TL;DR - Last Reviewed: 30 May 2026
- UK passport holders can now obtain a free 30-day tourist ETA for Sri Lanka from 25 May 2026
- The ETA application process remains mandatory - only the fee has been removed
- The visa allows double entry within the 30-day period from first arrival
- Sri Lanka covers 40 countries including UK, US, Germany, France, India, China and Japan
- ETA fees paid before 25 May 2026 will not be refunded
What Changed on 25 May 2026
Sri Lanka's Department of Immigration and Emigration implemented a free tourist Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) scheme for citizens of 40 countries from 25 May 2026, following a circular dated 19 May 2026. UK passport holders are among those eligible. The measure was approved by Sri Lanka's Cabinet on 30 March 2026 and subsequently endorsed by Parliament on 7 May 2026 under the Immigration and Emigration Act.
The practical effect is that eligible travellers no longer pay the ETA fee for a short-stay tourist visit. The ETA application itself remains mandatory and must be completed online before departure through the official portal at eta.gov.lk. The visa is valid for 30 days from first arrival and allows double entry within that period, meaning a traveller may leave Sri Lanka and re-enter once within the validity window. On the second entry, only the remaining balance of the original 30-day period is granted.
Which Countries Are Included
The 40 countries covered by the free ETA scheme include the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, Poland, Finland, Czech Republic, Belarus, Russia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Nepal, New Zealand, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Israel, Iran, Turkey, and Pakistan.
What Travellers Still Need to Do
The removal of the ETA fee does not mean visa-free entry with no formalities. Travellers from eligible countries must still complete the online ETA application before departure, hold a passport valid for at least six months beyond their intended arrival date, show proof of onward travel (a return or connecting flight), and demonstrate sufficient funds for their stay. These entry requirements are unchanged. The only difference is that the ETA processing fee is now zero for eligible nationalities.
Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister had previously stated that the scheme is expected to cost the government around £50 million annually in waived fees, but projected that higher tourist arrivals would generate sufficient additional income to offset that loss. The government estimates the policy could attract an additional 247,000 tourists and generate around £317 million in additional income.
How to Apply
Applications are submitted through the official Sri Lanka ETA portal at eta.gov.lk. Processing typically takes a few days; travellers should apply at least three working days before departure. The confirmation of the ETA approval should be retained and presented on arrival.
