Are you an Australian planning a visit to Sri Lanka? You will need a Sri Lanka visa for Australian. The trip to Sri Lanka promises to be exciting as there is so much to see in the Island nation nicknamed “the teardrop of India.” The culture is fascinating and reminds one of the cultures of the mainland, and the unique flora and fauna on the island are worth seeing. However, you can only enjoy these natural wonders if you have a Sri Lankan visa, as that is the only legal permit granting you access to the country.
A Top Destination For Australians
Sri Lanka has long been a top destination for tourists from Australia, and in recent times, the number of Australians arriving at the Island on holidays has tripled. The legendary Sri Lankan elephants and the golden beaches along the coastline are two major attractors for Australian tourists. There are resorts on the coast to the north and south, as well as rich forests in the interior for those who want to spend time with nature. Furthermore, visitors can enjoy rich cultural displays of the local population during religious festivals and national holidays.
Sri Lanka ETA
The Sri Lankan government introduced the electronic travel authorization in 2012 to expedite the Sri Lankan visas application processes for visitors applying for visas overseas to visit Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lankan ETA was introduced to replace the conventional tourist visa, which means that applicants no longer had to visit the Sri Lanka embassy in Canberra or any of its consulates in other regions to apply for one. There is no need to wait in line or submit physical documents to obtain a travel permit, as everything is done online.
All you need to do is fill out the application form online, upload copies of your documents, and submit them. The authorities will review the documents, and if you meet their requirements, the visa will be issued to you in 24-48 hours. It’s that simple.
How To Apply For A Sri Lanka ETA For Australians
The process for Sri Lanka ETA application for Australian citizens is easy with the following steps
Log onto VisaHQ
Select Sri Lanka as your destination
Select Australia as your country of citizenship
Choose Tourist Visa as your visa of choice
Fill out the application form
Upload your documents
Pay the visa fee
Submit for approval
Unless you submit your form during the weekends or public holidays, you should get the ETA visa in 1-2 business days.
Kindly note there ETA is for three types: tourist visa, which is a double entry visa; business eta, which is also double entry; both last for 30 days of stay while the transit ETA is valid for 2 days.
Sri Lanka Visa For Australian Cost
The cost of applying for the visa depends on the type of visa. Tourists will pay about $35 as a visa fee, while business visa applicants will be charged $42. Transit visa applicants and children under the age of 12 do not pay visa fees.
Sri Lanka Visa Requirements
The requirements differ depending on the visa type, but there are some general requirements expected for all applicants from Australia. We review them below.
Completed Application Form: As always, all applicants must complete an application form. The form must contain accurate information, as fictitious details will lead to the rejection of your application.
Australian Valid Passport: A Passport valid for at least 6 months, counting from the date of arrival, is required. The passport must have at least 2 blank pages left for visa stamps.
Email Address: Applicants Receive their visas via their registered email addresses which they must print out for their trip to Sri Lanka.
Credit/Debit Card: A credit or debit card is required to pay the visa fee.
Return Ticket: A reserved return ticket back to Australia after your trip.
Proof of Funds: The visitor must show that they have sufficient funds to cover their expenses during their stay.
Sri Lanka Visa/ETA Validity
Short-term visas and ETA are valid for 180 days, and the visitor can stay in Sri Lanka for up to 180 days. However, the authorities allow for visa extension for up to a year if you can provide valid reasons why you want to remain in the country beyond your visa. The amount of extension given is at the discretion of the immigration officer handling your extension application.
Kindly be informed that Australian visitors are only allowed to engage in activities in line with the conditions of their visas. For instance, they must not engage in work activities if they are on a visit visa. They must respect the local laws and customs of the people and obey the laws. Lastly, overstaying your Sri Lanka visa for Australian will be treated as a violation.