Sri Lanka Reintroduces the ETA System

The immigration authorities of Sri Lanka announced that Electronic Travel Authorization has been reinstated. Now, the system is effective and streamlines the whole visa procedure. The Sri Lankan President stated on X:

“The government has officially reinstated the previous visa issuance system, effective from 12.00 midnight today.”

Last April, the Sri Lankan ETA portal was replaced by electronic visas, then suspended for two months since August. The problems arose when the previous government agreed to the controversial contract with the private company issuing eVisas that replaced ETA permits.

The change was done without public tender, spreading concerns about transparency and management of public funds. Besides, the fees were higher per application than the previous ETAs managed by a state-owned company (SLTMobitel). The questionable costs and dissatisfaction of clients caused disruption in the tourist industry, which is vital for the economy of Sri Lanka.

Due to the issues, a new system wasn’t implemented, and travelers had to get a visa upon arrival, which created long queues. Thanks to the current re-establishment, the visa process is now transparent and simple, as visitors to Sri Lanka may obtain a necessary permit electronically within just a few clicks.

Currently, it’s possible to apply for a double-entry ETA to Sri Lanka, allowing travelers to visit the country for up to 30 days for 99 EUR. Besides, a transit ETA is available for travelers who want to reach their final destination through Sri Lanka but are not eligible for visa-free entry to the country.

In order to start the Sri Lanka visa application process, you need to fill in the online form with up-to-date information matching those in the passport, cover the required fee, and wait for an email with confirmation as well as a Sri Lankan visa in PDF form. No more visits to the embassy/consulate or waiting in long lines upon arrival is necessary. Everything can be done online.