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Do India citizens need a visa for Sri Lanka? For tourism travel, the current rule is e-visa, with a permitted stay of up to 30 days per visit. This tourism rule was last checked against an official government source — Official Sri Lanka e-Visa (ETA) Portal, on 2026-08-29. It applies to India passport holders, but the exact conditions granted on the day can still differ, so keep the requirements below — and the official source in the sidebar — handy when you plan your trip.
An e-visa means you apply online before you travel and receive approval electronically, without an embassy visit. Approval is usually subject to the authorities’ checks, so apply with enough time before departure and keep the approved e-visa with your documents.
Before you travel — tourism checklist
- Apply for (and receive) your visaYou need a visa for this route — book travel only after you receive the decision.
- Passport valid and checkedPassport valid for at least 6 months
- Return or onward ticket bookedBorder control can ask to see proof of your return or onward travel.
- Supporting documents preparedFunds, itinerary and ties-to-home evidence are listed under the evidence sections on this page.
Every item is derived from the verified requirements on this page — tick them off before you go.
Entry requirements · Tourism travel
Passport requirements
- Passport valid for at least 6 months
How to apply
- Apply for the tourist e-Visa (ETA) online before travel
- The e-Visa is valid for 30 days for tourism
Required documents
- Valid passport
- Approved e-Visa (ETA)
- Return or onward ticket
Financial evidence
- Proof of sufficient funds for the stay (may be requested)
Accommodation or invitation evidence
If applicable- Hotel booking or details of where you will stay
Conditions & restrictions
- Tourist e-Visa allows up to 30 days per visit
- Paid work is not permitted on a tourism e-Visa
India citizens travelling to Sri Lanka for tourism: e-Visa up to 30 days. Based on the official Sri Lanka visa and entry information reviewed.
Planning your trip to Sri Lanka
Practical notes about Sri Lanka — checked as part of this page for tourism travellers.
Sigiriya's Lion Rock Fortress
Sigiriya rises two hundred meters above the surrounding jungle, a massive column of granite that King Kashyapa chose as the site for his fifth-century fortress-palace. Climbing the rock face involves metal staircases bolted to sheer cliffs and a final passage through the open jaws of a colossal lion carved into the stone, of which only the enormous paws remain today. Halfway up, a sheltered gallery preserves ancient frescoes of cloud maidens painted in warm earth tones, their figures still vivid after fifteen centuries. The summit reveals the remnants of royal gardens, cisterns, and foundation walls that outline a palace complex designed to impress and intimidate. From the top, the surrounding landscape unfolds in every direction: a patchwork of rice paddies, reservoirs, and jungle stretching to the horizon. The early morning climb avoids the midday heat and the worst of the crowds.
Galle Fort's Dutch Colonial Walls
Galle Fort is one of the best-preserved European colonial fortifications in South Asia, its massive ramparts built by the Dutch in the seventeenth century and still encircling a living neighborhood of mosques, churches, and boutique hotels. Walking the walls at sunset, you pass families flying kites, cricket players chasing leather balls across the parade ground, and vendors selling king coconut from bicycles. Inside, the cobblestone streets lead past the Dutch Reformed Church with its beruffled tombs, the lighthouse at the harbor entrance, and colonial-era merchant houses converted into art galleries and cafe-bars. The fort's layout retains its original Dutch grid, and every corner reveals another detail: a carved datestone above a doorway, a cannon pointing seaward, a bougainvillea spilling over a crumbling wall. It is the rare heritage site where daily life has not been displaced by tourism.
Kandy's Temple of the Tooth
The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, known locally as Sri Dalada Maligawa, sits on the edge of Kandy Lake within the grounds of the old royal palace complex. The relic itself is not visible to the public, housed within a gold casket that is opened only during special ceremonies, but the rituals surrounding it draw visitors to the evening puja when the sound of drums fills the courtyard and devotees offer lotus flowers and white cloth. The surrounding complex includes a museum with royal artifacts, a series of monasteries, and a moat that once protected the temple from invaders. Kandy itself feels like a mountain town, with terraced hillsides rising behind the lake and vendors selling raw mango dusted with chili powder on the lakeside promenade. The Esala Perahera festival in July, with its decorated elephants and fire dancers, is one of the most spectacular religious processions in Asia.
Yala National Park's Leopard Safari
Yala National Park, on Sri Lanka's southeastern coast, has one of the highest densities of leopards in the world, making it the most reliable place in Asia to see these elusive cats in the wild. Entering the park at dawn in a open-top jeep, you drive through patches of thorny scrubland, past rock pools where elephants drink, and along lagoons where crocodiles bask with their jaws open. The leopard sightings are never guaranteed, but when one appears draped across a tree branch or padding silently through the undergrowth, the experience is electrifying. Beyond the big cats, Yala supports an astonishing variety of wildlife: sloth bears, wild boar, peacocks displaying their tail feathers, and sea turtles nesting on the park's uninhabited beaches. The drivers and guides know each rock and water hole by memory, and their quiet commentary transforms a wildlife drive into something that feels both adventurous and deeply personal.
Common questions
Do Indian citizens need a visa for Sri Lanka?+
e-Visa. Permitted stay: up to 30 days.
What documents do I need to enter Sri Lanka?+
Valid passport. Approved e-Visa (ETA). Return or onward ticket.
What passport validity is required to enter Sri Lanka?+
Passport valid for at least 6 months.
Are there any restrictions for entering Sri Lanka?+
Tourist e-Visa allows up to 30 days per visit
Any additional conditions for entering Sri Lanka?+
Paid work is not permitted on a tourism e-Visa
How long can Indian citizens stay in Sri Lanka?+
The permitted stay for tourism travel is up to 30 days. The exact period granted depends on the entry decision at the border.
Where can I check the official Sri Lanka visa and entry rules?+
This information was last verified on 2026-08-29 against an official government source: Official Sri Lanka e-Visa (ETA) Portal (https://eta.gov.lk/).
Related resources
- Sri Lanka travel guide →Cities, airports and practical travel info.
- Airports in Sri Lanka →Codes, terminals and ground transport.
- India guide →Everything we cover for India.
- How we verify rules →Sources, review dates and our quality checks.
- All India routes →Entry requirements from India to every destination.
