Chapter 01
Sri Lanka visa at a glance (2026)
| Visa | Official fee | Processing | Stay | Apply via |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist ETA, double entry, 30 days | USD 0 (free since 25 May 2026) | Online; no official time published | 30 days from first arrival | eta.gov.lk |
| Business ETA, 30 days | USD 30 (SAARC rate) (≈ PKR 8,300) | At missions, Colombo office or on arrival | 30 days | Sri Lanka mission / on arrival |
| Transit ETA, up to 2 days | Free | — | 2 days | eta.gov.lk |
Chapter 02
Is Sri Lanka visa free for Pakistanis in 2026?
The Sri Lanka tourist ETA is free of charge for Pakistanis in 2026, but it is not "no visa". The official ETA fee page of Sri Lanka's Department of Immigration & Emigration says that with effect from 25 May 2026, nationals of 40 countries, Pakistan included, can obtain a tourist visa (ETA) free of charge for 30 days. The same site states that all foreign nationals, including those 40 countries, must obtain an ETA before arriving.
Pakistan is on the 40-country list that took effect on 25 May 2026 under a circular dated 19 May 2026 (VisasNews, confirmed against eta.gov.lk on 13 October 2026). No end date for the scheme is published.
Chapter 03
How much is the Sri Lanka ETA fee for Pakistanis?
The tourist ETA for 30 days costs USD 0 for Pakistanis as of 13 October 2026. Before 25 May 2026, Pakistan paid the SAARC rate: USD 20 online and USD 25 on arrival. Charges still apply for:
- Business ETA: USD 30 for SAARC nationals (USD 55 for others).
- Stays beyond 30 days: extension fees set by nationality under Gazette 2241/37 (18 August 2021), applied for at eservices.immigration.gov.lk after arrival.
- Children under 12 of any nationality get a free tourist ETA for up to 30 days.
| Cost item | Official amount (as of 13 Oct 2026) | Our service fee | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist ETA, 30 days | USD 0 | Quote on WhatsApp | Service fee only |
| Business ETA, 30 days | USD 30 (≈ PKR 8,300) | On request | Official + service fee |
Because the ETA is free, you can apply yourself in a few minutes. Our service is useful mainly if you want the trip file (bookings, funds, FIA documents) checked. See Sri Lanka visa fee details and our fees page.
Chapter 04
What documents do Pakistanis need for a Sri Lanka ETA?
The online ETA asks for passport details and your travel plans; you do not upload a bank statement. You still need a full set of documents for FIA in Pakistan and for Sri Lankan immigration on arrival:
- Passport valid for at least 6 months, with blank pages
- ETA approval printout
- Return or onward ticket
- Hotel booking for your stay (genuine and cancellable is fine)
- Proof of funds: bank statement and an international debit or credit card
- Travel insurance (now checked at some Pakistani airports)
- Polio vaccination certificate from NADRA for your departure from Pakistan (Express Tribune, Oct 2026)
If you are employed
- Employer NOC or leave letter with return date; salary slips; bank statement with salary credits
If you run a business
- Business NTN, Chamber of Commerce or SECP registration; business bank statement
If you are a student
- Student card or enrolment letter; parent's NOC, CNIC and bank statement
If you are a housewife or dependent
- Travelling with spouse: nikah nama and FRC; spouse's bank statement
If you are retired
- Pension statement or bank credits; return ticket
If you are a freelancer
- Bank statement with foreign remittances; FBR tax return; client contracts
Tip: tap an item to tick it off. Your ticks stay on this device.
Chapter 05
How do you apply for a Sri Lanka ETA, step by step?
- Go to eta.gov.lk only. Lookalike websites charge "processing fees" for a free ETA.
- Choose Tourist ETA and enter your passport details exactly as printed.
- Add your travel dates and address in Sri Lanka. The official FAQ says you can apply even before booking your ticket.
- Submit. For the free tourist ETA no payment is due; for paid categories the site accepts American Express, Mastercard and Visa.
- Check status with your reference number on the official site, or call the 24/7 ETA call centre listed on eta.gov.lk.
- Print the approval and carry it with your return ticket and hotel booking.
Chapter 06
How long does a Sri Lanka ETA take?
Sri Lanka does not publish an official ETA processing time. Apply at least one to two weeks before you fly so there is time to fix any error. The ETA is valid for six months, and you cannot get a fresh ETA on the same passport until it expires (ETA FAQ).
Chapter 07
Why do Sri Lanka ETAs get refused (and how to avoid it)?
Sri Lanka ETA problems usually come from data errors or the wrong category. The processing fee, where charged, is not refundable.
| Problem | How to fix it |
|---|---|
| Passport number or name typed wrongly | Copy every field from the passport page |
| Applied on a lookalike site | Use eta.gov.lk; a third-party record may not be valid |
| Wrong category (business meetings on a tourist ETA) | Choose business ETA for business activities |
| Existing ETA still valid | Wait until it expires or travel on it |
| Planning media or NGO work | Not allowed on online ETA; needs separate approval |
Chapter 08
What happens at the airport? (FIA and arrival checks)
A free ETA does not remove FIA checks in Pakistan. The FIA FAQ lists a valid passport, return ticket, confirmed hotel booking with advance payment, sufficient funds and a sound profile; government employees need a departmental NOC. Dawn reported over 66,000 travellers offloaded in 2025 (Dawn, 18 December 2025). First-time travellers on cheap tourist trips are often questioned, so carry your bank statement, employer NOC or business papers, and a printed itinerary. Follow our offloading checklist. Nobody can promise you will not be stopped; a complete, genuine file is the best preparation.
The official ETA FAQ says an ETA is not a condition for boarding, but Pakistani airline and FIA staff will still ask to see it. In Sri Lanka, immigration grants entry on arrival.
Chapter 09
Pakistanis living in the UAE or Saudi Arabia
The Sri Lanka ETA is based on nationality, not residence, so Pakistanis living in the UAE or Saudi Arabia also get the free 30-day tourist ETA. Apply on eta.gov.lk with your Pakistani passport, carry your Emirates ID or iqama, and make sure your residence visa stays valid for your return.
Chapter 10
Sri Lanka vs. similar destinations
Chapter 11
Frequently asked questions
Is Sri Lanka visa free for Pakistanis in 2026?
The tourist ETA is free of charge for Pakistanis, but you still need to apply for it. Since 25 May 2026, nationals of 40 countries including Pakistan receive a free 30-day tourist ETA, according to Sri Lanka's official ETA website, eta.gov.lk.
Do Pakistanis still need an ETA for Sri Lanka?
Yes. The Department of Immigration & Emigration says all foreign nationals, including the 40 free-ETA countries, must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization before arriving in Sri Lanka.
How long can Pakistanis stay in Sri Lanka on the free ETA?
30 days from the date of first arrival, with double entry. On the second entry you only get the balance of the 30 days. Longer stays need a visa extension, and extension fees apply.
Is there visa on arrival in Sri Lanka for Pakistanis?
Sri Lanka's fee table lists an on-arrival ETA option, but the official site says travellers should obtain the ETA before arrival. Apply online before you fly to avoid problems at check-in and at FIA immigration.
How much was the Sri Lanka ETA fee for Pakistanis before May 2026?
As a SAARC country, Pakistan paid USD 20 for a 30-day tourist ETA applied online, and USD 25 on arrival, per the official fee table. From 25 May 2026 the 30-day tourist ETA is free for Pakistanis.
Do I need a ticket before applying for a Sri Lanka ETA?
No. The official ETA FAQ says an ETA can be obtained even before booking your ticket. You will still need a return ticket and hotel booking for FIA checks in Pakistan.
How long is a Sri Lanka ETA valid?
The official FAQ says an ETA is valid for six months, and you cannot get a fresh ETA on the same passport until it expires.
Can Pakistanis in the UAE or Saudi Arabia apply for a Sri Lanka ETA?
Yes. The ETA is based on nationality, so Pakistanis living in the UAE or Saudi Arabia apply on eta.gov.lk in the same way and also get the free 30-day tourist ETA.
Can I work in Sri Lanka on a tourist ETA?
No. Working on a visit visa is illegal in Sri Lanka and in Pakistan can lead to prosecution under the Emigration Ordinance.
Chapter 12
How Visit Visa Specialists helps
The tourist ETA is free and you can apply yourself on eta.gov.lk. If you want help, we check your passport data, submit the ETA with you on the official site, and prepare the travel file FIA looks for: return ticket, hotel booking, funds, employer or business papers and insurance. Our service fee is Quote on WhatsApp; the official ETA fee is USD 0. Sri Lanka's Department of Immigration & Emigration makes the decision.
Every fact, checkedSources+
- Sri Lanka ETA official site, Fees: free 30-day tourist ETA for 40 countries incl. Pakistan from 25.05.2026; SAARC fee table USD 20 online / USD 25 on arrival; children under 12 free; extensions (eta.gov.lk, checked 13 October 2026)
- Sri Lanka ETA official site, home: all foreign nationals incl. the 40 countries must obtain ETA before arrival; 30 days double entry; balance on second entry (eta.gov.lk, checked 13 October 2026)
- Sri Lanka ETA official FAQ: ticket not needed to apply; ETA valid six months; cards accepted; status check; 24/7 call centre (eta.gov.lk, checked 13 October 2026)
- Sri Lanka ETA official site: Short Visit categories (tourist, business, transit) and ETA types (eta.gov.lk, checked 13 October 2026)
- News (VisasNews): circular of 19 May 2026 making the tourist ETA free for 40 nationalities from 25 May 2026 (visasnews.com, checked 13 October 2026)
- News (Express Tribune, 11 Oct 2026): vaccination rules for international travellers from Pakistan, polio vaccination free at Karachi airport (tribune.com.pk, checked 13 October 2026)
- FIA official FAQ: conditions for visit-visa travellers at Pakistani airports (fia.gov.pk, checked 13 October 2026)
- News (Dawn, 18 Dec 2025): over 66,000 offloaded in 2025 (dawn.com, checked 13 October 2026)
We are an independent private agency, not affiliated with any government. Visa decisions are made solely by the relevant authority.
