
• Entry and Exit Forms: All passengers arriving in Sri Lanka by air or sea are required to fill out entry and exit forms.

Sri Lanka’s entry requirements may vary by country. Confirm if there’s anything else you need to enter Sri Lanka by contacting Entriva for up-to-date information and travel advice, or reach out to your country’s Sri Lanka embassy.

If you do not already have a passport, you can apply for one at your local passport office. The process typically takes four to six weeks. However, it can take as long as 12 to 16 weeks, so make sure to apply well in advance of your trip. If you already have a passport, make sure to check its expiration date and renew it if necessary.

To get a United States passport, an American citizen needs to  follow these steps:

1. Fill out form DS-11: The DS-11 form is available online or can be obtained at a passport acceptance facility.
2. Gather required documents: You will need to provide proof of citizenship (such as a birth certificate or naturalization certificate) and a government-issued ID (such as a driver’s license).
3. Get a passport photo taken: Your photo must meet specific requirements, such as size, lighting, and positioning.
4. Pay the application fee: The fee varies depending on the type of passport and processing time selected. The average processing time for a new passport is four to six weeks, but expedited services are available for an additional cost.
5. Submit your application in person: You can submit your application at a passport acceptance facility, which can be found at many post offices, courthouses, and libraries.
6. Track your application status: You can check the status of your passport application online or by phone.

You can obtain a visa  by applying online through a visa service provider like Entriva, or through the Sri Lankan government’s official website. The application process typically takes three days, depending on the type of visa you are applying for. Make sure to apply for your visa well in advance of your trip to allow for processing time.

The entry and exit form can be obtained on the plane or at the airport upon arrival in Sri Lanka. Make sure to fill it out completely and accurately, as it will be checked by immigration officials.

There are no entry, testing, or masking requirements for COVID-19. If foreign nationals or tourists test positive for COVID-19 after arriving in Sri Lanka, they will be asked to isolate for seven days in a private hospital, hotel, or place of residence at their own expense.

You do not need to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination status to enter Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka’s only vaccination requirement is having a yellow-fever vaccination certificate if you’re arriving in the country from an infected area.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends travelers be up-to-date on routine vaccines, such as flu, shingles, and COVID-19 vaccines, when traveling to Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka has very strict laws regarding drugs, and local authorities and security forces often have roadblocks and checkpoints to examine cars. It’s essential to have the proper documentation for any prescription medications you’ll be bringing so they’re not mistaken for illegal drugs.

If you need to bring prescription medication with you during your trip, you should do the following:

• Check with the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) of Sri Lanka or a Sri Lanka embassy or consulate to ensure that the drug is legal to bring into the country and you don’t violate local laws.
• Get a letter of authorization to bring medicine into Sri Lanka for personal use. To do this, you’ll need the following documents: a copy of a valid prescription, an application form signed by your prescriber, a request letter from the patient or patient’s guardian, and a copy of your passport or driver’s license.
• Carry the medications in their original packaging.
• Bring your Letter of Authorization from the NMRA, as well as copies of the supporting documents.
• Declare your medications at customs and show your authorization letter when entering Sri Lanka.

If you’re traveling for medical treatment on the ETA visa (which permits travel for medical treatment, including yoga and Ayurvedic), you’ll need to bring copies of any other relevant health records with you as well.

Overseas medical costs can add up, so while it’s not required, acquiring travel medical insurance for your trip is highly recommended. Look at plans that cover emergency services, medical evacuation, petty crime, violent incidents, and catastrophic natural events and decide what best meets your needs.