Sri Lanka Free Visa for Indians: Entry Rules, ETA Guide and Travel Tips (2026)

Last updated: May 28, 2026

Yes, Sri Lanka is visa-free for Indian passport holders. As of 2026, Indian citizens can enter Sri Lanka for tourism without paying any visa or ETA fee — you get a free 30-day tourist visa through the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system. This makes Sri Lanka one of the easiest international destinations for Indians to visit, with no embassy visits, no visa fees, and a simple online application.

Here’s everything you need to know about Sri Lanka’s free visa policy for Indians — how to get your ETA, what documents you need, and how to extend your stay if 30 days isn’t enough.

Table of Contents

Is Sri Lanka Visa-Free for Indians?

Sri Lanka has been offering free tourist visas to Indian nationals since the pilot programme launched in October 2023. India is one of seven countries — along with China, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Japan — that were initially given fee-free ETA access to boost tourism recovery.

What changed in 2026

The expanded programme came into effect on May 25, 2026, following parliamentary approval on 7 May 2026. The scheme extends the free tourist ETA to nationals of 40 countries — India remains on the list, along with UAE, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, UK, USA, and 34 others.

The bottom line: you don’t pay any visa fee, but you still need to complete the online ETA before you fly.

Key terms of the free visa

Duration: 30 days from the date of arrival
Entry type: Double entry (you can leave and re-enter once)
Fee: Free — the standard ETA fee is waived for Indian nationals
Purpose: Tourism, visiting family, short business visits
ETA required: Yes — apply online before departure; also available on arrival

How to Apply for the Sri Lanka ETA

Even though the visa is free, applying for your ETA online before you fly is strongly recommended. Sri Lanka briefly made pre-arrival ETA mandatory on 15 October 2025, but that requirement was suspended on 30 October 2025. You can still get a visa on arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport, but applying online saves you queuing at immigration.

Step-by-step application

Visit the official ETA portal at eta.gov.lk
Select “Apply for an Individual” and choose “Tourist ETA” as your visa category
Fill in your details — passport number, travel dates, accommodation address in Sri Lanka, and contact information
Review and submit — no document uploads are required for the online ETA application; simply confirm your details and submit. No payment is required for Indian passport holders
Receive your ETA via email — approval usually comes within 24–48 hours, often faster

Print a copy of your approved ETA or save it on your phone. Immigration officers at Colombo airport will check it on arrival.

Documents you’ll need

Indian passport valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date
Return or onward flight ticket
Hotel booking confirmation or accommodation address in Sri Lanka
Proof of sufficient funds — not always asked, but carry bank statements just in case

Note: You do not need to upload passport scans, photos, or supporting documents when applying for the ETA online. These documents may be checked by immigration officers on arrival, so carry them with you.

Can You Extend Your Stay Beyond 30 Days?

Yes. If 30 days isn’t enough, you can extend your Sri Lanka tourist visa up to a total stay of 270 days through the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Colombo.

How the extension works

Extensions are granted in stages. Your initial 30-day visa can be extended by 60 days first, then by further 90-day increments. You can apply online through the e-Visa Extension portal or visit the Immigration office in Colombo in person.

Extension requirements

Apply for your extension before your current visa expires — ideally at least a week in advance
You’ll need your passport, proof of accommodation, return ticket, and bank statements
Extension fees apply (the initial 30-day visa is free, but extensions are paid)
Express processing with same-day service costs an additional US $40

During peak tourist season (December–March), processing can take 2–3 working days, so don’t leave it until the last minute.

Flights from India to Sri Lanka

Getting to Sri Lanka from India has never been easier. Multiple airlines operate over 55 weekly flights from Indian cities to Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), with flight times ranging from 1.5 hours from Chennai to about 4 hours from Delhi.

Airlines and routes

IndiGo — flies to Colombo from Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad (55+ weekly flights). IndiGo also connects Chennai and Tiruchirappalli to Jaffna
SriLankan Airlines — connects Colombo with 10 Indian cities including Ahmedabad (newest route in 2026), with 93 weekly flights across all Indian destinations
FitsAir — operates direct Ahmedabad–Colombo flights (3 weekly)
Air India also operates routes on the India–Sri Lanka corridor

Search for flights to Colombo on Wego to compare prices across all airlines.

Practical Travel Tips for Indians in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is culturally familiar for most Indian travellers, but a few things work differently. Here’s what to sort out before and after you land.

Currency and money

The local currency is the Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR). Indian Rupees are not widely accepted, so exchange your money at banks or authorised money changers in Colombo — York Street in Colombo Fort has several with competitive rates. Avoid airport exchange counters, which typically offer poor rates.

Credit and debit cards work in hotels, restaurants, and shops in major cities. Carry cash for tuk-tuks, local markets, and smaller towns.

SIM cards and connectivity

Pick up a local SIM card at Dialog’s counter at Colombo Airport for around LKR 1,500 (roughly ₹400). If your phone supports eSIM, that’s even easier — activate one before you fly and skip the queue entirely.

Getting around

Download the PickMe app (Sri Lanka’s equivalent of Ola/Uber available on Google Play Store & Apple App Store) for fair-priced tuk-tuk and taxi rides. For intercity travel, Sri Lanka’s train network is excellent — the Colombo to Kandy and Nuwara Eliya line is one of the most scenic rail journeys in Asia.

If you take a tuk-tuk off the street, insist on one with a working meter to avoid being overcharged.

Hotels and accommodation

Sri Lanka offers everything from budget guesthouses to luxury beach resorts. Search for hotels in Colombo on Wego, or check out stays in Kandy, Galle, and Ella for popular tourist bases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Indians need a visa to visit Sri Lanka in 2026?

No visa fee is required. Indian citizens get a free 30-day tourist visa through the ETA system. You still need to apply for the ETA online before you travel at eta.gov.lk, but there’s no charge.

Can I get a visa on arrival in Sri Lanka?

Yes, visa on arrival is still available at Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport. However, applying for your ETA online at eta.gov.lk before you fly is strongly recommended to skip the immigration queue.

How long can I stay in Sri Lanka on the free visa?

The free ETA allows a stay of 30 days. You can extend this up to 270 days total through the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Colombo, though extension fees apply.

Is the Sri Lanka free visa only for tourism?

The free ETA covers tourism, family visits, and short business visits. For employment, study, or long-term stays, you’ll need a different visa category — check with the Sri Lanka Department of Immigration.

Do I need travel insurance to enter Sri Lanka?

Travel insurance is not currently a mandatory entry requirement for Indians visiting Sri Lanka. However, it’s strongly recommended — medical costs for foreign visitors can be expensive, and insurance gives you coverage for flight cancellations and lost luggage too.

Sources

Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.