Visas-general 

Bonafide tourists from 77 countries listed in the Schedule 'A' issued by the Department of Immigration and Emigration of Sri Lanka are permitted entry into Sri Lanka without a prior visa. They will be issued with Landing Endorsements valid for a 30-day stay at the point of entry without any payment of visa fees. Nationals of  other countries should possess a valid visa to enter Sri Lanka, even if they are bonafide tourists. Those who, including  nationals of countries in Schedule A, want to visit Sri Lanka for purposes other than tourism, should obtain prior visit visas from the Sri Lanka Mission in their country or the nearest Sri Lanka Mission which is concurrently accredited to their country. If there is no Sri Lankan Mission accredited to their country, they can obtain entry visas upon arrival at the point of entry provided that prior permission of the Controller of Immigration and Emigration is obtained. Moreover, bonafide tourists from the countries in Schedule A who want to visit Sri Lanka for more than 30 days should obtain prior visas to enter Sri Lanka.  Sri Lanka Missions abroad are authorised to issue single-entry visit visas valid for a maximum period of three months only. Visitors could get their visas extended for another three months at the Department of Immigration and Emigration. Those who intend to apply for a residence visa should contact the Department of Immigration and Emigration either themselves or through their local sponsor in order to obtain a pre approved visa prior to their arrival in Sri Lanka.   Transit visas are issued by Sri Lanka Missions,  normal visa fee is recovered.  For business visas, a letter from the employer detailing the reasons for the visit to Sri Lanka, and a sponsor/invitation letter from the business contact in Sri Lanka is required to be  submitted along with other documents. Multiple entry visas for Sri Lanka are usually issued for genuine investors and businessmen and not for tourists and other categories of visitors. Multiple entry visas valid upto 12 months are issued by the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Colombo or Sri Lanka Missions abroad  with the approval of the Department of Immigration and Emigration.    Please note that under no circumstances the status of visas will be changed after arrival in Sri Lanka (e.g. from a tourist visa to other category of visa such as residence visa). If changes are required, such applicants will have to leave the country first and then apply for a fresh visa from the nearest Sri Lanka Mission abroad.   For further details,  please visit the website of the Department of Immigration & Emigration www.immigration.gov.lk Documents required for a visit visa for Sri Lanka    

1.       Visa application form duly filled & signed.  

2.       Original passport (minimum validity of 2 months beyond the period of stay).  

3.       One recent passport-size colour photograph.  

4.       Visa Fee must be paid when  submitting an application, payable by postal mandate only. If sending the documents by post, please enclose copy of postal payment receipt. Please call the Consulate on Tel No 022 919 1250 for visa fee particulars.  

5.       Confirmation is required of the travel arrangements, copy of return air ticket or flight itinerary obtained from a Travel Agent.  

6.       Enclose self-addressed cover with sufficient postage for registered mail (LSI) to return the passport (minimum CHF. 5.00 stamp for registered mail).  

7.       For non-Swiss nationals:photocopy of the Resident/Stay Permit for Switzerland is required.

 Visas for journalists:  

Journalists/media personnel who want to visit Sri Lanka on assignment need to obtain prior visas. In addition to the visa application form, media personnel are required to submit a list of equipment which they intend to take to Sri Lanka on the prescribed form. Journalists are advised to apply for visas well in advance, as the Consulate needs the clearance from the authorities in Colombo to issue visas for journalists.  They are also required to call over at the Public Communications Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic Building, Colombo 1 Tel (+94) 011  5339287/5361952/2437633, after their arrival in Sri Lanka to obtain their Media Accreditation issued by the Department of Information. Media Accreditation will not be recommended by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for any media personnel arriving in Sri Lanka on tourist visas, or those who obtain their visas on arrival.  Media teams coming to Sri Lanka to film tourism promotional documentaries or Sri Lanka Tourist Board (SLTB) familiarisation tours are required to fill the SLTB Selection Criteria for Journalists/TV Crews for Familiarisation Tours form. The Sri Lanka Tourist Board requires at least 30 working days for processing the relevant documents prior to the scheduled commencement of project. Such media teams should also have a ground handling team who will be coordinating the project in Sri Lanka. Media teams coming to Sri Lanka for filming of documentaries/feature films, are required to complete the National Film Corporation Agreement and submit it along with the synopsis of the documentary/feature film, itinerary of the media team in Sri Lanka as well as locations of filming. Since the Ministry of Foreign Affairs need at least seven (07) working days to obtain the permission from the  National Film Corporation, such media teams are advised to submit the necessary documents to this Consulate well in advance prior to their scheduled departure.  If you need more information on visas or have an inquiry on visa matters, please call the Consulate General on Tel No 022 919 1250 only.    

Please send your duly completed visa applications to the following address: 

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