Visa Type:

There are many types of visas available for Sri Lanka, such as Tourist, Transit, Business, Student, etc. Mim Travels.com provides consultancy support for Tourist, Transit & Business visas only.

Visa Procedure (Tourist & Business):

All kinds of visas are processed by the Sri Lanka High Commission, Dhaka & Department of Immigration & Emigration, in Sri Lanka. Visa applicants shall submit relevant documents themselves at High Commission or may submit them online.

High Commission of Sri Lanka-Dhaka
House No. 10, Road No. 62, Gulshan 2, Dhaka 1212.
Tel: 02-9896353 (visa related)
Email: [email protected] (official), [email protected] (visa related)
Web: http://www.slhcdhaka.org/
Note: No visa inquiry by telephone is entertained. If you are looking for additional information, please contact the Visa Desk in person at the visa hour.

Office Hours: Sunday to Thursday 09.00 to 16.30
Application Submission: Sunday to Thursday 09.00 to 01.00
Passport Collect: Sunday to Thursday 03.30 to 04.30
Application form Collection: Sunday to Thursday 09.30 to 12.00

Requirements:

TOURIST VISAS

This section contains information about Holiday travelers, who wish to travel to Sri Lanka for a short period for the following categories: Purpose: sightseeing, holidaying, visiting friends and relatives, medical treatment including Ayurvedic and yoga, participating in sporting events, competitions, and activities relating to cultural performance. Holidaymakers who visit Sri Lanka could obtain Tourist visas from

Through Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) obtained online at www.eta.gov.lk or
If there is any difficulty in accessing ETA System, visitors could obtain a visa in person from Sri Lanka High Commission before traveling or
Bona-fide tourists who arrive in Sri Lanka without an ETA reference number would be issued visas upon arrival upon payment of the relevant ETA processing fee.

Applying for online – Tourist visas
Travelers making a short visit to Sri Lanka (even less than 30 days) are required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). Travelers who wish to travel to Sri Lanka for less than 30 days can obtain a Tourist visa with double entries through www.eta.gov.lk. The ETA was initially limited to 30 days stay in Sri Lanka from the date of arrival, although it may be extended for up to three months from the Department of Immigration & Emigration, in Sri Lanka by paying the relevant extension fee.

Requirements:
Current passport (minimum validity for 06 months until the planned date of return).
Visiting Card.
For Business: Contact Details of the Sri Lankan Company

Visa fee: 0-30 Days – double entries – USD 20 (For SAARC Passports), USD 35 (For all other Passports)
MimTravels.com service charge: Tk. 1000

High Commission processing time: Within 3 working days
Mim Travels.com file processing time: 2/3 working days

Please note that if you did not receive the approval within 2 working days, you may log in to www.eta.gov.lk, and on the home page you can check your visa status. Please go to the ETA home page followed by the “check status” then enter your acknowledgment or passport number. If the status mentioned, your visa has been approved please take a printout of that and take it with you when you are going to Sri Lanka.

Transit visa
A Transit visa for up to 48 hours is currently issued free of charge only at www.eta.gov.lk (travelers must have an ETA reference number). If there is any inquiry regarding ETA please contact:

Hotline: 0094 71 9967888
fax: 0094 11 2674631
email: [email protected]

APPLYING FOR A TOURIST VISA AT THE HIGH COMMISSION

If there are any difficulties in applying ETA online system, any tourist who wishes to obtain a Tourist visa from the High Commission can obtain a visa by post or in person at the High Commission visa counter.

Requirements
i. Duly completed Visa application form (available in the downloads section)
ii. Two recent photographs – passport size
iii. Valid passport with one unused visa page and photocopy of photo page (passport should be valid for six months from the date of departure from Sri Lanka – after the intended visit)
iv. Return Confirmed Air ticket indicating travel itinerary
v. Bank endorsement of USD200

Method of payment:
Those applying in person at the High Commission could pay the visa fees only in cash for which an official receipt would be issued. Visa fees paid will not be refunded.
Visa fee: 0-30 Days – double entries – USD 20 (For SAARC Passports), USD 35 (For all other Passports)
MimTravels.com service charge: Tk. 1000

Processing time:
High Commission processing time: Within 3 working days
Mim Travels.com file processing time: 2/3 working days

Other relevant information
Under certain circumstances, the applicants might be asked to provide extra documents if necessary.
Under no circumstance could you change the status of your visa after arrival in Sri Lanka? For example, a person who visits Sri Lanka on holiday cannot engage in any business/ profession, social work, charity, or any other form of voluntary work or employment paid or unpaid without obtaining prior visas for such purposes.
If a visitor wishes to extend his stay in Sri Lanka, he/she should apply to the Department of Immigration & Emigration, Suhurupaya, Sri Subhuthipura Road, Battaramulla, Sri Lanka before the expiry of the visa.

BUSINESS VISA

Applying for a Business visa through Sri Lanka High Commission in Dhaka
All Business Travelers who wish to travel to Sri Lanka for up to 90 days should obtain a business visa through Sri Lanka High Commission in Dhaka. Under certain circumstances, interviews will be conducted by the high commission and the interviewees might be asked to provide extra documents, if necessary, under any circumstances there is no refund of the visa fee.

Requirements
i. Duly completed Business Visa application form
ii. Two recent photographs – passport size
iii. Valid passport with one unused visa page and photocopy of photo page (passport should be valid for six months from the date of departure from Sri Lanka – after the intended visit)
iv. Return air ticket
v. Following Documents should be submitted:
– An invitation letter from the company/ organization in Sri Lanka recommending the issuance of a visa to the applicant.
– A request letter from the company or organization in Bangladesh recommending the issuance of a 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.

Method of payment: The applicants could pay the visa fees only in cash for which an official receipt would be issued.
Visa Fee: 0-30 days – Multiple Entry – USD 30 (For SAARC countries), USD 40 (All other Passport)
MimTravels.com service charge: Tk. 1000

High commission processing time: Within 3 working days
Mim Travels.com file processing time: 2/3 working days

Multiple Business Visa

A business organization or NGO in Sri Lanka should apply for a work/resident visa on behalf of the applicant directly to the Controller General, Immigration and Emigration (CG, I & E). The CG, I & E will then authorize this High Commission to issue an entry visa to the applicant.

Department of Immigration and Emigration
Suhurupaya, Sri Subhuthipura Road, Battaramulla.
Phone: 94-11-5329000 Hunting Line
Phone: +94 11 5329301
Fax: 94-11-2885358
E-Mail: controller[at]immigration.gov.lk
Web Site: www.immigration.gov.lk

VISAS FOR CONFERENCES, SEMINARS, MEETINGS, AND WORKSHOPS

The High Commission requires prior approval from the Controller General, Immigration and Emigration (CG, I&E) in Sri Lanka to issue visas under this category.
Therefore, the Applicant should obtain prior approval from the Department of Immigration & Emigration in Sri Lanka or the application should be submitted 2 weeks in advance with a letter of invitation for the event from the organizers giving their contact details in Sri Lanka enabling the High Commission to obtain prior approval from the authorities in Sri Lanka for the issuance of visa.
Upon receipt of the approval, the High Commission can issue a visa provided once the documents mentioned below are submitted.
Visas on a gratis basis are issued by the High Commission only for Official/ Diplomatic passport holders based on reciprocity with prior approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka and the Department of Immigration & Emigration of Sri Lanka.

Requirements
I. Duly completed Visa application form
ii. Two recent photographs – passport size
iii. Valid passport with one unused visa page (passport should be valid for six months from the date of departure from Sri Lanka – after the intended visit)
iv. Following Documents should be submitted:
An invitation letter from the inviting organization in Sri Lanka/ abroad and if any local agent recommending the issuance of visa to the applicant
A request letter from the company or organization in Bangladesh recommending the issuance of a 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.

Visa fee:
0-30 Days – Multiple entries – USD 30 (For SAARC Passports), USD 40 (For all other Passports)
MimTravels.com service charge: Tk. 1000

Processing time:
Visas for Conferences, Seminars, and workshops, diplomatic appointments make approximately twelve (12) working days to process the application since prior approval from the authorities in Sri Lanka is required to issue such visas.
Mim Travels.com file processing time: 3/4 working days

VISAS FOR DIPLOMATS ON SHORT ASSIGNMENT / ON TRANSFER TO SRI LANKA/ TRAVELLING FOR OFFICIAL BUSINESS PURPOSES TO SRI LANKA

Diplomats from other countries traveling to Sri Lanka for official purposes, on transfer may apply for a visa two weeks before the date of departure with the following documents listed under “requirements”.
Simultaneously, the respective Resident Mission of the applicant based in Sri Lanka may approach the Protocol Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka to obtain prior approval to facilitate the visa procedure.

Requirements
i. duly completed visa application form (Form available in download section)
ii. Two recent photographs – passport size
iii. Valid passport with one unused visa page and photocopy of the passport photo page (passport should be valid for six months from the date of departure from Sri Lanka – after the intended visit)
iv. Travel itinerary
v. Bangladesh Government Order for Bangladeshi diplomatic passport holders
vi. Note Verbale from the Foreign Ministry of Bangladesh or relevant Diplomatic Mission or International Organization.
vii. Diplomats employed in Missions in Bangladesh who wish to travel to Sri Lanka for official purposes are required to fill out two additional forms. (Form available in Download section as the additional form for diplomatic posting/assignment.)

Remarks:

• Mim Travels.com only provides consultancy services and doesn’t provide any guarantee for visas.

• File processing for the visa will start only after receiving all necessary documents.

• Processing time, requirements, and fees are subject to change by the Embassy without any prior notice.

• The embassy reserves all the rights to ask for any additional document other than above mentioned checklist.

• All Bangla documents must be translated into English and notarized.

Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon) is an island nation south of India in the Indian Ocean. Its diverse landscapes range from rainforest and arid plains to highlands and sandy beaches. It’s famed for its ancient Buddhist ruins, including the 5th-century citadel Sigiriya, with its palace and frescoes. The city of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka’s ancient capital, has many ruins dating back more than 2,000 years.

1. Q: Do I need a visa for Sri Lanka?

   A: Yes, most visitors need a visa. Check requirements based on nationality.

2. Q: What types of visas are available?

   A: Tourist, business, transit, and student visas are common options.

3. Q: How do I apply for a Sri Lanka visa?

   A: Apply online or at the nearest Sri Lankan embassy/consulate.

4. Q: What documents are required?

   A: Valid passport, application form, funds proof, return/onward travel details, and additional documents as needed.

5. Q: How long does visa processing take?

   A: Usually 1-3 business days, but apply in advance during peak seasons.

6. Q: How long can I stay with a tourist visa?

   A: Generally 30 days, extendable up to 180 days.

7. Q: Can I extend my visa in Sri Lanka?

   A: Yes, at the Department of Immigration and Emigration.

8. Q: Can I work with a tourist visa?

   A: No, work requires the appropriate visa or permit.

9. Q: Is there a visa-on-arrival option?

   A: Yes, for eligible countries. Check current regulations.

10. Q: Can I enter visa-free with a resident visa?

    A: It depends on your resident visa and nationality. Check requirements.