Visa requirements for Sri Lankan citizens are the rules applicable for Sri Lankan passport holders upon crossing a border with other countries. The pre-established conditions state whether or not travelers need a visa.

Unfortunately, Sri Lanka still does not have as much international travel liberty as 131 countries still require an Embassy visa from them upon arrival. This type of visa is obtained only at an Embassy or Consulate, usually, a few weeks before the planned trip takes place.

However, there are still some destinations that do offer other visa options. Over 30 countries provide an eVisa option for Sri Lankan citizens visiting. Electronic visas make traveling much easier since the whole application process takes place online, eliminating the need to visit any official institution.

24 countries make it possible for Sri Lankan citizens to get their visas after arriving at the selected destination. This option is much more convenient than obtaining an Embassy visa but less convenient than using the electronic visa system. Visas on Arrival require travelers to wait in lines at border control checkpoints and are often connected with stress and uncertainty.

Visa-free countries and territories include 24 destinations. This means that Sri Lankan citizens don’t have to handle a visa when visiting any of these.

Besides deciding whether or not travelers need a visa, every country establishes how many days foreign visitors can stay for. Visa-free entry, Visas on Arrival, and eVisas can be used for short-term stays, usually ranging between 30 and 90 days.

Embassy visas can be issued as both short and long-term stays, even those relating to working, studying, and living abroad.

Electronic visa

The electronic visa system has been introduced by many countries to make the visa handling process easier. Applying takes place entirely online, and the approved document is usually ready within 3 business days!

List of countries offering eVisas for Sri Lankan citizens

31 countries offer an eVisa option for Sri Lankan passport holders, making it effortless to visit their territory!

eVisa holders can visit the above-listed countries for a short-term period of time. The most common options are 30 and 90 days. This makes using the electronic system perfect for going on vacation, a short business trip, or transit.

Leisure, professional, and transit-related travel is allowed for all Sri Lankan citizens using the eVisa system. Thus, it’s possible to use the tourist attractions, explore other countries, do business, or take a layover while reaching another destination.

Visa on Arrival

Visa on Arrival is the type of visa obtainable after arriving at the selected destination. Just as eVisas, VoAs are issued for short-term trips, usually either 30 or 90 days.

List of countries that offer a Visa on Arrival for Sri Lankan citizens

  • Benin
  • Bolivia
  • Cambodia
  • Cape Verde
  • Comoros
  • Guinea-Bissau
  • Kenya
  • Laos
  • Madagascar
  • The Maldives
  • Mauritania
  • Mauritius
  • Nepal
  • Palau
  • Pakistan
  • Rwanda
  • Senegal
  • Sierra Leone
  • Somalia
  • Timor-Leste
  • Togo
  • Tuvalu
  • Uganda
  • Vietnam

24 countries offer a Visa on Arrival option for citizens of Sri Lanka to use. Travelers who plan to visit the above-listed destinations do not have to handle a visa prior to the visit.

However, some countries still require a few documents to validate the purpose of the trip, e.g., a return ticket, proof of booked accommodation, or proof of having sufficient funds for the travel.

Thus, the first step to get a Visa on Arrival is checking if there are no requirements to meet and documents to prepare. Other than that, all there’s left to do is leave for the trip and go to the nearest border control checkpoint to ask for a VoA application form.

Next, travelers should carefully fill the application form out, making sure to avoid making any mistakes in the provided data. The last steps include covering the Visa on Arrival issuing fee (if applicable) and waiting for approval.

Approved VoAs can be issued by the citizens of Sri Lanka to stay abroad enjoying all leisure, business, and transit-related activities.

Leisure includes going on vacation, exploring a foreign country, and trying all the available tourist attractions. Business usage includes attending meetings, seminars, conferences, discussing new deals. Lastly, transit-related trips are also possible, meaning that taking a layover in these countries is easier with a visa obtainable upon arrival.

Also, it’s best to check if any of the VoA countries are offering an additional eVisa option to omit the waiting lines upon arrival and travel prepared.

Embassy visa

An Embassy visa is a traditional visa issued by an official institution, either an Embassy or a Consulate. The application process usually includes many supporting documents to validate the reason for the trip.

List of countries that require an Embassy visa from Sri Lankan citizens

  • Afghanistan
  • Albania
  • Algeria
  • Andorra
  • Angola
  • Argentina
  • Armenia
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Bahrain
  • Bangladesh
  • Belarus
  • Belgium
  • Belize
  • Bhutan
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Botswana
  • Brazil
  • Brunei
  • Bulgaria
  • Burkina Faso
  • Burundi
  • Cameroon
  • Canada
  • The Central African Republic
  • Chad
  • Chile
  • China
  • Colombia
  • The Republic of the Congo
  • The Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Costa Rica
  • Croatia
  • Cuba
  • The Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • The Dominican Republic
  • Ecuador
  • Egypt
  • El Salvador
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Eritrea
  • Estonia
  • Eswatini
  • Fiji
  • Finland
  • France
  • Georgia
  • Germany
  • Ghana
  • Greece
  • Guatemala
  • Guyana
  • Honduras
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Iraq
  • Ireland
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Jamaica
  • Japan
  • Jordan
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kiribati
  • Kuwait
  • Latvia
  • Lebanon
  • Liberia
  • Libya
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Mali
  • Malta
  • The Marshall Islands
  • Mexico
  • Monaco
  • Mongolia
  • Montenegro
  • Morocco
  • Mozambique
  • Namibia
  • Nauru
  • The Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Nicaragua
  • Niger
  • Nigeria
  • North Korea
  • North Macedonia
  • Norway
  • Oman
  • Panama
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Paraguay
  • Peru
  • The Philippines
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Romania
  • Russia
  • Saint Lucia
  • San Marino
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Serbia
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • The Solomon Islands
  • South Africa
  • South Korea
  • Spain
  • Sudan
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Syria
  • Tanzania
  • Thailand
  • Tonga
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Tunisia
  • Turkey
  • Turkmenistan
  • Ukraine
  • The United Arab Emirates
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
  • Uruguay
  • Vatican City
  • Venezuela
  • Yemen

131 countries have made it a requirement for Sri Lankan citizens to have a valid Embassy visa upon their arrival.

This means that Sri Lankan passport holders must apply for a regular visa at least a few weeks before the planned trip. First, applicants should check the current requirements and prepare the needed documents.

Next, Sri Lankan citizens must fill out an application form providing the necessary personal data, passport details, and information regarding the planned trip. With the application form and completed paperwork, travelers should submit their application to the Embassy.

Additional steps may include a visa interview and covering the issuing fee, depending on the selected country. Moreover, the processing time may take up to a few weeks. That’s why it’s best to apply well ahead of time.

Visa-free countries

Currently, 24 countries offer a visa-free entrance for citizens of Sri Lanka, making a trip to any of these destinations effortless.

Check the list of visa-free countries for Sri Lankan citizens.

Visiting any of the above-listed destinations is as simple as preparing a valid passport since that’s usually what’s needed to cross the border with these countries. Some destinations do require a few additional documents to be presented upon arrival, such as a return ticket or proof of a booked accommodation.

Traveling visa-free allows Sri Lankan citizens to engage in any leisure, business, or transit-related purposes. Visa-free travel is perfect for those making a short vacation trip, those who want to attend a business meeting, conference, or seminar, as well as those transiting.

Bogdan T
2022-10-10

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