Sri Lanka visa for Indians (2026): the free ETA

Rules checked against official sources in October 2026. Rules change; we confirm them again when we plan your trip.

Indian passport holders need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before arriving in Sri Lanka. Since 25 May 2026, India is one of 40 countries whose tourist ETA is free. You still have to apply for it online before you fly.

This guide covers what the ETA is, how to apply, how long you can stay and what to do if you want longer. The short version is on our Sri Lanka visa guide.

Do Indians need a visa for Sri Lanka?

You need an ETA, which you get online before travel. For Indian nationals the tourist ETA is free from 25 May 2026, under Sri Lanka’s scheme of free tourist visas for 40 selected countries.

Free does not mean automatic. You need an approved ETA before you arrive, so it is one more task on the list before you fly, even if it costs nothing.

Who the free ETA covers

The free scheme is for the tourist ETA, for Indian nationals. If someone in your group holds a different passport, or is travelling for a reason other than a holiday, their rule and fee may not be the same. Tell us who is travelling and we check each person against the official notice before you apply.

How to apply for the Sri Lanka ETA

1. 1Open the official ETA site, eta.gov.lk.
2. 2Fill in the application for each traveller, using the details exactly as they appear in the passport.
3. 3Submit it and wait for the approval.
4. 4Keep the approved ETA with your passport for the journey.

The official ETA for Indian nationals is free. If a website asks you to pay for it, check that you are on eta.gov.lk.

Documents you need

• Your passport
• An approved ETA, obtained online before arrival

Keep your return ticket and hotel bookings on your phone as well. They are not on the official list, but it is sensible to have your plans to hand at any border.

How long does the ETA take?

The official pages we checked do not state a processing time. Apply once your dates are fixed rather than the night before, and we confirm the timing when we plan your trip.

How long can you stay in Sri Lanka?

The tourist ETA gives you 30 days, with a double entry allowed within that period. Our Sri Lanka trip is 4 nights and 5 days across Colombo, Bentota, Galle, Weligama and Mirissa, so most family holidays use only a part of it.

Double entry means you can leave Sri Lanka and come back once within those 30 days. That is useful if you want to add a few days somewhere nearby, such as the Maldives, and then fly home through Colombo.

Can you extend your stay?

Yes. To stay longer than 30 days, apply for an extension and pay the applicable visa fee. The free ETA covers only the first 30 days.

Travelling with children or parents

Apply for every traveller in the group, so each person has their own approved ETA to show with their passport. Doing all the applications together in one sitting makes it easy to spot a typo in a name or passport number.

Sri Lanka works well for a first family trip abroad, or one with grandparents: a short flight from India, and now a free ETA. If you are unsure about an infant or a family member with a different passport, ask us and we check it for you.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Assuming free means no application. You still need an approved ETA before arrival.
• Paying on a look-alike website. The official ETA for Indians is free on eta.gov.lk.
• Reading old articles that quote a fee. The free ETA for Indians started on 25 May 2026.
• Staying past 30 days without applying for an extension.
• Planning a second entry after the 30 days are over. The double entry is allowed within that 30-day period.

Planning a Sri Lanka trip

When we plan your Sri Lanka holiday, we check the ETA rule again against the official sources and tell you when to apply. If you are combining it with the Maldives, see our Maldives visa guide for the Traveller Declaration you file there.

Sri Lanka visa questions