Sri Lanka for Diplomatic and Official Visits ETA

Foreign nationals who plan to visit Sri Lanka for Diplomatic or Official purposes must submit their ETA applications to the Department of Immigration & Emigration through relevant Sri Lanka Government Ministries and Agencies or Sri Lanka Overseas Missions.

The Gratis (Free of Charge) basis is applicable only for Diplomatic and Official passport holders. The Gratis ETA is granted for ordinary passport holders based on arrangements made between the Government of Sri Lanka and thee respective countries.

For their personal visits, Diplomatic & Official passport holders should follow the normal ETA application procedure. However, the Gratis ETA is granted for Diplomatic and official passport holders based on arrangements made between the Government of Sri Lanka and the respective Foreign Governments.

It's important to note that Diplomatic and official passport holders should not apply for Tourist/Business ETA for their official visits or to engage in any official assignments in Sri Lanka. Tourist/Business ETA cannot be converted into a Residence visa under any circumstances.

Diplomatic & Official/Service passport holders from certain countries are exempted from the ETA processing fee and the ETA procedures for their official and private visits to Sri Lanka.

These countries issue a visit visa upon arrival to Sri Lanka for passport holders.

Country

Type of Passport

Duration of the Visa period

Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Diplomatic, Official

90 Days

Republic of Cuba

Diplomatic

90 Days

Republic of Indonesia

Diplomatic, Official, Service

30 Days

Union of Myanmar

Diplomatic, Official, Service

30 Days

Islamic Republic of Pakistan

Diplomatic, Official

30 Days

Federative Republic of Brazil

Diplomatic, Official, Service

90 Days

Republic of Chile

Diplomatic, Official

90 Days

Republic of Seychelles

Diplomatic, Official, Ordinary

60 days at each visit and a cumulative duration of 90 days in a year

Peoples Republic of China (PRC)

Diplomatic, Official, Service, Public Affairs

Up to 30 days

Kingdom of Thailand

Diplomatic, Official

Not exceeding 90 days

Republic of Kenya

Diplomatic, Official

Up to 30 days

Republic of Belarus

Diplomatic, Official

Up to 30 days

Islamic Republic of Iran

Diplomatic, Official, Service

Up to 30 days

Republic of Maldives

Diplomatic, Official, Ordinary

Exemption of Ninety days Visa fee

Republic of Singapore

Diplomatic, Official, Ordinary

Up to 30 days

Republic of India

Diplomatic, Official (for diplomatic and official visits only) (If employed by an International body or agency, Visa/ETA should be obtained for official and private visits)

30 days

Russian Federation

Diplomatic, Official, Service

30 days

Republic of the Philippines

Diplomatic, Official

30 days

Republic of Kazakhstan

Diplomatic, Service

30 days

Government of Georgie

Diplomatic, Official/Service

Not exceeding 90 days in any 180 days period

Republic of Romania

Diplomatic

Not exceeding 90 days within any 180 days

Hong Kong SAR

Citizens of Hong Kong SAR

30 days

Bangladesh

Diplomatic, Official

30 days

State of Qatar

Diplomatic and Special Passport Holders

Up to 30 days

ETA Application for Diplomatic and Official Visits

Foreign nationals planning to visit Sri Lanka for Diplomatic or Official purposes are required to submit their ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) applications through relevant Sri Lanka Government Ministries and Agencies or Sri Lanka Overseas Missions to the Department of Immigration & Emigration. This is necessary to ensure that the application is processed in a timely manner and any necessary arrangements can be made.

It's important to note that the Gratis (Free of Charge) basis is only applicable for Diplomatic and Official passport holders. The Gratis ETA is granted to ordinary passport holders based on the arrangements made between the Government of Sri Lanka and the respective countries.

For their personal visits, Diplomatic and Official passport holders should follow the normal ETA application procedure. However, the Gratis ETA is granted to them on the basis of arrangements made between the Government of Sri Lanka and the respective Foreign Governments.

It's crucial for Diplomatic and Official passport holders to not apply for Tourist/Business ETA for their official visits or any official assignments in Sri Lanka. Tourist/Business ETA cannot be converted into a Residence visa under any circumstances.

Diplomatic & Official/Service passport holders from certain countries are exempted from the ETA processing fee and the ETA procedures for their official and private visits to Sri Lanka. A visit visa will be issued on arrival to Sri Lanka for passport holders of these countries. It's important to check with the relevant authorities for the latest information on visa requirements and exemptions.

Document Requirement for Diplomatic and Official Visits Sri Lanka ETA

The document requirements for Diplomatic and Official visits Sri Lanka ETA may vary depending on the specific purpose of the visit and the individual circumstances of the applicant. However, the general documents that are required for the ETA application for Diplomatic and Official visits are:

Passport: A valid passport with a minimum of six months validity from the date of arrival in Sri Lanka.

Application form: A completed and signed ETA application form for Diplomatic and Official visits.

Official letter: An official letter from the relevant government agency or the Sri Lanka Overseas Mission requesting the issuance of the ETA for Diplomatic and Official visits.

Itinerary: A detailed itinerary of the visit, including dates, purpose of the visit, and places to be visited.

Travel arrangements: Proof of travel arrangements, such as flight tickets, hotel bookings, or tour itineraries.

Diplomatic and Official Passport: For Diplomatic and Official passport holders, a copy of the passport should be submitted along with the application.

It is important to note that the specific document requirements may vary based on the purpose of the visit, and additional documents may be required based on individual circumstances. Therefore, it is recommended to check with the relevant government agency or Sri Lanka Overseas Mission for the specific document requirements for the Diplomatic and Official visits Sri Lanka ETA application.

Using the Normal ETA Application Procedure for Personal Visits

If you are a diplomatic or official passport holder planning to visit Sri Lanka for personal reasons, you can apply for an ETA using the normal application procedure. Here are the steps to follow:

  • Visit the official ETA website of Sri Lanka at eta.gov.lk and select "Apply."

  • Fill out the application form with your personal details, including your full name, address, and passport information.

  • Select "Tourism" as the purpose of your visit and choose "ETA for Tourist Purposes" as the visa type.

  • Provide additional information about your travel plans, such as your expected arrival date and the duration of your stay.

  • Pay the ETA processing fee using a credit or debit card.

  • Submit your application and wait for approval. ETA approvals are usually granted within a few hours or days.

Note that if you are a diplomatic or official passport holder, you are eligible for a Gratis ETA for personal visits if your country has an arrangement with the Sri Lankan government. If you are unsure whether you are eligible, you can contact the Sri Lankan embassy or consulate in your country for more information.

Restrictions on Using Tourist/Business ETA for Official Visits

Foreign nationals who hold Diplomatic or Official passports and intend to visit Sri Lanka for official purposes should not use the Tourist/Business ETA for their visits. This type of ETA is only intended for tourism, short-term business visits, and transit purposes.

Using a Tourist/Business ETA for official visits or engaging in official assignments in Sri Lanka is not permitted. It is important to note that Tourist/Business ETA cannot be converted into a Residence visa under any circumstances.

Diplomatic and official passport holders should follow the normal ETA application procedure for their personal visits. However, the Gratis ETA is granted for Diplomatic and official passport holders on the basis of arrangements made between the Government of Sri Lanka and the respective Foreign Governments.

Exemption for Diplomatic & Official/Service Passport Holders from ETA Processing Fee

Diplomatic and Official/Service passport holders from certain countries are exempted from paying the ETA processing fee and following the regular ETA procedures for both official and private visits to Sri Lanka. These countries include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, Iran, Iraq, Nepal, Pakistan, and Syria.

Instead of applying for an ETA, passport holders from these countries can obtain a visit visa upon arrival in Sri Lanka. However, it is important to note that this exemption only applies to the processing fee for the ETA and not to any other visa fees that may be required for entry into Sri Lanka.

Frequently Asked Questions

Foreign nationals who intend to visit Sri Lanka for Diplomatic or Official purposes are eligible for a Diplomatic and Official Visits ETA for Sri Lanka.

To apply for a Diplomatic and Official Visits ETA for Sri Lanka, foreign nationals should forward their ETA applications to the Department of Immigration & Emigration through relevant Sri Lanka Government Ministries and Agencies or Sri Lanka Overseas Missions.

The Diplomatic and Official Visits ETA is free of charge for Diplomatic and Official passport holders. However, ordinary passport holders may be eligible for a free ETA based on arrangements made between the Government of Sri Lanka and the respective countries.

Diplomatic and Official passport holders should follow the normal ETA application procedure for their personal visits. However, they may be eligible for a free ETA based on arrangements made between the Government of Sri Lanka and the respective Foreign Governments.

Diplomatic and official passport holders should not apply for Tourist/Business ETA for their official visits or to engage in any official assignments in Sri Lanka. Tourist/Business ETA cannot be converted into a Residence visa under any circumstances.

Yes, Diplomatic & Official/Service passport holders from certain countries are exempted from the ETA processing fee and the ETA procedures for their official and private visits to Sri Lanka. A visit visa will be issued on arrival to Sri Lanka for passport holders of these countries.