Can Indians Enter Sri Lanka Without a Visa and an ETA?

Circulating social media posts have claimed that Indian nationals will no longer need a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to visit Sri Lanka. Here is a fact check we conducted regarding this.

Social Media Posts :

The following post, published on February 19 with the caption, “No visa required. No Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) required”, states that Indian nationals can visit Sri Lanka without a visa or electronic travel authorization. The post further stated that this was stated by the Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India, Mahishini Colonne.

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Based on the requests we received from our readers, we decided to conduct a fact-check on this.

Explainer :

As the circulating social media posts state that this was announced by the Sri Lanka High Commissioner to India, Mahishini Colonne, we first checked the High Commissioner’s official social media accounts. Accordingly, as posted on the official Facebook and X accounts, all Indian nationals from anywhere in the world are exempt from visas and ETAs when visiting Sri Lanka, and all that is required is a valid passport and an air ticket.

A similar announcement was posted on the official Facebook page of the Sri Lankan High Commission in India.

The announcement was also published by NewsWire, citing the High Commissioner’s post.

However, further details, such as whether this has a connection with the Cabinet approval on the issuance of free tourist visas to 7 countries, including India, in 2023, and the period that this policy will be in place, are not included in the announcement.

Accordingly, we decided to check further details on it.

Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)

Effective October 15, 2025, it was made mandatory for all foreign nationals eligible for free tourist visas to obtain an ETA before entering Sri Lanka. However, as indicated in the social media posts, none of the official mainstream media reported that this requirement has been lifted. Therefore, we inquired through the hotline of the Department of Immigration and Emigration. An officer stated that due to a system error on the ETA website, the Free ETA application is shown as “Pending”, rather than being approved. However, the officer added that the relevant approval can be obtained by showing the email indicating pending approval to immigration officials.

However, it is mandatory to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) online. Even if the approval is not granted immediately, it can be obtained by showing the email to the Immigration and Emigration officers at the airport in the country, as mentioned above.

Department of Immigration and Emigration

To further clarify the above matter, we contacted the Acting Controller General of the Department of Immigration and Emigration, Mr Chaminda Pathiraja, by phone. He stated that although the Sri Lankan High Commission in India had issued such a notice, they had not published such a statement on the Immigration and Emigration website. He further stated that a request has been made to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to provide an explanation regarding the notice issued by the High Commission.

According to the ETA website, everyone must apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization upon entering the country.

Furthermore, he stated that although the Department of Immigration and Emigration is unable to issue such an announcement, if Indian citizens come on the basis of the High Commission’s announcement, they can be granted a visit visa upon arrival.

As with India, the Cabinet had granted free ETAs to tourists from countries like China, Russia, Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia, and Thailand to enter Sri Lanka until 31 March 2024, and the permission was later extended until further notice. The Acting Controller General stated that the relevant permission is still valid and the ETAs will be granted free of charge. However, as mentioned earlier, ETAs must be applied for.

Meanwhile, we asked him further whether a free visa scheme is being implemented for the T20 World Cup. He stated that the ETA scheme is being promoted during the T20 World Cup to promote tourism in the country and that it was done not only for India but also during the Pakistan matches.

However, he pointed out that it is mandatory to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA).

Free tourist visas for 7 countries

The Department of Immigration and Emigration website states that the issuance of free tourist visas for the 7 countries of India, China, Russia, Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia and Thailand, which received cabinet approval on 24.10.2023 to be implemented until 31.03.2024, has been extended until further notice.

According to the announcement, holders of diplomatic, official, public affairs, service and ordinary passports are eligible to obtain a free visa for 30 days under this scheme, and this privilege is for a single entry only. It also states that a fee will be charged for extending the visa.

However, although previously, as per reciprocal/bilateral arrangements, passport holders of Seychelles, Maldives and Singapore were exempted from fees, only SAARC countries have been able to obtain ETAs free of charge so far.

Sri Lankan High Commission in India

Meanwhile, the lack of further information regarding the notices stating that Indian nationals can visit Sri Lanka without a visa or an electronic travel authorization, and that it is not necessary to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), may mislead Indians intending to visit Sri Lanka. Accordingly, we have inquired with the Sri Lankan High Commission in India regarding the matter mentioned in the official accounts and hope to update this article with their response.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

We also inquired with the Media Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Vijitha Herath, regarding the announcement published by the Sri Lankan High Commission in India. The Media Secretary stated that there are minor discrepancies in the High Commission’s reports. However, he also stated that it is mandatory for Indian citizens visiting Sri Lanka to obtain the ETA, but no fee would be charged.

Tourist visa fee scheme applicable to citizens of SAARC countries, including Indian citizens, when visiting Sri Lanka

Tourist Visa Fees (SAARC Countries):

Since India is an SAARC country, the special fee system applicable to SAARC countries also applies to India. Accordingly, the fees for double-entry tourist visas valid for 30 days (before the introduction of the ETA system) were as follows.

When applying through a third party, US$20.
When obtaining it from a foreign embassy or high commission, or from the Immigration and Emigration Headquarters, US$20.
When obtaining it at the airport or seaport upon arrival in Sri Lanka, US$25.
Children under the age of 12 are issued a free tourist visa for any country, and there is a special free visa scheme for seven countries, including India. However, fees may be charged for extensions.

Since the ETA is only valid for 30 days, fees will be charged after that.

Visa Extension Fees:

If you wish to extend your tourist visa beyond 30 days, the following fees will be charged. (Except for certain countries such as the US and Singapore)

30 to 60 days – USD 60
61 to 180 days – USD 150
181 to 270 days – USD 200

Overstaying fines (revised fines from June 21, 2023)

If you leave the country within 7 days of the visa expiration date, you can leave by paying only the visa fee.
If the visa is overstayed for 8 to 14 days, a fine of US$250 plus the visa fee is imposed.
If you overstay your visa and stay in the country for more than 14 days, a fine of US$500 plus the visa fee.

Other Visas

Business Visa – The fee for a 30-day multiple-entry business visa is USD 30.

Transit Visa – A single-entry Transit Visa for 2 days is issued free of charge.

Currently, a free tourist visa is issued for Indian citizens to visit Sri Lanka.

Indian citizens are not required to pay the normal tourist visa fee to visit Sri Lanka.
However, it is mandatory to apply online for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA).
This allows a stay in Sri Lanka for 30 days.

More information on this can be found here and here.

How to obtain a free Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)

First, you should visit the official website of the Department of Immigration and Emigration and fill out the application form by entering the correct details under Tourist ETA. As no fee will be charged to citizens of SAARC countries, it should be shown as USD 0. After submitting the application, you will receive a reference number, and ETA approval will be sent by email within 48 hours. If the approval is not received, you can obtain ETA permission at the airport by showing the pending approval.

An Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) allows you to stay in Sri Lanka for up to 30 days and requires a passport that is valid for at least 6 months. If you wish to stay for more than 30 days, you can extend your visa after paying a fee.