Before travelling to Sri Lanka, there are a number of preparations you should make. In this article, you will find information about applying for a Sri Lanka ETA and other documents, and which other travel essentials are needed to make your visit to Sri Lanka a success.
Apply for your ETA Sri Lanka first
To travel to Sri Lanka, in addition to booking a flight and accommodation, you must apply for a visa. Applying for the ETA Sri Lanka is very simple and can be done online. After filling out the digital application form, you only have to pay the fee of € 79,95 per person (in case of a business trip, a surcharge of € 10,00) and wait until you receive an email with the approval. On average, the ETA Sri Lanka is approved within 3 days. Once granted, the visa is valid for 30 days (the same duration as the maximum length of stay) and can be extended to 90 days. Another requirement of the ETA Sri Lanka you should take into account is that you have to show a return ticket or a ticket for transit on arrival.
Other travel documents and formalities
Another important document for a trip to Sri Lanka is your passport. In addition to needing it during passport control at customs, the passport is also essential when applying for the ETA Sri Lanka. The passport must be valid for at least 6 months on arrival in Sri Lanka. Make sure to take out travel insurance in time. Another formality that must be arranged in advance is the application for an international driving permit. However, due to the chaotic traffic and the fact that in addition to an international driving permit, you must also apply for an additional permit, it is not recommended driving in Sri Lanka on your own.
Finally, it is also a good idea to check whether you can use your payment card in Sri Lanka. For security reasons, the use of most payment cards outside Europe is disabled by default and must be activated first. Contact your bank or check this yourself via your bankʼs app to be able to withdraw cash or pay with your payment card in Sri Lanka.
Vaccinations and travel pharmacy
There are no compulsory vaccinations for a trip to Sri Lanka, except for yellow fever for travellers coming from countries where there is a risk of infection or who have been in one of those countries for at least 12 hours prior to the trip. However, vaccinations against DTP (diphtheria, tetanus and polio), hepatitis A and B, typhoid and rabies are recommended. So make sure you make an appointment before your departure to get the required vaccinations in time.
It is also strongly recommended that you carry a basic travel pharmacy in your suitcase for any unforeseen events during your trip. This first aid kit usually contains plasters, bandages for blisters, disposable gloves, tweezers, disinfectant gel, sterile gauze bandages and scissors. It is also advisable to take some basic medicines, such as painkillers and medicines for diarrhoea. If you use specific medicines, make sure you bring the appropriate medical certificate and check that the medicines meet the requirements for free importation into Sri Lanka.
Essentials for a holiday in Sri Lanka
Besides a standard first aid kit, mosquito repellent is also recommended. Other necessities you should take in your suitcase are sunscreen with a high protection factor, aftersun and sunglasses. Sunscreen is not a cheap product in Sri Lanka, so make sure you bring enough from home to avoid getting sunburnt.
Due to the hot climate, you should also bring a considerable amount of light clothing. However, you should not save on socks. This sounds strange since Buddhist temples must be entered barefoot, but the high temperatures often make the stone floors red-hot, so socks protect you from the heat and provide extra comfort. Wearing scarves, sarongs or shawls is also useful when visiting temples or mosques, as in some places it is forbidden to enter the building with bare shoulders or an uncovered head.
Please note: this news article about the visa for Sri Lanka is more than one year old. It might contain outdated information and advice, and no rights can therefore be derived from this article. Are you going on a trip soon and do you wish to do know what rules currently apply? Read all about the up-to-date information about the visa for Sri Lanka.