Visa

Visa

Important Notice

Issue of Visas to Travel to Sri Lanka

Please note that after 31st December 2011, all Canadian passport holders expecting to travel to Sri Lanka for less than 30 days as tourists/business/transit have to apply for visa online through ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) system. Apply for visa at www.eta.gov.lk

Visas can also be obtained on arrival from ETA processing gates at Bandaranayke International Airport from 1 January 2012.

All travellers are encouraged to obtain visa online prior to arrival to avoid any inconvenience at the airport.

Those who are unable to access the internet may apply for tourist /business visa for less than 30 days through the High Commission in Ottawa or the Consulate in Toronto.(see below for details)

Tourists and businessman visiting the country for more than 30 days and less than 90 days are required to obtain visa and are requested to apply for visa at the Sri Lanka High Commission or the Consulate in Toronto. (see below for details)

Please note that payments should not be made to any other websites or agencies except the official ETA website or Diplomatic Missions.

Short Term Tourist/Business Visa issued through the Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa/Consulate in Toronto

Less than 30 days / or up to 90 days

Duly completed ETA visa Form

Tourist Individual

Tourist Group

Valid Passport (more than six months)

ETA Processing Fee and Country Fee (see fee table )

Click here for ETA processing fee and Short Visit Visa fee charged by the Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa and the Consulate in Toronto

	ETA Processing Fee	Country Fee
Tourist Visa with Double Entry for 30 days	CAD$20	_
Tourist Visa Single Entry up to 90 days	CAD$20	CAD$50
Tourist Visa with Double Entry up to 90 days	CAD$20	CAD$100
Business Visa with Multiple Entry for 30 days	CAD$20	_
Business Visa with Single Entry up to 90 days	CAD$20	CAD$50
Business Visa with Multiple Entry up to 90 days	CAD$20	CAD$150

Please note CAD$20 will be charged as ETA processing fee for less than 30 days. If you are applying for more than 30 days and less than 90 days you are requested to pay ETA processing fee plus the country fee CAD$50.00. (send 2 separate money orders drawn in favour of “High Commission of Sri Lanka” or cash at the counter ) Please note that ETA processing fee CAD$20 is non refundable.

Those applying by post should send a Prepaid Envelop or additional CAD$12 as postage

The visa will be issued within 3-5 working days .

Prior Approval for Visa

Prior approval for visa is required for persons proceeding to Sri Lanka for educational assignments, academic research, employment, voluntary work in social service organizations, diplomatic missions and other international organizations or to join their spouses in Sri Lanka. Visa application should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the visit.

Diplomatic and Consular Missions and International Agencies

Foreign nationals intending to visit Sri Lanka for Diplomatic or Official Purposes should forward the folloing documents to the High Commission:

Duly completed ETA visa Form :

Individual

Additional Information Form

Valid Passport (more than six months)

Diplomatic & Official passport holders should follow the normal ETA application procedure for personal visits

Visa for Journalists/ /Photographers/Film Crew

The High Commission requires prior approval from the authorities in Sri Lanka to issue visa under this category and therefore applications should be made at least one month in advance.

Journalists/ Photographers:

Request letter addressed to the High Commission from the relevant media Institution, including a copy of the Curriculum Vitae of the journalist, description of the nature of the assignment to be carried out in Sri Lanka, details of any appointments sought from Government officials, description of the media equipment to be taken to Sri Lanka and copy of the passport .

Once approval is obtained, you will be requested to submit your application for a visa.

Once you are in Sri Lanka, you are advised to obtain authorization from the Ministry of External Affairs and the accreditation from the Government Information Department in Colombo, Sri Lanka .

All media personnel are required to hold a carnet for the media equipment taken into the country.

Documentary/Film Crew

A request letter addressed to the High Commission giving detailed synopsis of the film/documentary, duration of the stay in Sri Lanka, locations, list of equipment, the names and passport details of the filming crew visiting Sri Lanka.

It is mandatory to sign the 'Condition for Filming Agreement' which should be annexed together with the request letter.

For filming in wildlife-protected areas, prior approval from the Department of Wildlife Conservation should be obtained. You will be requested to make payments at the following rate:

Day time : per day per reserve US$5,000

Any additional reserve , same day US$500

Night filming per hour (6.00-9.00pm only) US$5,000

On receipt of the approval from the Sri Lankan authorities, the High Commission will request the media organisation to submit application for visa.

All media personnel are required to hold a carnet for the media equipment taken into the country. The carnet should be need to be submitted to the authorities in Sri Lanka to take the media equipment in to Sri Lanka.

All foreign media personnel working in Sri Lanka are required to obtain media accreditation from the Government Information Department, issued upon recommendation from the Foreign Ministry. All visiting media are therefore requested to contact the Public Communications Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs upon arrival in Colombo regarding media accreditation.

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