Foreign nationals intending to visit Sri Lanka for Diplomatic or Official purposes should forward their ETA applications to the Department of Immigration & Emigration in Sri Lanka through relevant Sri Lanka Government Ministries and Agencies or Sri Lanka Overseas Missions.
Diplomatic and official passport holders should not apply Tourist/Business ETA for their official visits or to engage in any official assignments in Sri Lanka. Please note that Tourist/Business ETA cannot be converted into a Residence visa at any circumstances.
Visas will be issued free of charge by the Consulate General for diplomatic and official passport holders traveling to Sri Lanka for official purposes. Please note that diplomatic and official passport holders traveling to Sri Lanka for other purposes must follow the relevant application procedures.
Diplomatic & Official/Service passport holders from the following countries are exempted from the ETA processing fee and the ETA procedures for their official and private visits (except official assignment) to Sri Lanka. A visit visa will be issued on arrival to Sri Lanka for passport holders of these countries on the basis of arrangements made between the Government of Sri Lanka and the respective countries.
| Country | Type of Passport | Duration of the Visa period |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Type of Passport | Duration of the Visa period |
| Socialist Republic of Vietnam | Diplomatic, Official | 90 Days |
| Republic of Cuba | Diplomatic | 90 Days |
| Republic of Indonesia | Diplomatic, Official, Service | 30 Days |
| Union of Myanmar | Diplomatic, Official, Service | 30 Days |
| Islamic Republic of Pakistan | Diplomatic, Official | 30 Days |
| Federative Republic of Brazil | Diplomatic, Official, Service | 90 Days |
| Republic of Chile | Diplomatic, Official | 90 Days |
| Republic of Seychelles | Diplomatic, Official, Ordinary | 60 days at each visit and cumulative duration of 90 days in a year |
| Peoples Republic of China (PRC) | Diplomatic, Official, Service, Public Affairs | Up to 30 days |
| Kingdom of Thailand | Diplomatic, Official | Not exceeding 90 days |
| Republic of Kenya | Diplomatic, Official | Up to 30 days |
| Republic of Belarus | Diplomatic, Official | Up to 30 days |
| Islamic Republic of Iran | Diplomatic, Official, Service | Up to 30 days |
| Republic of Maldives | Diplomatic, Official, Ordinary | Exemption of Ninety days Visa fee |
| Republic of Singapore | Diplomatic, Official, Ordinary | Up to 30 days |
| Republic of India | Diplomatic, Official (for diplomatic and official visits only) (If employed by an International body or agency, Visa/ETA should be obtained for official and private visits) | 30 days |
| Russian Federation | Diplomatic, Official, Service | 30 days |
| Republic of Philippines | Diplomatic, Official | 30 days |
| Republic of Kazakhstan | Diplomatic, Service | 30 days |
| Government of Georgia | Diplomatic, Official/Service | Not exceeding 90 days in any 180 days period |
| Republic of Romania | Diplomatic | Not exceeding 90 days within any 180 days |
| Hong Kong SAR | Citizens of Hong Kong SAR | 30 days |
| Bangladesh | Diplomatic, Official | 30 days |
Processing Time
5-10 Business Days (Conditions Apply)
However, applicants are strongly advised to apply 3 weeks prior to the intended travel date.
How to Apply
You can submit the applications to the consular division of the Consulate General by hand. The applicants must appear in person at the time of submission. The Consular Division is open from Monday to Friday (except declared public holidays) between 9.00 am to 1.00 pm.