Sri Lanka entry requirements for Mongolia 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
Mongolian passport holders need an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) to visit Sri Lanka. The online application is straightforward, and approval typically arrives within 24 hours. The ETA is valid for 30 days from arrival.
Apply for Sri Lanka eVisaElectronic Travel Authorization. Apply before departure.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| ETA / eVisaYou need to get this online approval before you fly; without it you may be denied boarding. Apply online before travel | Mongolian passport holders must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before departure. Apply at the official Sri Lanka ETA website (https://eta.gov.lk/) at least a few days in advance. 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 less than 6 months away, renew it before you go. At least 6 months from arrival | Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended date of arrival in Sri Lanka. | Required |
| Blank passport pagesMake sure there's an empty page in your passport for the immigration officer to stamp. At least 1 blank page | Your passport must contain at least one blank page for the entry stamp. It is recommended to have more than one blank page to avoid issues. | Required |
| Return or onward ticketImmigration may ask to see your outbound flight booking — have it ready. Proof of departure | You must be able to show a confirmed return or onward ticket to a third country, proving you will leave Sri Lanka before your ETA expires. | Required |
| Proof of fundsIt's wise to carry some cash or have a card with available credit, just in case they ask. Sufficient for stay | You should be able to demonstrate sufficient funds (cash, cards, or bank statements) to cover your expenses during your stay in Sri Lanka. The exact amount is not fixed but should be reasonable for your planned activities. | Recommended |
| Arrival declarationYou don't need to fill out any extra arrival form beyond the usual immigration card. Not required | No separate arrival declaration is required for Sri Lanka at this time. | Not required |
Apply early — don't wait until the last minute
Even though the ETA is usually approved within 24 hours, technical glitches or payment issues can delay things. Apply at least 3-4 days before your flight to be safe.
Use the official ETA website only
There are third-party sites that charge extra fees. The only official site is https://eta.gov.lk/. Use it directly to avoid scams.
What happens at the border
1
Apply for 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. Pay the fee online (around $35 USD for standard processing). You'll get a confirmation email, and the ETA is usually approved within 24 hours.
2
Check your approval
Check your email for the ETA approval. It's a PDF or a reference number. Print a copy or save it on your phone — you'll need it at check-in and possibly at immigration.
3
At the airport in Sri Lanka
When you land at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) in Colombo, go to the immigration counter. Present your passport and the ETA approval. The officer will stamp your passport with a 30-day stay. The process is usually quick — 10-15 minutes if you have everything ready.
Download Sri Lanka Entry Checklist
PDF · Mongolia Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated August 6, 2026
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Business visa
Max stay90 days
Validity6 months
Cost$50
Requires invitation letter from Sri Lankan company
Residence visa
Max stay1 year
Validity1 year
Cost$200
For employment, study, or long-term stay; requires sponsorship
retirement visa
Sri Lanka Resident Visa (Retirement)
1 year, renewable annually
$200 USD (approx. 60,000 LKR) per year
For retirees aged 55+ with proof of pension or funds of at least $1,500/month. Allows long-term stay without work. Requires local sponsor or bank deposit.
digital nomad visa
Sri Lanka Digital Nomad Visa (Proposed)
1 year, renewable
$100 USD (approx. 30,000 LKR) per year
For remote workers with proof of income of $2,000+/month. Allows stay and work for foreign employers. Not yet fully implemented; check official sources.
investor visa
Sri Lanka Investor Visa
2 years, renewable
$500 USD (approx. 150,000 LKR) initial fee
For investors with minimum $50,000 USD investment in approved sectors. Includes family. Requires business plan and local partner.
work visa
Sri Lanka Work Visa
1 year, renewable
$100 USD (approx. 30,000 LKR) per year
For foreign employees with a job offer from a Sri Lankan company. Requires employer sponsorship and approval from Department of Immigration.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) – Standard VisitorSingle entry, 30 days stay, valid 6 months from issue | $35 |
| ETA – Double entryTwo entries, 30 days stay per entry | $40 |
| ETA – TransitValid 2 days, for transit only | $20 |
| Visa extension (first 2 months)Apply at Department of Immigration and Emigration, Colombo | $50 |
| Visa extension (subsequent months)Up to 6 months total stay | $75 per month |
| Late fee for overstayPayable at airport or immigration office | $25 per day |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
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
Transit visa required
Mongolian passport holders need a transit ETA even if staying airside, unless they have a valid visa for Sri Lanka or are from a visa-exempt country.
Exceptions & conditions
- Holders of diplomatic or official passports
- Passengers with confirmed onward ticket and staying in the international transit area for less than 24 hours may be eligible for a free transit pass, but this is not guaranteed – check with airline.
Transit hubsBandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
Health & vaccines for Sri Lanka
Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with yellow fever risk (e.g., parts of Africa or South America).
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidEssentialTetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap)RecommendedHepatitis BRecommendedRabiesConsiderJapanese EncephalitisConsider
Health risks
Dengue FeverHigh risk
Mosquito-borne; common in urban and rural areas, especially during rainy seasons.
Food and Waterborne DiseasesModerate risk
Risk of traveler's diarrhea, cholera, and hepatitis A from contaminated food/water.
LeptospirosisLow risk
Risk from floodwaters or freshwater exposure; rare in tourists.
Malaria risk: low
Malaria risk is low in most tourist areas (Colombo, Kandy, coastal regions). Prophylaxis not routinely recommended but consider 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 - Head Office
41 Ananda Rajakaruna Mawatha, Colombo 10
Mon–Fri 08:30–16:30
Main office for extensions and visa issues. Bring passport, visa, photos, and fee.
Kandy
Regional Immigration Office - Kandy
No. 20, Rajapihilla Mawatha, Kandy
Mon–Fri 08:30–16:30
For visitors in central Sri Lanka. Same services as Colombo.
Practical information for MN 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 standard ETA fee is around $35 USD. There's also a 'transit' ETA for $20 if you're just passing through. Payment is online via card.
Usually within 24 hours. The official site says 24 hours for standard processing. If you're in a rush, there's a 'priority' option for about $20 extra that processes in a few hours.
No. The ETA is not extendable. If you want to stay longer, you'd need to leave the country and re-apply for a new ETA. Overstaying can result in fines.
Only if you're arriving from a country with yellow fever risk. Mongolia isn't one, so you're fine unless you've recently traveled to a risk area.
Rejections are rare but can happen if your passport details don't match. Double-check everything before submitting. If rejected, you can reapply or contact the Sri Lanka ETA support via the website. There's no appeal process, but you can try again.
Technically, there's a visa-on-arrival facility, but it's not guaranteed and costs more. The official advice is to apply online beforehand. Don't risk it — do it online.
No, it's single-entry. If you leave Sri Lanka and come back, you'll need a new ETA.
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.