Sri Lanka visa for Nepali

Do Nepali citizens need a visa for Sri Lanka?

Yes, Nepali citizens need a travel authorisation before flying to Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka does not offer full visa-free entry to Nepali passport holders. Instead, you must obtain a Tourist Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) online before you travel. As of 25 May 2026, the Tourist ETA is free of charge for Nepali citizens under a time-limited scheme that is subject to renewal.

In practical terms this means the process is simple and light on paperwork, but it is not something you can skip. You apply online, receive an approval by email, and carry that confirmation with you. Airlines can deny boarding to anyone who cannot show an approved ETA, so treat it as a required step rather than an optional one. Nepal is one of around 40 nationalities eligible under the current arrangement, alongside your standard passport and travel documents.

Because the free scheme is time-limited and rules can change, always confirm current requirements before you travel. Below is a complete, Nepali-focused guide to the ETA types, how to apply, what to carry, how long you can stay, and how the arrival process works at the airport in Colombo.

Sri Lanka ETA types compared

Sri Lanka issues its Electronic Travel Authorisation in a few categories depending on why you are visiting. Most Nepali travellers heading out from Kathmandu for a holiday, a honeymoon, a family trip, or to visit relatives will use the Tourist ETA. Business travellers use the Business ETA, and passengers only passing through the airport use the Transit ETA. The table below compares them so you can pick the right one before you apply.

The Tourist ETA is the one this guide focuses on, because it covers the overwhelming majority of Nepali leisure travel. If your visit involves paid or unpaid work, trade or running a business, the Tourist ETA does not permit that and you should apply under the correct business category. If any of these details look different when you apply, confirm current requirements before you travel, as categories and stay periods can be adjusted by the authorities.

How to apply online for the Sri Lanka ETA

Applying for the Tourist ETA is a straightforward online process that most Nepali travellers can finish in one sitting. The steps below cover a typical application from Kathmandu.

1. Visit the official Sri Lanka ETA portal and select the Tourist ETA category.
2. Fill in your personal details exactly as they appear on your passport bio page, including full name, passport number, date of birth and nationality.
3. Enter your travel details, including your intended date of arrival, expected length of stay and your address in Sri Lanka, such as your hotel.
4. Upload or reference the supporting information requested, and double-check every field against your passport before submitting.
5. Submit the application and note down your reference number.
6. Wait for the approval notice, which normally arrives by email, and save a printed and digital copy to show at check-in and on arrival.

You can apply yourself, or let Gomayu handle the application for you as part of your holiday planning so the details match your booking. Either way, accuracy matters more than speed. A single mistyped passport number or date is the most common reason an ETA is delayed or questioned at the airport.

Documents and proof to carry

The Tourist ETA is light on documents, but you should still prepare and carry a small set of items. Keep both digital and printed copies. The essentials are:

• A passport with at least 6 months of validity from your date of arrival in Sri Lanka.
• A clear scanned copy of your passport bio page.
• Your completed Tourist ETA application and the approval confirmation.
• Confirmed return or onward air tickets.
• A hotel reservation, or an invitation letter if you are staying with a host in Sri Lanka.
• Proof of sufficient funds for your stay, such as a recent bank statement, carried as a precaution.
• Two passport-size photographs, only if you apply directly through a Sri Lankan mission rather than the online portal.

If you book your trip through Gomayu, a travel agency cover letter is prepared as part of your file. Couples travelling together are only occasionally asked for a marriage certificate, so keep a copy handy if you have one, but it is not usually required. None of these documents involve any payment to carry, and you do not need to declare a fixed amount of money. Proof of sufficient funds simply means being able to show you can support yourself during the visit.

How long can you stay, and can you extend?

The Tourist ETA normally allows a stay of up to 30 days from the date of approval, with double entry permitted within that period. That is comfortable for almost every Nepali holiday itinerary, whether you are combining the cultural triangle, the hill country around Kandy and Ella, the southern beaches, or a short getaway from Kathmandu.

If you want to stay longer than 30 days, extensions are possible. These are arranged inside Sri Lanka at the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Colombo, where you can apply to extend your stay before your current permission expires. Do not overstay, as this can create problems on departure and affect future travel. If your plans are still flexible, it is easier to apply for the right length of stay from the start and confirm current extension rules before you travel.

The entry process at Bandaranaike International Airport

Most Nepali travellers arrive into Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo, the main gateway near the capital. The arrival process is usually quick if your paperwork is in order. Here is what to expect:

• Have your passport and your approved ETA confirmation ready before you reach the immigration counter.
• The immigration officer checks your ETA against their system, stamps your passport and confirms your permitted stay.
• Be ready to answer simple questions about the purpose of your visit, your accommodation and your length of stay.
• Keep your return ticket and hotel booking accessible, as officers may ask to see supporting documents.

Remember that an approved ETA authorises you to travel and request entry, but the final decision rests with the immigration officer on arrival. This is standard practice worldwide. As long as your documents match your application and your answers are consistent, entry is routine for genuine tourists.

Common mistakes to avoid

A few avoidable errors cause most of the trouble Nepali travellers face with the Sri Lanka ETA. Watch out for these:

• Typing your name or passport number differently from your passport. The ETA must match your passport exactly.
• Leaving the application to the last minute. Processing generally takes 24 to 72 hours, and immigration can request extra documents.
• Travelling on a passport with less than 6 months of validity from your arrival date.
• Assuming the ETA is optional. Airlines can refuse boarding without an approved confirmation.
• Trying to work, trade or run a business on a Tourist ETA, which the category does not allow.
• Booking non-refundable flights and hotels before your ETA is approved.

Every one of these is easy to prevent with a little planning. When in doubt, confirm current requirements before you travel rather than assuming last year's rule still applies.

Tips for Nepali diaspora and NRN travellers

If you are a Non-Resident Nepali or part of the Nepali diaspora and you hold a Nepali passport, the same Tourist ETA rules apply to you. What changes is where you apply from and which documents support your case. Apply using the passport you will actually travel on, and make sure your name matches across your ticket, ETA and passport.

If you hold a different passport, the rules for your nationality may differ, and you should check the official requirements for that passport instead. Diaspora families visiting Sri Lanka together should apply for each traveller separately, keep everyone's approvals in one folder, and allow extra lead time if you are coordinating people flying in from different countries. If you are visiting relatives rather than staying in a hotel, an invitation letter and the host's address help support your application.

When should you apply?

Apply for your Tourist ETA at least 3 to 5 working days before departure. Processing generally takes 24 to 72 hours, but leaving a buffer protects you if immigration asks for additional documents or if you are travelling during a busy period. For peak Nepali travel windows, especially around Dashain and Tihar, book your trip early, ideally about three months ahead, and submit your ETA once your flights and hotel are confirmed. Applying too early is unnecessary because the validity runs from approval, so aim for the sweet spot of about a week before you fly.

Prepare before booking

Before you lock in your trip, do a quick readiness check so nothing derails your plans. Confirm your passport has at least 6 months of validity from your intended arrival date, and renew it first if it is close. Decide your travel dates and rough itinerary so your ETA reflects a realistic length of stay. Line up your hotel booking or host invitation and your return ticket, since these support both the ETA and your arrival. Finally, confirm the current status of the free ETA scheme, because it is time-limited and subject to renewal. Handling these steps before paying for non-refundable bookings saves stress later.

Travel tips for your Sri Lanka trip

Sri Lanka is one of the easiest and most rewarding short-haul holidays for Nepali travellers, with beaches, tea country, wildlife and heritage sites packed into a compact island. A few practical notes:

• The best months are broadly December to March for the south and west coasts, and May to September for the east coast, so match your dates to the region you want.
• English is widely spoken alongside Sinhala and Tamil, which makes getting around simple for Nepali visitors.
• Carry your ETA approval, passport, return ticket and hotel details together for both boarding and arrival.
• Keep digital backups of all documents in your email or phone in case anything is misplaced.
• Respect local customs at temples and religious sites, dress modestly and remove footwear where required.

With your ETA approved and your documents in order, a Sri Lanka holiday from Kathmandu is smooth to arrange. Always confirm current visa and ETA requirements close to your travel date, as government rules can change.