eLanka | Travel to Sri Lanka

Eligible passengers can access www.srilanka.travel/helloagain/ and make a reservation at a listed Safe and Secure level 1 hotel to start the process of acquiring the ETA/SLTDA letter. The passenger may also use a certified travel agent as listed in www.srilanka.travel/helloagain/

Non‑tourists

The following categories of passengers are allowed entry into Sri Lanka without prior approval from the Foreign Ministry:

• Sri Lankan nationals
• Dual citizens who are travelling on Sri Lankan passports / emergency travel documents
• Accompanied spouse and unmarried children of Sri Lankans who carry foreign passports with approved electronic travel authority or landing endorsement or residence visa

Foreign nationals (including valid resident visa holders) and dual citizens who are travelling on a foreign passport must get prior approval from the Foreign Ministry of Sri Lanka before travelling to Sri Lanka if not travelling as tourists. Application for approval should be submitted to entry.permission@mfa.gov.lk

Foreign nationals must also carry an approved electronic travel authority or landing endorsement or residence visa.

COVID‑19 testing requirements

Before Departure:

Foreigners must hold a negative COVID‑19 PCR test report in English. The test must be conducted within 96 hours prior to embarkation.

Sri Lankan citizens/ dual citizens must hold a negative COVID‑19 test report in English. The test can either be:

• A COVID‑19 PCR test which is conducted within 96 hours prior to embarkation.
• Rapid Antigen test within 48 hours prior to embarkation.

The test report must be available for all passengers, irrespective of age.

Srilankan seafarers holding approval for exemption of pre‑boarding COVID‑19 PCR, from Ministry of foreign affairs, are exempted.

On arrival for passengers not travelling as tourists:

Two COVID‑19 PCR tests will be carried out on all passengers as below, except for diplomatic passport holders, as mandated by the Government of Sri Lanka.

Testing requirements for customers who have received the recommended doses of any COVID‑19 vaccine 14 days prior to travel:

• The first test will be carried out on the day of arrival at the quarantine hotel. If tested negative, the passenger will be released to go home.
• On the 7th day after arrival, the passenger must arrange for a second test to be conducted at home by any government approved facility.

For all other passengers:

• The first test will be carried out on the day of arrival and the second on day 7 at the quarantine hotel.
• Passengers must arrange for the second COVID‑19 PCR test with any government approved facility.

Health Ministry approved labs will conduct the first COVID‑19 PCR test at the quarantine hotels. Passengers may pay the lab directly for their test.

Contact   CMB.repatriation@emirates.comfor any further details.

Quarantine Requirements

Tourists are not required to undergo quarantine. However, the hotels will advise the tourists on the required safety measures upon arrival.

The following is applicable to passengers not travelling as tourists:

After arrival formalities, customers will be taken to an available hotel designated for a quarantine period between 2 and 8 days depending on their category.

Quarantine rules for parents also apply for accompanying unvaccinated children up to 12 years old.

Payment has to be done directly to the hotel and a standard charge per passenger, per day for full board accommodation would be as follows.

Charges subject to change with standard of the hotel:

• Sharing room‑ LKR 7500
• Single occupancy‑ LKR 12500

Passenger will have to bear the following costs as well:

• Transportation cost from the airport to the place of quarantine/hotel.
• Any other incidental expenditure

Please check quarantine measures for travellers

Required forms

Customers are required to submit a completed Health Declaration Form (HDF)

Customers are required to complete and sign the signed undertaking form  for paid hotel quarantine and other related expenses (Diplomatic passport holders and Seafarers are exempted)

Other information