VISAS TO TRAVEL TO SRI LANKA

• Public Opening Hours – Mon - Fri from 9.30am to 1pm.
• Telephone Inquires - Mon - Fri from 2.30pm to 5.00pm.
• No prior appointments - First come first served basis.
• All original documents must be submitted along with photocopies.
• Fees - ONLY CASH at the Consular Counters.
• Click here to view the High Commission Holidays

TYPES OF VISA

• Tourist Visa & Transit Visa
• Business Visa & Multiple Entry Business Visa
• Visa for Elective Studies
• Work / Residence Visa
• Visa for Children Under Sixteen Years Not Travelling with Parents
• Visa for Media Personnel: Journalists/Photojournalists & Film Crew
• Visa for Conferences, Seminars and Workshops
• Visa for Voluntary Work and Personnel attached to Non-Governmental Organisatoions

Visa Application forms can be obtained

• From the Consular Division, of this High Commission between 9.30 a.m. & 1.00 p.m.
• By sending a self addressed, stamped envelope (9' x 6') with a request letter
• Download Sri Lankan Visa Application form

Inquiries:

Email : This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Tel     : 0207 262 1841  Ext: 223

Important Notice for Visitors to Sri Lanka

The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) Facility

The Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system is now in operation.

ETA website: www.eta.gov.lk

However, the ETA is not a pre-condition to board a flight/vessel to Sri Lanka.

Bona-fide tourists who arrive in Sri Lanka without an ETA reference number would be issued visas on arrival upon payment of the relevant ETA processing fee.

If there is any difficulty in accessing ETA System, visitors could obtain visa in person from Sri Lanka High Commission or by post prior to travel.

High Commission of Sri Lanka
London

REQUIREMENTS

i.  Duly completed Visa application form
ii. Two recent photographs – passport size – (Colour or Black and White)
iii. Valid passport with one unused visa page (passport should be valid for six months from the date of departure from Sri Lanka - after the intended visit)
iv. Additional requirements mentioned under respective visa categories

v. Please provide the following documents to obtain visa for children under 16 years.

• Consent letter from the parents.
• Copy of the parents marriage certificate.
• Copy of the child’s birth certificate.
• Copies of parents passports.

vi. Relevant Visa fee (view Visa fees).

Note: under no circumstance could you change the status of visa after arrival in Sri Lanka. For example, a person who visits Sri Lanka on holiday cannot engage in any business/ profession, social work, charity or any other form of voluntary work or employment paid or unpaid without obtaining prior visas for such purposes. If such changes are required after arrival in Sri Lanka, the person will be required to leave the country and obtain the appropriate visa from the nearest Sri Lankan Mission, with the approval of the Controller General of Immigration & Emigration.

TIME TAKEN TO PROCESS THE VISA APPLICATIONS

• Tourist Visa – Three (3) working days to process the application.
• Business Visa - Three (3) working days to process the application
• Visa for Elective Studies - Three (3) working days to process the application.
• Visa for Conferences, Seminars and workshops - Three (3) working days to process the application.

For all following Visa types:

• Visa for Volunteer work and Personnel attached to Non-Governmental Organizations or Work / Residence Visa Should be direct applied from the Department of Immigration & Emigration Sri Lanka. Two (2) working days to process the application once the approval is granted by the Controller General of Immigration & Emigration Sri Lanka.

• Visa for journalists / media personnel / photographers the applications should be submitted at least 2 weeks in advance for this High Commission to obtain prior approval from the authorities in Sri Lanka to issue visa.

OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION

If the passports and documents are to be returned by post, you should provide a self-addressed prepaid/stamped special delivery envelope to the weight of 500g along with your application form. The special delivery cover should not be stamped with a postage printout issued by the post office for same day use. Applications sent without prepaid special delivery cover/ or postage will be retained until the applicant collects it personally. Note: The High Commission will not take any responsibility for documents lost in the post.

• If the applicant is unable to come personally to the High Commission to collect the Passport/ documents, he/she may authorise another person, in writing. The person who comes for collection of documents should produce his identity and the original receipt issued by this High Commission.

• Incomplete applications received by post will be returned.

• Visa fees paid will not be refunded.

• Irish passport holders should include an additional amount of £8/- if they require their passports to be sent back to Ireland by registered airmail.

• If a visitor wishes to extend his stay in Sri Lanka, he/she should apply to the Department of Immigration & Emigration, 41, Ananda Rajakaruna Mawatha, Colombo 10, Sri Lanka before the expiry of visa.

• Visitors should hold a return onward air ticket or sufficient funds for air ticket.

• Visitors should possess sufficient funds equivalent to US. $. 30/- (minimum) per day for board and lodging for the duration of stay.

• Under certain circumstances interviews will be conducted by the high commission and the interviewees might be asked to provide extra documents if necessary

• Under any circumstances there is no refund

• For Residence or Work visa and visa for Volunteer Work or personnel attached to Non-Governmental Organizations please contact:

Controller (Visa)
Department of Immigration & Emigration
No: 41, Ananda Rajakaruna Mawatha
Colombo 10
Sri Lanka.

Tel: 0094 11 5329301

Fax: 00 94 11 2674631

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: www.immigration.gov.lk