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Travel Information For Sri Lanka

Essential information for a smooth entry – please read before departure

This document summarises the key points for your trip to Sri Lanka: visa, entry requirements, health and vaccinations, customs, and practical tips. Information provided without guarantee – regulations can change at short notice. Please verify the ETA and health information yourself shortly before departure, using the official links at the end of this document.

1. Visa (ETA)

All foreign nationals need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to enter Sri Lanka – even if the fee is waived for your nationality. The ETA replaces a traditional visa and is applied for online only.

ApplicationOnly through the official government portal (see Useful Links below). Do not use third-party websites, which often charge inflated fees.
CostFree of charge since 25 May 2026 for nationals of 40 countries, including most of the EU, the UK, US, Canada, Australia, and others. Check your nationality on the official portal, as fees still apply to other countries.
Validity30 days from arrival, double entry. Extendable in Sri Lanka through the Department of Immigration, up to a total of 270 days.
Processing timeUsually 24–48 hours – apply at least a few days before departure.
Passport validityYour passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of arrival.

Recommendation: Apply for your ETA yourself before departure and carry the confirmation (PDF) both printed and digitally. It may be requested on arrival.

Other entry requirements

  • Proof of onward or return travel
  • Sufficient funds for your stay (may be checked at random)
  • For visa enquiries: Department of Immigration and Emigration, Colombo, Tel. +94 11 5329000

2. Health & Vaccinations

No mandatory vaccinations apply for direct entry from most countries. A yellow fever vaccination is only required if you are arriving from, or have transited through, a yellow fever endemic country (proof required from age 9 months).

Recommended travel vaccinations

  • Hepatitis A – recommended for all travellers
  • Typhoid – especially for extended trips and simpler accommodation
  • Hepatitis B, rabies, Japanese encephalitis – depending on travel style, duration and planned activities (e.g. rural areas, animal contact)
  • Ensure routine vaccinations (tetanus, diphtheria, polio, measles) are up to date

Plan a travel health consultation ideally 6–8 weeks before departure, as some vaccines require multiple doses. Consult a travel medicine clinic or your doctor.

Malaria

Sri Lanka has been officially malaria-free since 2016. Antimalarial medication is not required.

Mosquito-borne diseases

Dengue, chikungunya and occasional Zika cases occur in Sri Lanka; dengue case numbers are elevated in 2026. A dengue vaccine exists (2 doses, 3 months apart) – discuss with a travel medicine provider. Consistent mosquito protection, day and night, remains the most important measure:

  • Apply mosquito repellent regularly
  • Wear long, light-coloured clothing, especially at dusk
  • Choose air-conditioned accommodation or rooms fitted with mosquito nets

Food, water and travel medicine kit

  • Drink only sealed bottled water; avoid ice of unknown origin
  • General rule against traveller’s diarrhoea: boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it
  • Carry personal medication in sufficient quantity and original packaging, with an English-language prescription note if needed
  • Comprehensive travel health and medical evacuation insurance is strongly recommended

3. Customs

Import

You may bring in duty-free: 1.5 litres of spirits, two bottles of wine, and perfume and souvenirs with a combined value of up to US$ 250. Cameras, laptops and similar personal equipment are permitted but must be declared on arrival.

Export

Up to 10 kg of tea may be exported duty-free. Antiques (over 50 years old), rare books and palm-leaf manuscripts require a permit from the Department of Archaeology or the National Archives. Purchasing or exporting wildlife or parts thereof (skins, horns, feathers) as well as protected corals, shells and plant species is strictly prohibited without a special permit – even as a souvenir.

4. Additional Legal Notes

Cash

There is no limit on bringing foreign currency into the country, but amounts equivalent to US$ 15,000 or more must be declared to customs on arrival. On departure, up to US$ 10,000 may be taken back out, provided it was declared on entry. Import and export of Sri Lankan rupees by tourists is only permitted in small amounts.

Drones

Camera drones must be registered with the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) before flying – this applies to personal use as well. Processing typically takes up to ten working days, so apply well before departure. No-fly zones apply especially over national parks, religious sites and military installations. Carry printed registration documents with you.

Photography

Photographing military installations and certain public buildings is prohibited. Particular caution applies around religious symbols: it is illegal to pose with your back to a Buddha statue for a photograph – violations have led to prosecution in the past. Clothing or tattoos with Buddhist motifs should not be displayed openly, as this can result in denial of entry.

5. Safety & Current Situation

Sri Lanka is generally a safe destination. As everywhere, standard precautions against pickpocketing and scams in tourist areas apply. Check your home country’s official travel advisory shortly before departure, as assessments can change.

  • Register with your home country’s traveller registration service, if available (e.g. embassy notification schemes)
  • Check current fuel supply, weather warnings (monsoon season) and any local notices before and during your trip
  • Note the contact details of your embassy or consulate in Sri Lanka

6. Practical Information

CurrencySri Lankan Rupee (LKR). Currency exchange and ATMs are readily available in cities and tourist areas.
Credit cardsWidely accepted in hotels and larger shops; carry cash for rural areas.
Electricity230V, plug types D/G (an adapter is recommended).
LanguageSinhala and Tamil; English is widely spoken.
Temple etiquetteCover shoulders and knees; shoes must be removed before entering.

Useful Official Links

Always cross-check current entry and health requirements with your own country’s foreign ministry or embassy before departure.