Formerly known as Ceylon, Sri Lanka is a colorful island located near the Indian mainland. Spicy and colorful, it is an essential stopover for travelers attracted by its mystical and spiritual side. Sri Lanka is also known for its fauna and flora as well as for its magnificent fine sandy beaches. But before leaving and enjoying all the attractions of the island, you will have to look into the formalities for entering this distant country. The point in a few lines to know how to quickly obtain your visa.
Summary
ETA
The Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is a mandatory document to obtain before your stay. To make your request, you must go to the official website of the country and fill in the requested information. This request can only be made electronically. No confirmation will be mailed to you.
Among the information that may be requested of you, you will in particular have to provide the reason for your trip (tourism, etc.), your surnames, first names, address, references or a copy of your plane tickets, your passport or the address of your place of residence in Sri Lanka.
This document acts as a visa and is mandatory to be able to enter the territory. Think about it as soon as you book your plane tickets and your accommodation! Also remember to do this in advance to avoid any last-minute disappointments (site bug, problem of email not received, etc.).
The different types of visa
There are different types of visa depending on the reason for your stay in Sri Lanka.
First of all, a transit ETA, valid for 2 days only can be chosen. This is a good option if you plan to breeze through the island, which is only a stopover in your journey.
For a longer stay, of 30 days maximum, you will have to turn to the tourist ETA. This authorization is chargeable, around 30 euros, while the transit visa is free. However, both visas are free for children under 12 years old.
For longer stays (more than 30 days), the authorization request is more complex and must be made directly to the competent embassy in France.
If you decide to extend your stay once on the island, extension is possible in Colombo at the immigration office. Be careful to anticipate the steps which can be long in advance to avoid any problems. It is advisable to do so at least 8 days before the expiry of the current visa.
Some useful recommendations
Please note that each traveler must complete their application individually. You must also declare any children traveling with you.
Another pitfall, many online sites offer you to make the declaration for you for a fee. So be careful of scams and check that you are on the official website before providing any personal information.
Finally, when you register on the official website issuing the ETA, you will receive an email confirming receipt of your information. You will then receive a second email indicating whether or not the government grants you the ETA. It is this last email that should be printed.
Normally, we will send you the email within 48 hours or 72 hours maximum. If you don’t have confirmation within this timeframe, worry! This confirmation will be requested from you when you leave the plane at the airport at the same time as your passport (with a validity date of more than 6 months) as well as the entry document into the territory that you will have been given. to be completed on the plane.
