What are Sri Lanka's entry visa requirements — do you need an ETA, and how long does approval take?

An ETA is an electronic travel authorization rather than the visa itself. It is valid for 180 days: you may enter Sri Lanka on any day within that period, and the visa is issued at passport control on arrival.

ETA approval isn't always instant — some travelers applied just a couple of days before their flight and worried whether it would arrive in time. Better to apply at least 3-5 days before departure.

A long-term residency visa is only available under specific categories: work, study, investment, or family reunification. Without one of these, it's hard to legally settle long-term in the country.

Currently, entering Sri Lanka only requires an online ETA — no separate paper arrival/migration card needs to be filled out.