Sri Lanka reverses new entry rules for travelers

Tengrinews.kz – Travelers planning a trip to Sri Lanka will no longer need to obtain a new electronic travel authorization (ETA) before arrival. Authorities have suspended the mandatory ETA system introduced just a few weeks ago and reverted to the previous visa procedure.
According to the Department of Immigration and Emigration of Sri Lanka, the directive issued on October 13, 2025, which made ETA registration compulsory for tourist and business trips, has been canceled until further notice.
Previously, all visitors were required to apply for an ETA in advance and specify their exact arrival time — without it, passengers risked being denied boarding. The rule sparked widespread frustration as travelers faced website crashes and difficulties completing the online forms.
How to enter Sri Lanka now
Entry procedures have returned to the old system: travelers can now apply for a visa online before departure or upon arrival at Colombo Airport.
Officials also warned travelers to be cautious of fraudulent websites posing as the official ETA portal and charging double fees. The only legitimate address is eta.gov.lk.
Visa fees remain unchanged:

Tourist visa — approximately $50
Business visa — approximately $60

Sri Lanka had earlier introduced the updated ETA system to streamline travel authorization, but it was suspended within days following technical failures and multiple complaints from travelers who encountered errors during payment and approval processing.