Sri Lanka e-Visa for citizens of the United States: online application, fees and processing time 2026
Yes, an e-Visa is required: citizens of the United States apply online before departure.
Data updated on
Free: since 25 May 2026, the authorisation (ETA) costs nothing for citizens of the United States, for a 30-day stay. Apply only on the official portal: websites that charge for it are selling a service, not the visa. Official announcement
Indicative information: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before booking. Our methodology · Official portal
Official fee
Free
Our guide to the Sri Lanka visa from the United States
Yes, U.S. citizens need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), Sri Lanka's tourist e-Visa, applied for online before departure.
For a tourist trip to Sri Lanka, United States nationals must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before travelling. It is requested from the United States, online, through the official portal srilankaevisa.lk and serves as a short-stay tourist visa. Applying in advance is more reliable and often cheaper than waiting for the on-arrival counter.
Do you need a visa for Sri Lanka?
Yes. Holders of a U.S. passport must have an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) to enter Sri Lanka as tourists. It is a short-stay e-Visa linked electronically to your passport. On-arrival processing is sometimes possible, but it is strongly recommended to obtain the ETA before leaving the United States.
How much does an e-visa for Sri Lanka cost from the United States?
Free
No government fee for your nationality: a website that charges for this authorisation is selling a service.
What does a visa for Sri Lanka really cost?
- Government feeFree
- Agency or online serviceOptional, added on top
What documents are required for an e-visa for Sri Lanka?
The exact list for Sri Lanka is not published in a source we can verify. Every short-stay tourist application is nonetheless built on the same core:
- Valid passport
- Completed application form
- Compliant passport photo
- Proof of accommodation
- Return or onward ticket
- Proof of sufficient funds
Treat this as the common core, not the official list, confirm it with the consular authorities of Sri Lanka before you apply.
Documents and fees
Carry a U.S. passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your entry date. You may be asked for your itinerary, an accommodation address and, where applicable, proof of sufficient funds or an onward ticket. The ETA fee varies by category and nationality: check the current amount directly on srilankaevisa.lk before paying, as it can change.
How to apply for an e-visa for Sri Lanka from the United States
- 1Fill in the form on the destination’s official portal.
- 2Upload the required documents (passport, photo, supporting papers).
- 3Pay the fee online by card.
- 4Receive the authorisation by email, usually without a consular visit.
- 5Show the authorisation, printed or on your phone, at boarding.
How and where to apply
The application is made online, from home, through the official portal srilankaevisa.lk. Enter your personal and travel details, provide your accommodation address in Sri Lanka, then pay the fee by card. Approval usually arrives by email: keep the ETA confirmation to show at check-in and at immigration control. Be wary of intermediary sites that imitate the official portal and charge surcharges.
Where do you apply for a visa for Sri Lanka from the United States?
An e-visa for Sri Lanka is filed entirely online: there is no counter to visit and no file to hand in. The only address that matters is the official portal.
- The application, the supporting documents and the payment all go through the official portal, from any country.
- Lookalike sites copy the portal’s name and layout, then resell the same application with a margin. Check the domain before you type in a passport number.
- The authorisation arrives by email. Keep a printed copy, some airlines ask for it at boarding.
You live in the United States on another passport?
The regime follows your nationality, not where you live. If you reside in the United States but travel on another country's passport, the rule on this page is not yours. Filing usually still happens from your country of residence, at the post competent for it, but the requirement itself comes from your passport.
Pick your nationality to see the rule
How long does an e-visa for Sri Lanka take?
No verified processing time is published for this route. Apply as early as your travel dates allow, and never book non-refundable travel before the e-visa is granted.
Processing and practical tips
The ETA is often processed quickly, but no timeframe is guaranteed: apply several days before departure. Check that the passport number and the spelling of your name match your document exactly, as the ETA is linked to it electronically. Print a copy of the approval and keep a digital version accessible offline.
Before you fly, and at the border
Passport validity, border checks, minors, overstays: the rules common to every trip are gathered on our travel tips page. Formalities before you leave
Common mistakes and good to know
The most common mistake is going through an unofficial third-party site: use only srilankaevisa.lk. Do not travel assuming you can sort everything out on arrival, as on-arrival conditions can change. Finally, respect the authorised length and purpose of stay: the tourist ETA does not permit work, and overstaying can lead to a fine on departure.
Plan your trip
Nomad Insurance travel cover (SafetyWing)
Medical cover and repatriation, can be taken out mid-trip.
Flights (Trip.com)
Compare flights and airlines for your trip.
eSIM data (Saily)
Stay connected on landing, with no roaming charges. Requires an eSIM-compatible phone.
Tours and activities (GetYourGuide)
Book excursions ahead, with free cancellation on most activities.
Partner links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Other visa types for Sri Lanka
A tourist stay is not the only purpose. These are the other permits the destination issues and that your nationality is eligible for, each with its own fee and processing time.
Official sources
- Department of Immigration and Emigration (Sri Lanka)
- U.S. Department of State: Sri Lanka International Travel Information
Other references
Guide generated automatically on July 26, 2026, from the verified catalogue.
Short-stay (tourism)
eVisa / authorization
Entry regime
eVisa / authorization
Official websiteVerified
Business eTA
Consular visa
Duration
90 days
Price
30–55 USD
Processing time
24 hours
Official websiteVerified
Work / Residence visa
Work visa
Duration
1 year
Price
200 USD
Processing time
30 business days
Official websiteVerified
Family Reunification
Family reunification
Duration
1 year (renewable)
Price
0–200 USD
Processing time
15 business days
Official websiteVerified
Transit visa
Transit visa
Duration
2 days
Price
Free
Processing time
24 hours
Official websiteVerified
Student visa
Student visa
Duration
Duration of programme
Price
200 USD
Processing time
15 business days
Official websiteVerified
My Dream Home retirement programme
Retirement visa
Duration
Renewable
Price
200 USD
Processing time
30 business days
Official websiteVerified
Tips for extending your stay in Sri Lanka
- Plan ahead to avoid complications upon arrival.
- Make sure you have all the necessary documents for your visa type.
Example: For a prolonged stay, it is advisable to request a visa extension from the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Colombo.
Get alerted when this visa policy changes
One email only when this destination’s regime, fees or visas change. One-click unsubscribe.
Indicative information, drawn from official sources and Wikipedia, and updated automatically. Rules change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before booking. Our methodology · Official portal
Other visas from the United States
Guides to prepare your trip
Sri Lanka ETA 2026: free visa for Europeans, how to apply and extend
Since 25 May 2026 the tourist ETA is free for 40 countries including the UK, France and Germany: 30 days, two entries. It is still…
6 min readRead the guide →
Transit visa 2026: when a simple layover requires a visa
Staying airside and crossing immigration are not governed by the same rules. When a transit visa becomes mandatory, the Schengen case, the…
7 min readRead the guide →
Digital Nomad Visas Around the World: 2026 Guide
Portugal, Spain, Croatia, Estonia, Indonesia, Dubai, Japan… Income requirements, duration, cost and processing times of the main digital…
9 min readRead the guide →