Please note that after 31st December 2011, all American and National of Countries listed on Schedule A (shown below) who are expecting to travel to Sri Lanka for less than 30 days as tourists/business/transit have to apply for visa online through ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) system.

Apply for 'On Line' visa By visiting 'Eletronic Travel Authorization' Site

Visas can also be obtained on arrival from ETA processing gates at Bandaranayke International Airport from 1st January 2012.

All travellers are encouraged to obtain visa online prior to arrival to avoid any inconvenience at the airport.

Those who are unable to access the internet may apply for tourist /business visa for less than 30 days through our Consulate.

Tourists and businessman visiting the country for more than 30 days and less than 90 days are required to obtain visa and are requested to apply for visa at the Sri Lanka Embassy or the Consulate in USA.

This Mission can issue multiple entry business visa valid a period of 3 months or one year for investors/businessmen, provided that they canprove that they are required to visit Sri Lanka several times.

Following Documents should be submitted:

• Documents mentioned under 'REQUIREMENTS'
• A letter from the company or organization in the US recommending the issuance of one year multiple entry business visa and giving details of the status of the applicant, nature of business, duration of stay, availability of funds, and details of the party in Sri Lanka with whom the business is to be conducted.
• • A letter from the company/organisation in Sri Lanka recommending the issuance of one year multiple entry business visa.

Students of universities in USA who propose to do their short-term elective studies in universities in Sri Lanka need to obtain prior visas, by submitting the following documents:

• Documents mentioned under 'REQUIREMENTS'
• A letter of recommendation from the university in USA.
• A letter of acceptance from the university in Sri Lanka.

• Travel ticket
• Birth Certificate
• Affidavit signed by parents giving consent for the child to travel unaccompanied / accompanied by a responsible adult person
• Affidavit from the person who will take care of the child in Sri Lanka, if child is travelling unaccompanied.
• Documents mentioned under 'REQUIREMENTS'

The Consulate General requires prior approval from the authorities in Sri Lanka to issue entry visa under this category. Therefore, the application should be submitted 2 weeks in advance with a letter of invitation for the event from the organisers giving their contact details in Sri Lanka enabling the Consulate General to obtain prior approval from the authorities in Sri Lanka for the issuance of visa. On receipt of the approval, the Consulate General can issue visa once the documents mentioned under 'REQUIREMENTS' are submitted.

Following Documents should be submitted:

• Documents mentioned under 'REQUIREMENTS'
• A letter from the company or organization in USA recommending the issuance of visa and giving details of the status of the applicant , nature of business, duration of stay, availability of funds, and details of the party in Sri Lanka with whom the business is to be conducted.
• A letter from the company/organisation in Sri Lanka recommending the issuance of visa to the applicant.

If you do not wish to leave the airport during transit, you do not require a transit visa.
If you wish to leave the airport, you need to obtain prior visa, by submitting the following documents:

• Documents mentioned under 'REQUIREMENTS'
• However, the persons from the countries in Schedule 'A' - can obtain a landing endorsement from Colombo airport if they wish to leave the airport and enter the country as tourists during the transit.
• For persons from the countries in Schedule 'B' - prior visa should be obtained from the Consulate General of Sri Lanka if they wish to leave the airport and enter the country during the transit.

• Visa for this purpose will be issued only by the Controller of Immigration & Emigration (C I & E).
• Please see Residence Visa section in the website www.immigration.gov.lk for details.
• Business organisation or the NGO in Sri Lanka should submit the application for work / resident visa on behalf of the applicant directly to the CI & E. The CI & E will then authorise this Consulate General to issue entry visa to the applicant.
• On receipt of the approval from the Controller of Immigration & Emigration (C I & E), the Consulate General could issue entry visa once the applicant submits the documents mentioned under 'REQUIREMENTS'.
• Once the applicant arrive in Sri Lanka on an entry visa issued by the Consulate General with the approval of the Controller of Immigration & Emigration Persons can apply for residence visa /work permit from the CI&E on arrival in Sri Lanka.

The Consulate General requires prior approval from the authorities in Sri Lanka to issue visa under this category and therefore applications should be made at least 2 weeks in advance.

• A request letter addressed to the Consulate General giving details of the planned synopsis of the film, duration, locations, the names and passport details of the media personnel visiting Sri Lanka.
• It is mandatory for those filming in Sri Lanka to sign the 'Condition for Filming Agreement' which could be obtained from this Consulate General and forwarded with the request letter and the synopsis of the film.
• All media personnel are required to hold a carnet for the media equipment taken into the country. The carnet should be need to be submitted to the authorities in Sri Lanka to take the media equipment in to Sri Lanka.
• For filming in wildlife-protected areas, prior approval from the Department of Wildlife conservation should be obtained. Web address : www.dwlc.lk.
• On receipt of the approval from the Sri Lankan authorities, the Consulate General will issue visa once the applicant submits the documents mentioned under 'REQUIREMENTS' to the Consulate General.

All tourists as well as business travellers from SAARC countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal and Pakistan) may obtain visas for 30 days free of charge on arrival at the airport.

Prior visa should be obtained from the High Commission/Consulate General closest to the applicant for visits over 30 days.

The Consulate General requires prior approval from the Controller, Immigration and Emigration of Sri Lanka (C/I&E) to issue entry visa under this category. Therefore, the NGO operating in Sri Lanka should make an application on behalf of the applicant with the applicants CV and passport details to the Controller/ Immigration & Emigration.
Thereafter the CI & E will be issuing necessary instructions to this Consulate General with regard to issue of entry visa. On receipt of the approval from the CI & E., the Consulate General could issue entry visa once the applicant submits the documents mentioned under 'REQUIREMENTS' to this Consulate General. (Persons entering Sri Lanka on entry visa issued by the Consulate General with the approval of the CI & E can apply for residence visa /work permit from the CI&E on arrival in Sri Lanka.)