Sri Lanka Raises Visa and ETA Fees Starting December 2022
The Sri Lankan government has announced significant increases to Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) and visa fees effective December 1, 2022. Tourism and business travelers will see higher costs for entry permits.
Starting December 1, 2022, travelers will pay more for Sri Lanka’s Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA*).
The Sri Lankan government has raised ETA and visa fees as part of broader fiscal measures to address ongoing economic and political challenges, including a severe balance-of-payments crisis. In line with President Ranil Wickramasinghe’s recent budget announcement, the Ministry of Immigration and Emigration has introduced higher fees for passports, visas, and related immigration services to bolster foreign currency reserves and stabilize the economy.
On November 25, 2023, the ministry officially confirmed the fee revisions, which take effect on December 1, 2022. The new rates include an increase in the online tourist ETA fee from USD 35 (approximately EUR 34) to USD 50. Business ETAs will now cost USD 55 when applied for online. Travelers opting for an ETA on arrival will pay USD 60 (about EUR 58) for tourism, up from USD 40 previously, and USD 65 for business visitors.
Sri Lanka’s ETA program offers several categories:
Short-stay tourism: Up to two 30-day entries;
Long-stay tourism: Up to 180 days without needing to apply for extensions with immigration;
Business: Multiple 30-day entries for work-related visits;
Transit: For 2-day stopovers.
*NOTE: ETA may also be referred to as Electronic Travel Authorization or Electronic Travel Authorisation.
