When it comes to going on vacation, there is a lot to organise. Arranging your visa to Sri Lanka for US citizens travelling as tourists is one of the things you need to prioritise. Byevisa is here to help. We provide you with the up-to-date information you need and make it easy to apply for your authorisation.
Read this quick guide to find out what you have to do to get a visa for Sri Lanka for US citizens. We help you to prepare for your vacation so that you can spend more time planning all the adventures you will have on this beautiful island located in the Indian Ocean.
Contents
- 1 Do I Need A Sri Lanka Tourist Visa for US Citizens?
- 2 How Do I Apply for A Sri Lanka Visa for US Passport Holders?
- 3 Sri Lanka Visa Requirements for US Citizens
- 4 Sri Lanka Visa for US Citizens – Cost
- 5 Your Questions About Travelling To This Destination
- 6 Find More Information About Travelling To This Destination
Do I Need A Sri Lanka Tourist Visa for US Citizens?
Many people contact us to ask, ‘Do US citizens need a visa for Sri Lanka?’ as they are concerned about organising the correct documentation before they travel. And with good reason!
Any American national travelling to this country will need to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). This gives you permission to enter the country for up to 30 days. That should give you plenty of time to visit a tea plantation, see wild elephants and relax on the beach.
How Do I Apply for A Sri Lanka Visa for US Passport Holders?
Applying for your travel authorisation is simple with Byevisa. Just fill out our online application and pay for the ETA and the processing fee. Then you can sit back and wait for your authorisation document to arrive directly in your email inbox. Print out a copy and take it with you when you travel.
The Byevisa online application form asks you to fill in the following information:
- Your email address. We send your ETA here.
- A current phone number so we can contact you if needed.
- Your first name, middle name and last name.
- Your intended dates of travel – both entry and exit.
- Your gender.
- Your date and place of birth.
- Your country of residence and nationality.
- Your passport number.
- The issue and expiry date of your passport.
- The purpose of your visit.
- A valid payment method (credit/debit card or PayPal account details).
You also choose your processing speed. That way, you know when to expect your ETA to be issued and sent to your inbox.
It is sensible to double-check all the information that you submit as Byevisa will use this to process your application. If there are any errors, you may have trouble entering the country when you travel.
Please be aware that you will be also asked to upload a scan of your passport information page that contains your personal information and passport number.
Sri Lanka Visa Requirements for US Citizens
When you are ready to travel to this destination, you need to adhere to the requirements set out by the Sri Lankan government. These requirements are as follows:
- A printed copy of your issued ETA.
- Proof of your onward travel in the form of a return ticket or reservation number.
- A passport with a minimum of 6 months’ validity from the date you leave the country.
- A blank page in your passport for the entry stamp.
- You must also declare if you are entering the country with over 15,000 USD in any currency. This can be done at customs.
- When you exit, you must declare any currency that is valued at 5,000 USD or more.
Sri Lanka Visa for US Citizens – Cost
Getting your ETA does not need to be an expensive process, and Byevisa works hard to keep all costs to a minimum. The current ETA fee, as set by the Sri Lankan government, is 35 USD and is payable as part of your application.
You also need to pay a small processing fee to Byevisa and can choose between 3 options that suit the speed you require. The processing speeds on offer are Standard (1 business day), Rapid (4 hours) and Highly Rapid (30 minutes). You simply select the speed you want and then pay the fee along with the ETA fee to finalise your application.
Your Questions About Travelling To This Destination
By reading our guide, you should now know what you need to do to get your ETA processed. However, you may still have a range of questions that need answering before you can be ready to set off. We have gathered the most commonly asked questions and answered them below to help you prepare.
Do I Need A Sri Lanka Transit Visa for US Citizens?
If you are stopping in this country on a layover, you do not need to apply for an ETA or a visa if you are not leaving the airport and your layover is no longer than 48 hours in total. If you want to leave the airport or your layover lasts for more than 48 hours, then you need to apply by following the guidelines shared above.
Can US Citizens Extend Visa for Sri Lanka Beyond 30 Days?
Yes, if you wish to extend your ETA, you can apply for a further 180 days in the country on the first visit and another 180 days on the second visit. You do this by submitting an application at the Department of Immigration or by using an agent to help you process this application.
Is The ETA Available On Arrival?
Yes, you can apply for your authorisation on arrival at your port of entry, but this option will take much more time, and tourists are strongly urged to get their documentation in advance. This way, you won’t have to stand around and wait in a long line to fill out your paperwork and make your payment when you arrive. After a long flight, you’ll be glad you already have your ETA in hand when you arrive.
Find More Information About Travelling To This Destination
You should now be clearer on what you need to do and obtain in order to travel to this beautiful destination, but if you want more information then head over to our main Sri Lankan visas page here.
You can also visit this page for more details on visiting the country.
