Hi Reader,

We’ve just heard that Sri Lanka has made its visas completely free for travellers from 40 countries, including the UK, USA, Australia, and many across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

You’ll still need to apply for a visa online or on arrival, but from 25/05/2026, the fee is waived for eligible travellers.

But what does this actually mean for you?

What is a Sri Lanka ETA

ETA stands for Electronic Travel Authorisation, which is essentially an approval to enter Sri Lanka for the purpose of tourism. It doesn’t give you permission to work; you’ll need to apply for a different visa for that.

Apply for the ETA online through the official website or at the airport upon arrival.

The process is quick, straightforward and designed to make entry easier for tourists.

How long is the Sri Lanka ETA valid for?

In most cases, an ETA is authorised for stays up to 30 days, although if you intend to stay longer, you can apply to extend your visa while you’re in Sri Lanka.

Its intention is for short to medium-length holidays rather than long stays.

How to apply for an ETA visa to Sri Lanka?

I’ve lost count of the times I have applied for an ETA visa to Sri Lanka, but to start, you must visit the official Sri Lankan government website.

You’ll then need to agree to their terms and conditions before entering your details into their online form.

Make sure you’re entering your details as they appear in your passport.

You’ll then be sent your approval email.

This has normally only taken minutes for the application to be approved, but it does state on the official website to wait 48 hours before contacting them.

The official government website and the one I use for all of my applications is https://eta.gov.lk.​

It is really important that you only use the official website, as there are multiple unofficial websites that look legitimate but charge extra fees or create unnecessary confusion.

This also avoids scams and ensures your application goes through correctly.

Can you get a visa on arrival in Sri Lanka?

Yes, you can get a visa on arrival at the airport, but it is recommended to do it online in advance.

The arrival process is quick and easy to do, but if there are long queues, then it will delay your entry to the country and your trip.

As the application is safe, smooth and easy to do online, we would just recommend saving time by getting it before you arrive.

Our honest opinion

When we first visited Sri Lanka all those years ago, you could get a free visa on arrival at the border.

It is fantastic to see them reintroduce the free visa again, as this should help encourage tourists to visit this beautiful country.

But the quickest and easiest application option is to do it online in advance, to save time and any possible delays at the border.

We’re also currently planning our next Sri Lanka trip for this autumn, so we can’t wait.

We’re also keeping a close eye on any new updates as they come in.

If you’re planning a trip to Sri Lanka….

What’s the part you’re most unsure about right now?

Visa process?
Routes?
Where to stay?
How long to spend in each place?

Hit reply, we genuinely love hearing where people are with their planning.

And if you need any help, don’t forget to reach out.

P.S.

We’re currently working on something new.

We’ll soon be opening up personalised Sri Lanka trip planning sessions, where we help you figure out:

• your itinerary
• where to stay
• realistic travel times
• transport options
• and how to avoid common travel mistakes

More details coming soon, keep an eye on your inbox.

We’ll keep you updated as Sri Lanka continues to roll out changes like this, especially anything that affects your travel plans.

P.P.S.

We’ve also just uploaded a new YouTube video from our visit to Chartwell, Winston Churchill’s home.

It’s a bit different from our Sri Lanka content, but if you enjoy historic homes and countryside days out, you can watch it here: Our visit to Chartwell - we take you inside Winston Churchill's beloved home and grounds​

And if you haven’t already, subscribe so you don’t miss our latest travel videos.

Happy travelling

Bev & Shams

Email: bev@bevandshams.com

Website: www.bevandshams.com​

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Resources: www.bevandshams.com/travel-resources/​