Here’s some good news to start your trip planning on: getting into Sri Lanka just got cheaper. As of 25 May 2026, travellers from 40 countries (Australia included) can get their tourist visa completely free. No more $50 fee that used to sting before you’d even packed a bag.
But “free” doesn’t mean “skip it.” There’s still a form to fill in, and a few details worth getting right so you breeze through immigration at Bandaranaike instead of standing in the wrong queue with a confused look on your face. Here’s everything you need to know, minus the government jargon.
The quick version
If you’re holding an Australian, British, American, Canadian, New Zealand, or most European passports, here’s the short story:
- You need a tourist ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) before you fly.
- It’s free as of 25 May 2026 (for now, more on that below).
- It gives you 30 days, with double entry allowed inside that window.
- You apply online, and approval usually lands in your inbox within a day or two.
- Your passport needs at least 6 months’ validity from the date you arrive.
That’s it. No embassy visits, no paperwork mountain, no agent required. Read on for the detail.
So, what exactly is an ETA?
Think of the ETA as Sri Lanka’s version of a pre-approved entry pass. Instead of queuing at an embassy weeks before you travel, you fill in a short online form, the immigration department checks it, and they email you a confirmation that’s electronically tied to your passport. When you land, the officer scans your passport, sees you’re cleared, and waves you through.
It’s the same system Australia uses for incoming tourists, so if you’ve ever sorted an ETA for somewhere else, you know the drill.
The key thing people get wrong: the ETA is mandatory before you board your flight. The fee being waived doesn’t change that. You still have to apply and get approved in advance. Turning up at the airport without one is asking for a stressful start to your holiday.
Who gets in for free
In May 2026, Sri Lanka rolled out a free-visa scheme covering 40 countries, as part of a push to hit nearly three million visitors this year. The full list includes:
Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belarus, Belgium, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Poland, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
If your country’s on that list, your 30-day tourist ETA costs nothing.
One honest caveat: this started as a six-month trial. Sri Lanka has run free-visa schemes before and kept extending them, so there’s every chance it sticks around, but rules can change. Always double-check the official portal close to your travel date rather than assuming it’s still free because a blog (this one included) told you so.
How to apply, step by step
The whole thing takes about ten minutes.
- Go to the official site, and only the official site. That’s eta.gov.lk. This matters. There’s a whole industry of copycat websites that charge you two or three times the real cost (or in 2026, charge you for something that’s now free) for doing exactly what you could do yourself. Bookmark the real one.
- Fill in your details. Passport number, travel dates, where you’re staying for the first night, contact info. Enter your name exactly as it appears in your passport. No nicknames, no dropping your middle name. Mismatches cause headaches at the border.
- Submit. For the 40 free-visa countries there’s no payment step anymore. For everyone else, you’ll pay by card here.
- Wait for the email. Approval usually comes within 24 to 72 hours, often much faster. Check your spam folder if it’s quiet.
- Print it (or save it offline). Carry a copy with your passport. Airline check-in staff sometimes want to see it before they’ll let you board.
Apply at least a week or two before you fly. It’s usually quick, but you don’t want to be refreshing your inbox at the airport.
What you’ll need on hand
The online form keeps it simple. Most of it is just typed information, not uploads. But have these ready:
- A passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your arrival date
- A return or onward ticket
- Your first night’s accommodation details
- A way to be contacted
Immigration officers can, occasionally, ask to see proof of onward travel or funds when you land. It’s rare for tourists, but worth having your booking confirmations accessible just in case.
The 30 days, and the “double entry” bit
Your free tourist ETA gives you 30 days from the day you first arrive. The double-entry part is handy if you’re planning a side trip, say, a few days in the Maldives or southern India partway through. You can leave Sri Lanka and come back once within that window.
The catch: the clock doesn’t reset. If you enter on day one, pop over to the Maldives on day fifteen, and come back on day twenty, you’ve got the remaining ten days, not a fresh thirty. Plan accordingly.
Staying longer than 30 days
Falling for the place and want more time? You’re not alone. It happens to a lot of people somewhere around the hill country. You can apply to extend your stay through the Department of Immigration’s online portal (eservices.immigration.gov.lk) or in person at their office in Battaramulla, just outside Colombo.
Extensions are not free. The fee waiver only covers the initial 30-day ETA. The exact cost and how many days you can add depends on your nationality and circumstances, so check the official portal for the current figures. The golden rule: apply before your current visa expires. Overstaying comes with penalties, and they’re not the souvenir you want.
A few things worth knowing
- Tourist means tourist. The ETA is for holidays and short visits. You can’t work on it, paid or unpaid, including volunteering. If that’s your plan, you need a different visa.
- Every traveller needs their own ETA. Yes, including kids and babies. The good news: children under 12 are exempt from the processing fee regardless of nationality.
- Six months’ passport validity is non-negotiable. Renew early if yours is cutting it close.
- Yellow fever certificate is required only if you’re arriving from (or transiting through) a country where yellow fever is a risk. Coming straight from Australia, the UK, or most of Europe? You’re fine.
The bottom line
For most travellers reading this, entering Sri Lanka in 2026 is genuinely one of the easiest parts of the whole trip. Apply online, pay nothing (if you’re on the free list), get your approval, print it, and you’re set. Spend the time you save reading up on which beach, which tea estate, and which curry you’re going to fall for first.
Just remember the two non-negotiables: apply before you fly, and only use the official site, eta.gov.lk. Get that right and the rest is plain sailing.
Visa rules change, and the free-visa scheme is currently a trial. Always confirm the latest requirements on the official Department of Immigration and Emigration portal (eta.gov.lk) before you travel. This guide is here to help you plan, not to replace official advice.