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Sri Lanka Visa for Afghanistan Citizens 2026

Visa on Arrival

Afghan citizens can obtain a Sri Lankan visa on arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport by presenting a valid passport and an approved ETA from eta.gov.lk/slvisa/; apply online at eta.gov.lk/slvisa/ to generate an ETA reference before travel.

Guide last updated September 5, 2026. Always verify with official sources before travel.

What you need

  • Passport validity: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival in Sri Lanka and have at least one blank page for stamping.
  • Specific forms: Apply online for an ETA via https://eta.gov.lk/slvisa/ to obtain an ETA reference before travel. If you proceed with visa on arrival at the airport, you may be asked to complete an arrival form at the immigration counters.
  • Financial proof: There is no published fixed minimum funds requirement for visa on arrival; carry enough funds to cover your stay and have access to cash if required.
  • Accommodation and return ticket: A confirmed onward/return ticket and hotel or accommodation details are recommended and may be requested by immigration authorities.
  • Photo specs: No separate visa photo submission is required for ETA on arrival; if asked for a photo at the airport, provide a current passport-style photo (light background).
  • Biometrics: There is no mandatory pre-submission of biometrics at the airport for visa on arrival; immigration may collect biometrics at their discretion.
  • Travel health insurance: Not mandatory, but travel health insurance is strongly recommended.

Visa types

  • Tourist ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) for Tourism: Official name on the system is Tourist ETA. Validity and stay limits are determined by Sri Lankan immigration; typically short-stay entries with multiple-entry options available to approved applicants.
  • Business ETA (ETA for Business): Official name on the system is Business ETA. Intended for short-term business visits; stay durations and entry rights follow the approval granted by immigration.
  • Student/Work visas: These are not issued on arrival; Afghan nationals seeking study or work permits must apply through a Sri Lankan embassy/consulate or designated visa processing channel before travel.
  • Notes: The exact validity periods, maximum stay per entry, and whether multiple entries are allowed depend on the approval granted via the ETA system or immigration authorities at arrival; always verify on eta.gov.lk/slvisa/ and with the Sri Lankan embassy if you have any doubt.

Application process

  • How to apply online: Go to https://eta.gov.lk/slvisa/ and select Afghanistan as the nationality; choose Tourist ETA or Business ETA; complete the form with accurate passport details, travel plans, and accommodation information; pay the ETA fee as prompted; you will receive an approval notice by email or within the portal; print the approval to carry on your trip.
  • How to apply for visa on arrival: Upon arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) or other international entry points, proceed to the Immigration counter designated for ETA on Arrival; present your passport, ETA approval reference (if you pre-applied), the printed ETA approval if available, and your onward/return ticket and hotel details; pay the visa on arrival fee at the counter in the approved currencies; immigration will stamp your passport and grant entry after verification.
  • Approval arrival: If you applied online, bring a printed ETA approval or have the reference ready to present at the airport; if you did not pre-apply, you can apply for visa on arrival directly at the airport counters but be prepared for longer processing times during peak periods.
  • Important: Always verify the latest procedures at the official portal https://eta.gov.lk/slvisa/ and with the Sri Lankan MFA before travel.

Fees & processing time

  • Visa on arrival fee: Payable at the airport immigration counter; amount and accepted currencies are shown at the counter during processing.
  • VFS/BLS service fee: Not applicable for Sri Lankan ETA on arrival; processing is handled by the Sri Lankan immigration authorities at the port of entry.
  • Total cost estimate: Dependent on whether you have pre-approval (ETA) or pay the on-arrival visa fee; check the airport counter for the exact amount.
  • Standard processing time: For visa on arrival, approximate processing time at the counter is typically 30–90 minutes per applicant depending on queue length and security checks.
  • Express/priority option: Not advertised for visa on arrival; the fastest option is to have a pre-approved ETA and present it on arrival.

Tips for Afghanistan travelers

  • How far in advance to apply: If using ETA online, apply at least 7–14 days before travel to allow time for approval; you can also plan to arrive with sufficient lead time during busy travel periods.
  • Common rejection reasons: Incomplete or mismatched passport details, travel plans that do not align with the ETA category chosen, insufficient funds or accommodation details when requested, or missing return/onward tickets.
  • VFS/BLS vs direct embassy application: Sri Lankan embassies/consulates handle long-term visas (study/work) and some specific cases; for short tourist visits, ETA online or visa on arrival is commonly used. For certainty on your case, check the official embassy website or contact the embassy directly.
  • Travel advisories: Check your national travel advisory and Sri Lankan government notices for any entry restrictions or health requirements before travel.
  • Extension options: Sri Lankan immigration normally allows extensions of stay for tourism via the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Colombo; extensions are discretionary and must be applied for before your current visa expires.

Official links & resources

Always confirm requirements with government or embassy sources before applying.

This guide is for information only. Visa policies change without notice. Travel Visa Stack is not an immigration authority. Always verify with official government or embassy sources before making travel plans.