uk visit visa checklist sri lanka

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General Information

Sri Lanka ETA is a kind of approval letter granted by Sri Lanka Immigration System which enables all nationalities are eligible to visit Sri Lanka on short term stay.

Sri Lanka ETA is an electronic visa and valid to stay up to maximum 30 days on Double Entry or Multiple entry basis as per policy.

All foreign nationals are eligible to apply eVisa who want to visit Sri Lanka. Applicant can apply personally through our secured error free assistance system or via approved agencies or Embassy/Consulate.

This upgraded portal provides a facility to apply and process on behalf of applicant request through various error free security method. ETA fee and our processing fee is paid via online payment gateway is protected by E Services. Once visa is issued and will not be refunded. For more details visit terms and condition before process.

What is Official Sri Lanka ETA

Official Sri Lanka Immigration Department announced an Electronic Approval Note ( ETA) for a short term social visit to Republic of Sri Lanka from 1st January 2012 onwards.

A Sri Lanka Approval Note (ETA) is an online Visa permit to enter Sri Lanka for non Sri Lankan nationalities and valid to stay as per visa policy.

Persons plans entry to Sri Lanka which should hold a valid (ETA) Approval Note issued by Sri Lanka Immigration. Tourists/Business can apply online for Sri Lanka ETA which is completely electronic processing online submission and the approval for the same will be communicated via email.

An ETA is an Electronic Approval Note (Visa) for visit to Sri Lanka for a stay of up to 30 days. The Sri Lanka ETA is issued electronically; it is not required to submit original travel document or other documents for processing. Applicant need to complete and submit our online application form and the Sri Lanka ETA can be processed within 24 hours. Most of the Sri Lanka ETA will be processed immediately as per Immigration approval.

It is very important that the information on the request form is accurate and exactly matches the traveller's passport. Name, Date of Birth, Citizenship, Passport Number and Passport dates must be correct.

Extension Policy

A Foreign traveller staying more than 30 days may eligible to apply for an extension of stays.

On first time extends 60 days, second time 90 days and third extend upto 90 days. Overall total 270 days applicant can stay from the date of first arrival.

Applicant should be visit personally visa section of Immigration department alternatively through immigration extension portal [ extension ].

If you unable to use the above services then you may proceed the any authorized agency.

Please note that applicant cannot apply for extension on this portal.

Recent Update - Visa Policy:

All srilanka destinations are open for tourist. No self quarantine is required unless if any symptom occur. Below are the key points of new guidelines visiting sri lanka

Revised entry requirements:

• Precaution measures for any foreigners arriving during these pandemic periods is removed.
• Vaccination certificate is not compulsory to produce by person arriving via Sea Port or Airport.
• Requirement for Pre boarding and on arrival visa negative COVID-19 test result is removed.
• If foreign travellers become COVID-19 positive after arriving then they should mandatorily quarantine for 7 days in private hospital/hotel/accommodation. The cost of treatment must be borne by their own.

Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate requirement

Below listed nationalities are required to submit YELLOW FEVER VACCINATION certificate must comply with International Health Regulation (WHO) at the port of arrival to Sri lanka

List of Sri Lanka ETA Visa types

Sri lanka tourist visa.

A Visitor planning for a short term stay to Sri Lanka for following purposes, must obtain ETA prior approval for their arrival.

• ​Sightseeing, holidaying
• Visiting friends and relatives
• Medical treatment including Ayurvedic and yoga
• Participate in sporting events, competitions and activities relating to cultural performance

Sri Lanka Business Visa

A person visiting Srilanka for Business prupose on the following categories only must obtain Business ETA Visa.

• ​Participate in business meetings and negotiations
• Participate in Conferences, workshops and seminars
• To take part in Short term training programs (less than one month)
• Participate in Music, Art and Dance Cultural Events
• Attending in Religious activities
• Participate in Conference Meeting

Sri Lanka Transit Visa

A person visiting third countries via transiting Sri Lanka for transit prupose on the following purposes only must obtain ETA Visa.

• ​Transiting through Sri Lanka
• ​Short trip layover upto 48 hr

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UK Visa Application

• Visa Procedures of UK

General Info

UK tourist visa applications will be processed at British High Commission Colombo, 389, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7. Letters should be addressed to the Visa Officer at the mentioned address.

General requirements include:

• Completed Sample Application
• Current and previous passports
• Birth and Marriage certificates
• Employment confirmation with leave approval
• 6 months salary slips
• Hotel booking confirmation
• Travel itinerary / Air Ticket
• Invitation if available
• Proof of financial support

If the applicant is self-employed:

• Business Registration
• Company Forms 20 and 48
• Audit Report for last financial year
• Tax documents

For visa processing services please send us an inquiry with your details so that our expert visa consultants can review your requirements and get in touch with you.

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Student visa to the UK

Most international students need a student visa to study in the UK. Finding out whether you need a visa to study is easy - simply check here on  GOV.UK .

Your student visa will allow you to live and study in the UK throughout your course.

Types of student visa

Tier 4 (general) student visas.

If you are 16 or over and want to study at higher education level, you’ll need to apply for a Tier 4 (General) student visa.

You need to wait until you have an offer from a university or college before applying for your Tier 4 (General) student visa. Your university or college will then be able to give you a document called a Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS). To do this, your chosen institution needs to be approved by the UK government as a ‘licenced Tier 4 sponsor’. Find out more about  Tier 4 (General) student visas .

Short term study visas

Short term study visas are available to students who want to join courses that are up to six months long or English language courses up to 11 months long. Find out more about  short-term study visas.

Learn more about

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UK Standard Visitor Visa for Sri Lankan Citizens

Are you a Sri Lankan yearning to explore Buckingham Palace's historic grandeur, the Lake District's poetic landscapes, or the bustling streets of London's West End? This is your guide to securing your UK Standard Visitor Visa and starting your dream journey!

Navigating the visa application process might sometimes feel akin to unraveling the plot of a Shakespearean drama, but fear not! This comprehensive guide, tailored for novices and well-traveled explorers, will ensure your voyage to Britain's shores is as smooth as Earl Grey tea.

At iVisa, we aim to turn your wanderlust dreams into cherished realities with our easy-to-use platform, seasoned counsel, and convenient mobile app.

Do Sri Lankan citizens need a UK Visa?

Yes, Sri Lankan citizens must obtain a UK Standard Visitor Visa to travel to the United Kingdom for tourism, business, or short-term study.

This visa allows individuals outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland to travel to the United Kingdom temporarily , usually valid for stays of up to 6 months. Learn more about this multiple-entry visa here .

Note : This visa isn't for immigration purposes or long-term stays.

How to get a UK Visitor Visa from Sri Lanka with us?

You can get your UK visa from Sri Lanka using our online service. Simply follow the steps below:

Step 1 : Provide your personal and travel information on our online visa form or through our user-friendly app . Double-check that all information is accurate.

Step 2 : Pay our iVisa service fee and the government visa application fee using a debit card, credit card, or PayPal. Please note that you must upload a picture of the physical credit card to complete the application.

Step 3 : Complete the remaining sections of our simplified application form, following our instructions, and upload a scanned copy of your passport and a photo before submitting the information for expert review.

We'll arrange an interview appointment on your behalf at the British High Commission in Colombo. You'll receive a step-by-step manual with instructions and a list of documents to prepare for your visa interview.

• Step 4 : Attend the interview at the British High Commission or the desired appointment location. Remember to bring all the required documents, including the completed and signed application form.

Need more information?

Have more questions about the UK visa application or other visas in Sri Lanka? Contact our customer service team via our online chat or email us at help@iVisa for further information. Apply now

Related Articles

Sri Lanka Rolls Out Free 30-Day Tourist Visas for 35 Nations: Did Your Country Make the List?

Peden Doma Bhutia , Skift

August 26th, 2024 at 5:59 AM EDT

Thailand, Malaysia, China – and now Sri Lanka – are catching on: relaxing travel rules boosts tourism. With Sri Lanka eyeing a jump from 1.49 million visitors last year to 2.5 million this year, easing entry is their big play.

Peden Doma Bhutia

Sri Lanka is set to launch a six-month pilot program on October 1, offering free 30-day tourist visas on arrival to citizens from 35 countries, including the U.S., UK, Russia, India and China. The initiative, which temporarily waives the typical $50 visa fee, aligns with the island nation’s peak travel season, lasting from December to mid-April. This move is part of a broader strategy to revitalize tourism, a sector crucial to Sri Lanka’s economy.

Sri Lanka aims to welcome 2.5 million tourists and attract revenue worth $4 billion by the end of this year. Tourism arrivals peaked in 2018 in Sri Lanka, when 2.5 million tourists spent $4.4 billion in the country.

Last year in December the country finally announced its plans to roll out its global tourism marketing campaign urging tourists “You’ll Come Back For More,” marking the first such campaign since 2007.  

The free visa announcement comes amid ongoing concerns over a visa scam that has sparked significant controversy. In April, the Immigration Department, replaced the state-run telecommunications company Mobitel, which managed the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system, with a consortium of foreign companies. The companies included Singapore-registered GBS Technology Services, the UAE-registered IVS Global-FZCO, and the Dubai-headquartered VFS VF Worldwide Holdings.

Following a public outcry and multiple legal challenges, Sri Lanka’s highest court ordered a return to the local provider.

Tourism Resurgence

Tourism, a vital revenue stream for Sri Lanka, has seen a resurgence in 2024. Between January 1 and August 19, the country welcomed over 1.3 million tourists, with India, the UK and Russia being the top source markets.

Earnings from tourism in the first half of 2024 soared to over $1.5 billion, a 78% increase year-on-year, highlighting the sector’s rapid recovery. This is particularly significant given the political and economic turmoil that had previously deterred visitors.

Europe continues to be a major influence, accounting for nearly half of all arrivals, while Asia and the Pacific regions have also emerged as key contributors. The increase in visitors from these regions underscores shifting dynamics in Sri Lanka’s tourism landscape.

In 2023, Sri Lanka saw a significant rebound in tourism, welcoming 1.49 million visitors – more than double the 2022 figures, according to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority.

Industry Reaction

The travel industry welcomed the visa-free initiative. Sam Clark, CEO of Experience Travel Group, described it as a “game-changing blueprint” for the country’s tourism future. “It’s a huge opportunity for British ministers to negotiate a permanent visa-free arrangement,” Clark said.

From 2018, the British government had warned tourists from visiting the Asian country saying “food, medicine and medical services” may be limited by political unrest. This has had an impact on tourism to Sri Lanka, with bookings still well below 2018 figures.

Krishna Rathi, senior country director at Agoda, noted that easing travel restrictions typically leads to increased interest in a destination, as seen in other countries that have introduced similar measures.

“We saw an increase in Agoda’s search data when Thailand and Malaysia introduced visa waivers for Indian tourists, and the same effect occurred more recently when India removed tourist visa fees for Thai travellers. We’ll be sure to keep a close watch on how this impacts visitors to Sri Lanka,” Rathi said.

Sri Lanka Monthly Tourism Arrivals

Source: Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority

The Russia Angle

The visa-free program, while temporary, could serve as a catalyst for further growth, particularly from markets like Russia, where arrivals have been bolstered by direct flights.

However, the momentum has shown signs of slowing since May 2024, prompting calls for targeted measures to sustain and grow this important market. Industry experts suggest that reducing the financial burden on travelers could be key to attracting more Russian tourists. Proposed measures include exempting embarkation fees and landing and parking costs for flights, particularly at Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, which has been effective in the past.

Additionally, allowing transactions in native currencies could further ease the travel process and enhance Sri Lanka’s appeal to Russian visitors.

The List of Countries

Travelers from the following countries will be approved for free 30-day tourist visas to Sri Lanka starting on October 1, 2024, until April 2025:

• United Kingdom
• United States
• Saudi Arabia
• South Korea
• Netherlands
• United Arab Emirates
• Switzerland
• New Zealand
• Czech Republic

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Tags: asia monthly , india outbound , sri lanka , uk , visa , visas

Photo credit: Nuwara Eliya in Sri Lanka. Anton Lecock / Unsplash

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Sri Lanka grants visa-free entry to 35 nations including India, UK and US

The Cabinet made the decision which will be in effect from October 1, 2024, the Daily Mirror newspaper reported quoting Adviser to the Ministry of Tourism, Harin Fernando read more

The Sri Lankan government has announced visa-free access to citizens from 35 countries, including India, the UK and the US to the island nation for six months, media reports said on Wednesday.

The Cabinet made the decision which will be in effect from October 1, 2024, the Daily Mirror newspaper reported quoting Adviser to the Ministry of Tourism, Harin Fernando.

The policy is for six months, Fernando said.

Countries on the list include India, the UK, China, the US, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Australia, Denmark, Poland, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Nepal, Indonesia, Russia, and Thailand.

Other countries include Malaysia, Japan, France, Canada, the Czech Republic, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Israel, Belarus, Iran, Sweden, South Korea, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and New Zealand.

Earlier, controversy surrounded increased fees for on-arrival visas in Sri Lanka, which were being handled by a foreign company.

Visitors from India, China, Russia, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia received tourist visas free of charge to Sri Lanka.

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Sri Lanka to offer visa-free entry to Indians, 34 other nations from Oct 1

Citizens from various countries, including india, the uk, china, the us, and germany, will enjoy this visa-free travel to sri lanka.

Photo: Shutterstock

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First Published: Aug 22 2024 | 3:42 PM IST

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Sri Lanka: 35 countries to be exempt from visa requirements from October 1, 2024

Published on August 21, 2024

by VisasNews

React to this post

From October 1, 2024 and for 6 months, citizens of 35 countries will no longer need a visa to travel to Sri Lanka.

UPDATE 08/22/2024 : the visa exemption will result in the free issuance of 30-day visas to tourists from 35 countries → more details here .

Recently faced with problems managing its electronic visa service, Sri Lanka has suspended its e-Visa system since August 2, 2024…

Since this date, travelers can no longer apply for visas online via the government portal www.srilankaevisa.lk and are issued visas on arrival on the island.

Today, Sri Lanka announces a temporary resolution that will delight tourists who have been reluctant to travel to the country since the cancellation of the e-Visa service.

“Cabinet decides to allow visa free access to Sri Lanka for citizens of 35 countries including the UK, USA, Canada, Germany, Australia, Saudi Arabia, China, India, Russia, South Korea & Japan from October 01, 2024, for a period of 06 months” , announces Ali Sabry, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.

A few months ago, Harin Fernando, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Tourism, had submitted a proposal for visa-free entry for tourists from 67 countries, in order to compete with regional neighbors and reach the target of 2.3 million tourists by 2024.

The 35 countries covered by the Sri Lanka visa waiver

According to the latest data from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) , over 1.3 million tourist arrivals have been recorded since the beginning of the year.

“First steps towards a visa free regime !” , enthuses Ali Sabry on X (formerly Twitter) , who unveils the list of countries whose citizens will be able to travel visa-free to Sri Lanka from October 1, 2024:

• Czech Republic
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Saudi Arabia
• South Korea
• Switzerland
• United Arab Emirates
• United Kingdom
• United States

You may also like:

Sri Lanka: free visas for tourists from 35 countries

August 22, 2024

Pakistan: free visa for citizens of 126 countries

August 13, 2024

Belarus: visa-free entry for 35 European countries

August 8, 2024

Sri Lanka suspends e-Visa issuance

August 5, 2024

Thailand: 60-day visa exemption can be extended for 30 days

August 2, 2024

Laos : more nationalities to be exempt from visa soon?

June 17, 2024

Madagascar (re)launches 90-day electronic visa

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Travel Unpacked: Sri Lanka scraps visa fees and Kuwait's Failaka Island Unesco bid

T he end of the summer holidays are exceptionally busy times for travel around the world, and the UAE is no exception, as families return for the start of a new academic year. This week, Emirates is expecting to fly 900 children travelling on their own to the city, in what is peak season for its unaccompanied minors service.

In Kuwait, a small island rich in history is set to be inscribed on Unesco's World Heritage List, while Sri Lanka is opening its doors to more tourists with new visa rules. Finally, destination inspiration in the UK comes from photography experts who have listed the most picturesque villages across the country.

Here's a round-up of recent travel and tourism news – in case you missed it.

Kuwait plans to enlist Failaka Island on Unesco World Heritage List

A small ancient island off the coast of Kuwait is set to be inscribed on the Unesco World Heritage List.

On Thursday, Kuwait's National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters and the World Monuments Fund signed a memorandum of understanding in New York to enlist Failaka island in Unesco's World Heritage List.

The island is located 20km off the coast of Kuwait, is more than 4,200 years old and has borne witness to five different civilisations. Once an outpost of Alexander the Great’s army, the island is also famed for its history and has Mesopotamian-era ruins, including the remains of a citadel.

Frozen in time following the Gulf War, the island was last inhabited three decades ago. It boasts rows of abandoned 1950s-style houses and bullet-riddled buildings, including the National Bank of Kuwait, which was destroyed before it ever opened.

A tank graveyard – filled with rusting tanks and vehicles – and a small farm for goats also have a place on the island.

Most recently, the island made headlines after it hosted a Red Bull-sponsored duel race between parkour athlete Mohammed Al Attar and rally driver Abdo Feghali, with the pair racing and jumping around the island's abandoned streets and buildings.

The enlisting process for its inclusion on Unesco's World Heritage List is supported by the World Monument Fund and will include scanning archaeology sites on the island to determine the plan to turn them into a cultural tourism attraction.

Emirates to fly 900 unaccompanied minors to Dubai

With the summer holidays now over, Emirates is gearing up for one of its busiest periods of flying unaccompanied minors.

Every year, as the new school year begins, the Dubai airline sees a spike in the number of passengers booking its Unaccompanied Minors Service. This week, the airline is expecting to fly about 900 children from destinations across its network to Dubai International Airport.

Designed for children aged between five and 11, the service ensures that young people are supervised and safe at all points of their journey. Over the past five years, more than 120,000 children have used the service. British families lead the way for booking the service, followed by bookings from India, America, the Philippines and France.

Children travelling solo are supervised from check-in until they reach their destination. The service includes access to an unaccompanied lounge for minors when departing from Dubai International Airport. Each child is accompanied by an Emirates specialist ground staff member who stays with the child as they journey through the airport, helping them navigate through security and immigration and then facilitating priority boarding to the flight.

In-flight, Emirates cabin crew are trained to regularly check on the child and can assist with seat adjustments and meal requests. Upon landing, a dedicated Emirates team member will greet children at the aircraft door, and escort them through the airport to meet their parent or guardian. Proof of identification is checked by Emirates before the parent or guardian can collect the child.

There is no additional fee for the compulsory service for children under 12, but tickets must be booked on an adult fare basis. Children aged 12 to 15 are permitted to fly alone without using the Unaccompanied Minors Service on Emirates, but can also opt for the service for an additional fee of $50 per flight.

Sri Lanka to trial free entry for 35 countries, including UAE

Travellers from 35 destinations will be able to travel to Sri Lanka without paying for visas from October 1.

The Sri Lankan government is introducing a six-month pilot scheme that will allow citizens from a number of countries, including the UAE and Saudi Arabia, to travel to the teardrop island on free 30-day tourist visas.

Designed to boost tourism and help revive Sri Lanka's crisis-hit economy, the move allows visitors from countries including the UK, China, Australia, India and Russia to visit for 30 days on a free visa. The scheme will run until March and waives the current $50 fee.

“The aim of the government is to transform Sri Lanka into a free visa country, much like Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, to tap into the benefits of a rapidly growing tourism industry,” cabinet spokesman and transport minister Bandula Gunawardana told Reuters .

Famed for its tropical beaches, tea plantations and some of the world's prettiest train journeys, Sri Lanka's tourism economy suffered heavily during the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent financial crisis.

Since then, efforts to turn the country's tourism industry around have been ongoing and more than two million people visited the country in mid-August, the highest number of tourists to Sri Lanka since before the global pandemic.

The launch of a 300km walking trail ; the renovation of Cape Weligama, one of the island's best luxury hotels; and solid network expansion from Sri Lankan airlines are among several developments aiming to further boost tourism in Sri Lanka.

The UK's most picturesque villages, from Portmeirion to St Abbs

From European-inspired pastel architecture to clifftop lighthouses and boat-lined harbours, the UK is home to hundreds of villages famed for their charming hotels, seaside vibes and old-fashioned charm.

With so many small towns to choose from, many of the UK's prettiest spots can often fly under the radar, which is why photography experts at Parrotprint, a photo-to-canvas printer in the UK, have rounded up their favourite places across the country for a postcard-perfect visit.

Topping the list is Portmeirion in Wales. Nestled in Gwynedd in the north of the country, the Italian-style village was built by Welsh architect Clough Wlliams-Ellis to show off the natural beauty of the area. Most famous for being the setting of hit 1960s TV show The Prisoner , it offers hectares of forest filled with lakes, temples and perfect viewpoints.

St Abbs in the Scottish Borders is the UK's second-prettiest town, according to the photography experts at Parrotprint. Known for its rugged coastline and rich wildlife, the seaside village is the place to go for outdoor pursuits with a stunning walking trail to the St Abbs's Head Nature Reserve. A lighthouse, volcanic clifftops, grey seals and uninterrupted views to the North Sea make it a visual feast.

Not quite off the radar, but worthy of a visit, is Broadway, a well-known Cotswolds beauty spot in Worcestershire that is famed for its honey-coloured buildings. Don't miss the walk up Broadway Tower, where you will have a bird's-eye view of the town from a 312-metre viewpoint.

Travellers seeking out a quintessential English village experience can head to Long Crendon in Buckinghamshire, a picturesque village that viewers may recognise as the backdrop for the long-running detective drama Midsomer Murders . Thatched cottages, 15th-century courthouses, village pubs and cute restaurants abound.

Cornwall is one of the UK's most popular summer destinations and Polperro on the east coast is one of the best spots in the country. Narrow, traffic-free streets lined with colourful cottages lead to a harbour dotted with seafront shops, cafes and restaurants. The fishing village was once a haven for smugglers and bootleggers, and travellers can get the lowdown on this and more at the Polperro Heritage Museum.

Keen amblers might want to head to Amble, ranked the sixth prettiest town in the UK where you can wander around a pretty coastline. Located at the edge of the Northumberland Coast Area of Natural Beauty, it has pastel-painted beach huts, quaint fish and chip shops and a shoreline that throngs with puffins.

Rounding up the top seven is the village of Helmsley in North Yorkshire. From its dramatic castle ruins to its charming tea rooms, and the only market town in the North York Moors National Park, it offers everything travellers need for a small-town escape.