Do Nepali Need a Pilgrimage Visa for Sri Lanka?

In short: whether a Nepali passport holder needs a pilgrimage visa for Sri Lanka — and exactly which documents — depends on your travel purpose and the latest Sri Lanka rules. The relevant class is Sri Lanka Tourist ETA (SAARC-reduced for Nepalis) (stay 30 days (extendable up to 6 months in-country)). This guide covers the requirement, the document checklist, costs, and the step-by-step process, with the official portal linked below.

Sri Lanka Pilgrimage visa: key facts for Nepali applicants

Visa class	Sri Lanka Tourist ETA (SAARC-reduced for Nepalis)
Stay	30 days (extendable up to 6 months in-country).
Validity	6 months from issuance to enter; 30 days from arrival.
Entries	Double.
Processing time	24–48 hours (often instant).
Funds required	No fixed minimum; recommended ≥ USD 1,500 in account; ≈ USD 50/day for stay.
Official portal	https://eta.gov.lk (Mobitel-restored portal — primary) · https://www.govt.sl (alternate, sometimes redirects)
Where to apply	Online — eta.gov.lk (Electronic Travel Authorisation) — "Oshin Kunj", Rudreshwor Chowk, Budhanilkantha, Kathmandu, Nepal (P.O. Box 8802)

Facts verified against the official source; confirm before you apply — visa rules change. Last checked 2026-07-12.

Documents you will usually need

• 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 — Recommended. (if applicable)
• Proof of onward/return travel (a flight reservation) and accommodation (a hotel booking) where required.

Step-by-step: how to apply from Nepal

1. Confirm the visa type and current requirements on the official portal (https://eta.gov.lk (Mobitel-restored portal — primary) · https://www.govt.sl (alternate, sometimes redirects)).
2. Gather and scan your documents; book your appointment at Online — eta.gov.lk (Electronic Travel Authorisation) or start the online form.
3. Prepare proof of onward travel and accommodation — many applicants use Yatra's verifiable reservations rather than buying non-refundable bookings before approval.
4. Pay the visa fee, submit (and give biometrics if required), then track your application.

Typical costs & processing time

Processing for a Sri Lanka pilgrimage visa typically takes 24–48 hours (often instant). Budget separately for supporting documents: a Yatra dummy flight ticket is NPR 999, a hotel reservation NPR 499, or the full bundle from NPR 1499.

Common reasons applications get delayed

• Weak or inconsistent proof of funds.
• No credible proof of onward travel or accommodation.
• Photos or forms that don't meet the embassy spec.
• An itinerary that doesn't match the stated purpose or dates.

Frequently asked questions

Do Nepali Need a Pilgrimage Visa for Sri Lanka?

The relevant class is Sri Lanka Tourist ETA (SAARC-reduced for Nepalis) allowing a stay of 30 days (extendable up to 6 months in-country). Nepali applicants should confirm the current Sri Lanka rule on the official portal, then prepare passport, application, funds, and proof of onward travel and accommodation.

How long does a Sri Lanka pilgrimage visa take to process?

Processing typically takes 24–48 hours (often instant). Apply with at least a 1–2 week buffer beyond this.

How much money should I show for a Sri Lanka visa?

For a Sri Lanka pilgrimage visa, no fixed minimum; recommended ≥ USD 1,500 in account; ≈ USD 50/day for stay.

Can Yatra For Fun help with my Sri Lanka documents?

Yes — Yatra issues verifiable flight, hotel and itinerary reservations for your visa file, delivered as PDFs in about 30 minutes.

Preparing your Sri Lanka application? Yatra For Fun issues visa-ready flight reservations, hotel bookings and itineraries. Ask us on WhatsApp.