# Sri Lanka visa for Nepali citizens

> Sri Lanka visa for Nepali citizens. · Processing: 24–48 hours (often instant). · Stay: 30 days (extendable up to 6 months in-country). · No fixed minimum; …

Canonical page: https://yatraforfun.com/visa/sri-lanka
Last updated: 2026-04-25

## Embassy / mission

- **Mission:** Embassy of Sri Lanka — Kathmandu
- **Address:** "Oshin Kunj", Rudreshwor Chowk, Budhanilkantha, Kathmandu, Nepal (P.O. Box 8802)
- **Phone:** +977 1 4720623
- **Email:** slemb.kathmandu@mfa.gov.lk
- **Hours:** Mon–Fri 09:00–17:00.
- **Application 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.
- **Online portal:** https://eta.gov.lk (Mobitel-restored portal — primary) · https://www.govt.sl (alternate, sometimes redirects)
- **Payment:** Visa, MasterCard, American Express online.

## Visa categories

### Tourist — Sri Lanka Tourist ETA (SAARC-reduced for Nepalis)

**Purpose:** Tourism, holiday, family visit.
**Stay duration:** 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).
**How to apply:** Apply online at eta.gov.lk.
**Financial requirement:** No fixed minimum; recommended ≥ USD 1,500 in account; ≈ USD 50/day for stay.

**Required documents:**

- 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 *(conditional)* — Recommended.

**Notes:**
- Two entries allowed within 30-day combined stay.

### Business — Sri Lanka Business ETA (SAARC-reduced)

**Purpose:** Business meetings, conferences, trade activities.
**Stay duration:** 30 days.
**Validity:** 6 months from issuance; 30 days from arrival.
**Entries:** Multiple.
**Processing time:** 24–48 hours.
**How to apply:** Apply online at eta.gov.lk.

**Required documents:**

- Passport (6+ months)
- Email + payment card
- Letter from Nepali employer (purpose)
- Invitation letter from Sri Lankan host company
- Sri Lankan host company registration *(conditional)* — Recommended.
- Travel itinerary + hotel booking + return ticket
- Conference / event registration *(conditional)* — Where applicable.

**Notes:**
- Multiple entries allowed within 30-day combined stay.

### Transit — Sri Lanka Transit ETA

**Purpose:** Transit through Sri Lanka (≤ 48 hours).
**Stay duration:** Up to 2 days (48 hours).
**Validity:** Single transit.
**Entries:** Single.
**Processing time:** 24 hours.
**How to apply:** Apply online at eta.gov.lk (transit category).

**Required documents:**

- Passport (6+ months)
- Onward ticket within 48 hours
- Visa for final destination (if required)
- Email

**Notes:**
- No exit from transit zone allowed beyond 48 hours.

### reEntry — Sri Lanka Sticker Visa via Embassy (long-stay)

**Purpose:** Long-stay tourism, study, religious / research, employment, dependent.
**Stay duration:** 90 days – 1 year per category.
**Validity:** Per category.
**Entries:** Single or Multiple.
**How to apply:** Sri Lanka Embassy Kathmandu in person.

**Required documents:**

- Passport, photos
- Sponsor / host docs
- Financial proof
- English notarised translations of Nepali docs (citizenship, marriage, education)

## Important general notes

- Every Nepali-language document MUST be accompanied by a notary-certified English translation — embassies will reject untranslated originals. Use a Nepal Bar Council–registered translator and have each translation notarised by a Notary Public.
- Nepalis MUST obtain ETA before travel. Sri Lanka offers SAARC-reduced fees: Tourist USD 20, Business USD 30, Transit FREE.
- Passport must have 6+ months validity.
- ETA approval typically 24–48 hours; many within minutes.
- Tourist ETA: 30 days, double entry for SAARC nationals (Nepal).
- Tourist ETA fee USD 20 for Nepalis (vs USD 50 regular international).
- Business ETA fee USD 30 for Nepalis (vs USD 60 regular).
- Transit ETA: FREE for all nationalities, max 48 hours.
- ETA can be extended in-country up to 6 months at Department of Immigration & Emigration, Suhurupaya, Battaramulla, Colombo.
- 2024 VFS/IVS/GBS contract suspended by Sri Lankan Supreme Court Aug 2024; system reverted to original Mobitel ETA portal.
- April 2024–Aug 2024: travellers paid inflated USD 75 fees during VFS interim — refunds underway in some cases.
- Visa-free for 38 countries since Sep 2024 (Nepal NOT included; Nepalis still pay reduced ETA).
- Children: separate ETA per passport.
- ETA must be obtained before boarding flight.

## How to apply (4 steps)

1. **Confirm Sri Lanka visa eligibility** — Check that your Nepali passport qualifies for the visa type you need (tourist, business, transit, reEntry). Diplomatic / official passport holders may have different rules.
2. **Gather supporting documents** — Prepare: Passport bio-page (6+ months); Email + payment card; Travel itinerary (arrival/departure dates); Onward / return ticket; Accommodation proof / address in Sri Lanka.
3. **Submit at Online — eta.gov.lk (Electronic Travel Authorisation)** — Apply online at eta.gov.lk.
4. **Track and collect** — Processing typically takes 24–48 hours (often instant).. Yatra's concierge tracks your application and notifies you on each status change.

## Frequently asked questions

### How long does a Sri Lanka tourist visa take to process for Nepali citizens?

24–48 hours (often instant).

### What bank balance is required for a Sri Lanka visa?

No fixed minimum; recommended ≥ USD 1,500 in account; ≈ USD 50/day for stay.

### How many days can Nepali citizens stay in Sri Lanka on a tourist visa?

30 days (extendable up to 6 months in-country). (Sri Lanka Tourist ETA (SAARC-reduced for Nepalis)).

### Where do Nepali citizens apply for a Sri Lanka tourist visa?

Apply online at eta.gov.lk.

### What documents are required for a Sri Lanka tourist visa from Nepal?

Required documents include: Passport bio-page (6+ months); Email + payment card; Travel itinerary (arrival/departure dates); Onward / return ticket; Accommodation proof / address in Sri Lanka.

### Where is the Sri Lanka embassy in Nepal?

Embassy of Sri Lanka — Kathmandu — "Oshin Kunj", Rudreshwor Chowk, Budhanilkantha, Kathmandu, Nepal (P.O. Box 8802). Phone: +977 1 4720623.

### Can Nepali citizens apply for a Sri Lanka business visa?

Yes — Sri Lanka Business ETA (SAARC-reduced). Business meetings, conferences, trade activities. Processing: 24–48 hours..

### Is there an online portal to apply for a Sri Lanka visa?

Yes — apply online at https://eta.gov.lk (Mobitel-restored portal — primary) · https://www.govt.sl (alternate, sometimes redirects).

### How is the Sri Lanka visa fee paid?

Visa, MasterCard, American Express online.

### Can Yatra help with a Sri Lanka visa application?

Yes — Yatra provides end-to-end visa assistance for Sri Lanka including document preparation, appointment booking, application review, and a PNR-backed dummy ticket (NPR 999) when the embassy requires proof of onward travel.

## Sources

- https://eta.gov.lk — Sri Lanka ETA (Mobitel-restored)
- https://slembkathmandu.org — Embassy of Sri Lanka Kathmandu
- https://www.immigration.gov.lk — Sri Lankan Department of Immigration & Emigration
- Sri Lanka Supreme Court — VFS/GBS contract suspension (Aug 2024)

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*Yatra (https://yatraforfun.com) provides end-to-end visa assistance for Nepali citizens — document review, embassy submission, dummy ticket (NPR 999) when proof of onward travel is required.*