I'm planning to go to Sri Lanka in 2026, please tell me how to properly apply for a visa and which website is official, so I don't run into scammers?

Good news: for citizens of 40 countries, including Russia, a visa to Sri Lanka is not required. This new rule has been in effect since 25.05.2026. But this doesn't mean you can just buy a ticket and fly. Before departure, you need to apply for a free electronic visa ETA on the only official website – https://eta.gov.lk/.

This is the government portal of the Department of Immigration and Emigration of Sri Lanka. This is where all entry permits are issued. All other websites that promise a "visa in 5 minutes" and ask for money are scammers or intermediaries. Documents obtained through them often turn out to be invalid, and tourists are simply not allowed to board the flight.

How to apply for an ETA for a Russian citizen? Step by step it looks like this:

1. Go to the website https://eta.gov.lk/. The interface is available in various languages, including Russian.
2. Select the category "Apply for ETA" and fill out the form: passport details, travel dates, address of the first hotel (even just the city is enough, no booking required).
3. Submit the application and wait for an email. Confirmation usually arrives within one to two days, sometimes within a few minutes.
4. Printing the ETA is not mandatory, but it's better to save it on your smartphone or have a paper copy to show at the check-in desk at the departure airport.

For citizens of Russia and other countries from the visa-free list, the ETA is issued free of charge. For citizens of other countries, the electronic visa costs from 50 US dollars – payment is also made on the official website. If you use a Russian "Mir" card, you won't be able to pay, but Russians don't need to. Other tourists can use Visa, Mastercard from foreign banks, or UnionPay.

With a free ETA, tourists from Russia can stay in Sri Lanka for up to 30 days, and the permit is double-entry – you can leave to a neighboring country and return. It's important not to confuse the duration of stay (30 days) and the visa validity period (usually 180 days from the date of issue). For entry, you still need a passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry, and a return ticket or a ticket to a third country.

If you need to stay longer than 30 days, the permit can be extended on site up to a total of 90 days – online at the immigration department or at the office in Colombo. We described the extension and nuances in detail in a large article, and you can find step-by-step instructions for filling out the form in our guide to online visa application for Sri Lanka.

You can read more in our reliable and honest guide in the article Do you need a visa to Sri Lanka? Current entry rules. There you will find all current rules, frequently asked questions, and embassy contacts.

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