Sri Lanka ETA Requirements Citizens of Canada

Do Canadian Citizens Need a Visa for Sri Lanka?

Canadian nationals must have a valid visa to enter Sri Lanka.

The simplest, quickest, and most convenient way to obtain a Sri Lanka visa for Canadians is to apply online for the ETA. This takes a matter of minutes.

Once approved, the ETA is then electronically linked to the traveler’s Canadian passport and confirmation is delivered by email.

Canadian travelers with an ETA will be issued with a Sri Lanka visa on arrival, which will let them immediately pass through immigration and enter the country.

There is no need to waste time filling out any paperwork after your long flight, since you have already provided the necessary information when you applied for the ETA.

The Sri Lankan ETA covers most of the common travel needs Canadians will have for short term visits. Nevertheless, if Canadian nationals need to stay in Sri Lanka long-term or intend to relocate to the country forbemployment or academic opportunities, we recommend scheduling a visit to the Sri Lankan consulate in Vancouver, Toronto, or Montreal for further information.

Types of the Sri Lanka ETA for Canadian Visitors

Canadian passport holders can select any of the following types of Sri Lanka ETAs to best suit their travel needs. The visa policies for Sri Lanka detail the following three:

Business ETA for Sri Lanka – valid for multiple entries within a period of 180 days (6 months)
Sri Lanka ETA for Tourism – valid for 2 visits within a period of 180 days (6 months)
Sri Lanka Transit ETA – allows Canadian travelers to stop over for up to 48 hours and can only be used once

All types of Sri Lanka ETAs for citizens of Canada are valid for use for 180 days.

Each visit can last up to 30 days with the tourism and business ETAs.

Canadians may stop over with a Transit ETA for up to 48 hours. If their stopover exceeds 2 full days, we recommend they request a Tourist or Business ETA, whichever best suits their requirements.

Sri Lanka ETA Requirements for Canadian Citizens

Sri Lanka, like many countries, has certain basic international travel requirements for Canadians. The following items are requirements for the Sri Lankan ETA for Canadians:

Canadian passport valid for at least 6 months on their arrival
Debit or credit card to pay the transaction fee
Email address to receive their ETA

Canadians with a passport set to expire soon should send it for renewal with their local authorities.

How to apply for a Sri Lanka ETA from Canada

To obtain a Sri Lankan ETA for Canadian passport holders, travelers will need to fill out the online application form.

The form is a simple and straightforward questionnaire, where Canadian applicants will have to provide some basic information about themselves and their trip.

The following personal details are required:

Full name
Nationality
Gender
Date of birth
Citizenship

Canadian applicants must also provide some contact information:

Residential address
Email address

Passport and travel information is also needed:

Passport issue and expiry date
Passport number
Purpose of travel

Canadian citizens traveling with children under 16 can include them under their own Sri Lanka ETA application if they are included on their passport. Minors who are over the age of 16 or who have their own passport must obtain their own individual ETA.

We advise Canadian nationals to carefully review their answers before submitting their form. Answers cannot be undone. Any typo or missing information could delay the approval or even result in the denial of their request.

How will Canadians receive their ETA to travel to Sri Lanka?

The Government of Sri Lanka evaluates all the applications received and usually replies within 2 business days.

Canadian citizens will receive confirmation of their approved ETAs attached in an email.

The ETA itself is electronically linked to the Canadian passport registered in the application. In many cases, the border control officer will only ask for the traveler’s passport, but they sometimes ask to see a copy of the ETA confirmation as well.

This is why we recommend that Canadian nationals print out a copy and keep it with the rest of their travel documents.

Canadians Traveling to Sri Lanka With the ETA

Canadian nationals with the approved travel authorizations can choose to enter Sri Lanka through any of the country’s international airports or seaports. They should plan their arrival and departure to meet the allowed dates (30 days per visit for both business or tourism) and comply with the validity of the 6 months granted for their visit.

When they reach Sri Lanka they should present the following information and documentation at border controls:

Canadian passport (valid for at least 6 months on their arrival)
A printed copy of their approved ETA
Proof of onward travel (return ticket or onward ticket)
Proof of funds to cover the period of stay

Visa on Arrival for Canadian travelers reaching Sri Lanka

Visitors from Canada with a valid ETA will be issued with a Sri Lanka visa on arrival for Canadians immediately, with no application paperwork necessary.

At Sri Lanka border control, the Canadian citizen simply presents their passport (and a copy of the ETA if asked), along with a couple of supporting documents, and they will be given a Sri Lanka visa on arrival.

Canadian passport holders are eligible to obtain a visa on arrival once they reach Sri Lanka if they have not had the time to request the ETA before their departure. They should note that this option is only available at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo and often includes queuing for long hours, sometimes after a long intercontinental flight.

This is why the getting the Electronic Travel Authorization in advance is considered much more convenient for visiting Sri Lanka.

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