# Sri Lanka ETA vs Visa on Arrival at Colombo Airport: What Nepalis Should Use > Sri Lanka ETA vs Visa on Arrival at Colombo Airport: What Nepalis Should Use — verified against Embassy of Sri Lanka — Kathmandu: fee, processing time, document checklist, proof of funds, embassy contact, and how Nepali citizens apply. _Published: 2026-07-10 · Updated: 2026-07-10 · Reading time: 4 min · Words: 858_ ## TL;DR Sri Lanka comparison visa, Nepali passport (2026): processing 24–48 hours (often instant), stay 30 days (extendable up to 6 months in-country). Apply through Embassy of Sri Lanka — Kathmandu / Online — eta.gov.lk (Electronic Travel Authorisation). Carry certified English translations and a consiste… ## Key takeaways - Fee varies by visa class — confirm on the official portal. - Processing time: 24–48 hours (often instant). - Allowed stay: 30 days (extendable up to 6 months in-country). - Apply at: Embassy of Sri Lanka — Kathmandu (Online — eta.gov.lk (Electronic Travel Authorisation)). - Certified English translations are mandatory for Nepali-language documents. **The Sri Lanka comparison visa for Nepali citizens has a fee that depends on the visa class and takes 24–48 hours (often instant) to process, allowing a stay of 30 days (extendable up to 6 months in-country). Apply Apply online at eta.gov.lk with passport, photos, bank statements and purpose-specifi…** ## Article Sri Lanka comparison visa for Nepali citizens (2026). Sri Lanka ETA vs Visa on Arrival at Colombo Airport: What Nepalis Should Use — verified against Embassy of Sri Lanka — Kathmandu and updated when the rules change. processing 24–48 hours (often instant); allowed stay 30 days (extendable up to 6 months in-country). Below: the official figures, the document checklist, proof-of-funds guidance, the embassy contact, and the mistakes that get Nepali files refused. ### Choosing the right Sri Lanka visa as a Nepali traveller Pick the visa class by your real purpose: a comparison visa is right when that matches your trip, but applying under the wrong class is a fast route to refusal. This guide compares the practical trade-offs — cost, processing time, allowed stay and documents — so you apply once, correctly. ### Sri Lanka Tourist ETA (SAARC-reduced for Nepalis) — key facts Visa classSri Lanka Tourist ETA (SAARC-reduced for Nepalis) Government feeVaries by visa class — confirm on the official portal Processing time24–48 hours (often instant) Allowed stay30 days (extendable up to 6 months in-country) Validity6 months from issuance to enter; 30 days from arrival EntriesDouble Funds requiredNo fixed minimum; recommended ≥ USD 1,500 in account; ≈ USD 50/day for stay How to applyApply online at eta.gov.lk ### Documents Sri Lanka asks Nepali applicants for - Passport bio-page (6+ months) — JPEG. - Email + payment card - Travel itinerary (arrival/departure dates) - Onward / return ticket - Accommodation proof / address in Sri Lanka - Travel insurance (if applicable) — Recommended. ### Proof of funds for the Sri Lanka comparison visa Sri Lanka expects No fixed minimum; recommended ≥ USD 1,500 in account; ≈ USD 50/day for stay for this class. As a Nepali applicant, show a 3–6 month bank statement plus income proof matched to your source: salary slips and an employer/leave letter if you're employed, business registration (PAN/VAT) and tax clearance if self-employed, or a sponsor's bank statement and a notarised sponsorship letter if someone funds your trip. Money that lands suddenly just before you apply is a common refusal trigger — keep the balance steady for months. ### Processing time, validity & extension Plan for 24–48 hours (often instant) once Sri Lanka has a complete file. The visa is valid 6 months from issuance to enter; 30 days from arrival and lets you stay 30 days (extendable up to 6 months in-country) (Double). Apply at least 3–4 weeks before departure; festivals and embassy holidays in both countries can stretch the window. If you need longer in Sri Lanka, ask about the in-country extension rule before your stay expires — overstaying jeopardises every future application. ### Before you apply: the Nepal-side prep Every Nepali-language document — citizenship certificate, birth or marriage certificate, property papers, income proof — must be submitted with a notary-certified English translation. Carry the original plus one photocopy of each, and make sure your name is spelled identically everywhere: passport, ticket, hotel booking and bank statement. A single mismatch is enough to trigger a query. ### Why Sri Lanka files get refused — and how to avoid it - Inconsistent funds — a balance that jumps right before applying. - Missing translations — Nepali documents submitted without certified English versions. - Mismatched dates — the flight, hotel and itinerary don't line up. - Weak ties to Nepal — no job, study, property or family pull to return to. - Wrong visa class — applying as a tourist for a work or study purpose. ### Where Nepalis apply Embassy of Sri Lanka — Kathmandu "Oshin Kunj", Rudreshwor Chowk, Budhanilkantha, Kathmandu, Nepal (P.O. Box 8802) Phone: +977 1 4720623 Email: slemb.kathmandu@mfa.gov.lk Official site: https://slembkathmandu.org Visa centre: Online — eta.gov.lk (Electronic Travel Authorisation), Mobitel-operated ETA portal restored after Sri Lankan Supreme Court suspended VFS/IVS/GBS deal in Aug 2024. Embassy Kathmandu handles sticker visas for long-stay categories. ### Frequently asked questions #### How much does the Sri Lanka comparison visa cost from Nepal? The government fee varies by visa class — check the official portal, plus Nepal-side costs (photos, certified translations, bank statements, and any visa-centre charge). #### How long does the Sri Lanka comparison visa take for Nepali citizens? Allow 24–48 hours (often instant) from a complete submission. Apply 3–4 weeks before travel to absorb peak-season and document-request delays. #### What documents do Nepalis need for the Sri Lanka comparison visa? Passport (6+ months), photos, bank statements / proof of funds, a confirmed flight and hotel, and purpose-specific letters — with notary-certified English translations of Nepali-language documents. #### Where do Nepali citizens apply for a Sri Lanka visa? Embassy of Sri Lanka — Kathmandu, "Oshin Kunj", Rudreshwor Chowk, Budhanilkantha, Kathmandu, Nepal (P.O. Box 8802), or the visa centre Online — eta.gov.lk (Electronic Travel Authorisation). Online: https://eta.gov.lk (Mobitel-restored portal — primary) · https://www.govt.sl (alternate, sometimes redirects). ### Get your supporting documents ready Most Sri Lanka visa files need a confirmed onward flight, a hotel reservation and, for tourist and visit classes, a day-by-day itinerary — with dates that match across all three. Generate embassy-ready documents in minutes: - Dummy flight ticket for your Sri Lanka visa — a verifiable reservation PDF. - Dummy hotel booking for the accommodation proof. - Travel itinerary document for proof of tour. - All visa guides for Nepali citizens → ## FAQ ### How much does the Sri Lanka comparison visa cost from Nepal? The government fee varies by visa class — check the official portal, plus Nepal-side costs (photos, certified translations, bank statements, and any visa-centre charge). ### How long does the Sri Lanka comparison visa take for Nepali citizens? Allow 24–48 hours (often instant) from a complete submission. Apply 3–4 weeks before travel to absorb peak-season and document-request delays. ### What documents do Nepalis need for the Sri Lanka comparison visa? Passport (6+ months), photos, bank statements / proof of funds, a confirmed flight and hotel, and purpose-specific letters — with notary-certified English translations of Nepali-language documents. ### Where do Nepali citizens apply for a Sri Lanka visa? Embassy of Sri Lanka — Kathmandu, "Oshin Kunj", Rudreshwor Chowk, Budhanilkantha, Kathmandu, Nepal (P.O. Box 8802), or the visa centre Online — eta.gov.lk (Electronic Travel Authorisation). Online: https://eta.gov.lk (Mobitel-restored portal — primary) · https://www.govt.sl (alternate, sometimes redirects). ## Sources 1. [Embassy of Sri Lanka — Kathmandu — official site](https://slembkathmandu.org) 2. [Sri Lanka official visa portal](https://eta.gov.lk (Mobitel-restored portal — primary) · https://www.govt.sl (alternate, sometimes redirects))