When traveling to Sri Lanka from the UAE, you will need a visit visa and more than the usual visa; you need to apply for a tourist ETA. The ETA system allows travelers to enter Sri Lanka through a completely electronic application process.
There are four different types of Sri Lanka visas, subject to the purpose of the visit. These are:
1. Visit visa
2. Transit visa
3. Residence visa- This visa permits you to live in Sri Lanka either for employment, religion, studies, as an investor, etc.
4. Gatis Visa – granted to diplomats or those with official passports
There are two types of Sri Lanka visit visas:
1. Tourist Visit Visa – issued to tourists traveling to Sri Lanka for sightseeing, expeditions, relaxation, yoga training, or visiting friends and relatives
2. Business Visit Visa – issued to individuals visiting Sri Lanka for business for a limited time
The Sri Lanka visit visa is valid for 180 days after the issue date. The visa is double-entry and not multi-entry, meaning you can only use it twice. You are allowed a maximum stay of 30 days in Sri Lanka for every travel.
Yes! Whether you are traveling to Sri Lanka to stay or just transiting through the airports, you must have a valid Sri Lanka visa. The visa is required whether you are traveling for 30 days, one day, or just stopping by the airport for a few hours.
The requirements to apply for the Sri Lanka visa from UAE are:
You can apply for the Sri Lankan visa at the Department of Immigration, visa application center, VFS Global, or visa services such as Arabiers. You don't have to visit the Sri Lankan Embassy, High Commission, or the Consular Office to apply for the visa.
To apply for the Sri Lanka tourist visa, follow these basic steps:
Arabiers accepts ETA visa applications from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. from Monday to Friday. The office is closed during weekends and public holidays.
You will be charged around 40 to 60 USD for a Sri Lanka visa application, depending on the type of visa you are applying for. The visa is non-refundable and non-transferable.
Children under the age of 12 are exempted from paying the ETA.
Contact Arabiers customer service representatives immediately if you realize you made a mistake. If you report when the application has already been made, you will have to apply again, as adjustments are not allowed at that stage.
If your Sri Lanka visa application is denied, you will be directed to the Sri Lanka Overseas Mission near you for further assistance.
Yes! If you wish to extend your stay in Sri Lanka for more days, you can request for visa extension. The visa can be extended for up t 90 days upon the first request and another 90 days for the second extension.