“Give a girl a margarita, put her on the beach. Smiles and Paradise are now within reach” – Spencer Antle, Island Company. You can definitely relate the above quote to the island paradise that is Sri Lanka. Except, there’s plenty in store for not just girls who love the beach but men as well.
This land of diversity rests in the South Asian region, right below the great Indian sub-continent. Its teensy size is a blessing since all the places of interest lie within short distances, making it extremely convenient for tourists.
Sri Lanka remained a secret for years; the closest contact with distant travelers involving them merely flying over this land of miracles. However, it has grabbed a lot of attention from the west in the recent times, especially after Paul Theroux came out with his novel, “The Great Railway Bazaar”. Famed for being Ravana’s abode in the Hindu mythology “Ramayana”, Sri Lanka endows visitors with windswept beaches, rich cultural heritage, untrodden wilderness, spiritual experiences, and mystifying caves.
If you’re planning to pay this Asian treasure a visit anytime soon, here’s what you need to know about securing your visa:
Step 1 – Find out if you need a visa
Sri Lanka has an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) visa system that enables visitors to get a hassle-free entry into the country. Nevertheless, nationals of some countries are exempt from this system. They are:
- Citizens of the Republic of Singapore
- Citizens of the Republic of Maldives
- Citizens of the Republic of Maldives
Step 2 – How to Apply?
You can get a tourist visa by simply filling in the visa application form.The tourist visa is valid for up to one month from arrival date but you can extend it up to a total of six months. Here’s a list of documents that you will require:
- Confirmed return air tickets
- Bank statement of past three months
- A scanned copy of your passport (valid for at least six months from the date of travel)
- Two passport-sized photographs (colored)
- An invitation letter in case the purpose of travel is work related.
Processing time:
It takes about two days to process the visa application. You’ll receive it via email once it has been approved.
Visa Fees:
Given below is the fee structure for the Nationals of SAARC countries. Fees for visitors coming from other countries are relatively higher..
- Tourist Visa with double entry (30 days) – approximately Rs. 1400
- Transit Visa (48 hours) – free
- Business Visa (30 days) – approximately Rs. 2000
When to visit?
The ideal time to visit Sri Lanka greatly depends on which side of the country you’re visiting due to two separate monsoons. East coast is at its best from May through September and west coast is great to visit between December to March.
Visa Services provided by Musafir