Sri Lanka ETA scams: the official site and current fees
- Official site
- www.eta.gov.lk/slvisa 1
- Free tourist ETA
- Nationals of 40 listed countries from 25 May 2026 1
- Tourist ETA, other countries
- US$50, SAARC countries US$20 2
- Children under 12
- Free tourist ETA up to 30 days 2
- Transit visa (2 days)
- Free 2
- Fees paid before 25 May 2026
- Not refunded 1
The official address and fee
The Department of Immigration and Emigration runs the ETA site at www.eta.gov.lk/slvisa 1. All foreign nationals, including those from the 40 free countries, must get an ETA before arriving 1.
From 25 May 2026 the tourist ETA is free for 30 days for nationals of 40 countries. The list includes Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Russia, the UK and the US 1. Singapore and Seychelles get 30 days free and the Maldives 90 days free under reciprocal deals 2.
Everyone else pays the standard fee. A tourist ETA costs US$50 and a business ETA US$55. For South Asian (SAARC) countries the fees are US$20 and US$30 2. The UK government's advice for British visitors says ETAs are issued free of charge and valid for 30 days 4.
What Sri Lankan officials say
The High Commission of Sri Lanka in Canberra told visitors to use only the official site and “to be cautious of other unauthorized Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) websites that scam them into pay exorbitant fees” 3.
In April 2024 the Department of Immigration and Emigration said it had received reports of people paying fake websites that looked like its online visa site 5.
How the overcharge works
The free ETA allows a double entry within the 30 days from your first arrival 1. The free scheme makes the problem sharper. A traveller from one of the 40 countries owes nothing for a 30-day tourist ETA 1. A site that charges a fee is selling a free document.
For other travellers, a copycat site adds its own charge on top of the US$50 or US$20 government fee 2. The Hong Kong Consumer Council found agency sites in other countries charging several times the official price 6.
What to do
Common questions
Is the Sri Lanka ETA free?
For tourists from 40 listed countries, yes, from 25 May 2026 1. Others pay US$50, or US$20 for SAARC countries 2.
What is the official Sri Lanka ETA website?
www.eta.gov.lk/slvisa, run by the Department of Immigration and Emigration 1.
Do I still need an ETA if it is free?
Yes. All foreign nationals must get an ETA before arrival 1.
How much is a Sri Lanka visa on arrival?
US$60 for a tourist visa on arrival for most countries, or US$25 for SAARC countries, under the official fee table 2. Applying online first costs less.
Is the ETA free for children?
Children of any nationality under 12 get a free tourist ETA for up to 30 days 2.
I paid for my ETA before 25 May 2026. Can I get the money back?
No. The department says fees paid before 25 May 2026 are not refunded 1.
Rules and fees change. Check the official site linked above before you apply or pay. Spotted an error? Email hello@evisascams.com with the official link.
Sources
- Sri Lanka Department of Immigration and Emigration: ETA website, important notices (accessed 19 October 2026)
- Sri Lanka Department of Immigration and Emigration: ETA fees (accessed 19 October 2026)
- High Commission of Sri Lanka in Canberra: The Official Website of Sri Lanka ETA Visa (29 November 2019)
- UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Sri Lanka entry requirements (updated 21 September 2026)
- News 1st (Sri Lanka): Immigration Dept. warns of fake e-Visa websites (26 April 2024)
- Consumer Council (Hong Kong): Unofficial Visa Agency Websites Charge Exorbitantly but No Protection for Unsuccessful Applications (17 June 2019)
- US Federal Trade Commission: What To Do if You Were Scammed (updated 21 August 2026)
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