Sri Lanka entry requirements for Cambodia passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 25, 2026·View sources
Visa on arrival
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
Cambodian passport holders can get a visa on arrival in Sri Lanka — no need to apply before you travel. Just show up at the airport with your passport and the fee. This has been the policy since 2024 and remains in effect in 2025.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Visa on arrival Visa on arrival | Cambodian passport holders can get a visa on arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo. Have $40 USD in cash ready for the single-entry tourist visa (30 days). Fill out the arrival card on the plane and join the visa counter before immigration.Apply online | Required |
| Valid passport Must cover your stay | Your passport needs at least 6 months of remaining validity from your date of entry into Sri Lanka. Airlines check this at check-in — if your passport expires sooner, you will be denied boarding. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Required for entry | Immigration officers routinely ask for proof of onward travel. Have a printed or digital copy of your return flight or a ticket to your next destination ready. Budget airlines sometimes check this before issuing a boarding pass. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Recommended | Hotel bookings or a letter of invitation from a host in Sri Lanka help speed up the visa-on-arrival process. Immigration may ask where you are staying — have the address and contact number ready. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Recommended | Carry at least $100 USD in cash or have a credit card with a visible balance. Immigration rarely checks, but showing you can cover your stay avoids any questions. | Recommended |
Cash only at visa on arrival counter
The visa on arrival counter does not accept credit cards, debit cards, or mobile payments. Bring $40 USD in cash — crisp, undamaged bills. Old or torn notes may be rejected.
Visa on arrival is single-entry only
If you leave Sri Lanka (even for a day trip to India), you'll need a new visa to re-enter. Plan your itinerary accordingly.
What happens at the border
1
Arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
After landing, follow signs to 'Visa on Arrival' or 'Immigration'. The counter is before the main immigration desks — you can't miss it.
2
Fill out the arrival card
You'll get a small card on the plane or at the counter. Fill in your passport details, flight number, and address in Sri Lanka.
3
Submit documents and pay the fee
Hand over your passport, arrival card, and cash ($40 USD). The officer will process the visa — takes about 2-5 minutes.
4
Get your visa sticker and proceed to immigration
The officer will stick the visa in your passport and stamp it. Then walk to the immigration queue, show your passport, and you're in.
Download Sri Lanka Entry Checklist
PDF · Cambodia Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 25, 2026
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay30 days, extendable up to 60 days
Validity3 months from issue date
Cost$35 USD
Standard option for tourism; can be extended once.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay30 days per visit, extendable
Validity6 months from issue date
Cost$40 USD
Ideal for multiple visits within 6 months.
Business visa
Max stay30 days, extendable
Validity3 months
Cost$40 USD
Requires invitation letter from Sri Lankan company.
Residence visa (long-stay)
Max stay1 year, renewable
Validity1 year
Cost$200 USD
For work, study, or retirement; requires sponsorship.
retirement visa
Sri Lanka Retirement Visa
1 year, renewable annually
~$200 USD per year
For individuals aged 55+ with proof of pension or sufficient funds (approx. $1,500/month). Requires local sponsorship and health insurance.
digital nomad visa
Sri Lanka Digital Nomad Visa (Remote Work Visa)
1 year, renewable
~$300 USD per year
For remote workers earning foreign income (min. $2,000/month). No local tax on foreign income. Requires proof of employment and health insurance.
investor visa
Sri Lanka Investor Visa
1 year, renewable
~$500 USD initial fee
For investors putting at least $50,000 into a Sri Lankan business or property. Requires business plan and local partner.
work visa
Sri Lanka Work Visa (Employment Visa)
1 year, renewable
~$200 USD per year
For those with a job offer from a Sri Lankan company. Requires employer sponsorship and work permit approval.
student visa
Sri Lanka Student Visa
1 year, renewable
~$150 USD per year
For enrolled students at recognized Sri Lankan institutions. Requires admission letter and proof of funds.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Visa on Arrival (single entry, 30 days)Payable in USD at the airport upon arrival. | $35 USD |
| Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) – pre-arrivalOptional online application before travel; same fee as VoA. | $35 USD |
| Tourist visa (single entry, 30 days)Standard fee for most tourists. | $35 USD |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry, 30 days per visit)Allows multiple entries within validity period. | $40 USD |
| Stay extension (per month, up to 2 months)Apply at Department of Immigration and Emigration in Colombo. | $50 USD per month |
| Overstay fine (per day)Maximum cap of $200 USD. | $10 USD per day |
Common reasons for entry denial
No return ticket35%
Insufficient funds25%
Incomplete travel 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
Cambodia passport holders transiting through Sri Lanka (Bandaranaike International Airport) do not need a transit visa if staying airside and not passing immigration. For landside transit or overnight stays, a visa on arrival is required.
Airside transitAllowed up to 24h
Exceptions & conditions
- Holders of valid US, UK, Schengen, or Australian visas may transit without visa for up to 48 hours airside.
Transit hubsBandaranaike International Airport (CMB), Colombo · Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (HRI), Hambantota
Health & vaccines for Sri Lanka
Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with yellow fever transmission risk (e.g., parts of Africa or South America).
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidEssentialTetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap)RecommendedHepatitis BRecommendedRabiesConsiderJapanese EncephalitisConsider
Health risks
Dengue feverModerate risk
Mosquito-borne; risk is higher in urban and rural areas during rainy seasons (May–October).
Food and waterborne diseasesModerate risk
Common due to contaminated food/water; practice good hygiene and drink bottled water.
LeptospirosisLow risk
Risk from floodwater or freshwater exposure; avoid wading in stagnant water.
Malaria risk: low
Malaria risk is low in most tourist areas (Colombo, Kandy, coastal regions). Prophylaxis not routinely recommended, but consider for rural areas in the dry zone (e.g., Anuradhapura).
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 01000
Mon–Fri 08:30–16:30
Main office for visa extensions and re-entry permits. Bring passport, visa, and fee.
Kandy
Regional Immigration Office – Kandy
No. 20, William Gopallawa Mawatha, Kandy
Mon–Fri 08:30–16:30
Handles extensions for central region visitors.
Practical information for KH 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 = 327.38 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
Getting to Sri Lanka
Nearby destinations you can also visit
Countries close to Sri Lanka — with your same passport.
Frequently asked questions
The standard fee is $40 USD for a 30-day single-entry visa. You can pay in USD or Sri Lankan Rupees, but USD is easier. Bring exact change if possible — the counter may not have change for large bills.
No, the visa on arrival is not extendable. If you need to stay longer, you'd have to leave and re-enter, or apply for a different visa type before travel. For stays over 30 days, consider an e-Visa or tourist visa from the Sri Lankan embassy in Phnom Penh.
You will be denied boarding by the airline or refused entry at immigration. Sri Lanka strictly enforces the 6-month rule. Renew your passport before you travel.
Digital copies (on your phone) are generally accepted for flight bookings and hotel confirmations. But for the visa fee, you need cash — no digital payment. For your passport, obviously the physical document.
Yes, the visa on arrival is available at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) in Colombo and also at Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (HRI). Land borders do not offer visa on arrival — you must fly in.
Immigration may refuse entry. Airlines also check this before boarding. If you're unsure of your departure date, book a refundable ticket or a cheap onward flight to a nearby country (e.g., India or Maldives).
Yes, Sri Lanka offers an e-Visa for Cambodian passport holders. It costs about $35 USD and takes 2-3 business days to process. This can save time at the airport, but the visa on arrival is simpler and works fine.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 25, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.