Sri Lanka High Commission London - Visa Services, Address and Appointments 2026

Address and Contact Details

The High Commission of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka in London is at 13 Hyde Park Gardens, London, W2 2LU. The consular section serves Sri Lankan citizens in the United Kingdom and handles civil registration, passport and notarial matters.

The main telephone number is +44 (0)20 7262 1841. The official site is slhclondon.org. Most visa applications for Sri Lanka are submitted online via eta.gov.lk rather than at the High Commission counter.

Public hours are typically weekday mornings, with collections in a separate afternoon window. The High Commission closes on UK bank holidays and Sri Lankan national holidays such as Independence Day on 4 February and Vesak in May.

Visa Services Available

Sri Lanka uses an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for almost all short stay foreign visitors. Visa categories handled or facilitated through the High Commission and the ETA system include:

• ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation): the standard pre-arrival approval for short tourist and business visits.
• Tourist Visa: issued for stays beyond the standard ETA period or where ETA is not appropriate.
• Business Visa: for meetings, contract work and short term commercial activity in Sri Lanka.
• Transit Visa: for travellers passing through Colombo within a defined transit window.
• Student Visa: linked to admission at a Sri Lankan university or recognised institution.
• Residence Visa: for retired persons, investors and family members of Sri Lankan citizens or residents.

British citizens use ETA for almost all leisure and short business visits. The High Commission handles longer stay categories, residency cases and certain document-based services that cannot be completed online.

How to Book an Appointment

ETA applications are submitted entirely online at eta.gov.lk. There is no in-person appointment for the ETA itself. The portal asks for passport details, travel dates and accommodation information, and issues a decision by email after payment.

For consular services that need an in-person visit, including residence visa enquiries, dual citizenship applications and document attestation, the High Commission's consular section accepts appointments by email and through its online booking page.

Print the ETA approval and carry it alongside the passport on travel. Sri Lankan immigration officers may request the printed authorisation at the port of entry.

Documents and Requirements

For most short visits, the ETA process needs:

• A passport valid for at least six months beyond the planned departure from Sri Lanka with at least one blank page.
• The applicant's full personal details as entered on the passport bio page.
• Travel dates and a confirmed flight booking.
• An address for accommodation in Sri Lanka, whether hotel, lodge or host address.
• A valid payment card to pay the ETA fee online.

For longer stay and consular categories, the High Commission typically requests additional documents including:

• A completed visa application form.
• Two recent passport-style photographs against a white background.
• For business visas, an invitation letter from the Sri Lankan host on company letterhead.
• For student visas, the letter of admission from the Sri Lankan institution and proof of paid tuition.
• For residence visas, supporting documents specific to the basis of stay, such as pension confirmation, investment evidence or marriage certificates.

Documents not in English or Sinhala should be translated. The High Commission may legalise UK documents for use in Sri Lanka.

Processing Times and Fees

ETA decisions are usually issued within 24 to 72 hours of submission, though the system can run faster during quiet periods. Tourist, business and other visa categories handled through the High Commission generally take five to ten working days. Residence and student visas tied to authorities in Colombo may take longer.

Fees for ETA are paid online in US dollars or local equivalent. Tourist, business, transit and residence visa fees follow the tariff set by the Department of Immigration and Emigration of Sri Lanka. Consular fees at the High Commission are published on its official site.

Verify the current ETA and visa fee structure at eta.gov.lk before applying, since tariffs are reviewed periodically by the Department of Immigration and Emigration.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Sri Lanka ETA?

The Sri Lanka ETA is the Electronic Travel Authorisation that almost all foreign visitors need before travelling to Sri Lanka. It functions as the standard short stay tourist or business visa and is applied for online at eta.gov.lk.

Can I extend my ETA inside Sri Lanka?

Yes. Tourist ETA visits can be extended at the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Colombo, generally up to a total of six months in a single visit. Business categories follow a separate extension process.

Do children need their own ETA?

Yes. Each traveller, including infants, needs an ETA linked to their own passport. The ETA fee for children is often lower than the adult fee, and infants may qualify for a waived fee under specific rules.

How is the residence visa different from a tourist or business visa?

The residence visa is issued for longer term stays, including retirement, investment and family-based residence. It involves the Department of Immigration and Emigration and the High Commission, and the documents required are more extensive than for ETA or short visit categories.

Does the High Commission handle Sri Lankan dual citizenship applications?

Yes. Dual citizenship applications and resumption of citizenship matters are handled by the consular section of the High Commission, working alongside the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Colombo. Appointments and document checks are arranged through the High Commission directly.

How We Verified This

Details in this article were cross-checked against the Sri Lanka High Commission London site, the Department of Immigration and Emigration ETA portal, GOV.UK travel advice for Sri Lanka, and Department of Immigration publications on extensions and residence visa rules.

Sources

• Sri Lanka High Commission London: slhclondon.org
• Sri Lanka ETA portal: eta.gov.lk
• GOV.UK Sri Lanka travel advice: gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/sri-lanka