What documents do I need to travel to Sri Lanka?
To travel to Sri Lanka you need a passport valid for six months from arrival and an approved ETA. Here is what trip1 travellers should prepare before they fly.
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Entering Sri Lanka - what you need
Sri Lanka's entry process is quick once your ETA is approved. Book your stay on trip1 first, because both the ETA application and the immigration officer at Colombo ask for a Sri Lankan address.
- A passport valid for at least six months from your arrival date, with a blank page for the entry stamp.
- An approved tourist ETA, or a proper visa if you are travelling for work, study or volunteering.
- A return or onward ticket.
- Proof of where you are staying, which your trip1 booking confirmation covers.
- Evidence that you can cover your costs, such as a recent bank statement or card statement.
How the Sri Lanka ETA works
The ETA is an online pre-approval rather than a sticker in your passport. You apply on the official Sri Lankan ETA site, and approval normally arrives by email within a day or two.
A standard tourist ETA allows a stay of up to 30 days, and under the free scheme it allows double entry within that 30-day validity. Longer stays are handled by Sri Lankan overseas missions rather than the standard online form.
Visitor visas are also issued on arrival, but the fee is higher than applying online and the queue at the airport can be long. Applying before you fly is the calmer option.
What changed recently
Since 25 May 2026, nationals of 40 countries pay nothing for the 30-day tourist ETA. The list covers the United States, the United Kingdom, several EU member states such as France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands, India, China, Japan, Australia, Canada and the UAE, among others.
Free does not mean automatic. You still submit the application and wait for approval, so treat it as paperwork to complete rather than a step you can skip.
Travellers outside the free list pay around US$20 online for South Asian nationalities and about US$50 for everyone else, with higher fees on arrival. Children under 12 of any nationality get a free tourist visa for up to 30 days.
Sri Lanka has adjusted this scheme several times in recent years, so confirm the current fee and eligibility on the official Sri Lankan ETA site before you apply.
Checking into a hotel in Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan hotels and guesthouses ask for your passport at check-in and record the details for guest registration. Bring the passport itself, since a photo on your phone is usually not accepted.
Your trip1 booking confirmation is the document that proves you have accommodation, both at immigration and at the front desk. Save a PDF copy offline so you are not depending on airport wifi.
Some properties ask for a payment card at check-in to hold against extras such as the minibar or laundry. That hold is the hotel's own policy and has nothing to do with how you paid for the room on trip1.
Entering Sri Lanka - FAQ
Yes. UK citizens must apply online for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling to Sri Lanka. Since 25 May 2026 the 30-day tourist ETA is free for UK nationals, but you still have to submit the application and wait for approval. Apply only on the official Sri Lankan ETA site.
For nationals of 40 countries, yes. Since 25 May 2026 the 30-day tourist ETA is free for countries including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, India, China, Japan and several EU states. Everyone else pays the standard ETA fee. Free does not mean automatic: you still apply online and wait for approval before you fly.
A passport valid for at least six months from your arrival date with a blank page, and an approved ETA. Officers can also ask for a return or onward ticket, proof of where you are staying and evidence you can pay for the trip, such as a recent bank statement. Your trip1 booking confirmation covers the accommodation part.
Approval normally arrives by email within a day or two, but it is not instant, so apply well before you fly. The application asks for a Sri Lankan address, so book your stay first and copy it from your trip1 booking confirmation. Save the approval offline in case airport wifi is slow.
Up to 30 days. If you want to stay longer, apply for an extension through Sri Lanka's Department of Immigration and Emigration before the 30 days end, and pay the extension fee. Overstaying can lead to detention, a fine, deportation at your own expense or a travel ban.