Tea hills around Kandy and Ella, the old fort at Galle and long southern beaches make Sri Lanka a short, good-value holiday from Pakistan. The Sri Lanka ETA for Pakistani passport holders is now free for tourists, under a scheme that started on 25 May 2026.
Free does not mean “no paperwork”. The Sri Lanka visa for Pakistani tourists is still an online ETA that you get before you fly. This guide covers the free tourist ETA, how to apply, what to carry and the rules for Gulf residents. Voyfaro does not issue ETAs or visas. Rules change, so confirm on the official pages in the Sources list before you travel.
Sri Lanka ETA for Pakistani passport holders: the quick answer
- Is Sri Lanka visa free for Pakistan? Not visa-free, but fee-free. Pakistan is number 27 on the official list of 40 countries whose nationals can get a tourist visa (ETA) free of charge from 25 May 2026.
- Do you still need to apply? Yes. The official notice says all foreign nationals, including the 40 countries, must get an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before arriving in Sri Lanka.
- How long can you stay? 30 days, with double entry from the date of your first arrival.
- Where to apply: online at eta.gov.lk, the official ETA website linked by Sri Lanka’s Department of Immigration and Emigration.
- At the airport: a passport valid for at least 6 months from arrival, a confirmed return ticket and enough funds for your stay.
- Price: the tourist ETA should show no fee for a Pakistani passport. If a website asks you to pay, check that you are on the official site.
What changed in 2026: the free ETA for 40 countries
The Department of Immigration and Emigration has published a special notice for short-term visitors. From 25 May 2026, nationals of 40 countries can get a tourist visa (ETA) free of charge for 30 days. Pakistan is on the list. So are India, China, the UK, the US and six Gulf countries: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
ETA fees paid before 25 May 2026 are non-refundable, the notice adds.
Who qualifies and what “free” covers
- Passports: Diplomatic, Official, Service and Ordinary Pakistani passports all qualify.
- Category: the free scheme is for the tourist ETA only.
- Double entry: you can leave and come back, for example after a side trip to the Maldives. The 30 days count from your first arrival. On the second entry you only get the days left, not a fresh 30.
Tourist ETA vs business or transit ETA
| Tourist ETA | Business ETA | Transit ETA | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it covers | Sightseeing, holidays, visiting friends and relatives, medical treatment (including Ayurveda and yoga), sports and cultural events | Business meetings, conferences, workshops, short training under one month, religious events | Passing through Sri Lanka |
| Fee for Pakistanis | Free from 25 May 2026 | Still charged. The official fees page listed US$30 for SAARC nationals when we checked | Free |
| Stay | 30 days, double entry | 30 days | Up to 2 days |
Choose the category that matches your trip. Some activities are not eligible for an online ETA. The official site lists media or journalist events, meetings with political parties, and NGO or INGO work. These need approval from the relevant Sri Lankan authorities.
How to apply on the official ETA website
The official site says the ETA is issued online, and no passport copies, documents or photographs are required. Its FAQ adds that you can get an ETA before you book your ticket.
Step-by-step
- Type eta.gov.lk yourself. Do not click ads in search results. The Department of Immigration and Emigration’s own site links to eta.gov.lk/slvisa/.
- Click Apply, read the terms, and choose tourist as the purpose of your visit.
- Select Pakistan as your nationality. This is your passport country, not where you live.
- Enter your details exactly as they appear in your passport, including your name, passport number and date of birth.
- Check the fee screen. Under the 2026 scheme, a tourist ETA for Pakistani nationals is processed free of charge. If a payment page appears, stop and check the web address and the category you chose.
- Submit and save your reference (confirmation) number. Take a screenshot as well.
- Wait for the ETA Approval Notice before you travel. The acknowledgement you get on submitting is not an approval.
Check everything before you submit. The official FAQ says mistakes must be corrected before you confirm. After that, the only fix is a fresh application.
Checking your ETA status
Use the Check Status link on eta.gov.lk. It asks for your confirmation code, passport number, nationality and date of birth, with an option if you have lost the code. The official site also lists a 24/7 ETA call centre on 0094 71 99 67 888.
The status page warns that you are not permitted to arrive in Sri Lanka until you receive the ETA Approval Notice. The pages we checked give no fixed online processing time. As general guidance, apply one to two weeks before your flight, so you have time to fix a problem.
Got a referral notice instead of an approval? The official site says to contact the nearest Sri Lanka mission or the Department of Immigration and Emigration.
Your approval notice shows the date by which the ETA must be used. Enter Sri Lanka before that date. The FAQ also says you cannot get a fresh ETA on the same passport while a valid one exists.
What to print and carry
The official site advises carrying a copy of your approval notice. Its sample notice says to show your passport, return ticket and proof of funds to the immigration officer. Carry:
- Printed ETA Approval Notice (two copies, as a precaution)
- Passport valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date
- Confirmed return or onward ticket
- Proof of funds. As general guidance, carry a bank card, some cash and a recent bank statement.
- Hotel booking or host’s address. It is not listed as an entry document, but it helps if an officer asks where you are staying.
Is there a visa on arrival for Pakistanis?
The official ETA site still mentions a limited facility to get an ETA at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), with additional fees. Its fee table also still shows on-arrival fees.
But the 2026 free-ETA notice says all foreign nationals must obtain an ETA before arrival. As general guidance, airlines may also check your documents before boarding. So do not plan on a visa on arrival. Apply online before you fly, and print the approval.
Extending your stay beyond 30 days
The free ETA covers 30 days. To stay longer, the official notice says you can apply for an extension and pay the applicable visa fee.
- Where: online through the Department of Immigration and Emigration’s e-services portal, or in person at its head office in Battaramulla. For head office applications, you must attend yourself.
- Documents listed: a valid passport, a return air ticket, the address and phone number of your accommodation, and an application form with your photograph.
- When: well before your current visa expires. The Department warns that applying online does not avoid fines once a visa has expired. Check the current fee on its visa fees page.
- Passport validity: the Department says your stay should end at least two months before your passport expires.
- Double entry: the Department says an extension requested within your first 30 days cancels the double-entry facility.
- Leaving the country: the Department says an extension is single entry and is cancelled once you leave.
Applying from the UAE, Saudi Arabia or Qatar
The ETA depends on your nationality, not where you live. A Pakistani living in Dubai, Riyadh, Jeddah or Doha applies the same way on eta.gov.lk, with Pakistan as nationality. You qualify for the same free tourist ETA.
Gulf countries on the free list, such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar, are there for their own citizens. An iqama or Emirates ID does not change your nationality. Your Pakistani passport already qualifies.
Before you go, make sure your Gulf residence visa will still be valid when you fly back.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming “free” means you can turn up without an ETA
- Choosing business instead of tourist for a holiday
- Selecting your country of residence instead of Pakistan as nationality
- Booking a trip longer than 30 days without planning an extension
- Flying before the ETA Approval Notice arrives
Avoid paid look-alike ETA websites
Some private websites look official at first glance. The government site ends in .gov.lk: eta.gov.lk.
The official site does allow third parties, such as travel agents, to lodge applications. But the Department of Immigration and Emigration says payments should go through the official ETA website. That way travellers avoid paying again at the port of entry.
As general guidance:
- If a site charges a Pakistani passport holder for a tourist ETA, that money is not a government fee. It is a private agent’s service charge, or a scam.
- Be wary of “urgent processing” upsells and requests for passport scans. The official online ETA needs no documents.
Planning your Sri Lanka trip
Flights to Colombo from Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad and the Gulf
Bandaranaike International Airport, near Colombo, is the main gateway. From Pakistan, compare any direct flights running for your dates with one-stop routes via the Gulf. Check journey time and baggage too. Compare flights from Pakistan and the Gulf to Colombo.
Where to stay: Colombo, Kandy, Ella, Galle and the south coast
Most trips start and end in Colombo. Kandy has the Temple of the Tooth, Ella has hill walks and tea estates, and Galle has its old fort. Unawatuna and Mirissa are popular south coast beaches. Free-cancellation rooms help if plans change. Compare hotels in Colombo, Kandy and Galle.
eSIM for Sri Lanka
A travel eSIM gives you data for maps and ride apps from the moment you land. See eSIM options for Sri Lanka or read eSIM vs roaming vs local SIM.
Travel insurance
Check the medical limit and the exclusions for scooters, water sports and hiking. Make sure the dates cover your whole trip, including any extension. Compare travel insurance for Sri Lanka.
Tours and transfers
Popular trips include the Sigiriya rock fortress, the scenic Kandy to Ella train, wildlife safaris and seasonal whale watching. Tours and airport transfers can be booked ahead.
How Voyfaro can help
- ETA: we point you to the official Sri Lankan sources and explain them in plain English. We do not apply for, issue or guarantee ETAs or visas. See our visa guidance.
- Bookings: we help you compare flights, hotels, eSIMs, insurance, tours and transfers from trusted partners we reach through the Travelpayouts affiliate network.
- You stay in control: you book and pay directly with the partner. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. See our affiliate disclosure.
- Questions? Contact us with your city, dates and who is travelling.
Quick checklist
- Passport valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date
- Tourist ETA applied for on eta.gov.lk, with Pakistan as nationality
- ETA Approval Notice received and printed
- Confirmed return ticket
- Proof of funds and hotel address
- Trip fits in 30 days, or extension planned
- Gulf residence visa valid for your return
- eSIM, insurance and airport transfer sorted
FAQ
Is Sri Lanka visa free for Pakistani citizens?
Not visa-free, but fee-free. From 25 May 2026, Pakistani nationals can get a 30-day tourist ETA without a fee. You must still apply online before you travel.
Do Pakistanis still need to apply for an ETA if it is free?
Yes. Every foreign national needs an ETA before arriving. Apply on eta.gov.lk and wait for the approval notice.
Can Pakistanis get a Sri Lanka visa on arrival?
The official site still mentions a limited airport ETA facility with extra fees. But the 2026 notice requires an ETA before arrival, so apply online before you fly.
How long does it take to get an ETA for Sri Lanka?
The pages we checked do not state a fixed time. As general guidance, apply one to two weeks before your flight and track it with Check Status.
Can Pakistanis living in Saudi Arabia or the UAE apply for the Sri Lanka ETA?
Yes. The ETA is based on your passport. Apply on eta.gov.lk with Pakistan as nationality, and you qualify for the same free 30-day tourist ETA.
How many days can a Pakistani stay in Sri Lanka on the ETA?
Up to 30 days from your first arrival, with double entry inside that period. To stay longer, apply for an extension and pay the applicable fee.
Sources
Official pages we checked in October 2026:
- Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka, Special Notice to the Short Term Visitors to Sri Lanka: Free Tourist Visas for Nationals of 40 Selected Countries (PDF) (Pakistan listed, 25 May 2026 start, passport types, 30 days, double entry, ETA still required, earlier fees non-refundable, extension fee)
- Department of Immigration and Emigration, Free visa (the same 40-country scheme on the Department’s website)
- Sri Lanka ETA, Official ETA website homepage (Apply and Check Status links, free-ETA notice)
- Sri Lanka ETA, Tourist visa (ETA) notice (second entry gets only the balance of the 30 days)
- Sri Lanka ETA, What is ETA (issued online, no documents required, carry a copy of the approval)
- Sri Lanka ETA, How to apply (third parties, limited airport facility with extra fees, passport validity, return ticket, funds, referral notice, call centre)
- Sri Lanka ETA, Short visit visa categories (tourist, business and transit, durations, activities not eligible for online ETA)
- Sri Lanka ETA, ETA fees (business ETA fee for SAARC nationals, transit free, on-arrival fees)
- Sri Lanka ETA, Frequently asked questions (no ticket needed to apply, correct mistakes before confirming, one valid ETA per passport)
- Sri Lanka ETA, Sample ETA approval notice (date by which the ETA must be used, documents to show the immigration officer)
- Sri Lanka ETA, Check ETA status (fields required, no arrival before the approval notice)
- Department of Immigration and Emigration, English homepage (link to the official ETA website)
- Department of Immigration and Emigration, Visa services (payments through the official ETA website, extension is single entry)
- Department of Immigration and Emigration, Extension of tourist visa (where to apply, documents, apply before expiry, fines, passport validity, double entry cancelled)
- Department of Immigration and Emigration, Visa fees (tourist visa extension fees)