🇷🇺→🇱🇰Russia→Sri Lanka

30 daysmultiple entryonline

Short-term tourism, sightseeing, visiting friends/relatives, medical treatment, participating in arts, music, dance and sport events.

Free for nationals of 40 designated countries effective 25 May 2026. Double-entry facility permitted within validity. Maldivian nationals receive 90 days instead of 30. Seychelles and Singapore nationals also eligible for free ETA under bilateral arrangements. Children under 12 from any nationality receive free tourist ETA. Apply via eta.gov.lk.

30 daysmultiple entryonline

Short-term tourism, sightseeing, visiting friends/relatives, medical treatment, participating in arts, music, dance and sport events.

For nationalities not in the 40-country free ETA list. Fee: USD 20 (SAARC, applied online/at mission) or USD 25 (SAARC, on arrival); USD 50 (all others, applied online/at mission) or USD 60 (all others, on arrival). Double-entry facility permitted. Extensions possible for up to 6 months total. Some nationalities (e.g. Cameroon, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Syria) require a Sri Lankan sponsor and additional documents such as police clearance.

30 daysmultiple entryonline

Attending business meetings, negotiations, seminars, and conferences in Sri Lanka for a limited duration.

Fee: USD 30 for SAARC nationalities; USD 55 for all other nationalities. No on-arrival option for business ETA. Single, double, or multiple entry available. Apply via eta.gov.lk.

multiple entryvalid 365d

For foreign investors, business owners, employees and residents operating within the Colombo Port City Special Economic Zone, administered by the Colombo Port City Economic Commission (CPCEC) rather than the general residence-visa route.

Distinct SEZ visa scheme under the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act No. 11 of 2021, separate from the standard residence visa. Sub-categories: Business Visa (directors, shareholders and partners of an Authorised Person), Employment Visa, Investor Visa, and Residential Property Lessee Visa. Fee USD 200 per annum; annual renewal. Spouses and dependents eligible; spouses may work only within Port City. Applicants first obtain a Landing Endorsement and submit documents (police clearance, health plan from a recognised Sri Lankan hospital, TB/malaria/HIV/filariasis screening) to applications@portcity.gov.lk. Residents must obtain the visa within 30 days of arrival.

2 dayssingle entryonline

Allows travelers to transit through Sri Lanka ports and airports while continuing to their final destination.

Valid for 48 hours only. Free of charge. Requires proof of onward air ticket or sea passage. Employment, self-employment, and business activities prohibited. Apply via eta.gov.lk.

365 daysmultiple entryvalid 365d

For foreign nationals undergoing medical treatment in Sri Lanka, along with one accompanying medical assistant.

Annual visa, renewable. Requires bank encashment receipts to the value of USD 1,500 per year per person to demonstrate ability to cover medical expenses. One medical assistant is permitted to accompany the patient.

365 daysmultiple entryvalid 365d

For non-Sri Lankan spouses of Sri Lankan citizens and dependent children of Sri Lankan citizens residing in Sri Lanka.

First issuance: 1 year free. Subsequent extensions: 2-year increments until 5 years total, then 5-year extensions. Dependent children aged 16 and over: USD 100 per year until age 22. Dependent children below 16 are free.

multiple entry

Listed by the Department of Immigration and Emigration as a distinct residence-visa subcategory (item 16 in the residence-visa menu), separate from the Family Members (Spouse & Dependents) category, for other relations of Sri Lankan citizens wishing to reside in Sri Lanka.

Confirmed present as its own named category ('Relation of Sri Lankan citizen') in the Department of Immigration and Emigration's residence-visa category menu, distinct from the already-catalogued Spouse & Dependents category. The official page names the category but does not publish detailed eligibility criteria, fee, or validity period online; applicants must contact the Department directly for specifics. Added conservatively with unknown fields left null per the same convention already used for the existing 'Registered Indians' entry in this dataset.

365 daysmultiple entryvalid 365d

For foreign nationals studying at Sri Lankan universities or approved educational institutions, as well as volunteers and interns.

Annual visa, renewable. Non-university students must show bank encashment receipts of at least USD 1,500 per year per person to prove sufficient funds. Subcategories: university students, approved institution students, volunteers, interns.

365 daysmultiple entryvalid 365d

For foreign professionals and expatriates employed in Sri Lanka, including BOI project personnel, bank employees, private company employees, and Colombo Port City workers.

Annual visa, renewable. Mandatory health protection plan required. Subcategories: government project professionals, BOI personnel, bank employees, private sector employees, Colombo Port City Commission workers. Dependents may accompany the primary visa holder. Appointment at Department of Immigration and Emigration required.

multiple entryvalid 3650d

10-year residence visa for foreign investors making a qualifying deposit in a Sri Lankan bank under the Golden Paradise Foreign Currency Account scheme.

Minimum deposit of USD 200,000 in a Golden Paradise Foreign Currency Account (GPFCA) at a Central Bank of Sri Lanka-licensed bank. Up to 50% of the minimum investment may be withdrawn after the first year. Permitted investments include condominium property, land and building leases, Sri Lanka Development Bonds, and other government-approved investments. Fee: USD 2,000 for 10 years. Includes spouse and dependents. No official pathway to permanent residence or citizenship stated.

multiple entryvalid 730d

Residence visa for senior foreign nationals (retirees and those with independent income) wishing to reside long-term in Sri Lanka.

Currently open for extensions only; not accepting new applicants. Requires USD 15,000 fixed deposit in a Sri Lankan bank plus monthly remittances of USD 1,500 (principal applicant) and USD 750 per spouse/dependent child. Visa valid for 2 years, renewable. Fee: USD 200 per year per person (including dependents over 16). No paid or unpaid employment permitted.

14 days

For foreign nationals who have pending court cases in Sri Lanka and are required to appear before Sri Lankan courts.

Renewable; each extension is valid for 14 days from the date of the next court hearing.

365 daysmultiple entryvalid 365d

For foreign nationals who earn income remotely from clients or employers outside Sri Lanka and wish to reside in Sri Lanka.

Annual visa, renewable. Requires recommendation from Ministry of Digital Economy. Must have international health insurance covering Sri Lanka. All income must be earned remotely from outside Sri Lanka; local employment prohibited. Exact minimum income/remittance requirement listed in official PDF (immigration.gov.lk/content/files/visa/digital_nomad/Digital%20Nomad%20Visa%20Category.pdf). Application submitted to Residence Visa Division, Department of Immigration and Emigration.

multiple entry

For diplomats, embassy staff, and government officials at accredited diplomatic missions in Sri Lanka and their dependents.

Duration as recommended by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Gratis (no fee). Health protection plan exemption applies to this category.

365 daysmultiple entryvalid 365d

For former Sri Lankan citizens and their dependents wishing to reside in Sri Lanka.

Annual visa, renewable. Security clearance reports generally not required for this category. Dependents are eligible.

multiple entry

For foreign nationals investing capital in Sri Lanka or conducting business activities under approved investment schemes.

Minimum investment USD 100,000 (5-year visa) or USD 200,000 (10-year visa) in approved sectors such as IT and tourism. Separate guideline document available from the Department. No pathway to permanent residence or citizenship officially stated.

365 daysmultiple entryvalid 365d

For staff of non-governmental and international organizations operating in Sri Lanka with endorsement from the relevant ministry.

Annual visa, renewable. Relevant ministry endorsement required. Dependents may be included.

365 daysmultiple entryvalid 365d

For Indian nationals / persons of Indian origin statutorily registered under the 1954 Indo-Ceylon (Indo-Lanka) Agreement who reside in Sri Lanka.

Statutory residence category listed on the Department of Immigration and Emigration residence-visa page. Annual visa, renewable. Health protection plan and standard residence-visa documentation apply. Niche category limited to the defined 1954-agreement population, not a general immigration route; specific fee not published on the accessible fees page.

365 daysmultiple entryvalid 365d

For members of the clergy and foreign nationals participating in religious activities with the recommendation of the relevant ministry.

Annual visa, renewable. Requires organization request letter, ministry recommendation, passport biodata page, and a health protection plan.

multiple entryvalid 1825d

Long-term residence visa for high-net-worth foreign investors and skilled professionals wishing to reside in Sri Lanka.

Currently open for extensions only; not accepting new applicants. Investor category: minimum USD 250,000 in a Foreign Currency Account (USD 35,000 per dependent). Professional category: monthly remittance of USD 2,000 (applicant) and USD 1,000 per dependent. Visa valid for 5 years from issuance. Fee: USD 200 per person per year. No employment permitted. No pathway to permanent residence or citizenship officially stated.