To visit Sri Lanka, US and UK citizens need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before they travel. According to the official ETA portal (eta.gov.lk), citizens of the United States and the United Kingdom are among 40 nationalities who can get a free tourist ETA valid for 30 days from 25 May 2026. Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the day you arrive (UK FCDO).
This guide is based on the official Sri Lanka ETA portal (eta.gov.lk, alert in force from 25 May 2026), the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 21 September 2026) and the U.S. Department of State (travel.state.gov, last updated October 16, 2025), checked 12 November 2026. The State Department page predates the free-ETA scheme, so the fee information comes from the official portal and the FCDO.
Safety: the U.S. Department of State advisory for Sri Lanka is Level 2, « Exercise Increased Caution », citing civil unrest, terrorism and landmines (State Department advisory feed, checked 12 November 2026). See the FCDO travel advice as well.
Sri Lanka ETA at a glance
- ETA required before arrival for US and UK citizens (State Department, FCDO).
- Free tourist ETA for US and UK passport holders from 25 May 2026, valid 30 days, with double entry permitted within the 30 days (eta.gov.lk).
- Only official site: eta.gov.lk.
- Passport valid at least 6 months after arrival (FCDO); onward or return ticket and proof of sufficient funds (State Department).
- Longer stay: apply for an extension online and pay the applicable visa fee (eta.gov.lk, FCDO, State Department).
- Religious or volunteer work, or local employment: entry visa from a Sri Lankan embassy or consulate before arrival (State Department).
Do US and UK citizens need a visa for Sri Lanka?
US citizens
According to the U.S. Department of State (travel.state.gov, last updated October 16, 2025), US citizens must have either an ETA or a visa to enter Sri Lanka. For tourism or transit, you need an approval notice from the ETA system, an onward or return ticket and proof of sufficient funds; the authorization allows a stay of up to 30 days. The ETA system is available online or at the port of entry, but the State Department strongly urges visitors to use the online system to avoid lengthy delays. Short-term business activities (meetings, negotiations, conferences) require a business ETA. Religious or volunteer work or local employment require an entry visa from the nearest Sri Lankan embassy or consulate before arrival, not available at the port of entry or online.
UK citizens
According to the FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 21 September 2026), British citizens must apply for an ETA, a form of visa, online before travelling. ETAs are issued free of charge and are valid for 30 days. Your passport must have an expiry date at least six months after the day you arrive. You do not need a visa if you transit Sri Lanka by air and your connecting flight is within 24 hours of arrival; check with your airline. If you overstay your 30-day ETA, you risk temporary detention, a fine, deportation at your own expense, a travel ban or refusal of entry in future.
Both nationalities are on the official list of free-ETA countries. The State Department page still mentions only the ETA system and has not been updated since the free scheme began, so treat the ETA portal as the reference for fees.
The free ETA: what changed in 2026
The ETA portal publishes an alert in force from 25 May 2026: nationals of 40 countries, including the United Kingdom and the United States, can obtain a free tourist visa valid for 30 days, with double entry permitted within the 30-day validity from the date of first arrival. Visitors who want to stay beyond 30 days can apply for an extension on payment of the applicable visa fee. ETA fees paid before 25 May 2026 are non-refundable.
| Situation | What you need |
|---|---|
| Tourism, 30 days or fewer | Free ETA on eta.gov.lk before arrival (US and UK citizens) |
| Short-term business | Business ETA (State Department); obtained from a Sri Lankan embassy or consulate or at the port of entry |
| Religious or volunteer work, local employment | Entry visa from a Sri Lankan embassy or consulate before arrival (State Department) |
| Stay beyond 30 days | Extension through the online Department of Immigration and Emigration portal, with the applicable fee (eta.gov.lk, FCDO) |
Overstays and visa conversion: see the FCDO warning above. Check directly with the Department of Immigration and Emigration before arrival if you plan to stay longer than 30 days or do anything other than tourism.
How to apply for the ETA
- Check your passport: valid at least six months after the date you arrive (FCDO).
- Go to eta.gov.lk, the official Sri Lanka ETA portal, and choose the tourist ETA.
- Complete the form. For US and UK passport holders on a 30-day tourist stay, the portal lists the ETA as free.
- Keep your ETA confirmation with your onward or return ticket.
- At the airport, carry proof of sufficient funds for your stay (State Department).
A site that charges a US or UK citizen for a 30-day tourist ETA is not following the official free scheme. Check the exact web address before you enter your passport and card details.
Health and money
- Yellow fever: you must have a certificate if you arrive from a country listed as a transmission risk (FCDO). See TravelHealthPro and our travel vaccines guide.
- Money: most major banks allow Visa and Mastercard cash withdrawals; ATMs are in major towns and cities, but not all accept international cards. You cannot transfer money without an exchange control permit from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (FCDO).
- Customs: there are strict rules on goods you can take in or out; declare anything that may be prohibited or taxable (FCDO).
For the season and itinerary, see when to go to Sri Lanka and our Sri Lanka guide. If you combine it with India, read the India visa guide.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for Sri Lanka?
You need an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) before you arrive. For US and UK citizens on a tourist stay it is free for 30 days from 25 May 2026, according to the official ETA portal.
Is the Sri Lanka ETA free?
Yes for US and UK passport holders on a 30-day tourist visit, according to eta.gov.lk. The FCDO also says ETAs are issued free of charge for 30 days. Extensions require payment of the applicable visa fee.
Where do I apply for the Sri Lanka ETA?
On eta.gov.lk, the official portal of Sri Lanka. The State Department says the system is also available at the port of entry but strongly urges using the online system.
How long must my passport be valid for Sri Lanka?
At least six months after the day you arrive (FCDO), with an onward or return ticket and proof of sufficient funds (State Department).
Can I work in Sri Lanka on a tourist ETA?
No. Local employment, and religious or volunteer work, require an entry visa from a Sri Lankan embassy or consulate before arrival (State Department).
Our sources
- Government of Sri Lanka, Electronic Travel Authorization portal, alert in force from 25 May 2026, checked 12 November 2026.
- UK FCDO, Sri Lanka travel advice: entry requirements (GOV.UK, updated 21 September 2026), checked 12 November 2026.
- U.S. Department of State, Sri Lanka: International Travel Country Information (last updated October 16, 2025), checked 12 November 2026.
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.