Country guide

Sri Lanka

Visa

Visa required

Vaccinations

Conditional

Currency

Sri Lanka Rupee (LKR)

Time zones

UTC / GMT 5½ (3½ hours ahead of South Africa)

Dialing code

+ 94

Best time to go

January – April (cool and dry weather)

Drinking water

All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Bottled water is available, but ensure that the seal is broken in front of you.

Visa guide

Entry requirements

Copy of ETA
Passport valid for not less than 6 months from the date of arrival.
A confirmed return ticket.
Sufficient funds to meet the expenses during the stay
Copy of hotel reservation/booking

Visa requirements

South African passport holders do require a visa.

Sri Lanka Immigration and Emigration Department Issues Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA – an Electronic Visa) for all Holiday or Business travellers entering into Sri Lanka. Please visit www.eta.gov.lk for more information.

No passport copies, documents or photographs are required for the ETA.
There is no requirement to endorse the ETA on the passport.

Issuing authorities

High Commission of Sri Lanka in South Africa
410 Alexander Street, Brooklyn, Pretoria
Tel: 012 460 7679
E-mail: consular.pretoria@mfa.gov.lk
Web: srilanka.co.za
Hours: Mon-Fri: 08:30-16:30
Consular: Mon-Fri: 09:00-13:00

Also accredited to: Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Malawi, Angola, Botswana and Eswatini.

Visa validity

The ETA is initially limited to 30 days from the date of arrival but it may be extended for up to six months.

Visa cost

Tourist visa: US$50
Transit visa: Free
Children under 12 years: Free

SA representative

SA High Commission
114 Rosmead Place, Colombo 07, Sri Lanka
Tel: +94 11 246 3000
E-mail: colombo.dha@dirco.gov.za
Web: dirco1.azurewebsites.net/colombo

Health / vaccinations

Compulsory: Yellow Fever (Dependant on Country of Origin/Stopover)
Recommended Travel Vaccines: Hepatitis A & B, Japanese Encephalitis (Not available in SA), Rabies, Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio

Public holidays

2026: Jan 3, 15; Feb 1, 4, 15; Mar 2, 21; Apr 3, 13-14; May 1-2, 28, 30; Jun 29; Jul 29; Aug 26-27; Sep 26; Oct 25; Nov 8, 24; Dec 23, 25