Sri Lanka entry requirements for Austria passport holders
Updated weekly · Last reviewed August 6, 2026·View sources
eVisa required
Max stay
No fixed limit
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
Austrian passport holders need an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) to visit Sri Lanka for tourism. It's a quick online application — you'll have it sorted in minutes, not weeks. Just make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date.
Apply for Sri Lanka eVisaElectronic Travel Authorization. Apply before departure.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization)You need to apply and pay for this online before you fly. e-Visa for Sri Lanka | Austrian citizens must obtain an ETA before travel. Apply online at the official Sri Lanka ETA website (https://eta.gov.lk/). The ETA is valid for a short stay (typically 30 days) and is not extendable. | Required |
| Passport validityCheck your passport expiry date — if it's within 6 months, renew it before you go. At least 6 months | Your Austrian passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of arrival in Sri Lanka. | Required |
| Blank passport pagesThe immigration officer needs a free page to stamp you in. At least 1 blank page | Your passport must have at least 1 blank page for the entry stamp. | Required |
| Return or onward ticketImmigration may ask to see your outbound flight booking. Proof of departure | You must be able to show a confirmed return or onward flight ticket leaving Sri Lanka before your ETA expires. | Required |
| Proof of fundsIt's not always checked, but having evidence helps avoid issues. Sufficient money for stay | You should be able to demonstrate you have enough funds to cover your stay in Sri Lanka (e.g., cash, credit cards, bank statements). | Recommended |
| Arrival declarationYou don't need to fill out any extra form before landing. Not required | No separate arrival declaration is required for Sri Lanka. | Not required |
Don't use third-party ETA sites
Many unofficial websites charge inflated fees and may not even process your application. Always use the official Sri Lanka ETA portal at https://eta.gov.lk/ — it's the only one you can trust.
Passport validity is non-negotiable
Sri Lankan immigration requires your passport to be valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date. If it's close to expiring, renew it before you book anything.
What happens at the border
1
Apply for your ETA online
Go to https://eta.gov.lk/ and fill out the application. You'll need your passport details, travel dates, and a valid email address. The process takes about 10–15 minutes.
2
Pay the ETA fee
Pay the processing fee online with a credit or debit card. The standard tourist ETA fee is around $35–40 USD. Double-check the official site — third-party sites often charge extra.
3
Receive your ETA approval
Approval is usually sent to your email within 24–48 hours, but often much faster (sometimes within minutes). Print a copy or save it on your phone — you'll need to show it at check-in.
4
Arrive at the airport in Sri Lanka
At Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) in Colombo, head to the immigration counters. Have your passport, ETA approval, and return ticket ready. The officer will stamp your passport with a 30-day tourist entry.
5
Enjoy your stay — and watch your dates
Your 30-day stay starts from the date you arrive. If you want to stay longer, you must apply for an extension at the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Colombo before your ETA expires — but note the ETA is not extendable, so you'd need to leave and re-enter or apply for a different visa type.
Download Sri Lanka Entry Checklist
PDF · Austria Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated August 6, 2026
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Residence visa (long-stay)
Max stayUp to 1 year (renewable)
ValidityIssued for specific purposes (work, study, retirement, etc.)
CostVaries; approx. $100–$300 depending on type
Requires sponsorship or proof of funds; apply at Department of Immigration in Colombo.
Business visa (multiple entry)
Max stay30 days per visit
Validity6 months
Cost$40
For business activities; can be extended in-country.
retirement visa
Sri Lanka Resident Visa (Retirement)
1 year, renewable annually
~$200 USD per year
For retirees aged 55+ with proof of pension or funds. Requires local bank deposit of $50,000 or monthly income of $1,500.
digital nomad visa
Sri Lanka Digital Nomad Visa
1 year, renewable
~$300 USD per year
For remote workers with proof of income of $2,000/month. No local tax on foreign income. Apply online or at embassy.
investor visa
Sri Lanka Investor Visa
2 years, renewable
~$500 USD application fee
For investors putting $100,000+ into local business or real estate. Includes residency for family.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) – StandardFor tourism, valid for 30 days from arrival, double entry. | $35 |
| ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) – ExtendedFor tourism, valid for 180 days from arrival, double entry. | $40 |
| ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) – BusinessFor business purposes, valid for 30 days, double entry. | $40 |
| Visa extension (on arrival or at Department of Immigration)Extensions possible up to 6 months total stay; apply before current visa expires. | Approx. $25 per month |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Incomplete documents20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through Sri Lanka
No transit visa needed
Austrian citizens transiting through Sri Lanka (Bandaranaike International Airport) do not require a visa if staying airside and continuing within 24 hours.
Airside transitAllowed up to 24h
Exceptions & conditions
- If leaving the airport transit area or staying overnight in a hotel, a regular ETA is required.
Transit hubsBandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
Health & vaccines for Sri Lanka
Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with yellow fever risk.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidRecommendedTetanusRecommendedRabiesConsider
Health risks
Dengue FeverModerate risk
Mosquito-borne; risk in urban and rural areas, especially during rainy season.
Food and Waterborne DiseasesModerate risk
Common; avoid tap water and street food to reduce risk.
LeptospirosisLow risk
Risk from floodwater or freshwater exposure; wear protective footwear.
Malaria risk: low
Risk is low in most tourist areas; prophylaxis recommended for rural travel in dry zone.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Colombo
Department of Immigration and Emigration
41 Ananda Rajakaruna Mawatha, Colombo 10
Mon–Fri 08:30–16:30
Main office for extensions; bring passport, photos, and extension fee.
Kandy
Regional Immigration Office Kandy
No. 10, Peradeniya Road, Kandy
Mon–Fri 08:30–16:30
For visitors in central Sri Lanka; same process as Colombo.
Practical information for AT travellers
Country basics
CapitalColombo
LanguageSinhala, Tamil
Driving sideLeft-hand traffic
US driving licenceIDP required alongside US license.
Money
CurrencySri Lankan Rupee (LKR)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 335.84 LKR
Time zone
Local timeUTC+5
vs New York+10.5h (EST) / +9.5h (EDT)
vs Los Angeles+13.5h (PST) / +12.5h (PDT)
Electricity
Voltage230V / 50Hz
Plug types
D,G,MType D, G, M — US plugs do not fit. Bring a universal adapter.
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Not safe — use bottled
Use bottled water. Tap water is treated but travellers should avoid it.
Emergency numbers
Nearby destinations you can also visit
Countries close to Sri Lanka — with your same passport.
Frequently asked questions
The official ETA is usually approved within 24–48 hours, but many travellers get it in under an hour. To be safe, apply at least 3 days before your flight. If you're in a rush, there's a same-day option for a higher fee on the official site.
The standard tourist ETA fee is around $35–40 USD, payable online by credit or debit card. Be careful with third-party websites that charge double or triple — always use https://eta.gov.lk/.
No, the standard tourist ETA is not extendable. If you want to stay longer, you'd need to leave the country and re-enter (getting a fresh ETA) or apply for a different visa type before your current one expires. Overstaying can lead to fines or deportation.
It's not strictly required — the immigration officer can look you up in the system — but having a printed copy or a screenshot on your phone speeds things up. Airlines sometimes ask to see it at check-in.
You'll likely be denied boarding at your departure airport. There's no visa-on-arrival for Austrian passport holders, so don't risk it. The online application is quick — just do it in advance.
No, the standard tourist ETA is single-entry. If you leave Sri Lanka (e.g., for a day trip to the Maldives), you'll need to apply for a new ETA to re-enter.
No, the tourist ETA is strictly for tourism, visiting friends/family, or short leisure stays. For business or volunteer work, you need a different visa type — check with the Sri Lankan embassy in Vienna before you go.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on August 6, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.