While UK citizens may be able to travel to several countries with just a passport, many other countries will require the use of a visa. This is the case for Sri Lanka, which requires UK citizens to apply for a Sri Lanka Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for travel or business purposes. How to apply for a visa to Sri Lanka from UK. This article will explain how to apply for a Sri Lanka visa for UK citizens, as well as the Sri Lanka visa requirements for UK citizens and Sri Lanka visa cost for UK.
What is Sri Lanka ETA/e-Visa for UK citizens
In 2012, the Sri Lankan government introduced an electronic travel authorization (ETA) to replace a standard visa. This ETA for Sri Lanka allows foreign visitors from the United Kingdom to stay in the country for a month.
Sri Lanka ETA/e-Visa for UK citizens is an official document that allows travelers to enter To Sri Lanka for tourism or business purposes. If you plan to travel for tourism, you must apply for a Sri Lanka Tourist ETA/e-Visa for UK citizens. A tourist ETA will allow you to enter the country up to twice and stay in Sri Lanka for a total of 30 days.
However, if you are traveling for business, you must apply for a Business ETA. A business ETA will allow you to enter twice for a total of 30 days. Both the tourist and business ETAs are valid for 180 days after they are issued.
The Sri Lanka Electronic Travel Authorization is valid for six months after it is issued. It can be used by British travelers to enter Sri Lanka for business, tourism, or transit. This online travel authorization is compatible with all border controls at Sri Lanka’s international airports and seaports.
Types of Sri Lanka ETAs/e-Visa for British citizens
To suit their travel needs, UK citizens can select from a variety of Sri Lanka ETAs/e-Visa. The following three are Sri Lanka ETAs/e-Visa for UK citizens:
- Sri Lanka Tourist ETA/E-Visa: Tourists from the United Kingdom can use this travel authorization to visit Sri Lanka for leisure and relaxation. Sri Lanka Tourist ETA/E-Visa is valid for 6 months and allows British citizens to enter Sri Lanka twice during that time period. They are only permitted to stay for a maximum of 30 days per stay.
- Sri Lanka Business ETA/E-Visa: British professionals can travel to Sri Lanka for business meetings, investment opportunities, and professional events. It is also valid for 6 months and allows for a maximum stay of 30 consecutive days per visit. The Tourist ETA differs in that it allows for multiple visits during the ETA’s validity period.
- Sri Lanka Transit ETA/e-Visa: If a UK traveler has a stopover in Sri Lanka en route to a third destination and needs to leave the airport in between flights, they can apply for a transit ETA. It is valid for 6 months and allows only one entry. The conditions are that their stopover is no longer than 48 hours. If this occurs, we recommend that they apply for a Tourist or Business ETA.
The process to apply for an e-Visa for Sri Lanka from UK is done entirely online and, unlike traditional visas, does not require the applicant to visit an embassy. However, UK nationals who need to stay in Sri Lanka for over a month consecutively or plan to relocate for a more stable period of time for employment or academic reasons are recommended to schedule a visit at the Sri Lankan embassy in London to enquire which travel authorization suits them more.
Sri Lanka visa requirements for UK citizens
Before filling out the application for a Sri Lanka visa for British citizens form, British passport holders should review the visa requirements for UK nationals. The Electronic Travel Authorization is obtained by filling out an online form, which typically takes 15 to 20 minutes per applicant. Before logging in, UK citizens must ensure that they meet the following Sri Lanka visa requirements:
- Possess a United Kingdom passport that is valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival in Sri Lanka.
- Have a valid debit or credit card to pay the application fee.
- Provide a regularly used email address to receive the ETA in PDF format.
- Digital passport photo.
The passport’s validity is the most important consideration. UK citizens with a passport that is about to expire (6 months or less when they arrive in Sri Lanka) should renew it before applying for an e-Visa for Sri Lanka from UK. We also recommend that they register using an email address that they frequently use. All communications regarding their ETA request and its issuance will be handled solely via email. Finally, we recommend that the bank card they intend to use for payment has international digital transaction clearance.
Apply for a Sri Lanka visa for UK citizens online
Once travelers have gathered the necessary documents, they are now ready to apply for a Sri Lanka visa for British citizens.
The entire procedure is completed online by completing the visa for Sri Lanka from UK application form. Applicants will be asked questions about their personal information, passport data, and contact information when they fill out the form. The following are some of the questions on the Sri Lanka ETA application in UK:
- Name in full
- The birthdate
- Birth country
- Gender
- Residence
- Email Address
- Nationality Passport number
- Dates of passport issuance and expiration
- The reason for the visit
Before submitting the application, British travelers are encouraged to review the form and double-check the information to ensure it is correct and spelled correctly.
Applicants traveling with family should be aware that children under the age of 16 can be included on the parent’s application if they are listed on the parent’s or guardian’s passport. Those over the age of 16 who have their own passport must apply separately for their individual ETA/e-Visa.
Finally, paying the ETA fee completes the process of applying for a Sri Lanka visa for UK citizens. All major credit cards are accepted from all over the world. As previously stated, British applicants should simply ensure that their cards are enabled for online payments and that they have sufficient funds to cover the total cost.
Sri Lanka visa cost for UK citizens
As we mentioned above, the total price for your ETA/e-Visa includes Tech Service fees, but this price is based on the processing time you select while filling in the online form. You can choose one of the following:
- Sri Lanka Standard e-Visa Processing: You will pay a total of USD 57.00 to wait 3-5 days for your ETA/e-Visa.
- Sri Lanka Rush e-Visa Processing: Your e-visa to Sri Lanka from UK will be processed in 31 days and you will be charged USD 87.00.
- Sri Lanka Super Rush e-Visa Processing: This is the quickest option, so you’ll only have to wait 5 hours for your ETA/e-Visa, but this time you’ll have to pay USD 102.00.
Please keep in mind that these fees are based on the Tourist ETA. If you apply for a Business ETA, you will have to wait the same amount of time as a Tourist ETA, but you will be charged USD 61.50, USD 91.50, or USD 106.50 depending on the processing time you choose.
Traveling to Sri Lanka with the ETA/e-Visa from the United Kingdom (UK)
British citizens who have obtained an ETA are legally permitted to travel to Sri Lanka. As previously stated, the ETA is compliant with border controls at any international airport or seaport. They must plan their arrival and departure to meet the 30-day limit and use the ETA within 6 months of its issuance.
They must present the following documents and information at border controls when they arrive in Sri Lanka:
- The British passport
- A printed version of the approved ETA/e-Visa
- Proof that they have enough money to cover their stay
- Evidence of future travel, such as a return or outbound ticket
Extensions of ETA for UK nationals in Sri Lanka
If UK visitors need to extend their stay in Sri Lanka for any reason, they can request at the Sri Lankan Department of Immigration in Colombo.
Travelers from the U.k. can obtain a visa on arrival in Sri Lanka.
When British citizens arrive in Sri Lanka, they are eligible for a Visa on Arrival. They should be aware that, for the time being, this option is only available at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo and frequently entails waiting for long periods of time, sometimes after a long flight. For British visitors, the Sri Lankan ETA is a much more preferred and convenient travel authorization.
Covid Update for Sri Lanka Requirements
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.