How to Apply for a Sri Lanka Visa Yourself?
A detailed guide to filling in the online ETA application for free, for Russian citizens.
What to know before applying for a Sri Lanka visa!
Mandatory requirement
From 15 October 2025, everyone must submit an application on the official website. This is the only official website. Anything else is a scam.
Timing and conditions
For Russian citizens, the application is free of charge. You only need to complete the online form.
We recommend applying no later than 2 days before arrival and no earlier than 90 days before.
Filling in the form
Fill in the form using Latin letters only and check every field.
You cannot resubmit an application with the same passport number but a different name. It is not allowed.
Choose your application type
You can apply individually or as a group.
Families can submit one application, but confirmation comes faster if you submit individual applications.
Applying for a child
Children under 16 without their own passport must be added to an adult's application.
If a child has their own passport, submit a separate application.
Processing time
The application is for a visa valid for 30 days, during which you can leave and re-enter the island once.
Application confirmation
You will receive two emails:
– the first confirms that your application was received (about 15 minutes later);
– the second gives the approval result (within 30–60 minutes, sometimes up to 3 days).
ETA vs visa
An ETA is an entry application, not the visa itself.
The visa is issued on arrival at the airport, when you present your approved ETA.
From 15 October 2025!
From this date, everyone, including Russian citizens, must submit an online application on the official website before arriving in Sri Lanka. This is the only official resource. Other websites and middlemen are fake and fraudulent services.
Check before you apply
✅ Do this
Enter your passport number without spaces, exactly as it appears in the document.
Enter your real address of stay in Sri Lanka.
Upload a clear photo and the first page of your passport.
Check the form before you pay.
Keep the window open until you finish the application.
❌ Common mistakes
Typing the passport number with spaces or confusing O and 0
Typing “hotel” or leaving the field empty
Photo blurred or not matching the passport
Submitting with typos — the form can't be corrected later
Closing the tab — the form freezes, and the application gets blocked or slowed down.
Using middlemen and overpaying. You also risk running into scammers.
Useful tips for applying for an ETA
Apply in advance.
Aim to apply 5–7 days before your trip. Approvals usually take about an hour, but delays of up to 3 days do happen.
Check your spam folder
Emails from eta.gov.lk sometimes land there. Save the sender's address to your contacts.
Use a laptop or desktop computer
On phones, the site may work unreliably and reset the form.
Enter real travel dates and your address
You don't need to book a hotel in advance, but your city and an approximate address are required.
Travelling with children
Children under 16 without a passport should be added to an adult's application; children with a passport need a separate application.
After your ETA is approved
Print the email or save a PDF to your phone — airport staff often ask to see it.
Want to make sure everything is filled in correctly?
We will carefully check your application before you submit it and let you know if anything needs fixing.
Message Ola from our team — she will help you check it.
Useful articles on Sri Lanka visas and entry rules
How to apply for a Sri Lanka visa on your own
Everything about applying for a Sri Lanka visa online: when to apply, which steps to take and what to check before you fly.
Extending your visa in Sri Lanka
Where and how to extend your visa: the documents you need, realistic processing times, what to do if your visa has expired, and when to apply.
Sri Lanka Visa 🇱🇰 Big Travel Chat
Here, travellers share their experience and tips on visa applications and extensions, and help you avoid common mistakes. Ask your questions and get answers from people who have already been through the process.
Guest reviews about getting a Sri Lanka visa
Overall Rating
14 reviews
Vlad Megan
06.10.2025
Although Olga tried until the last moment to save my money 😅, thank you! There are cases where you can't manage without a specialist. I applied for a Vietnam visa myself 2 weeks before my trip. It was returned to me 3 times for "revision" without a clear explanation of the reasons. 3 days before departure, I made the only right decision and contacted professionals. The visa was done in 2 working days. Very prompt and high-quality work, thank you so much! I advise everyone to get in touch, even just to ask a question. They will kindly answer you.
Elizaveta
27.09.2025
I want to thank Olga for her help with my Vietnam visa. It was very convenient. She answered all my questions quickly, the visas were issued on time, and I could not have managed on my own. Thank you 😊 I will definitely use the service again!
Aleksandr
09.09.2025
This is my second visa. The first time was before the Kumbh Mela, when applications had already been closed on the official website. Very grateful for the help! 🙏🪷
Pavel
28.07.2025
Thanks to Olga, the visa was done in 2 days. I flew in calmly and got through customs!
Darya
25.06.2025
Olga helped me a lot with my visa and did everything very quickly! I will definitely come back again. Thank you so much! 🙏🙏🙏
Svetlana
24.06.2025
Huge thanks to Olga, she saved the day 🙏 She did the impossible and got an electronic visa for Vietnam in just one hour for an Israeli citizen. Everything was very professional and clear. Thank you 🫶🏽
Yuliya
17.03.2025
Hello everyone :) Today I did a visa run to Cambodia and I'm already back at my hotel in Phu Quoc. Huge thanks to Alena. She stayed in touch the whole time and coordinated everything. I had 0 stress and didn't have to think about anything :) Local staff met us at every step and took us through without queues or questions. Just great service at every stage 🙏❤️
Gulnara
05.03.2025
Thank you for organizing and supporting my Visa run trip! Everything went extremely comfortably 👌
Vitaliy Popov
04.03.2025
Today I went on a visa run to Cambodia with the help of @Bigtravelchat_admin. We were supported at every stage. The hardest part for me and my companions was walking 200 metres at the border. The administrator was always in touch and solved any issues in real time. I recommend it. Minimum stress, and Vietnam for another 45 days!
Madina Tsarenko
15.02.2025
Good afternoon 🌿 I want to thank you for such a clear organization of the visa run 👌 It took 5 hours including the trip there and back. 👍 We were a group of 5 people. We were supported the whole way. The whole journey was under control of the organizers. We have already recommended you to our friends. Thank you, it was a real pleasure to work with you.
Elena
06.02.2025
Hi everyone!!! Today I did a visa run through @bigtravelchat_admin!!! Simply wonderful! So easy!!!! Everything went like clockwork. They did everything very quickly and professionally. It was my first time crossing the border, and I felt so comfortable both getting to the border and crossing it. The support was simply perfect!!! I recommend it to everyone, especially first-timers. Huge thanks to the owners of this company for the high-quality service 💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻
Tima
16.02.2025
Olga, thank you so much for helping with my visa extension! You saved me a lot of work and time! I recommend you to everyone 👍
Aleksey Lozovskiy
15.01.2025
I agree, thank you to Olga @OlgViza for helping me get my visa. It was very comfortable and fast, done in one day 🙏
Vyacheslav
24.12.2024
Many thanks to Olga for the quick extension of my visa for 2 months. Everything was handled promptly!!
Big Travel services in Sri Lanka
Frequently Asked Questions About Sri Lanka Visas
Which visa do I need for a trip to Sri Lanka?
Most nationalities need an electronic visa (ETA) for tourist trips to Sri Lanka. This is an electronic travel authorization that you apply for online on the official website. An ETA is valid for 30 days and can be extended while you are in the country. Other visa types may be available for business trips and other purposes, such as a business visa or a student visa.
What documents are needed to apply for a Sri Lanka visa?
To apply for an electronic visa, you will need:
A passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into the country.
An electronic photo for the visa (a regular selfie on a light background works).
Contact details (phone number and email).
Address of stay in Sri Lanka (hotel or rented apartment).
After you submit your application, you will receive a confirmation by email within 1–3 working days.
How long can I stay in Sri Lanka on a tourist visa?
A standard ETA allows you to stay in Sri Lanka for up to 30 days. If you want to stay longer, you can apply for a visa extension in Sri Lanka. A visa can be extended up to 3 times, each time for 30 days or 3 months depending on the situation. Please note that a third extension requires additional documents.
What should I do if my visa has expired?
If your visa has expired and you have not had time to extend it, you should contact the Immigration Department immediately. If you are late by less than 7 days, no fine applies, but you will still need to pay the visa fee. If you are late by more than 7 days, fines may apply, you will need to provide an explanation, and you may have to go through additional checks. Keep in mind that an overstay can affect your future visas to Sri Lanka.
Can I get a visa on arrival in Sri Lanka?
Yes, citizens of some countries, including Russia and the CIS countries, can get a visa on arrival in Sri Lanka. However, it costs more and takes longer. That is why many travelers prefer to apply for an electronic visa in advance, as it makes the process much easier and saves time.
What should I do if I lose my passport with a Sri Lanka visa?
If you lose your passport with a Sri Lanka visa, you must go to the nearest police station to file a loss report. Then contact your country's consulate or embassy to get a new passport. Once you have a new passport, you must notify the Sri Lanka Department of Immigration about the lost visa and request a new one. This process can take several days, so always keep a copy of your passport and visa in a safe place.