- You must apply for a Tourist Visit Visa when travelling to Sri Lanka as a tourist.
- Tourist Visit Visa can be applied online through eta.gov.lk, which costs $50 (excluding bank charges).
- Once approved, the Vist Visa will be valid for 6 months and authorizes a 30-day stay with two possible entries into Sri Lanka.
- There is also a visa on arrival possible at the airport in Sri Lanka, which cost $50 and gives you a 30-day tourist visa.
- If you are from a SAARC country Tourist Vist Visa will cost $25 per person.
- You can also apply for a Sri Lankan Tourist Vist Visa at the Sri Lankan High Commission office in your respective home country.
- Nationals of China, India, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Japan can obtain a visa free of charge at the port of entry.
- Tourists from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, North Korea, Ghana, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Syria will need to visit their respective Sri Lankan missions abroad and cannot obtain a visa upon arrival in Sri Lanka.
- Extend visa online through https://eservices.immigration.gov.lk, or by visiting the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Battaramula, Colombo, or through a visa agent.
Apply for Sri Lanka Tourist Visit Visa
There are two ways to apply for your Tourist Visit Visa for Sri Lanka, either through the official government website or on arrival at the airport (not available for all nationalities).
Apply for Tourist Visa to Sri Lanka online.
Applying for your tourist visit visa to Sri Lanka can easily and quickly be done online,
Fill in all required details on the official website and wait for the confirmation to come in. This generally takes about 2 hours. First, you will receive an email that your online application has been received, and a little bit later, you will receive an email confirming your ETA. This could take a bit longer during weekends or public holidays. Make sure you check your email spam box.
When asked to fill in a flight number and an address in Sri Lanka, fill in your flight into Colombo and the address of your first accommodation. If you do not have anything booked yet, fill something random in, as we have never heard that they check this.
Your ETA/visa is linked to your passport and in the system. But just in case, do bring a printout or have the email ready on your phone.
Sri Lanka Tourist Visa on arrival
This process takes a little bit longer because there is an extra queue at the airport you will have to wait in, and they aren’t as efficient. Thus, we recommend that everyone apply for their ETA/visa online.
You can get a visa on arrival at the following ports:
- Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake (near Negombo)
- Colombo International Airport, Ratmalana (15km south of Colombo)
- Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, Hambantota
- Cruise Terminal, Colombo
Sri Lanka Tourist Visa Cost & validity
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The Sri Lanka Tourist Visit Visa costs $50.
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Once approved, the Tourist Vist Visa will be valid for 6 months and authorizes a 30-day stay with two possible entries into the Sri Lanka.
Proof of onward flight for Sri Lanka Tourist Visa
Before travelling to Sri Lanka, make sure you have (proof of) an onward flight stating that you will leave the country again. For most travellers, this will be a return ticket with the same airline back to your home country. But for long-term travellers with no fixed plans, this can be an issue. They could ask for this document at the Sri Lankan border or sometimes even before check-in from your departure airport and refuse you on the flight if you do not have this. This is always the case when travelling from India, for instance.
For travellers with no fixed plans, there are some options:
- Onwardticket.com
- Or be creative and make your ticket or change an old one.
Sri Lanka Tourist Visa Passport Validity
Ensure your passport is valid for a minimum of six months from your arrival in Sri Lanka. If your passport is too old, apply for a new one before expiry, as your ETA/visa is linked to your passport number!
Sri Lanka Arrival Form
To travel to Sri Lanka, you must fill out an Arrival Card. This can quickly be done digitally through this link.
Extending your Sri Lanka tourist visa
There are a few ways to extend your stay in Sri Lanka longer than the standard 30-day visa.
Tourist Visa Extension for Sri Lanka – Online
Applying for an Online Application for Visa Extension in Sri Lanka should be a relatively easy online process. See the steps on the official website here.
How to apply for an online tourist visa extension in Sri Lanka
- Go to the official website here: https://eservices.immigration.gov.lk/vs/home.php
- Register yourself by providing your details in the online form. After this, you can log in to this system using your email and password.
- Fill in your details. Details requested with * are mandatory.
- Upload requested files. Uploading a photo of your passport data page is mandatory. Other files should be uploaded if available. Providing as much details as possible will make it easier for the immigration department to grant the visa extension.
- Confirm and save your details. You can use the same login to apply if there are other applicants in your group (max 10 per login).
- Next, you make an appointment to visit the Head Office of the Department of Immigration and Emigration to pay for and get the tourist visa extension in your passport. On the appointment page, you select a date and time.
- You will receive a confirmation email, which you need to take to the appointment (printed). Without this, you cannot enter.
- You visit the Visa Division at the “C” Wing, 4th Floor, on the appointment day. You can enter 15min before your timeslot. If you’re 10 minutes late, you’ll need to make a new appointment.
Apply for a Sri Lanka Tourist visa at your home-country Embassy
You can already apply for a 3-month visa at the Sri Lankan Embassy in your home country (if you have one). This is a straightforward procedure, and we recommend calling the Sri Lankan mission abroad closest to you beforehand for more information.
Extending your Sri Lanka Tourist visa at the Immigration Department
When in the country, you can extend for an additional two months to a total of 3 months. After this, you extend for 3 months, giving you six months. So for the six months in total, you will have to visit the office of the Department of Immigration and Emigration twice or arrange this through a visa processing agency. In some cases, we have heard you can even extend your Sri Lankan Tourist Visa to 9 months!
If you want to extend your visa yourself, you will have to make your way to the office of the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Battaramulla, Colombo. This is the official government office where you can extend your visa in Sri Lanka. The office is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, with an hour-long break for lunch in the middle.
How to get to the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Sri Lanka
The easiest way to get to the office is using a tuktuk from Tuktuk Rental! But otherwise, a taxi service like Uber or PickMe will work too. If you are thinking of going by bus, check out the app Colombo Bus Routes or ask around the bus station for the bus to Battaramulla or Passport Office. Depending on traffic and where you are coming from in Colombo, this will take from 30min to an hour. Remember if you are asking locals to use your best Sri Lankan accent when saying “passport office”.
Before you go, make sure you have all the necessary documentation filled out and ready. This will save you time at the visa extension office!
Documents and other things to bring to the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Sri Lanka for your visa extension:
- Print out the visa extension form and have it ready.
- If you do not have access to a printer, you can get one at the small shops outside the office for Rs. 50 or get the document from the counter inside the office.
- Make sure you have a passport-size photograph pasted on the visa extension form.
- If you don’t have a photo, you can have one made. You can do this outside the office or inside the office (on the first floor) for about Rs. 250.
- If you don’t have any glue to paste the photo on the visa extension document, there is some inside the office on level C (where you will need to go to pick up the forms, which is also the waiting room).
- Cash/credit card for visa extension fee, please check this website for the fee per country.
- An official requirement is ‘proof of onward flight’ and ‘sufficient funds’. However, in our experience, they never really ask for this. When getting the first two extra months (to a total of 3) extension, make sure you don’t look like a beggar when you are at the office.
- If you want to play it safe, check out the ‘proof of onward flight’ section above and print out a bank statement.
- Snacks/drinks, something to do like read a book or like too many photos on social media. Of course, you will need some patience 😉
- Last but not least: YOUR PASSPORT, with more than six months of validity!
NOTE: In the street where the office is located, many shops can help you with this process. The same shops where you can get a passport-size photograph and a print-out of the visa extension document. The people outside these shops will try to convince you that they can do the visa extension for you faster and that it takes a very long time. However, they are just trying to make an extra buck, and it takes just as long as you would do it yourself but is more expensive.
Steps to take to extend your Sri Lanka tourist visa at the Department of Immigration and Emigration
- Make sure you have all documents ready.
- Get over to the office of the Department of Immigration and Emigration.
- The actual office where you can extend your visa is not the one you enter. You walk through the busy waiting area to the opposite left side, cross a small road and then enter the office in the back. That’s where you take the elevator to the 4th floor and turn right towards the first counter.
- Try to get here by 8 AM, the first of the 5 counters are already open so you can start the process.
- On the 4th floor turn right towards a room with a C on it and a sign that says Welcome To The Visa Division. Hand in your completed application and passport to the person sitting at the desk right after you enter this area. They will hand you a number token and ask you to sit in Wing C nearby and wait for that number to be called.
- Take a seat at Wing C and keep an eye out at the screen for your number to be shown. At the bottom of the screen are the numbers that are due to be called so you can see how far back in line you are.
- Once your number is called, hand over your token to the clerk behind this desk who will scan it and then tell you to proceed to Area B. Which is located in another area, head outside the doors and walk straight along the hallway to a door labelled B called Visa Application Acceptance Unit and walk-in.
- This area opens at 8.30 AM, be prepared to stand up when the Sri Lankan National Anthem is being played!
- In this room, again there will be screens on the wall where you will see your number appear. Take a seat and wait for your number to be called. When you see your number, head into one of the four small offices (labelled A – D) indicated for your number.
- Go into the office and hand over your documents and passport to the visa officer who will inspect them.
- Head back to Area C, where you started, and wait at the Payment Counters which are located behind the desk that issues number tokens in step 3, on the right side. Again wait for your number to appear on the screen or to be called.
- Once called, hand over your token number. The person behind the desk is going to quote you a price of Rupees after conversion from USD. You can either pay in cash in Rupees or hand them a Visa or MasterCard and be charged in USD.
- After you make the payment, get your receipt and head over to the waiting area behind Wing C in step 4. Which is located to the left of the payment counters.
- Once your number is called, head to the counters at the front and hand over your number, sign the sheet, and get your passport back. Always check whether the visa extension sticker is in your passport with a new expiry date.
The record by following these steps for your visa extension is currently set at 1 hour and 50 minutes, arriving at 8 AM and leaving at 9.50 AM!
Extending your Tourist Visa to Sri Lanka through an agency
If you’re short on time and have extra money, you can go to one of the extension agencies. These legal entities can arrange your visa with less hassle (they do all the work for you). You need to hand in your passport and fill out some forms at the start of the day, and then you can collect it again at 5 pm, usually on the same day. The one we would recommend and which our customers have used before is Immigration Services Centre. Another option is Island Visa Services.
Overstaying your Sri Lanka Tourist Visa
The penalty for overstaying your visa in Sri Lanka is $600! We have not heard of anyone who has actually got fined this amount.
There is no official information online on overstaying your visa in Sri Lanka. However, from travellers and reports on various online portals, we can conclude there is a minimal chance you will not have to pay a fine.
There is a 7-day grace period for overstaying, an agent like Immigration Services Center can help you obtain your visa when still in this grace period.
When your Sri Lanka Tourist Visa is expired, you have 24 hours to leave the country without being fined.
If you overstay, you can be escorted into the interrogation room, where you must explain yourself. This will cost some time which results in people missing flights. We have heard of other people placed on a 5-year blacklist and could only enter Sri Lanka with a special visa (source: TripAdvisor).
Most overstayers leave the office, losing more money than they want.
Experiences from people overstaying their visa in Sri Lanka
Dengue/hospitalization
We have heard of someone hospitalized for dengue and then overstayed for 21 days. Finally ended up paying just $25 to immigration and had a small talk with the officer before leaving the country.
1,5-week overstay
Another person we spoke to had overstayed 1,5 weeks. They ended up paying 14,000 LKR to the immigration officer.
Eight days overstay
An elderly couple overstayed their visa in Sri Lanka by eight days, ended up having a serious conversation with the immigration officer and paid $67 in extension charges. Their excuse was that they thought they had applied for a 3-month visa but only had one month.
116 Comments
by Dan
hi guys, thanks for the article, do you think an extension is necessary for an overstay of one day? I made an error when I booked my flight, I fly out on the 18th and visa runs out on 17th, thanks
by Wietse Sennema
Hi Dan, you should be ok! According to below article the fine is $500 for more than one day and $25 for overstaying at the moment. However from experience I know one day is never a problem and even though the government has issued a statement with new rules, it’s always the question if and when they get applied.
“Meanwhile, the penalty for overstaying visas have been increased. Those overstaying visas more than one day will be charged US$ 500. At preset those who overstay their visas for more than a month are imposed a fine of US$ 25, while those who overstay for more than two months are required to pay US$ 50.”
http://www.sundaytimes.lk/180311/news/sweeping-visa-policy-changes-to-attract-professionals-and-investors-285689.html
by darren
doni have to leave afyer 6 months on a tourist visa or can i renew again ?
by Wietse Sennema
After 6 months tourist visa you will have to leave the country, but can return with the first flight back and get a new month!
by Johnny
Hi ,how many months can I stay
after have been in Sri Lanka for 6 months and live the country and return in the next flight??
by Wietse Sennema
Hi Johnny, you can stay for another 6 months after leaving the country and returning with the next flight. I have never heard of any problems regarding this. Good luck!
by Yolanda Fabra
Hi!And do you know how long do you have to be out of the country for coming back again?
Thanks
by Wietse Sennema
You can take the next flight back 😉
by Sakshi
Hey! I have got my ETA and it’s valid till August 7th ..but my flight back to my nation is booked for 8th ..,will there be a problem in airport ? Should I pay fine?please help me out with this confusion.Thanks
by Wietse Sennema
Hi Sakshi, there is no real information to be found on this. But in general 1 day will not be a very big problem. Some people had to pay the extension + fine at the airport, others were free to go without. Depends on the immigration officer I guess 🙂 If you can clear immigration on the 7th, you would be safe.
by Lisa
I have just booked a one way ticket to Sri Lanka as I don’t know my return date yet. I’m now worried that I might be refused entry, any tips?
by Wietse Sennema
You can get a fake onward flight, a quick google search will help you out 😉
by Simon
Can you also get a 90-day tourist visum at the airport entry or only the 30-day option? I want to stay 40 days and that looks easier for me then to first get a digital ETA and later have to extend it.
by Wietse Sennema
Hi Simon, not possible on arrival unfortunately. The Sri Lankan embassy in your country would though!
by Simon
Thank you! I will arrange it in the Netherlands then.
by Wietse Sennema
Yeah can get it done in the embassy in Den Haag, you will need to go there to to give your passport. Maybe you can post it. More expensive than doing the extension in Sri Lanka itself though.
by Simon
It will cost me 78 euros per person and it can be done by post (http://www.netherlands.embassy.gov.lk/content962e.html?subotherpage=43#98900448). I think I find that more convenient then to arrange the extension in Sri Lanka.
by Wietse Sennema
Amazing!
by Ravi Shankar
I would like to add in your article that while going to immigration that timing to get your token for your turn to apply visa is by 2.30 PM so i request to visit immigration office for visa by 2.30 PM
by Wietse Sennema
Hi Ravi, not sure what you mean? Are you trying to say that it is better not to get there after 2.30pm? Which could be plausible because there will not be enough time to process the visa since the office closes at 4.30pm.
by Lauren Bradshaw
Hi,
I got an extension but I’m flying over to India for 6 weeks during that time and coming back to columbo to get my flight back home. So I’ll be back for a day before my flight.
Can I re enter on an extension ?
Because I don’t want to pay another $40 just for a day.
Thanks in advance.
by Wietse Sennema
Hi Lauren, you can get a free transit visa! Its valid for 2 days Check http://eta.gov.lk/slvisa/visainfo/fees.jsp
Good luck!
by Xalman
Hello,
Good Article. I have a very different question. I have already extended twice and I am suppose to leave next month but I want to extend my stay further. Is it possible? I am not in a posotion to leave the country and come back right now and the most affordable option for me right now is to get an extension.
Is there a ferry ride or something that I can use for exiting and then applying for re-entry to sri lanka?
by Wietse Sennema
Hi Xalman, unfortunately I do not know of any other option than to leave the country and come back. There are no ferries to India / Maldives, only other option would be a cruise ship. Hope you are able to figure it out!
by Gemma Yemm
What is the latest time I can arrive at the office to extend my visa? It used to be 12:30 but my flight doesn’t land until 10:30 and I’m not sure I will make it to the Dept of E&I office in Battaramulla on time.
by Wietse Sennema
I suggest staying close-by and being there first thing early next day!
by Ebba
Hello! im a bit confused about this proof of onward flightticket,
i plan to stay in Srilanka for 90 days but atm only have the 30 day ETA, which im planning to extend,
wont it be an issue when i show a flight out far later then my visa reach on arrival?
Thanks in advance!
by Wietse Sennema
You can tell them you are extending your visa and that should be okay! Alternatively have a fake onward flight 😉
by Sophie
Hi,
We are planning on doing a medical elective in Sri Lanka for 3 weeks and have been told we have to apply for the 30 day business visa online. We however want to stay for 2 weeks after this and so it will take us over the 30 days. I know we can’t extend the business visa but do you know if we can go to the office and get a tourist visa to cover this extra time?
by Wietse Sennema
Don’t think it is possible to extend tourist to visa, never heard of this. But extension of business is pretty easy and process is the same 🙂
by Lucas
Hey, thank you for all the useful information. I already used my 30days and extended for 2 months(finishing on feb 3rd). I need to leave the country tomorrow, dec 10th for 10 days and come back. On my extension visa it’s witten that they don’t assure that I can land, but “not assuring” maybe means that I can, depending on the authority at the immigration?What do you think? Have you heard of anyone who has done an extension, left the country and came back with the same visa?
by Wietse Sennema
Hi Lucas, unfortunately only seeing this now. Because you extend to up to 6 months! Initial 30days, then 2 months extension, then three months extension. In general, they will not deny you entry again unless the suspect that you are here for employment purposes, or look like a hobo. When you do the extension and leave the country, your visa expires and you will have to get a new one.
by Johannes
Hello! Have few questions, maybe stupid ones but I´m going to ask anyway because have seen some other people also wondering same stuff and now I´m bit nervous. 😀
I will do the ETA form online before going to Sri Lanka.
1. Do I need to print any documents or passport pictures for the authorities working at the airport border of Sri Lanka? If needed, what is the size of the passport pictures and how many do I need?
2. Can my onward flight be to any country in the world or does it have to be my home land?
So much info on the internet makes me confused…
by Wietse Sennema
Hey Johannes, in general, you do not need to print anything. But you can print the ETA confirmation email just to be sure. Onward flight can be to any country. Enjoy Sri Lanka!
by Henry McEndoo
Hey! I have already extended my visa up to 3 months and think I want to extend it again up to 6 months. Is it the same price as the first extension ? And will I need proof of a flight out ? Thanks, Henry
by Wietse Sennema
Hi Henry, for the extension you pay an additional 10000 tax. Sometimes they will ask for a proof of a flight out.
by Ewa
Hello, I have a question – i will spend 32 days in Sri Lanka. Is it possible to get free 2 days transit visa after regular 30 days visa?
by Wietse Sennema
Unfortunately not, you will have to get an extension from the Immigration Department.
by Chaithra
Hi,
I have visa for my travel to Srilanka. But due to personal emergency I had to reschedule my flight. Now the visa is outside the valid 30 days. Could you please help on how I can proceed with this scenario to get the visa.
by Wietse Sennema
Did you apply for the ETA through the official website? That is valid for 3 months before entering the country. Your 30-day visa then kicks in once you enter the country.
by Tom
Yo, thanks for the useful info.
Im doing a visa run after my 3 month visa, but i left Sri Lanka a week before my old visa has run out (8th) Feb.
Ill be returning at the end of this week (prior to 8th) will this be an issue or will my visa have expired as soon as i left?
by Doug
We are leaving Sri Lanka for a few days but will then return to Colombo for one day before taking an international flight. Our visas will still be valid. What is the process at the Colombo airport on our return? Do we have to go through the eVisa lineup again? Thanks
Doug
by Verity
Hello, I am booking my returning flight after changing my travel plans and will need to overstay 1 day, will this be a problem?
by Wietse Sennema
Can’t say, always depends on the immigration officer!
by DILINI
Me and my husband have dual citizens of Sri lanka & Australia, but my kids do not have SL citizenship.
So if we stay 35 days in SL, do our kids need to get a visa extension. They are Australian citizens. (i believe kids under 16 yrs dont need to obtain the visa?)
Thanks
by Wietse Sennema
They have free for 1 month, but I am not sure about the extension though.
“Requirement for Sri Lankan Visa or ETA is exempted if you are:
– Children born abroad to Sri Lankan parents whose birth has been registered in Sri Lanka under section 5(2) of Citizenship Act 1948 who are below the age of 21 years”
Above is for children born to Sri Lankans abroad, for all other children:
“Following category is exempt from ETA Processing Fee:
– Children under 12 years of age”
Another option is to get them to apply for a ‘Visa for Ex-Sri Lankan – (Foreigners of Sri Lankan origin)’, they then get a residence visa for a year.
by paul cogin
I was not charge for my one month extension visa, why?
by Wietse Sennema
Don’t know, but lucky you!!
by Garvin Timmann
Hello,
I had the one month visa on arrival sticker on my passport.
After one week i applied for the 2 months to be topped onto the end of the visa date, which cost from memory about 4000 rupees.
To then get the 3 months added to the end of the now 3 month visa, when should i apply for that Do i wait for the end to come close then make the application.
Will it cost the same.
Then when i have to fly out when the visa expires, what is the nearest airport in India to do the roundtrip for returning for the Visa rounds again?
I have a German passport.
My mother is born in Kandy, but she did not apply for me to get a Sri Lankan passport. How i have to go through a two stage citizenship (single then dual citizenshiop), pay 300,000 rupees, then after one year i receive a Sri Lankan passport. All very slow, plus getting birth certificates (mother and grand father), Lawyers to sign affadavit too, Oaths, marriage certificate, residential certificates that have to signed by Divisional Secretary. Can a drive a happy person mad!
by Wietse Sennema
Hi Garvin, from my experience you can get the extra 3 months whenever. They could ask some questions, but if you mention your Sri Lankan heritage they will understand. But in general, you will be fine. The cost will be twice of the if the first extension, essentially it’s the same but they add a 100% tax on top of that.
I would just check the cheapest flight out, often it’s Chennai/Trivandrum/Kochi. All around 1 to 1,5 hours flight.
I guess you were you not born here? Then the process should be easier and cheaper. Anyway, good luck!
by Juli
Thank you so much for this article first of all and second – I have a question: “Do I need some more proove or explanation for extending the visa for 3 more month ( after I already extended for 2 month before), or financial stability and back flight ticket is enough?
by Wietse Sennema
From my experience, return-flight and financial statements are enough. Enjoy the island!
by Shahul
Hi
I will come to srilanka from saudi arabia and return to india.(home country)
I Have onward ticket to my home country
Will allow this onward ticket. Are they need return ticket to saudi arabia
by Wietse Sennema
Onward ticket to India is fine!
by Jancee
Hi i am married to a srilankan and planning to apply a spouse visa once i reached der. I now resigned in my job here in uae. To enter srilanka can i use the ETA 30 days visa and apply spouse visa later. Also for ticket do i need to present 2 way or just one way enough?
by Wietse Sennema
Hi Jancee, I am not sure about that. But if you can prove with a marriage certificate if they ask, that should be fine. You can mention that you are applying for a spouse visa.
by Friso
Hi all,
In January I arrived in Sri Lanka on an electronic business via. I have extended this visa in February and now it is expiring. I need to stay in Sri Lanka for a bit longer and I wonder how often are you allowed to extend the business visa before you have to actually leave the country? I’m a citizen from the Netherlands.
Thanks for all the help.
Kind Regards,
Friso
by Wietse Sennema
Goedenmiddag Friso, a business visa is valid for a maximum of 3 months. There are one-year business visa’s, but even then you need to leave the country every 3 months. In your case, I am afraid you will have to leave and return to the island. Luckily, a quick up and down to the closest overseas airport is enough to get your next visa 🙂
by pinky
do we need to go in person to extent my visa or I can send someone behalf of me to immigration and emigration department if srilanka?
by Wietse Sennema
Hi there, the only way to send someone on your behalf is to make use of an authorized agent. Now travel agents are able to do this, but we recommend using http://www.immigrationlanka.com
by DEBORAH POWELL
Hello,
I think I’m asking a question that won’t have a clear answer but here it goes. I was supposed to stay in Sri Lanka until the end of June so had plans to renew my tourist visa on Monday before it expires on Tuesday. Due to recent tragic events I’ve decided to leave the country sooner and the best flight option I can find is May 7th. My visa expires April 30. I would rather avoid paying the extension fee along with the hassle and potential danger of traveling to Colombo right now however if I don’t get an extension I from what I’ve read in this article that puts me at a very high risk of having to pay both the fee and the penalty. Do you have any sources on information if there are exceptions being made due to the current situation? I have not been able to connect to the department of immigration, their phone hangs up after being on hold forever.
Any thoughts or advice would be much appreciated!
Thanks so much.
Deborah
by Wietse Sennema
Hi Deborah, I understand your point. Let me lay out some solutions/answer some questions for you:
1. Is it safe in Colombo? Absolutely. The situation is improving every day, the chance of another attack is unbelievably low and the government has enhanced security all over, especially at government offices, busy places and places where tourist gather in numbers. I can safely say that visiting the office yourself should be perfectly fine, they will welcome you with open arms even!
2. You can use an external agent like http://www.immigrationlanka.com to extend your visa. You can courier your passport to them and they will do the needful. However, with the security situation maybe it’s wise to keep your passport on you at all times.
3. I do not know if they make any exceptions to the current situation, but I would assume so. Do not mark my words on this, but knowing the Sri Lankan people and the fact it depends on the immigration officer at the airport, you could be able to leave without a fine after explaining what you explained to me. Again, this is at your own risk.
4. I saw a Facebook message in a group somewhere from someone who left after his visa expired after the attacks and had no issues. But again, this was a message on social media.
5. Personally, I think, if you decide to leave because of the security situation, take the next flight out and do not wait for your ‘best flight option’.
6. Stay! The situation is getting better every day 🙂
Good luck!
by Abhishek
Sir I have my project in srilanka for 45 days and we are planning to make e visa of 30 days and then extend it afterwards after reaching srilanka.. does this leads us in any trouble?? Also what is it cost if we want only 15 days visa.. please do reply
by Wietse Sennema
Hi Abhishek, no this should not get you into trouble. If they ask about this at immigration, just mention you are going to extend your visa at the Department of Immigration and show them your return flight. Cost depends on your nationality. Another option is to already apply for the extension visa at a Sri Lankan Embassy in your country.
by Sumanth
Hi. The article is really helpful. I still have only one question remaining. I am on a business visa here for 30 days and it expires in 4 days. When I checked on the Immigration website they are asking us to carry a letter from the company/organisation to extend my business visa. Can you guys help me with what kind of letter is it? and where can I get a format for the same?
by Wietse Sennema
Hi Sumanth, a quick google search will give you some sample letters. Just change the country/business, etc to your situation and you’re good to go!
by Jacob
Hi, i Just would like to check with you that my visa is expiring on 18 June and i intended to stay until 20th in Sri Lanka and will leave and be back again on 1st of July, however if i extend my visa, for another 30 days, am i able to apply visa again for the coming 1st of July arrival?
by Wietse Sennema
Hey Jacob, once you leave your visa is void. So you can re-apply for a new one before coming back. However, if you are not in the country yet. Please check and see if you can get a 3-month visa at the Sri Lankan Embassy in your home-country, those are multi-entry and will save you money!
by Apolline
Hi! Thanks for this helpful article!!
Do you know if they make you pay 500$ for overstaying one week? Or is that just written theory? Thanks a lot!!
by Wietse Sennema
Hi Apolline, never heard of anyone actually paying the $500 fine. When overstaying, people do have to pay a fine and the extension anyway. But what this is all depends on the immigration officer and the mood he/she is in.
by April
Hi,
I’m working in Colombo now, and my residence visa will be expired by the end of this month. I’m planning to travel after I finish my work, is it possible to extend my stay with holiday visa? Do I have to go overseas to get that visa?
Thanks in advance
by Wietse Sennema
Hi April, great that you want to continue travelling! As far as I am aware, you need to leave the country and come back on a different visa if you want the visa to change.
by Deepak Nallendran
I am an indian and I have extended my business visa for three months today whether can i go to India and come back to srilanka with same visa during this period
by Wietse Sennema
Hi Deepak, unfortunately not. Business visas are single entry, once you leave the visa becomes invalid and you will have to apply for a new one when coming back.
by Deepak Nallendran
Is business visa is convertible into multiple entry visa is there any procedure kindly advice me for an emergency situation
Thank you
by Barry
Having left London and arriving in SL for a connecting flight can you leave the airport if you have a long wait for for your next plane . Sorry, probably not a visa issue.
by Wietse Sennema
Hey Barry, yes this is possible. You can either apply for the 30-day free visa or the transit visa which is for 48 hours. Enjoy your short stay!
by Amanda
Do you know if children have to pay for the visa extension? We have booked to go to Sri Lanka in March/April 2020. We booked for 32 days (not realising the 30 day requirement) we have three kids aged 10 and under, the costs of 5 visa extensions seems a lot! Not sure whether to risk the airport 2 days passed expiry or not. If we book a 90 day visa in Australia do children pay for that? THANKS!
by Wietse Sennema
Unfortunately, there is no exception for children. Extending an Australian visa will cost $30 per person. I think the same rule applies for getting the visa in Australia, but for that, it is best to call the Sri Lankan embassy and ask. Risking a 2 day stay with children could be something you could try but would not advise, could end up paying more.
by kumara
Hi one of my best indian friend has come to help my hotel business and will be working in thee hotel as a cook, since we dont have tourist board approval. will it be a problem.
by Wietse Sennema
You will need to apply for a work visa somehow! Depends at which department the business is registered, thats where you will need to get the recommendation letter.
by Prema
I have an e-visa for 30 days and planning to extend my stay for another 30 days. How much it would cost for Canadian in Sri Lankan Rupees or US $ to get an extension in SriLanka?
by Wietse Sennema
It would cost 50USD!
by Sri
I am a UK citizen and my wife is a Sri Lankan citizen. We are planning to visit SL for 3 months. I can apply for 30 days free evisa and extend while in SriLanka or I can apply for 3 months in High Commission. What is the best option?
by Wietse Sennema
From my experience, the extension in Sri Lanka is cheaper. The only thing you will need to go to the department of immigration and sit through the process. I think with the high commission, you also need to go there, leave your passport, wait a couple of days before picking it up again. All in all, will also take quite some time. At least that is the procedure in The Hague, could be different in the UK.
by Sri
Hi Wietse, Thank you for your information. I still haven’t decided yet what to do. I’ll keep your in mind when making the decision. Best regards
by Wietse Sennema
Alright!
by Sian W
Hi, my husband and I are planning an extended trip on a tourist visa. Our plan is to extend as many times as possible, so that we can get 6 months in the country before needing to leave. My query is with regards to onward travel tickets – if we are originally applying for a 30 day visa (but knowing we will be in the country for 6 months…), do we need a ticket that will take us out after 30 days? Or will they accept a ticket to leave 6 months after original entry? Thanks in advance for any help you can provide!
by Wietse Sennema
Hi Sian, very late reply. Apologies! There is a possibility of even extending to 9-months in certain cases, but an agent can help you with this. They can ask you for a ticket within the original 30 days, but a fake onward ticket does the trick 🙂
by Wannes
Hi there,
my partner and I will visit Sri Lanka in november this year. We’ll stay for a total of 2.5months so we need to extend our visa. The information provided on this page is a gold mine, so thanks a lot. I do am wondering if the process is still the same nowadays (COVID etc) as described above? Is it still like this and can I still do it myself?
Kind regards,
Wannes
by Wietse Sennema
Hi Wannes! We try and update the blog as often as possible. Currently (as lockdown has ended), it should be possible to extend the visa again yourself, however, using an agent is super easy and saves a lot of time! The shops around can be closed though, so you might need to get the papers printed and photos beforehand. Cheers, Wietse
by Miriam
Hello, thanks for the article!
I am in Sri Lanka right now and have a 30 day visa, but I applied for it with another flight than I really took in the end.
So I planned on arriving on the 29th of December but in the end I arrived on January 2nd, do you know if I can stay for one month from my application date (until 28th of January) of for one month from the actual date (until February 1st)?
Thanks so much already!
Greetings from Sigiriya 🙂
by Wietse Sennema
Hi Miriam, it’s one month from your arrival date 🙂 You can check the sticker in your passport which shows till which date you can stay. Enjoy the island! Regards, Wietse
by Mikky
Hi,
Your post is very helpful.
Could you let me know if I can renew my visa ext on the arrival date? Or does it have to be after certain days?
Thank you
Mikky
by Wietse Sennema
Hi Mikky, you can actually apply for a 3-month visa at the nearest embassy in your home country even! But otherwise, you can extend your visa just after you arrive in Sri Lanka 🙂
by Chatryn
Hi，we had our flight actually on 31.1 which in our valid visa day but Sri Lankan Airlines cancelled the flight and move us to 2nd February flight however our visa is ended on 1.2.2021, the flight is on 2.2.2022 on 7 AM in the morning, early check in or one day check in in advance is not possible, will we get fine by the immigration? Extension doesn’t make sense when we had to pay 200 USD for 4 hours
by Wietse Sennema
Should be fine, show them the Sri Lankan Airlines cancellation proof.
by Aleks
Hello!
Is it official information?
There is a 7-day grace period for overstaying, an agent like IMMIGRATION SERVICES CENTER can help you obtain your visa when still in this grace period.
When your Sri Lanka Tourist Visa is expired, you have 24 hours to leave the country without being fined.
by Wietse Sennema
Like a lot of things in this country, not often is official information to be found online. What got this information from the immigration agents, who are in contact with the relevant department.
by Olesia
Hello!
Thank you for the article and all your answers!
I have a question too 🙂
I am Russian and I am in Sri-Lanka. I got my tourist visa for 180 days. It will expire in May. I want to make a visa run (leave the country 10 days before visa expires and come back).
Can I get the new visa for 180 days? Or only for 30?
And should I apply for the next visa before June to get a 180 days? You wrote in the article that 180 days visa works only before June 2023.
Thank you in advance 🙏
Best regards, Olesia
by Wietse Sennema
Hi Olesia, yes, no worries. You can leave the country and apply for a new visa (unless there is a reason they will not grant you one). At the moment, the visa price is $50, but this gives you a 180-day visa. They launched this to boost tourism arrivals and announced this would be valid till June 2023. However, they might change this again. No one knows.
Technically, you can leave the country, apply for a visa, and take the next plane back.
Regards, Wietse
by Mat
Hi,
On the Dept of immigration website https://eservices.immigration.gov.lk/vs/home.php it lists the steps to apply for an extension. It now appears that this can all be done online, with no visit to the office needed. Is this correct? Also wondering, at what point can you apply for an extension. At any time after the initial visa was granted, or only after arriving into Sri Lanka?
by Wietse Sennema
Hi Mat, thanks for this. I have updated the blog! You will still need to visit the office through. Please find the official steps here: https://eservices.immigration.gov.lk/vs/how-to-apply.php
You can only apply for the extension of the Sri Lanka Tourist Visa, once you have entered the country on your initial tourist visa.
by Moa
Hi, thanks for this page. I wonder if you can help me with this, does kids under 12 years need to pay for visa extension? Also whats the price for a Swedish citizen to extend the visa?
Thank you again for this page
by Wietse Sennema
Hi Moa, everyone on a tourist visa must extend and pay for it. It costs $100, I believe. Do note that at the moment you can apply for a 180 days visa online for $50!
by Anonymous
I’m I’m day 53 overstay, due to leave mid June.
I am.yet to find out my fate on my 1st ever overstay, I think going off global travel & many years in South East Asia, you just need to be honest and say you’ve made a mistake, agree to pay the fine & fingers crossed it should all be clear.
by Wietse
53 days overstay is quite some days! You could try and get the extension pushed through an agency, I think it will cost $500 fine.
by Maisie
Hi,
I have just realised that my flight is booked home 3 days after my visa runs out! What do you suggest I do? Thanks for your help!
by Vin
I have same Q for 5 days over. Apparently a 7 day grace period to leave?
by Wietse
Yes, but you will still have to pay the extension + late fee at the airport at departure. The grace period means you can extend in-country without paying the late fee. So always recommend extending to avoid the late fee. Regards, Wietse
by Kevin
Dear Wietse
what are the current rules for extending more than 30 days based on the visa on arrival? can one get up to 6 months in total on this ? since the ETA is not working online I plan to arrive with 30 day visa on arrival but wish to stay up to 6 months or more if possible. please advise! thank you!
by Wietse
Hi Kevin, yes its a bit of a mess at the moment. But you can always visit the Immigration Office in Colombo for extensions, or use an agent who can do it for you to save you the hassle. Cheers, Wietse
by Vin
If i overstay 5 days. I read there is a 7 day grace period to leave voted in parliament 2023? Is this still true please? Appreciate a swift response if you can. Thanks
by Wietse
Yes, but you will still have to pay the extension + late fee at the airport at departure. The grace period means you can extend in-country without paying the late fee. So always recommend extending to avoid the late fee. Regards, Wietse
by JIABEIWEI
Dear Wietse, wonderful post !
i have a 60 day visa and i arrived on the 29th of october , i did a mistake in calculations so ended up buying a flight on the 29th of december, which is actually 2 days of overstaying . should i be worried about this? how much would i need to pay in the airport or should i visit the immigration office beforehand? thank you!
by Wietse
You will still have to pay the extension + late fee at the airport at departure. The grace period means you can extend in-country without paying the late fee. So always recommend extending to avoid the late fee. Regards, Wietse