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🇱🇰 Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka sets its own visa rules: almost every visitor needs an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), which is free for 40 countries since May 2026. Below: visa rules for every passport, cash limits at customs and the tourist traps official travel advice warns about.

Check your visa route for Sri Lanka

Pick your passport and where you live — Sri Lanka is already filled in.

Visas or permits I hold (optional)

Visa rules for your passport ↓

Explore Sri Lanka: things to do, shopping, food and getting around

A short guide based on UNESCO's World Heritage listings.

Places to visit

Summarised in our own words from the linked pages, official tourism boards and transport authorities first; items marked "Not official" come from other guides. Prices and opening times change, so check the source before you go. Last checked 24 Oct 2026.

Common tourist traps and how to avoid them

Scams and risky spots named in official travel advice for Sri Lanka, in our own words.

  1. Bag snatching from mopeds

    How it works: Criminals on mopeds or motorbikes ride past and snatch bags.

    How to avoid it: Carry bags on the side away from the road and keep passport and money in a body belt.

  2. Card skimming and ATM fraud

    How it works: Fraudsters can copy your card details without you noticing.

    How to avoid it: Use ATMs inside banks where possible, check street ATMs for tampering and keep your card in sight when paying.

  3. Drink spiking

    How it works: Drinks can be spiked with drugs such as GHB; victims have been robbed or assaulted.

    How to avoid it: Buy your own drinks, keep them in sight and don't accept drinks from strangers.

  4. Tuk-tuk fares

    How it works: Tuk-tuks without a working meter can overcharge.

    How to avoid it: Agree the price before you set off or choose one with a working meter; use taxi apps where available.

Official advice: FCDO: no areas advised against.

Emergency numbers in Sri Lanka

Paraphrased from official travel advice: FCDO travel advice – Safety and security · FCDO travel advice – Warnings and insurance · FCDO travel advice – Getting help (emergency numbers) · FCDO page updated 21 Sept 2026 · Last checked 2 Nov 2026. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Cash you can bring in and take out

Customs rules for banknotes and other cash when you enter or leave Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka Customs – passenger services

Bringing cash in
Declare foreign currency exceeding USD 15,000 (equivalent) to Sri Lanka Customs on arrival.
Taking cash out
Declare currency exceeding USD 10,000 (equivalent) when leaving.
Local currency (LKR) in
Not stated on the customs page.
Local currency (LKR) out
Not stated on the customs page.
Foreign currency
Declare over USD 15,000 inward and over USD 10,000 outward.

Official source: customs.gov.lk · Last checked 2 Nov 2026

Sri Lanka visa rules by passport

The general rule for each passport, from official sources. Open a passport to see conditions and options that depend on where you live.

Visa-free3 passports
Electronic travel authorisation195 passports

Verified rules for Sri Lanka: 198 of 198 passports; awaiting verification: 0; not yet covered: 0. A rule that is awaiting verification or not yet covered is not a negative visa decision: it only means we haven't confirmed it on an official source yet.

Nearby destinations

Official travel advice

Suggest something for our Sri Lanka guide

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Optional travel offers

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Plan your trip to Sri Lanka

Verify with the embassy before you book. Visa rules change without notice. We link every rule to its official source and last checked it on 2 Nov 2026, but the embassy, official e-visa portal and your airline have the final say. MyVisaPort is not a visa agent and is not affiliated with any government.