Sri Lanka is now one of the easiest trips from Pakistan. Since 25 May 2026, Pakistani passport holders pay nothing for a 30-day tourist ETA. Free does not mean automatic, though: you still apply online and need an approval before you fly. Here is how it works, based on what Sri Lanka’s immigration department publishes.
In this guide
Free, but you still have to apply
On 25 May 2026 Sri Lanka made its tourist ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) free for citizens of 40 countries, and Pakistan is on the list. The official rules still say every visitor from these countries must get an ETA before arriving in Sri Lanka. The scheme covers tourist visits only.
| ETA type | Fee for Pakistani passports | Stay |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist ETA | Free (since 25 May 2026) | 30 days, double entry |
| Business ETA | US$30 | 30 days |
| Transit visa | Free | Up to 2 days |
| Children under 12 | Free tourist ETA | 30 days |
How to apply, step by step
- 1Fill in the online form
Apply on Sri Lanka’s official ETA website. No passport scans, documents or photos are uploaded, so every detail you type must match your passport exactly.
- 2Submit it
The tourist ETA is free for Pakistani passports. For paid types, such as the business ETA, the website takes Visa, Mastercard or American Express cards only.
- 3Wait for the approval
The approval comes by email, and you can check its status online with your reference number. Sri Lanka does not publish a processing time, so apply at least a week before you fly.
- 4Travel within 3 months
Enter Sri Lanka within 3 months of the ETA being issued, on the same passport you applied with.
What to carry when you land
- Passport valid for at least 6 months from the day you arrive.
- A confirmed return ticket. See our flight and hotel booking guide.
- Enough money for your stay. Sri Lanka does not publish a fixed amount; a card or a recent bank statement helps.
- Your ETA approval, on the same passport you travel with.
- Foreign currency over US$15,000 must be declared to customs on arrival.
Staying longer: extensions
The free ETA gives you 30 days from your first arrival, and you may enter twice within that time; on the second entry you get only the days left. To stay longer, apply for an extension after you arrive: online for up to 6 months in total, or at the Department of Immigration and Emigration head office in Battaramulla for up to 270 days. Extensions are not free.
| Extension for Pakistani passports | Fee |
|---|---|
| Up to 90 days in total | US$60 |
| Up to 180 days in total | US$150 |
| Up to 270 days in total (the maximum) | US$200 |
Business trips and transit
- Business ETA: US$30 for Pakistani passports. You need an invitation or request letter from the organisation in Sri Lanka, and the official rules say it is issued through Sri Lanka’s overseas missions or the immigration head office in Colombo. It does not allow paid or unpaid work, and it cannot be extended online.
- Transit: a 2-day transit visa is free if you leave the airport; you need your onward ticket. If you stay airside, you do not need one.
- Polio certificate: you need one to leave Pakistan. See our polio certificate guide.
Living in the UK?
The ETA depends on your nationality, not where you live. On a Pakistani passport you get the same free tourist ETA, and your UK visa or residence status does not change it. You can also apply through the Sri Lanka High Commission in London.
We complete and submit the ETA for you, check your passport and tickets, and send you the approval before you fly.
Questions people ask
Is the Sri Lanka visa free for Pakistanis?
Yes, the tourist ETA is free for Pakistani passports since 25 May 2026, for 30 days with double entry. You still have to apply online and be approved before you travel. A business ETA costs US$30.
How long can I stay in Sri Lanka on the free ETA?
30 days from your first arrival. After you arrive you can apply for a paid extension, up to 270 days in total.
How long does the Sri Lanka ETA take?
Sri Lanka does not publish a processing time for online ETAs. Apply at least a week before your flight.
Do I need a return ticket for Sri Lanka?
Yes. Visitors need a confirmed return ticket, a passport valid for at least 6 months from arrival, and enough money for their stay.
Can I apply for the Sri Lanka ETA from the UK?
Yes. The rules depend on your nationality, so a Pakistani passport holder living in the UK gets the same free tourist ETA.
Visa rules change often. We confirm the current requirements and fees before you pay. A visa does not guarantee entry.
