Sri Lanka reverses new entry rules for foreign visitors

Sri Lanka has once again changed its entry rules for foreign visitors, reversing the measure that made it mandatory to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) in advance, starting October 15.

The country’s immigration department announced that the requirement, introduced on October 15, was lifted on October 30.

“The announcement issued on October 13, 2025, which declared that obtaining an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) would be mandatory for all short-stay visitors (tourism and business) to Sri Lanka with effect from October 15, 2025, is hereby revoked until further notice,” the statement read.

The department also urged travellers to comply with official entry regulations and avoid illegal activities abroad, warning: “Stop getting imprisoned, paying penalty and facing unnecessary troubles by preventing from illegal entry to foreign countries, forgery of travel documents, misuse of a visit/tourist visa for irregular employments and other purposes of diverse nature.”

By Jeyhun Aghazada