Sri Lanka Visa from Dubai: ETA & Tourist Guide 2026

The Sri Lanka Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is an online pre-travel approval system introduced to replace the traditional tourist visa sticker for eligible nationalities. Rather than visiting an embassy or submitting a physical application, eligible travellers complete an online form at eta.gov.lk, pay the government fee by card, and receive their authorization by email — typically within 24 to 72 hours.

The ETA is not a physical visa stamp; it is an electronically linked authorization tied to your passport number. When you arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) in Colombo, or at Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (HRI), immigration officers see your authorization status in their system. You do not need to print it, though carrying a printed copy or screenshot is always advisable as a backup.

Sri Lanka's ETA system is administered by the Department of Immigration and Emigration. It is distinct from visa-on-arrival, which Sri Lanka also offers at the airport for eligible nationalities — though the online ETA is strongly preferred as it guarantees you have authorization before boarding and avoids queues at the airport.

Sri Lanka's ETA system is broadly inclusive. The overwhelming majority of nationalities who travel through Dubai — including Indian, Pakistani, Filipino, British, American, Australian, and European passport holders — are eligible for the ETA. The ETA is the standard, correct route for all these nationalities.

For UAE residents travelling on most common passport nationalities, the ETA is the only step required before travel. The important exception is nationalities that are not ETA-eligible — these travellers must contact the Sri Lanka Embassy in Abu Dhabi or apply through OraVisa, which can facilitate the embassy visa process.

Applying for the Sri Lanka ETA from Dubai is a fully online process that takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes to complete, provided you have your documents ready. The official government portal is eta.gov.lk — do not use third-party websites that charge inflated fees for the same service.

1. 1Go to the official ETA portal at eta.gov.lk and select "Apply for ETA" under the Tourist Visa category.
2. 2Enter your passport details exactly as they appear: full name, nationality, date of birth, passport number, and expiry date. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended travel dates.
3. 3Enter your travel details: planned entry date, expected length of stay, and port of entry (Bandaranaike International Airport — CMB, for most Dubai travellers).
4. 4Provide your contact information: email address (this is where your ETA will be sent), phone number, and UAE address if applicable.
5. 5Enter your accommodation details in Sri Lanka — a hotel booking reference or host address.
6. 6Upload a scanned copy of your passport biographical page (the photo page). The file must be in JPG or PDF format and under 1MB.
7. 7Pay the government fee of USD 50 per person by credit or debit card. Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are accepted.
8. 8Submit your application. You will receive a confirmation email with an application reference number.
9. 9Wait for your ETA approval email, which typically arrives within 24 hours. If you have not received it within 72 hours, check your spam folder and then contact the Department of Immigration.
10. 10Print a copy of your ETA approval email or save it to your phone. Present it if requested at check-in or at Sri Lanka immigration.

The Sri Lanka ETA fee is USD 50 per person for a standard tourist authorization. This fee is paid directly on the government portal by card and is non-refundable once submitted, even if your application is rejected or if you cancel your travel plans.

In practice, the vast majority of Sri Lanka ETA applications from Dubai are approved within 24 hours. Delays are most common when passport details are entered incorrectly, when the uploaded photo page is unclear, or when there is high application volume around public holidays. OraVisa recommends applying a minimum of 3 days before departure to have a comfortable buffer, and 7 days if your travel dates are flexible.

The Sri Lanka ETA requires fewer supporting documents than most traditional visa applications. Because the application is online, you do not need to submit physical copies of anything — only a scanned or photographed copy of your passport is uploaded during the application.

• Valid passport: at least 6 months validity beyond your planned travel dates, with at least one blank page for the entry stamp
• Scanned passport biographical page: the main photo page, in JPG or PDF format, under 1MB file size
• Email address: a working email where your ETA approval will be sent
• Travel dates: your planned arrival date and length of stay in Sri Lanka
• Accommodation details: hotel name and booking reference, or address of your host in Sri Lanka
• Payment card: credit or debit card (Visa, MasterCard, or American Express) to pay the USD 50 fee
• Return flight booking reference: not uploaded during the online application but you may be asked about it at the airport

Although the ETA application itself does not require bank statements, employment letters, or hotel pre-payments, Sri Lanka immigration officers may ask to see proof of onward travel and sufficient funds at the airport on arrival. UAE residents generally face no difficulties at Sri Lanka immigration, but having your return flight itinerary and a hotel booking on your phone is always sensible.

While the ETA process is uniform across eligible nationalities, there are a few nationality-specific points worth noting for the most common passport groups in Dubai's expatriate community.

Indian Passport Holders in Dubai

Indian passport holders in Dubai require the Sri Lanka ETA just like most other nationalities. India is a SAARC member country, which historically entitled Indian nationals to discounted or waived ETA fees — however, as of 2024, Sri Lanka reinstated the standard USD 50 fee for Indian passport holders. Indian nationals apply through the same eta.gov.lk portal. Approval is typically fast, within 24 hours.

Pakistani Passport Holders in Dubai

Pakistani passport holders are ETA-eligible for Sri Lanka. Despite Pakistan also being a SAARC member, the full USD 50 fee applies as of 2026. Pakistani nationals in Dubai should apply through the official ETA portal. If there are any complications with the online application, OraVisa can facilitate the process. Pakistan and Sri Lanka have strong bilateral ties, and Pakistani tourists are well received.

Nationalities Requiring Embassy Visas

A limited number of nationalities cannot use the ETA portal and must apply for a Sri Lanka visa through the Sri Lanka Embassy in Abu Dhabi. If you hold a passport from one of these restricted nationalities and are a UAE resident, contact OraVisa — we can advise on the embassy application process, which involves submitting a physical application with supporting documents and attending an appointment if required.

The standard Sri Lanka ETA grants 30 days of stay. If you want to stay longer — and Sri Lanka is a country that rewards those who linger — you can extend your stay in-country for up to a total of 90 days. Extensions are handled by the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Colombo, Sri Lanka. You cannot extend your ETA from Dubai before departure.

1. 1Visit the Department of Immigration and Emigration office in Colombo (located at Suhurupaya, Battaramulla) before your initial 30-day ETA expires.
2. 2Complete an Extension of Stay application form at the office.
3. 3Pay the extension fee — approximately LKR 5,000 to 10,000 per month of extension (verify current rates at the office as fees are updated periodically).
4. 4Your passport will receive an extension stamp valid for an additional 30 or 60 days, subject to approval.
5. 5The maximum continuous stay for tourists on extended ETAs is 90 days from first entry.

Dubai to Colombo (Bandaranaike International Airport, CMB) is one of the most well-served routes in the Gulf region. Emirates, flydubai, SriLankan Airlines, and Air Arabia all operate direct flights, making Sri Lanka among the most affordable and accessible destinations from the UAE.

Sri Lanka is particularly popular from Dubai during the Northern Hemisphere winter months (December to March), when Sri Lanka's west and south coasts enjoy their dry season — perfect weather for beach holidays in Mirissa, Unawatuna, and Bentota. Flights and accommodation prices are highest during December and January. See our best time to visit guide for a full seasonal breakdown.

While the Sri Lanka ETA is straightforward, a small number of avoidable errors account for the majority of delays and rejections. Being aware of these beforehand saves time and money.

• Using a third-party website instead of the official eta.gov.lk portal — these sites charge USD 100 to USD 150 for the same application
• Entering passport details incorrectly — your name on the ETA must match your passport exactly, including middle names
• Uploading a blurry or cropped passport photo page — the full biographical page must be legible
• Not checking your spam folder for the approval email — email from government systems is sometimes filtered
• Applying with less than 6 months passport validity — your ETA will be issued but you may be denied boarding or refused entry
• Assuming a SAARC nationality means automatic discount — as of 2024, USD 50 applies to Indian and Pakistani nationals
• Overstaying the 30-day ETA without extending — fines and future entry complications result from overstays
• Booking non-refundable travel before ETA approval — although approvals are fast, always confirm before booking non-cancellable flights