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Sri Lanka Visa for France Citizens 2026

Visa on Arrival

French citizens need a Sri Lankan Electronic Travel Authorization or visa on arrival before entry, obtainable online at eta.gov.lk or at the airport; fee about USD 50, with approval usually within minutes to 24 hours.

Guide last updated September 23, 2026. Always verify with official sources before travel.

What you need

  • Passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry
  • ETA reference number and printout, or a completed visa-on-arrival application if applying at the airport
  • Digital or passport-size photo if applying on paper
  • Return or onward ticket and proof of accommodation
  • Proof of funds, roughly USD 15 per day recommended
  • Travel health insurance recommended
  • Biometrics captured on arrival

Visa types

  • Tourist ETA/visa on arrival: single entry, valid 30 days from arrival and extendable, fee approximately USD 50 (check current status, as Sri Lanka periodically runs free-ETA promotions)
  • Business ETA: same terms, requires an invitation letter, fee approximately USD 50
  • Transit exemption: available for stays under 2 hours on the same aircraft

Visa on arrival

  • Available at Bandaranaike International Airport (Colombo) for eligible nationalities including France when arrival applications are permitted
  • Present passport, return ticket and accommodation proof at the visa counter
  • Pay the fee in USD or major currencies
  • Processing takes 15-30 minutes
  • Applying online via eta.gov.lk before departure is strongly recommended, and on-arrival issuance is increasingly limited to system outages only

Fees & processing time

  • ETA/visa fee: approximately USD 50, subject to periodic free-ETA promotions — verify the current rate before booking
  • No separate service fee via the official portal
  • Total cost: approximately USD 50
  • Online approval: typically within a few minutes to 24 hours
  • On-arrival processing: 15-30 minutes when available

Tips for France travelers

  • Apply via the official eta.gov.lk site only — many look-alike third-party sites charge inflated fees
  • Double-check the current fee or waiver status before travel
  • Extensions beyond 30 days can be obtained at the Department of Immigration in Colombo
  • Check current advisories on monsoon-season travel disruptions
  • Keep a printed copy of the ETA approval in addition to the digital version

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.