As one of the closest neighbouring countries, Sri Lanka has attracted quite a number of Indian nationals as a picturesque tourist destination. In fact, India ranked as the number one country visiting Sri Lanka in the last three years. The availability of a Sri Lanka visa on arrival for Indian passport holders could be one of the reasons for this influx. However, a visa on arrival is always not a convenient option.
This is because there are chances of it being denied upon arriving at the destination. Now, this is a huge disappoint one may encounter after spending a lot of money on your flight tickets, hotel accommodations, pre-booked travel activities, etc.
Why take chances when you painstaking planned your trip, hunted for the best deals on hotels and air tickets? Apply for a pre-approved visa instead!
With a pre-approved advance visa, all that remains is to explore the country right away. It also saves you time where you can avoid the long queue of the aspiring visa on arrival applicants.
Did you know?
Statistics suggest that on average, one spends close to 3 hours for getting a visa on arrival. Now, you can decide if you want to be part of these statistics or not.
The Department of Immigration & Emigration (DI&E,) Colombo, Sri Lanka can deny your visa on arrival any time. The reasons could be many. Rather than taking your chances, it is always safer to opt for an advance visa. And, this can be done by the applicant, a third-party visa agent, or on arrival at the entry port in Sri Lanka.
Note: You can also submit them at the Sri Lanka Overseas Mission or the head office of the DI&E.
Sri Lanka visa on arrival for Indians
Generally, the cost a Sri Lanka visa on arrival may go up to USD25.
Additionally, one has to spend a lot of time in the queue to obtain a visa on arrival or VOA (may take up to 4 hours.)
Moreover, most of the countries would also require an ETA to avail a VOA. Refer to the illustration below.
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
Sri Lanka visa cost
Very often, many travellers prefer visa on arrival where they believe it is free. Although certain countries do offer a free visa on arrival, the same may be revoked without notifications at any point in time.
Most often than not, after arriving at the destination, you may have to pay a certain fee. And, this would be the expense that you never anticipated at the time of budgeting your trip.
Read More: Sri Lanka Visa Fees
Sri Lanka visa on arrival vs. Sri Lanka online visa
In the case of Sri Lanka, a visa on arrival (single entry visa) enables a stay period of 30 days. On the contrary, a Sri Lanka tourist visa and Sri Lanka business visa offered at Blinkvisa are double-entry visas. Meaning both grant stay periods of up to 30 days on each entry made.
Sri Lanka Tourist Visa
It is ideal for a long vacation in the Asian subcontinent. Opting for a Sri Lanka visit visa or tourist visa saves time. It also provides value for your money, provided you choose the best visa agent.
Read More: Sri Lanka Tourist Visa
Sri Lanka tourist visa fees
Sri Lanka Business Visa
Similar to a Sri Lanka visit visa or tourist visa, it is a double-entry visa. However, it is imperative to note that it cannot be treated as a work visa or as a permit to start a business in Lanka.
Read More: Sri Lanka Business Visa
At Blinkvisa, we aim to convert all your visa expenses into your travel expenses. Hence, spending money on your visa is akin to saving a lot on your travel expenses. And, we will explain how!
You will get a 100% cashback on all your visas at Blinkvisa
Applying for your Sri Lanka visa through Blinkvisa provides value for your money. That is upon registration, the complete visa fee gets credited into your Blinkwallet linked to your registered email id.
It means you need not pay the visa fee for proceeding with your visa application. And, only when your visa is approved, you can pay the rest to download your visa.
Note: To initiate your visa application process, you need to pay INR 500 only for registration. However, the complete visa fee of INR 2040 is immediately credited to your account.
What is Blinkwallet?
The complete cashback on your visa fee is credited as Blinkcash to your Blinkwallet account linked to your id. Using this Blinkcash you can unlock attractive discounts on travel packages right from hotel bookings to flight tickets. Thus, we convert all your visa expenses into your travel expenses.
Now that you are familiar with Sri Lanka VOA and tourist visa, here are the Sri Lanka visa requirements;
List of common documents
- Passport with a validity of at least six months from the date of arrival to the country
- Scanned copy of the passport’s first and last pages
- Two colour, passport-sized photographs
- Return or onward ticket*
- Sri Lanka travel itinerary
- Cover letter stating the purpose and duration of your visit
- Sufficient funds to bear your travel expenses
Note: Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, and Syria must produce their confirmed return or onward tickets.*
Read More: Sri Lanka Visa Requirements
Get your Sri Lanka travel itinerary
Blinkvisa is not only for your Sri Lanka online visa but also for a whole custom travel plan done for you.
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And if you are opting for a double-entry visa or a Sri Lanka visitor visa, here’s how you apply.
Apply for Sri Lanka visa online
- Visit www.blinkvisa.com
- Fill in the basic details
- Make the initial payment of INR 500 only
- The entire visa fees (INR 2040) gets credited to your Blinkwallet as Blinkcash
- Use your Blinkcash to avail attractive discounts on flight tickets, hotel bookings, etc.
- Upload/submit the documents requested by the visa expert
- We will electronically send the documents to the Department of Immigration & Emigration
Read More: Sri Lanka Visa Online
Sri Lanka visa on arrival FAQS
1. Is Sri Lanka visa on arrival available for Indians?
Yes, Sri Lanka has enabled a visa on arrival for Indian nationals.
Read More: Sri Lanka Visa for Indians
2. For how many days can I stay in Sri Lanka with visa on arrival?
One can stay for 30 days.
3. Do I need an ETA for my visa on arrival?
Many countries must apply for an ETA to avail visa on arrival in Sri Lanka. Refer to the illustration provided in the blog.
4. How can I save on my visa fee?
Blinkvisa offers a 100% cashback on all your online visas. You can avail this cashback on your Sri Lanka visa by applying through our portal.
