Sri Lanka Visa for Indians - Definitive Guide

When a foreign individual is willing to travel to Sri Lanka for a given purpose, a visa for Sri Lanka is issued in their name. There are several reasons why applicants issue a visa for Sri Lanka from India. As per the type, the holder is allowed tourism, business, visiting friends and family members, employment and even education. The duration of stay and the validity will differ for each type and as per the number of entries permitted on the visa. Also, note that even if you have the permit, it does not guarantee you an entry into the country. If the border control or the Immigration officer find an issue with your visa or yourself, there are chances that you may not be allowed to cross the border and even can be asked to return.

There are multiple ways to get a visa for Sri Lanka from India. However, you first need to be an eligible candidate for the same. The eligibility criteria will differ depending on the type of visa. Majorly, the process is online and the Sri Lanka visa on arrival as well. The different processes for getting Sri Lanka visa online are given as follows:

• Sri Lanka Visa Online

1. 1. This application is made by the applicant online.
   2. Fill out the ETA application form.
   3. Submit the form and pay the required fee.
   4. Receive an ETA approval notice.
   5. Print the notice and travel to Sri Lanka.
   6. Present the required documents to the Immigration Counter at the border.

• Through a Visa Agency

1. 1. Provide the required information and documents to the visa agency.
   2. Let the agency make the application for you.
   3. The agency and you shall receive the acknowledgement notice.
   4. Print this notice and travel to Sri Lanka.
   5. Present the required documents to the Immigration Counter at the border.

• Sri Lanka Overseas Mission

1. 1. You can hand over your passport and other details to the Sri Lanka Mission in India.
   2. Let the mission make the ETA application for you.
   3. After the approval, the mission and you shall receive the acknowledgement notice.
   4. Print the notice and carry it with you at the time of travelling to Sri Lanka.
   5. Collect your passport from the mission after the notice has been received.
   6. Present the required documents to the Immigration Counter upon arrival.

• At the Head Office of the Department of Immigration and Emigration

1. 1. This application can be made by the host inviting the Indian national to Sri Lanka.
   2. The application is to be made to the Head Office of Department of Immigration and Emigration.
   3. ETA application form is to be filled out by the host and handed over to the visa officer.
   4. Acknowledgement notice is provided to the host as well as the invitee.
   5. Print the notice and carry it with you when travelling to Sri Lanka.
   6. Present the required documents at the Immigration Counter at the border.

• Sri Lanka Visa On Arrival

1. 1. When you have arrived in Sri Lanka, fill out the ETA application form.
   2. Pay the required fee for the ETA.
   3. Upon approval, you will be provided with a notice.
   4. Go to the Immigration Counter then and present your passport along with the notice and other required documents.

These are mainly online procedures and are applicable when obtaining a short term permit. Generally, through any of these processes, you will receive a single entry permit with a stay duration of 30 days and the same validity or a multiple entry permit that is valid for 3 months allowing a stay of up to 30 days per visit. However, if you obtain a Sri Lanka visa on arrival, you will be provided with a single entry permit with validity and stay duration of 30 days and not a multiple entry permit.

If you need to obtain a visa for Sri Lanka for long term purposes, you will have to apply to the Sri Lanka Mission. The process for the same is as follows:

• Stamp Visa

1. 1. You can fill out the offline visa application form.
   2. Attach recent photographs.
   3. Collect all the documents as per the provided list.
   4. Submit the duly signed application form along with the documents.
   5. Pay the required fee to the Mission.
   6. You can then collect your passport after completion of the stamping process.

There is a set of precautions that you need to take care of at the time of application. When filling out any of the application forms, be it ETA or offline application form, make sure that you are providing the correct information. The provided information must match the details in the passport and other travel documents. If any of the information is found to be incorrect or false, there are chances that the visa may get rejected. There are other reasons for a visa rejection as well. Such chances of rejection can be minimised by employing professional visa services.

There are different kinds of visa for Sri Lanka. These can be classified based on the purpose of visit, duration of stay, validity of the permit, and others. Common types of issued visa for Sri Lanka from India are listed as follows:

• Sri Lanka Tourist Visa - A tourist visa for Sri Lanka is issued to the travellers who are willing to visit the country for the sole purpose of leisure. This is mostly provided to the tourists and foreigners who have plans of sightseeing and other leisure activities in Sri Lanka.
• Sri Lanka Business Visa - A business visa for Sri Lanka is provided to the business people who are planning to visit the country to carry out business activities. The process follows to get this permit is generally prior to arrival and the validity can vary as well.

• Sri Lanka Visit Visa - This permit is issued to the ones are visiting Sri Lanka for the purpose of meeting with their friends and family members. Other kinds of tourism and leisure activities are also allowed on this permit.
• Sri Lanka Work Visa - A work permit is issued to the workers who are travelling to Sri Lanka for the purpose of employment. It could be for short term contract work or even for long term employment.

The documents required to get a visa for Sri Lanka from India will differ as per the process that is followed. For the ETA visa, the requirement of documents is not as much as the stamped visa. The general Sri Lanka visa requirements are given as follows:

• For ETA
  • Original passport valid for at least 6 months.
  • Confirmed return flight ticket.
  • Proof of sufficient funds - bank statement, etc.

• For Stamp Visa
  • Passport valid for at least 6 months ahead of travel.
  • Completely filled and duly signed application form.
  • Covering Letter.
  • Photo as per the photo specifications.
  • Confirmed flight tickets.
  • Proof of purpose of visit - exhibition pass, hotel bookings, invitation letter, etc.
  • Proof of sufficient funds - bank statement for the last three months, etc.
    
    
    

• One copy must be provided
• Photo size: 35 mm x 45 mm.
• Coloured copy must be provided.
• Should not be older than 6 months.
• The face must cover about 70-80% of the frame.
• Head should well-centred.
• The picture must not be older than 6 months.
• The background must be white.
• Neutral expressions.
• Hair should not hide eyes.
• Both the ears must be visible.
• Teeth should not be visible.
• Glasses are not permitted, except for prescription glasses.
• Eyes must be clearly visible through glasses.
• Must be taken in clear light.
• There should be no red eyes or flashes messing the image.
• Headgears are not allowed except for religious reasons.
• Clothing shouldn’t match the background.

The way of payment of the Sri Lanka visa fees will differ depending on the procedure that is being followed. Obtaining ETA prior to arrival will mostly require you to pay through an electronic payment gateway. For an on arrival ETA, the fee can be paid using a debit or credit card or in cash but only in US $. If you are obtaining a long term visa, you can pay the fee depending on any of the acceptable methods. The fee can even differ as per the number of entries permitted or any changes in the exchange rates.

The processing time for ETA prior to arrival is about 3 days. It can still vary based on certain factors. The processing time required for the issuance of a stamped visa for Sri Lanka from India is about 15 to 20 days which can even go up to 90 days in some cases.

The status of a Sri Lanka visa for Indian can be checked online by logging on to the official website for any type of visa. It can also be checked by calling the 24/7 available call centre on - 0094 71 99 67 888.

The application can be made in multiple ways. It can be obtained online or offline. The process may seem complicated and the formalities involved can seem difficult to be carried out individually as well. In such cases, professional visa consultation can be considered from the visa agencies. This will allow you to have your documents handled professionally and the procedure may even be quicker than the normal process.