Sri Lanka Visas from Australia – Guide to ETAs and Visa Extensions

Sri Lanka Visas from Australia – Guide to ETAs and Visa Extensions

A complete guide with everything you need to know about Sri Lanka visas from Australia. The Sri Lanka ETA (e-Visa) process is explained and a step-by-step guide on what you need to do to apply and renew.

Sri Lanka, the teardrop-shaped island jewel of the Indian Ocean, is truly one of the most diverse and incredible travel destinations in the world. From scenic highland train rides through enchanting tea plantations to idyllic surfing beaches, Sri Lanka has something to offer every traveler. However, did you know that you have to get visas for Sri Lanka from Australia and almost all other countries?

Although the visa requirements for Sri Lanka are not very confusing, they can all be a bit overwhelming at first. This is especially true if you are used to “visas on arrival,” which are common in many other countries in Asia. In this guide, I explain everything you need to know about obtaining Sri Lanka visas for Australian citizens. However, much of the information, particularly about visa extensions, is also relevant for other nationalities.

Most of the information collected in this blog post is based on my own experiences with Sri Lanka visas and extensions as an Australian, as well as current sources to ensure you receive the best tips and advice.

Do Australian citizens need a visa for Sri Lanka?

If you skipped the introduction, the short answer is yes. Australians require a visa to visit Sri Lanka. This is called an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization). An ETA is a digital “e-visa” that grants a traveler entry to Sri Lanka without having to visit an embassy or consulate in their home country.

Passport holders from almost all countries require a Sri Lankan ETA before arrival. The only exceptions are travelers from Singapore, the Maldives and the Seychelles.

Because the new (2012) ETA e-Visa system is electronic, travelers are not required to be in their home country at the time of application. This means Aussies can obtain their Sri Lanka visas in Australia or elsewhere.

The process for the first ETA can be completed online. If you are looking for an easy way to get your Sri Lanka e-Visa as well as a range of other information for Australians and other nationalities, https://www.byevisa.com/eta-srilanka-visa is a quick way and reliable bet.
alt=“GETTING A VISA FOR SRI LANKA FROM AUSTRALIA”>We rented tuk tuks and drove around Sri Lanka on an extended visa

Visa for Sri Lanka – which one do I need?

There are three types of Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for Sri Lanka. These are:

• Tourist: 2x Eintritt gültig für 30 Tage
• Business: 2x Einträge für 30 Tage
• Transit: Einmalige Einreise für 2 Tage

The Sri Lanka Tourist ETA and Business ETA is valid for 30 days and gives you 2x entries. This means that upon arrival you can leave Sri Lanka with your ETA and enter the country a second time within the 30 day visa period without having to reapply.

Note that once a tourist ETA is issued, you only have 180 days to enter Sri Lanka and only 90 days to enter with a business ETA.

Sri Lanka Tourists ETA

If you plan to visit Sri Lanka for vacation or recreational purposes, you will need a Tourist ETA (30 days). This is the Sri Lanka e-Visa that most travelers need. It covers people visiting Sri Lanka for the following reasons:

• Besichtigung
• Urlaub machen
• Freunde und Familie besuchen
• Teilnahme an Sportveranstaltungen
• medizinische Behandlung erhalten

Sri Lanka Business ETA

Those visiting Sri Lanka for business or to make money require a Business ETA. Below I have listed the criteria for this Sri Lanka visa:

• Teilnahme an Geschäftstreffen oder Verhandlungen
• Teilnahme an Seminaren, Workshops oder Konferenzen
• Trainingsprogramme durchlaufen
• Teilnahme an Kunst-, Musik- oder Tanzveranstaltungen
• Teilnahme an religiösen Veranstaltungen

Sri Lanka Transit ETA

The third ETA is specifically intended for visitors simply transiting through Sri Lanka and is valid for 2 days only. So if you're just stopping by Sri Lanka on your way to another nation, you'll still need a 2 day transit visa if you want to complete the entry.

However, visitors making a short stopover and not leaving the airport are not required to apply for a transit ETA.
alt=“ELEPHANT IN SRI LANKA”>Wild elephant in Sri Lanka

RELATED: Ella Rock Hike Sri Lanka – Independent Hiking Guide

How to apply for a Sri Lanka visa from Australia

As mentioned earlier, applying for entry to Sri Lanka is much easier after the introduction of ETA “E-Visas”. Applicants can complete the process with just an internet connection and the required documents.

Required documents and information

To obtain a Sri Lanka visa from Australia, travelers need the following:

• Gültiger Reisepass mit mindestens 6 Monaten ab dem Datum der Einreise nach Sri Lanka
• Adresse Ihres Aufenthaltsorts (Sie können die Adresse Ihrer ersten Unterkunft eingeben, wenn Sie umziehen möchten)
• Gültige E-Mail-Adresse, Telefonnummer und andere persönliche Informationen
• Visagebühr (mehr dazu weiter unten)

Upon arrival in Sri Lanka, Aussies must bring the following:

• Eine gültige ETA (Sri Lankan Electronic Travel Authorization)
• Gültiger Reisepass
• Bestätigter Nachweis der Weiterreise
• Nachweis ausreichender Mittel für den Aufenthalt in Sri Lanka für die Dauer des Visums (Kontoauszüge oder laufendes Einkommen)

The process

Applicants can apply for a Sri Lanka visa online on the Sri Lanka ETA website or through Byevisa. The latter option is convenient for those who prefer to pay securely with PayPal rather than their credit card, as all Visa fees are in US dollars ($USD). Remember to include your credit card's international transaction and exchange fee when paying with a credit card.

Whichever option you choose, the process involves filling out an online form and uploading digital copies of your passport. The entire process is pretty simple. Just make sure you enter the correct details as the fees are non-refundable.

Visa fees

ETA fees for Sri Lanka depend on your nationality and usually vary.

The government ETA processing fee for Sri Lanka visas from Australia is $35 for a tourist ETA and $40 for a business ETA (both are “double entry”). Also remember that fees are payable in US dollars only. Depending on your bank, additional international conversion and transaction fees may apply.

Sri Lanka visa extension

Of course, it is easy to get an ETA for Sri Lanka for the first 30 days. However, visitors who wish to stay longer than 30 days must go through an additional process upon arrival in Sri Lanka. This process is called a “visa extension.”

Official sources are quite limited in providing useful information for this process. However, below I will detail the entire ordeal based on my experience so that you understand what you are getting into.

Renewal process and step-by-step instructions

The visa extension process involves filling out an extension application form with a passport photo and paying a fee. Although it may sound simple, it is usually a lengthy process and it is best to do your homework beforehand. We arrived at the office opening time of 8:30am and didn't have our extension sticker until 2:30pm that afternoon.

Applicants can only apply for Sri Lanka visa extension in person at the Immigration Office in Battaramulla, Colombo. So if you're flying to Colombo for a longer visit to the beautiful island, be sure to tick the extension before you leave the capital.

Most applicants, including Australians, can apply for a Sri Lanka visa extension up to 90 days for the first extension in addition to their original ETA. This can then be extended again for another 90 days (a total of 180 days extension).

Step 1: Download and fill out the form

Trust me, you should print and fill this form before arriving at the immigration office in Battaramulla. You can download the extension form here.

Fill out the form and make sure you have at least 1 current passport photo (taken within 6 months).

Size of passport photo for Sri Lanka visa extension: 35mm x 45mm. The head must extend between 70-80% from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head with a white background.

Step 2: Arrive at the immigration office

The Visa Extension Office is located on the fourth floor of the Sri Lanka Immigration Office in Battaramulla. This is about 37 km from the airport or 10 km from Colombo Fort. I would suggest taking a rickshaw at least an hour before opening time to ensure you arrive as early as possible. A good tip is to download the Pickme app to get accurate fares and travel estimates.

Immigration office hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m

Once you arrive, walk across the street and enter the building through the first glass door. Take the elevators on theRightwhen passing the reception on the fourth floor.

Exit the elevator and turn right towards Visa Division. Hand in your completed form and your passport photo to the clerk and receive your “token”. The sooner you arrive at the immigration office, the faster it will be for you, as the process is manual and lengthy. The sooner you receive your token, the faster the process will be for you.

Step 4: Wait for you to be called

Now we're playing the first leg of the waiting game. Follow the signs to the waiting room and wait for your number to appear on the monitor. Finally, your token will be called and you will be redirected to the visa application processing point.

This room is again just another room where you have to wait until someone calls you again. See? I told you it was a laborious process. This time there are monitors with four rooms labeled A to D. Wait for your token to be called and enter the appropriate office.

Here, a visa officer will review your application, ask you a few quick questions, and then ask you to return to where you paid your fees at the visa department.

Step 5: Pay your Sri Lanka visa extension fee

When you arrive at the payment counter, wait again for your number to be called and pay the fee relevant to your nationality. Australians must pay $30 in cash by credit card or equivalent in Sri Lankan rupees.

For other nationalities, you can check the latest fees on the Sri Lanka immigration website. I would suggest bringing extra cash in rupees just in case.

After paying, take your receipt and head to the final Visa showroom.

Step 6: Wait until you receive your visa extension

Unfortunately, if you thought the wait times in the previous rooms were ungodly, this final room is even worse. Entertain yourself while you wait to finally receive your passport with your shiny Sri Lanka visa extension sticker. Check the monitors for your token number. After calling, sign the release form and you're done!

Sri Lanka Visa Extension Tips:

Below I have put together a few tips for Australians and other nationals who want to obtain a visa extension for Sri Lanka.

• Stellen Sie sicher, dass Sie das Formular ausdrucken und vorausfüllen und ein gültiges Passfoto mitbringen
• Ankunft vor der Öffnungszeit (8:30 Uhr)
• Obwohl es im Büro der Erweiterung eine Kantine gibt, ist es vielleicht eine gute Idee, Essen und Snacks mitzubringen
• Bringen Sie ein Buch oder eine andere Form der Unterhaltung mit
• ÜBERPRÜFEN SIE Ihren Visumaufkleber DOPPELT, um sicherzustellen, dass die Agenten alles korrekt ausgestellt haben, nachdem Sie sich der Tortur der Verlängerung unterzogen haben!

• alt=“STRAND AN DER OSTKÜSTE SRI LANKA“>
• alt=“WASSERFALL IN SRI LANKA“>
• alt=“STRAND AN DER WESTKÜSTE SRI LANKA“>

More Sri Lanka travel guides and articles

I hope this guide on applying for Sri Lanka visas from Australia and other countries was helpful in planning your trip to this incredible country. If you have any specific questions about the process, leave a comment below and I will get back to you promptly.

For more travel guides and blog posts about Sri Lanka, check out the list below.

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