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Tourists love sunny Sri Lanka not only for its mild tropical climate, warm sea and friendly locals, but also for its fairly simple procedure for obtaining a visa. Most travelers order an electronic permit, which can be issued directly from home and printed on a printer. But even those who apply for a visa at the border or at the consulate usually do not encounter any difficulties.
Until January 31, 2021, the visa was free, but from February 1, a consular fee was reintroduced for everyone who wants to visit the island.
Do Russians need a visa to Sri Lanka?
Russians need a visa for a short (up to 30 days) tourist trip to Sri Lanka. However, it is very easy to obtain. This can be done in advance electronically or on site upon arrival in the country.
In order to cross the border smoothly, you must have not only a printed electronic visa confirmation (ETA), but also the following documents:
- a foreign passport valid for 6 months from the end of the trip;
- completed migration card (details below);
- return ticket with a fixed date;
- confirmation of availability of funds for the trip (for example, a bank statement).
How to apply for an electronic ETA (visa) to visit Sri Lanka?
Attention! You DO NOT NEED to have a return air ticket to obtain an ETA (visa). Its availability is checked only upon entering the country, so you can safely apply for an ETA (visa) and only then buy tickets. However, when applying for an ETA on the website, you will have to enter the exact date of entry into the country, as well as optional fields: flight number and airline.
An ETA permit is issued in advance of the trip on the website eta.gov.lk, and is also paid for with a plastic card. The site has a Russian language, but all design takes place in the English interface. Here are detailed instructions with screenshots on how to apply for an e-visa to Sri Lanka online.
After filling out all the necessary information and sending the application, you will need to pay the cost of completing the application using a credit card (the permit itself is free of charge, it is the processing work that is paid for) and wait for permission by email. Confirmation from the ETA most often comes within a day or two, but there can be a delay, and in the happiest cases the answer comes literally within a few minutes.
At the same time, judging by the reviews on the Internet, due to poor performance of the site, there are cases of not receiving a response at all, debiting double the amount (at different periods of time) and other similar troubles. Therefore, carefully monitor and check the debits from your card, contact the Department of Immigration and Emigration (via the email indicated in the “Contact Us” section on eta.gov.lk) or call the consular section of the embassy in Moscow.
If you cannot get a response, print out your application form, try to get a printout from the bank about the debit (indicating your surname in Latin and passport number), and go to Sri Lanka. At passport control, present these documents and they will try to find you in the database and put stamps in your passport. As a last resort, you can issue an ETA upon arrival.
Attention, sticker! When entering the country at passport control, you must be given a sticker (sticker) in your passport, which serves as a traditional stick-on visa. Make sure that the border guards do not forget to do this, because... It happens that they forget, and then questions may arise when leaving.
A sticker in your passport instead of a visa to Sri Lanka
Cost of issuing an ETA
The cost of issuing an ETA is indicated on the website https://www.eta.gov.lk. The indicated cost is the same for Russia and all CIS countries:
- Tourist visa (ETA) for up to 30 days: $35 if applied online + 4% commission / $40 if applied at the airport;
- Business visa (ETA) for up to 30 days: $40 if applied online / $50 if applied at the airport;
- Visa for children under 12 years of age for up to 30 days: free;
- Transit visa (ETA) up to 2 days with single entry: free;
- Any type of ETA for children under 12 years of age is issued free of charge.
Applying for an electronic visa permit
An e-visa can be issued to anyone who travels to Sri Lanka for tourism or business purposes for a period of no more than 30 days, or plans to travel through the country in transit.
The online application must be completed at the office. ETA website. All data is entered into the form in English on a computer. The next step is to pay the consular fee by credit card directly on the website. After which you will receive an individual number by email where you can track your application. The decision to issue a visa is usually made within 24 hours.
What other documents are needed?
When crossing the border you must additionally present:
- return ticket with the specified departure date from Sri Lanka;
- documents confirming the reservation of a hotel room or rental of other housing;
- migration card completed in English;
- documents confirming the availability of money for living in the country.
If children are traveling with only one parent or father, or accompanied by another person, a notarized travel permit must be provided.
Medical insurance is not required, but it is better to take out one. You can make a policy online. The system selects offers from several companies, from which you can choose the right one.
Filling out the form
First, when applying for an ETA, you need to select the visa itself. You should adhere to two basic rules when filling out:
- Enter all data in English.
- Enter only reliable and truthful information.
After going to the site page, you need to select the type of permission to be issued:
- ETA for individual travel;
- Group ETA;
- ETA for third person.
Next, on the portal page you need to indicate your personal data, purpose of the visit, date of arrival in Sri Lanka, airport and flight number. If you are traveling with children, you must also enter information about them. The following sections provide contact details.
Then answer “yes” or “no” to 3 questions:
- Do you have a residence permit in the country?
- Get ETA or renew
- Is there a multiple entry visa for traveling to Sri Lanka?
To go to the next page, you need to check the box to confirm that the data has been entered correctly, then click on the “Next” button.
After the transition, the payment page opens. The transfer is carried out using a bank card. The ETA cost is 30 USD. The following systems are preferred:
- Visa;
- MasterCard;
- American Express.
After choosing, you need to fill in the card details.
Then you need to click “PAY”. After a successfully completed payment, a window opens informing you that the application for an ETA visa has been sent and accepted for consideration. Confirmation of the application must be sent to the tourist’s email.
Within 24 hours, a letter will be sent to your email address confirming the issuance of the permit or refusing it.
From August 1, 2021, obtaining an electronic permit became free for six months for Russia, EU countries, China and India. This was introduced to restore the flow of tourists after the terrorist attacks in April. After this period, the country's authorities will decide whether to extend this project.
How to fill out a migration card
Migration card forms are issued on board the plane; you can fill them out immediately (in English, in black or blue pen, legibly, in block letters), this will save time when going through passport control.
Providing false information may result in a fine.
The document contains information about the flight number, passport number and citizenship, the first and last name, the presence or absence of dual citizenship of Sri Lanka, the exact address and the name of the hotel. In addition, you must indicate whether the traveler is accompanied by children, where the plane took off from, the purpose of the trip, the date and signature.
Reasons for visa refusal
Grounds for refusal may include inaccuracies in documents or errors in filling them out. A sample application is freely available on the Internet, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with it. If you make a mistake in filling out the forms, you can take a printed sheet with the ETA and correct the mistake at the migration service office at the airport.
The entry rules are very loyal, and migration officials do not find fault with minor shortcomings, but you should still remember that in case of any violation of the law, they have the right to refuse a foreigner.
Visa to Sri Lanka on arrival
If a tourist has not issued an electronic entry permit, he can obtain a visa upon arrival. It costs 40 USD, all procedures usually take no more than an hour. The permit stamp is placed in the passport. Prices on the page are for January 2021.
The customs officer must present:
- completed migration card;
- international passport valid for 6 months from the date of departure;
- receipt of payment of the fee;
- return tickets;
- hotel reservation;
- confirmation of availability of funds.
In some extremely rare cases, tourists are denied entry into the country, so it is recommended to obtain an electronic permit in advance: this will save you from worry and unnecessary expenses.
Extension of a visa
With an electronic or entry visa, Russian citizens can stay in Sri Lanka for no more than a month. If necessary, it can be increased to 90 days. When your stay expires, you must appear in person at the Colombo Migration Office and apply for an extension. The permit is usually issued on the same day (or the next if you arrive in the afternoon).
Those planning to stay in the country for longer than three months can travel abroad and obtain a new ETA or apply for a long-term visa at the consulate.
Obtaining a visa for a child
For children, a separate visa application via the Internet is possible only if they have their own passport. If they are included in the parents’ passports (this is valid until they reach the age of 16), then a separate electronic permission is not required. The most important point is to include children in the ETA form in full compliance, as in the passport. There is no need to pay duties for them if they are less than 11 years old. You must remember that for each child you must fill out a migration card and have the appropriate amount for accommodation ($30-50 per day).
Tea plantations in Ella. Sri Lanka has six agro-climatic zones, and each of them produces tea with its own unique taste and high quality. Ella is a picturesque town located in the southern part of the island between two mountains. Ella is characterized by the lifestyle of a rural settlement with small vegetable gardens, green valleys and tea plantations. The largest tea factory is located here.
Documents for a visa to Sri Lanka
Required documents to obtain a visa to Sri Lanka:
- Application
form The application form is available at the office. embassy website; - ETA Forms
Additional ETA form completed in English. The download link is provided in the list of documents at the office. Nobility website; - International passport
Valid for 6 months from the end of the trip, with two blank pages, as well as a photocopy of the page with personal data; - Photograph
Two photographs measuring 3x4 cm (see photo requirements below); - Visa fee
Paid when submitting documents in cash in US dollars; - Hotel reservation
For the entire duration of your stay. Or any other confirmation of your holiday destination; - Air tickets
Paid round trip tickets with a fixed date; - Financial guarantees
Bank account statement; - Certificate of employment
Certificate of employment with the stated position and salary; - Insurance policy
Medical insurance that can be purchased online; the type should be chosen based on the expected risks;
Those planning to study or work in Sri Lanka also need to contact the consulate with a full package of documents, including papers confirming the purpose of the visit.
How to apply for a tourist visa
This category of visa (short-term) is issued in the following ways:
- Obtaining a visa online – via the Internet. For a period of 30 days. The visa can be used for 6 months. The cost of a visa to Sri Lanka for Russians in 2021 (the same price for Ukrainians and Belarusians) is $35.
Above is a link to the official website, where you need to fill out an application in Latin letters. In the form, in the personal information lines, you enter not only your full name and standard passport data, but also your marital status, children (if you are flying with your family), the purpose of the visit, the date of arrival on the island and the date of departure, as well as the address where you will live during the journey.
It is best to obtain an online visa in advance, 2-3 days before the expected departure. After filling out the form, you should receive a confirmation email within a few hours. Sometimes the letter is delayed, which is very inconvenient, because the visa has already been paid for, but the confirmation has not been received. However, do not worry, in addition to the letter, the status of the application can be viewed on the same page where the personal data was filled out or in the appropriate menu item.
Practice shows that cases of refusal are very rare - there must be a compelling reason for rejecting the application.
- Obtaining a visa on arrival. At the Sri Lanka airport you can get a visa by standing in line for 15-30 minutes. Visa valid for 30 days, corridor (opportunity to use) – 6 months. Cost – $40. Payment can be made in dollars, euros or rupees.
There is a queue in front of the registration and visa issuance counter, which you can join in advance and fill out the form in the meantime. There is a form with an example of filling it out, so there shouldn’t be any difficulties.
- A visa to Sri Lanka for Russians and residents of other countries can be obtained at the embassy in Moscow . The visa period is up to 3 months. Cost: $35. Belarusians, Ukrainians, Georgians and citizens of other countries for whom there is no accredited Sri Lanka program will require personal presence when submitting documents and completing the application. You may also need a visa to enter the Russian Federation.
Photo requirements
You must provide two color photographs measuring 3x4 cm. The picture is taken on a white or as light as possible background. The color of skin, hair and eyes must correspond to reality. It is advisable for the applicant to have his ears open.
Complex, high and extravagant hairstyles, dark glasses and any accessories that cover the face are prohibited. Head coverings must be removed (except for those worn for religious reasons and provided that they do not interfere with personal identification). You can leave the glasses on if the frames are not too massive.
The length of the head from the chin to the crown is approximately 30 mm (70-80% of the area). The photo is taken from the front, the gaze is directed at the camera, there is no smile.
Consular fee
For a visa for 30 days, a consular fee is charged: 35 USD (for children under 12 years old - free) for a double permit or 40 USD for a multiple permit.
If a traveler wants to immediately apply for a 90-day visa, he will be charged not only the regular visa fee, but also an additional reciprocal fee of 25 USD for a single entry visa and 50 USD for a double-entry visa. That is, a single-entry visa for 3 months will cost 60 USD, and a double-entry visa will cost 85 USD. More details about prices can be found at the office. embassy website.
A two-day transit visa can be obtained free of charge and requires tickets to your next destination.
