Visa requirement
Sri Lanka visa for Indian citizens
Official-source answer with stay limit, cost, required documents and last verification date.
Do Indian citizens need a visa for Sri Lanka?
Checked answer — confirm before travel
Indian citizens need an ETA (electronic travel authorisation) before travelling to Sri Lanka.
Last verified:
What this means: An ETA is an electronic travel authorisation you apply for online before you fly — it is not a visa, but you cannot board without it.
Confidence: Medium Likely current — confirm details with the official source.
This answer is for ordinary Indian passport holders travelling as citizens of that passport. Residence permits, long-stay visas or living in another country can change which embassy or rule applies.
Visa types at a glance
| Visa type | Availability | Stay |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist visa-free? | No visa, ETA required | Up to 30 days. |
| eVisa? | No | No eVisa route is stored for this corridor. |
| Visa on arrival? | No | No visa-on-arrival route is stored for this corridor. |
- 30 days
- Free
- Apply online before you fly
Before you travel
- 1 Entry step Apply online before you fly Official route (opens in a new tab)
- 2 Stay limit 30 days
- 3 Official fee Free
- 4 Passport validity 6-month validity after arrival; 1 blank page. Full note below. See full note
- 5 Transit recommendation airside: conditional; landside: required. Full note below. See full note
- 6 Freshness Checked 23 Jul 2026; confidence: medium
Shareable verdict: Indian citizens need an ETA (electronic travel authorisation) before travelling to Sri Lanka. Checked 23 Jul 2026.
Open SVG cardCost note
Sri Lanka processes the 30-day tourist ETA free of charge for this nationality under the scheme effective from 25 May 2026.
Passport and transit notes
- Passport validity
- passport valid for at least 6 months after arrival; 1 blank page; Sri Lanka's source set or application flow uses a six-month passport-validity planning rule for ordinary visitor travel. Carriers can apply stricter checks.
- Validity source (opens in a new tab) Validity guide
- Transit recommendation
- airside transit: conditional; landside transit: required; Transit requirements depend on airport, route, ticketing and whether the traveller crosses border control. Entering the country uses the normal rule for this passport.
- Related source (opens in a new tab) Transit guide
What you need
- Indian ordinary passport valid for at least six months from arrival
- Approved Sri Lanka Electronic Travel Authorization before travel
- Confirmed return or onward ticket
- Proof of sufficient funds and accommodation if requested
Why this verdict
Indian passport holders must obtain a Sri Lanka ETA before arrival, but the 30-day tourist ETA is free of charge under the current scheme. The authorization permits double entry during the 30-day period from first arrival.
Conditional rules
- Work, study, residence, employment or long-term stay Visa required
The short-visitor rule listed here does not cover work, study, residence, employment or long-term stay.
Frequently asked questions
Do Indian citizens need a visa for Sri Lanka?
Indian citizens need an ETA (electronic travel authorisation) before travelling to Sri Lanka. (ETA required.) Verified 23 Jul 2026 against the official source.
How long can Indian passport holders stay in Sri Lanka?
Up to 30 days.
How much does entry to Sri Lanka cost for Indian citizens?
It is free. This page tracks the official government fee only, not agent markup.