Visa Information

Visas

All visitors are advised to apply online for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter Sri Lanka. Further information on eligibility is available on the Department of Immigration and Emigration website.

Visitors can apply for an ETA on the ETA website.

On arrival visa facilities are available, however applying for an ETA before travel is advised for ease of travel and to prevent delays on arrival.

All visitors need to comply with the guidelines imposed for tourists by the Government of Sri Lanka.

Tourist visas are normally valid for 30 days. If you overstay your visa you could be fined or detained by the police.

If your visa is expiring you will need to apply for an extension through the Department for Immigration and Emigration. You should ring the Department for Immigration and Emigration on +94 70 710 1050 to make an appointment or visit their website to apply for a visa extension online.

Yellow fever certificate requirements

Check whether you need a yellow fever certificate by visiting the National Travel Health Network and Centre’s TravelHealthPro website.

The Department of Immigration and Emmigration have introduced an online embarcation form. Foreign nationals can complete the online form three days prior to arrival in Sri Lanka. The service is free of charge.

All COVID-19 requirements have been lifted for entering Sri Lanka.

Entry requirements could change at short notice, and government websites are not always up to date. You should follow the instructions of the local authorities.

If you’re transiting through Sri Lanka

Transiting is when you pass through one country on the way to your final destination. Visas are not required for air-side transit via Sri Lanka, as long as the connecting flight is within 24 hours of arrival. Travellers should check with their airline on the transit times.

Check your passport and travel documents before you travel

Passport validity

If you are visiting Sri Lanka, your passport should be valid for 6 months from the date you arrive.

Check with your travel provider to make sure your passport and other travel documents meet their requirements.

Tourism Health Information

If you have a health condition, or you are pregnant, you may need specialist healthcare abroad. Check whether your destination country can provide the healthcare you may need and ensure you have appropriate travel insurance for unexpected medical evacuation or local treatment.

At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the latest country-specific health advice from the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) on the TravelHealthPro website. Each country-specific page has information on vaccine recommendations, any current health risks or outbreaks, and factsheets with information on staying healthy abroad. Guidance is also available from NHS (Scotland) on the FitForTravel website.

General information on travel vaccinations and a travel health checklist is available on the NHS website. You may then wish to contact your health adviser or pharmacy for advice on other preventive measures and managing any pre-existing medical conditions while you’re abroad.

The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or purchased in the UK can be different in other countries. If you’re travelling with prescription or over-the-counter medicine, read this guidance from NaTHNaC on best practice when travelling with medicines. For further information on the legal status of a specific medicine, you’ll need to contact the embassy, high commission or consulate of the country or territory you’re travelling to.

Looking after yourself during travel and when abroad is important. Information on travelling with mental health conditions is available in our guidance page. Further information is also available from the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC).

Medical treatment

The country’s economic situation may impact healthcare services. Public hospitals may face shortages of imported medicines and medical equipment. Private hospitals are likely to have better supplies. Hospitals and other medical services may be affected by fuel shortages and power cuts. See Coronavirus

If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 011 2691111 and ask for an ambulance or dial 1990. You should contact your insurance/medical assistance company promptly if you are referred to a medical facility for treatment.

Weather & When To Go

Sri Lanka is an all-year round destination. There are two monsoons effecting different parts of the island during different times. South and West is the best from November utill April. North and East is the best from April until September. There is always sunshine somewhere in Sri Lanka. Talk to us for details.

+++ the best time to visit

++ good time to visit

+ good time with some rain expected

Month by month weather in Sri Lanka:

– January to March

The weather from January to March is a beautiful and pleasant. An ideal time to be in the central hills or southwest Sri Lanka, as days are sunny and dry and the sea is usually calm. Famous Galle Literary Festival takes place annually in late January or early February. This is also the best time to spot whales, especially Blue and Sperm whales. Sri Lanka is one of the best places in the world to spot Blue Whales with 95% chances during March.

• – April

April is hot month that starts the southwest monsoon, so the best place to be is in the north of the country, Cultural Triangle or on the eastern coast. The south remains warm and sunny, but showers increase and the seas aren’t so calm. The 14th April is Sinhalese and Tamil New Year. You still can see whales in the south but the best place is on the East coast Trinkomalee. If you touring around the island and want to spend some time on the beach then the East will be most pleasant.

– May-June

While humid and hot South is still possible to visit, the North and East is much more pleasant and  central hills are cooler but experience showers through May and June. In May, the Vesak Poya celebrates Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and death.

– July – Septemer

As the school holidays begin, it’s a good time to explore the cultural cities and wildlife of the north as well as the beautiful stretches of beach on the east coast. It’s important to plan in advance to ensure we can secure your first choice accommodation.

Kandy Perahera (July or August): This is a fun spectacle, with colourful processions and traditional dancing taking over the city to celebrate the famous Sacred Tooth Relic of Buddha, housed at the Sri Dalada Maligawa.

Between August and October you will have a chance to experience Elephant Gathering at Minneriya National Park – one of the World’s best wildlife spectaculars.

• – October – November

October and November continue to be warm and sunny all across Sri Lanka with rising humidity. It’s a period between two monsoons but the weather is much less predictable.  Showers can occur frequently, however, it really does vary from year to year, so it’s impossible to forecast.

• – December

The south and west is pleasantly warm and dry, whilst the eastern coast and north starts to experience more rain. It’s important to plan well in advance as Christmas and New Year are very popular times to travel.

Flight Details

Sri Lanka has many flight connections worldwide. Earth Trip always chooses the best flight connection for our clients taking their preferences of airlines and connection routes. Whether you want direct or indirect flights, we will choose the best possible option for you, and give you a range of choices. Wherever you are in the world we will give you the best route to our destinations. We will be able to arrange for you more services for your comfort, like airport car parks, airport taxi pick up and drop off plus upgrades and airport lounges.

Sri Lankan Air Lines will take you directly to Sri Lanka’s Bandaranaike International Airport, colloquially known as Katunayake Airport and Colombo International Airport, which is the main international airport serving Sri Lanka from many destinations in Europe: London (UK) 10.30 hours. There are many indirect flights to Sri Lanka and we will find the best connection for the best price available. You can choose from Emirates, Qatar, Etihad, Turkish Air, Oman and many more. As we organise tailor-made holidays we can also arrange the best flight connection of your preference.

Are you based outside of Europe? There are many interconnecting flights worldwide; we will help you to find the best one. There are also possibilities to stopover somewhere nice for a few days and make your holiday even more interesting.