Is a Sri Lanka ETA same as a Sri Lanka eVisa? This is one of the most common questions that come to mind when the island country is on our travel list.
Undoubtedly, Sri Lanka has a natural elegance that has attracted tourists from many countries over the years.
Further, the country’s efforts to improve its tourism sector has made travelling to Lanka quite easy, especially with the Sri Lanka e-visa facility.
Apply for Sri Lanka E-visa and get 100% cashback on your Sri Lanka visa fee.
What is Sri Lanka ETA?
Effective from the 1st of January 2012, Sri Lankan government issues Sri Lanka ETA or Electronic Travel Authorization for a short visit to Sri Lanka.
Types of Sri Lanka ETA
Having a Sri Lanka ETA or Sri Lanka eVisa is a must for the following visit categories;
- Tourist ETA or Sri Lanka tourist visa
- Business ETA or Sri Lanka business visa
- Transit ETA or Sri Lanka transit visa
- Gratis Visa
- Residence Visa (Foreign students studying in the country and foreign nationals employed in the country, etc.)
Note: Sri Lanka ETA is for short visits only. For long-term visits like residence permit, work permit, etc, one must apply for specific visa types.
Sri Lanka Tourist E-visa
Typically, used for sightseeing or holidaying in Lanka. It could also be used for visiting friends or relatives based in Sri Lanka. Apart from this, one may also use it for medical treatments like ayurvedic, yoga, etc., It also finds use when one wants to participate in competitions, cultural festivals, sporting events, etc.
At Blinkvisa, we offer a double-entry Sri Lanka tourist visa or ETA also sometimes referred to as Sri Lanka visit visa.
Generally, we process in less than three working days. You can use this particular visa to enter the country twice using the same visa. At each entry you make, you can stay for 29 days, wherein on or before the 30th day you would be required to exit the country.
Read for More Information: Sri Lanka Tourist Visa
Sri Lanka Business E-visa
It is typically used for participating in business meetings, negotiations. To attend conferences, seminars, or business workshops. It is also ideal for participating in short term training programs under one month.
At Blinkvisa, we process double-entry Sri Lanka business visa or ETA.
Usually, we process a Sri Lanka business ETA or evisa in under three working days.
Read for More Information: Sri Lanka Business Visa
The Sri Lanka visa requirements for the popular types of Sri Lanka visas are listed further in the blog.
Sri Lanka Visa Fees
| Type of Sri Lanka e-visa | Visa Fee | Blinkvisa Charges | Avail Cashback |
| Sri Lanka Tourist Visa | INR 1450 | INR 500 + 18% GST | INR 2040 |
| Sri Lanka Business Visa | INR 1450 | INR 500 + 18% GST | INR 2040 |
At Blinkvisa, we provide 100% cashback on your visa fee.
Read for More Information: Sri Lanka Visa Fees
Sri Lanka visa-exempt countries and categories:
- The Republic of Singapore
- The Republic of Maldives
- The Republic of Seychelles
- Crew members of flights and ships
Note: Only three countries are exempt from an ETA wherein they can travel visa-free.
Apart from the countries and category mentioned above, the rest must apply for ETA or e visa. Nevertheless, there is a visa on arrival for select countries (with ETA and without ETA). Refer to the illustration below;
Read for more information: Sri Lanka Visa on Arrival
Other types of Sri Lanka visas
Sri Lanka transit visa
For transiting to a third country via Sri Lanka, other countries except for the ETA-exempt nationals and crew members of flights and ships must obtain a transit visa.
At Blinkvisa, presently we do not process Sri Lanka transit visa. Needless to say, we would update the availability status as soon as possible.
Sri Lanka gratis visa
It is provided to non-ordinary passport holders (service passport, diplomatic passport, official passport.) Source
The visa, in this case, does not entail any charges.
Sri Lanka residence visa
Usually, it is provided to Non-Sri Lankans seeking to reside in Lanka for justified purposes. For instance, some of the categories determining the special purposes are;
- Employment Category
- Investor Category
- Religious Category
- Student Category, to name a few
Sri Lanka E-visa Requirements
1. Passport with a validity of at least six months
2. Scanned copy of the first and last pages of your passport
3. Scanned copy of your latest passport-sized photograph with the following specifications;
- A digital photograph of dimensions 2 x 2 inches
- The photo must be a recent one and must be taken against a white background
- It is also essential to have a neutral expression in the digital photo
Note: Avoid wearing spectacles and headgears. In the case of religious headgears, ensure at least 80% of the face is visible. In the case of spectacles make sure they don’t glare.
4. Confirmed round-trip tickets
5. Confirmed proof of hotel accommodation
6. Proof of sufficient funds to bear travel expenses
7. Travel itinerary
Read for More Information: Sri Lanka Visa Requirements
Do not have a Sri Lanka travel itinerary or travel plan?
At Blinkvisa, we not only assist you with your visa requirements but also provide a handpicked travel guide to make the most of your trip.
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Learn More About Our 100% Cashback Offer
Sri Lankan government has made it quite convenient for foreign travellers to visit the country with ETA. Nonetheless, applying for an ETA or visa is never free. Contrary to popular expectations, only at Blinkvisa, we offer a 100% cashback on your Sri Lanka visa fee. Thus, by applying through our portal, it is like spending nothing at all on for your visa*
*100% cashback is credited into your Blinkwallet as Blinkcash
How the Blinkcash works?
The Blinkcash unlocks attractive discounts on various travel packages. Right from booking your flight tickets at a discounted rate of up to 11% to saving up to 10% on hotel bookings; the savings are enormous.
Here is one such example comparing flight tickets bound to Colombo for the travel date of 9th Feb 2020;
Thus, you can save INR 200 to INR 600 on a single ticket. The discounts are not limited to air tickets, you can also save on hotels, travel activities, and other holiday packages as well. For more information, visit, www.booking.blinkvisa.com
Sri Lanka eVisa FAQs
1. Do I need to print my Sri Lank e-visa or ETA?
We recommend you to carry a couple of printouts of your Sri Lanka eVisa along with the softcopy of the same while travelling.
2. How many days does it take to process a Sri Lanka evisa?
At Blinkvisa we process it under three working days.
3. What is a double-entry visa?
The entry type is double entry. It means that you can visit the same country twice using the same visa before the expiry of the visa’s validity.
4. Is Sri Lanka ETA a sticker or stamped visa?
The approved ETA is electronically linked to your passport. Thus, it is neither a sticker nor a stamped visa.
