Australia is one of many countries whose citizens are eligible for a visa to Sri Lanka. However, as an Australian citizen, you must obtain a Sri Lanka ETA/e-Visa prior to departure. Tech Services can assist you with this. The application process is entirely online, and you can receive your results in as little as 30 minutes. How to apply for a visa Sri Lanka from Australia. This article will explain how to apply for a Sri Lanka visa for Australian citizens, as well as the requirements and costs.
What is the Sri Lanka ETA/e-Visa for Australian citizens?
For many years, Australian travelers have flocked to Sri Lanka to experience the unique wonders that the small island nation has to offer. Sri Lanka is famous for its elephants roaming the interior, a delightful blend of cuisines, and, of course, its golden beaches. It is located in the Indian Ocean off the southern tip of India.
Sri Lankan officials implemented the Sri Lanka Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) in 2012 in order to expedite the visa application process in order to increase the country’s international presence.
The Sri Lankan Electronic Travel Authorization is a simple visa waiver for Australian passport holders who want to visit Sri Lanka for tourism, business, or transit to another country.
Because the ETA/e-Visa has replaced the traditional visa, Australians no longer need to visit a consulate or embassy in their home country or wait in long lines upon arrival.
The ETA/e-Visa was designed to be completed entirely online in as little time as possible, and Australian passport holders can expect a turnaround time of around 24 hours after submitting a correctly filled-out application, giving them more time to plan their vacation.
Sri Lanka visa for Australia
The Sri Lanka ETA visa policy outlines the benefits and key features that this online visa waiver provides to foreign visitors. As previously stated, Australians can use it for tourism, business, or transit.
Australian tourists visiting Sri Lanka are permitted two entries, whereas business travelers are permitted multiple entries. Both are permitted to stay for up to 30 days during each business or tourism visit. Once granted, it is valid for 6 months (180 days), allowing Australian visitors to freely plan their entry and length of stay.
Passengers from Australia passing through Sri Lanka on their way to another destination can use the Transit ETA to stay in the country for up to 48 hours before continuing on their journey. The ETA allows Australian visitors to enter Sri Lanka by air or sea.
Australian citizens should be aware that the ETA does not apply if they intend to relocate to Sri Lanka for a period of more than a month or for any other reason such as full-time employment or higher education. They must make an appointment with the Sri Lankan embassy in Canberra to obtain additional information
Types of Sri Lanka visas for Australian citizens
There is not just one type of Sri Lankan ETA/e-Visa; in fact, Australian citizens planning a trip to Sri Lanka can apply for three types of ETAs/e-Visa:
- Sri Lanka Tourist e-Visa/ETA: The Tourist ETA is the most common type of ETA and is valid for 180 days after it is issued. This does not imply that the traveler is permitted to stay in Sri Lanka for 180 days, as the ETA is only valid for 30 days upon arrival. The tourist ETA allows for two separate entries as long as the second entry occurs within the first 30 days.
- Sri Lanka Business e-Visa/ETA: In addition, the Business ETA is valid for 180 days from the date of issue. A traveler with a business ETA may enter Sri Lanka multiple times as long as they do so within 30 days. The business ETA allows for a stay of 20 days in Sri Lanka before requiring a new visa.
- Sri Lanka Transit e-Visa/ETA: The Transit ETA is valid for 180 days after it is issued. The transit ETA, on the other hand, does not allow the holder to leave the airport under any circumstances. The transit ETA allows travelers to stay in the airport terminal for up to 48 hours, but they must depart on their connecting flight before two days have passed.
Sri Lanka visa requirements for Australian citizens
The Sri Lanka visa requirements for Australian citizens are the same as for everyone else who qualifies for an ETA/e-Visa to Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka’s visa policy is fairly lax, and as a result, the requirements are simple to meet.
- The passport is the first requirement you must fulfill. All travelers wishing to apply for a Sri Lanka ETA must have a current passport. It is not enough, however, for the document to be valid when you submit your application. The passport must be valid for at least another 6 months from the date of arrival in Sri Lanka, according to the country’s visa policy.
- When you apply for a Sri Lanka ETA online, you must upload a digital photo of yourself. You must ensure that the photograph was taken as recently as possible, preferably within the last 6 months. It must also adhere to all of the other requirements for a passport photo. For example, it must be taken against a white background; you cannot wear glasses or headwear while having your picture taken, and so on.
- The following requirement is that you have a valid email address. If you apply for your Sri Lanka ETA online, Tech Services World will email you the document. In that case, you must have access to it in order to print it prior to departure.
- You must also have a method of online payment. Online payment is required as part of the visa application process. You will be asked to pay for your Tech Services World during the second step of the application process. Tech Services World accepts credit and debit cards, but if you have a PayPal account, you can also use it.
As you can see Sri Lanka visa requirements for Australian citizens are simple isn’t it?
Sri Lanka visa application Australia - Apply for a visa Sri Lanka from Australia
Apply for a Sri Lanka visa for Australian citizens by completing an online form. Australian citizens must provide the following details:
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Gender
- Residence
- Email address
- Passport number
- Passport issue date
- Passport expiry date
- Purpose of visit
Travelers from Australia who apply for the Transit ETA must have a departure ticket 48 hours or less after their arrival. We recommend that they apply for the tourist ETA if their stay exceeds two days.
After answering all of the questions on the ETA form, Australian citizens should double-check that their answers are correct and match the information on their travel documents. The answers cannot be changed once they have submitted their ETA application. Any errors could cause their approval to be delayed or even result in their ETA being rejected.
Australian applicants complete the ETA/e-Visa application process by paying the processing fee. As previously stated, we recommend that they use a bank card that has previously been activated for online payments and has sufficient funds.
Leisure, tourism, transit, and business are all valid reasons to visit Sri Lanka under any of the three ETAs. If Australian passport holders wish to visit Sri Lanka for humanitarian or religious reasons, they must apply for a specific visa in person at their local embassy or consulate.
When the ETA is granted, a hard copy should be printed and kept in your passport. Sri Lankan border officials will also require proof of financial independence as well as proof of onward travel before your ETA expires.
Sri Lanka visa fees for Australian citizens
You will pay a specific fee required by the Sri Lanka authority as a government fee. There are three types of service fees depending on your preferences:
- Sri Lanka normal visa processing: used in most casual cases where you have enough time to prepare your document and wait for a response. You will receive your e-Visa within a maximum of three business days. And it costs you USD 57.00 with all services fee included.
- Sri Lanka urgency visa processing: for situations where you only have a short time to obtain a Visa before flying. With this option, you will receive your Visa in a maximum of 24 hours. With a price of USD 87.00 (services fee included).
Sri Lanka super urgent visa processing: used in cases where you are about to board a flight but do not yet have a Visa for entry. With this special offer, you can receive your Visa in as little as 5 business hours. And it has a price of USD 102.00 also with all services fee included.
Sri Lankan ETA/e-Visa for Australian Underage Travelers
Australian families planning a trip to Sri Lanka with children should be aware that any visitor under the age of 16 who is sharing a passport with one of their parents does not require an individual ETA. They can submit a joint application for the same travel authorization on their behalf. Minors over the age of 16 and those with their own passports, on the other hand, will require their own ETA.
Sri Lanka visa from Australia with the ETA/e-Visa
Australians arriving in Sri Lanka must present printed copies of their ETAs along with their passports for inspection at border controls. It is also necessary to show proof that they have enough money to cover their expenses during their visit.
Finally, they should have a copy of their onward or return ticket to confirm that their stay will not exceed the allowed 30 days.
Covid Update for Sri Lanka. Last update: 10/01/2022
Visitors who have completed their applications for the Sri Lanka ETA online are welcome to visit Sri Lanka. Foreign travelers aged 12 and up must have a printed negative PCR test result for COVID-19 in English taken within 72 hours of departure.
Passengers recovering from COVID-19 can instead show a positive test result obtained no more than three months before departure, as well as a vaccination certificate proving they received a dose at least 14 days prior.
They must also have a negative antigen test within 48 hours of departure. Unvaccinated travelers or those who do not meet the recovery requirements must undergo a PCR test upon arrival and may be quarantined for 7 days.
Passengers must also fill out a “Health Declaration Form” online or at the airport. Check the Sri Lanka visa policy to learn about the travel requirements you must meet in order to visit the country.