The short answer
Indians need an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) to visit Sri Lanka. Since 25 May 2026 it's free. You get a 30-day stay with double entry, applied for online on eta.gov.lk. "Free" doesn't mean "optional": it must be approved before you board, and airlines check it at check-in in India.
Lots of people are asking right now. India is by far Sri Lanka's biggest market, with 437,414 Indian arrivals from January to September 2026, up 16.6% while most other markets fell. Plenty of pages still quote an old fee, and agent sites still charge for a form the government now issues for free.
At a glance
| What you need | Tourist ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) |
| Cost for Indians | Free (since 25 May 2026) |
| Stay allowed | 30 days from first arrival, double entry |
| Where to apply | eta.gov.lk only |
| Processing | Usually 24–72 hours (no official guarantee) |
| Apply by | At least a week before you fly |
| Longer stays | Paid extension, applied for in Sri Lanka |
Fee, stay and double-entry terms are from the official Sri Lanka ETA site, checked 16 October 2026. Processing time is a typical figure reported by travellers and visa guides such as Wego, not a government promise. Rules here have changed several times since 2024, so check the official site before you apply.
How to apply, step by step
1. Go to the official site, eta.gov.lk
Type the address yourself rather than clicking an ad. Search results are full of lookalike agent sites that charge US$25–50 for the same form, which for Indians now costs nothing.
2. Choose a tourist ETA
Pick the tourist (holiday) option and India as your nationality. A group trip is a holiday, so you don't need a business ETA or an embassy visa.
3. Enter your passport and trip details
Fill in your passport details exactly as printed, your expected arrival date, and an address in Sri Lanka. Your first night's hotel is fine; we share it once you've booked. Read the passport number twice. A typo is the most common reason people end up reapplying.
4. Submit and check the fee shows as zero
Under the free scheme, Indian passport holders shouldn't be asked to pay for a 30-day tourist ETA. If a site asks for a card payment for a standard tourist ETA, you're probably not on the official site.
5. Save the approval email
Approval usually arrives by email within a day or two. The official site doesn't promise a fixed time, so don't leave it to the night before. Keep a PDF on your phone and a printout, because the airline checks it at check-in in India.
What to carry at Colombo airport
- A passport valid for at least six months from your arrival date, with blank pages.
- Your ETA approval, on your phone and printed.
- A return or onward flight ticket.
- Proof of where you're staying. Our hotel confirmations cover this on a group trip.
- Access to some money for your stay. Immigration can ask, though it rarely does on a short holiday.
When to apply for our Sri Lanka departures
Apply once your flights are booked, and at least a week before you fly. All of our trips are 7–8 days, well inside the 30-day limit, so nobody on a group trip needs an extension.
Apply by 10 Nov
Apply by 8 Dec
Apply by 15 Dec (the year-end rush and holidays slow everything down)
Apply 1–2 weeks before your departure
Going in December? Check which coasts are sunny first: our Sri Lanka in December guide explains why our December groups head south. Comparing destinations by paperwork? See easy-visa group trips, ranked.
Mistakes that cost people their flight
Assuming free means not needed
The fee was waived; the ETA wasn't. No approval, no boarding pass.
Paying an agent site
If you've been charged for a 30-day tourist ETA, you used a lookalike. You may still get a valid ETA, but you've paid for nothing.
A typo in the passport number
The approval has to match your passport exactly. Fixing it means a fresh application, so check before submitting.
A passport expiring too soon
Six months' validity from arrival. For a trip in early 2027, that means a passport valid into mid-2027 at least.
FAQ
Do Indians need a visa for Sri Lanka?
You need an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation), which works as your tourist visa. Since 25 May 2026, India is one of 40 countries whose citizens get a 30-day tourist ETA free of charge. It still has to be applied for online on eta.gov.lk and approved before you arrive.
Is the Sri Lanka ETA really free for Indians?
Yes. The official site, eta.gov.lk, lists India among the 40 countries eligible for a free tourist ETA from 25 May 2026. The free ETA covers a 30-day stay. Anyone charging you for a standard 30-day tourist ETA is an agent site, not the government. Fees paid before 25 May 2026 aren't refunded.
How long can I stay in Sri Lanka on the free ETA?
30 days, counted from your first arrival, with double entry allowed inside that window. That means you could pop over to the Maldives and come back. If you want to stay longer, you can apply for an extension in Sri Lanka, but extensions are paid.
How long does the Sri Lanka ETA take?
Usually within 24–72 hours, according to travellers and visa guides. The official site doesn't publish a fixed processing time, so apply at least a week before you fly to leave room for a correction.
Can I get a visa on arrival in Sri Lanka instead?
Don't plan on it. The official rule is that all foreign nationals must get an ETA before arriving, and airlines check for it before letting you board in India. Since the ETA is free and online, there's no reason to risk it.
What documents do I need to enter Sri Lanka?
A passport valid for at least six months from your arrival date, your ETA approval, a return or onward ticket, and proof of where you're staying. Immigration can also ask about funds for your stay. On a Party Passport trip, your hotel confirmations cover the accommodation part.
Does every traveller need their own ETA?
Yes. Each person applies in their own name, against their own passport. One person can fill in the forms for the whole group, but every traveller needs a separate approval.
Does Party Passport apply for my ETA?
No. The ETA is a personal application tied to your passport, so each traveller files their own on eta.gov.lk. Once you've booked, we share the hotel address for the form and can answer questions on WhatsApp while you fill it in.
The visa's free. Pick your dates.
Sri Lanka New Year is ₹67,000 until 27 October. Sri Lanka 2027 starts at ₹58,000, with five departures from 31 January to 4 April.