Sri Lanka Visa for Indians: Rules, Fees & Documents (2026)

Do Indians need a visa for Sri Lanka?

Yes, but at the time of review it costs nothing. Indians still need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before flying to Sri Lanka. What changed is the fee: from 25 May 2026, Sri Lanka waived the tourist ETA fee for nationals of 40 countries, India included. The approval allows a 30-day stay with double entry.

Sri Lanka has switched visa fees on and off several times since 2023, and no end date was announced for this waiver. Check the official ETA portal in the week you apply rather than relying on an old blog post.

How to apply, step by step

1. Go to the official ETA site and choose the tourist ETA.
2. Enter passport details exactly as printed, your arrival date, flight number and first-night address.
3. Submit. The fee screen should show zero for Indian passports during the waiver; if it asks for money, double-check you are on the official site.
4. Approval normally arrives by email within a day or two. Print it.
5. At Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport or another entry point, show the approval, your passport and your return ticket.

What immigration actually checks

Officers look at your ETA approval, passport validity (at least six months from arrival) and a return or onward ticket. Hotel bookings are rarely demanded, but having the first few nights confirmed helps if you are asked where you are staying. Funds checks are uncommon for Indian tourists; carry an international card or some US dollars anyway.

The 30 days are counted from first arrival. Double entry lets you step out, say to the Maldives, and come back within that period, but it does not reset the clock. Extensions are possible through the Department of Immigration and Emigration for a fee.

Tips for families and seniors

• Every traveller, including children, needs their own ETA. Apply for the whole family in one go so the details match.
• Temples such as the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy require covered shoulders and knees and bare feet; stone floors get hot by afternoon, so plan visits for the morning.
• Ramayana trail itineraries involve long drives on hill roads. Build in rest days for older parents.

When you need a different visa

The free tourist ETA does not cover work, volunteering, paid performances or conferences. Business visitors apply for a business ETA, which has its own conditions and fee.

For costs and planning, see our Sri Lanka trip cost guide, the best time to visit Sri Lanka (the island has two monsoons, so the answer depends on the coast), and things to do in Sri Lanka. Our visa assistance team can file ETAs for group and family trips.