Sri Lanka to Halt VOA
 

Just heard on the BBC that Sri Lanka will stop issuing visa-on-arrivals for all visitors from all countries. Starting 1 January, if you want to travel to Sri Lanka, you'll have to apply for a visa on-line and pay a $50 processing fee (non-refundable, even if you're refused a visa).

Thanks for the "heads up".

There is a BBC article about the changes here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-15239654

Thanks, Michael. A return to Sri Lanka is on our short list for 2012.

Beginning January 1, 2012 you can apply at the following website: http://eta.gov.lk/ It is on line now on a trial basis and will be fully functional in 2012.

Hi, we are off the Sri Lanka in 4 weeks and just wanted to know if anyone has used the visa online service ?
Not sure if it best to use the visa online or pay at arrival.

gmoz, no more VOA for Sri Lanka, so use the online form or get it from the embassy or consulate before you go.

Thanks Kathie
The online site gives the option of using the online form and paying $20 with credit card or option #6 is on arrival do the form and pay $25 in cash.
So I was just interested if anyone had used the new online form without problems or if it was a bit buggy being new it may be easier to pay a bit extra in cash.

I liked your Burma notes and it was good to see you enjoyed your second trip. Burma now seems to be geting a bit of a tourist boom and we all may have been lucky to have seen Burma now.

Hmmm... interesting. The press releases say the VOA is discontinued. You might call or email the embassy/consulate to check.

I'm glad you enjoyed my Burma report. I agree, I think Burma is changing. On the other hand, I just saw the tourism figures - a 21% increase in arrivals over 2010 - from about 300,000 to 360,000 - so the tourism numbers are still a small fraction of those in other areas of SE Asia.

Kathie the online page lists the optons here:
http://eta.gov.lk/slvisa/visainfo/ap...p?locale=en_US
And this page lists the fees:
http://eta.gov.lk/slvisa/visainfo/fees.jsp?locale=en_US
and its an extra $5 per person to pay on arrival

Anyway i will probably try the online form, its just that I dont like submitting my credit card details if it can be avoided.

At least the SL applications can not be as complicated as the Indian visa application forms we just completed, and not to mention the $100 India charges for a visa.

Interesting, let us know how it goes. We loved Sri Lanka and plan to return some day.

Just curious but what was the $$ for the VOA?

$10 in advance, $15 on the spot. I'm assuming it's a bit like Vietnam. Fill in the form on the net, then do the $$ deed at the airport.

Ok, I applied online on Friday and received our approvals Monday. It would have been within the anticipated 24 turnaround if you take out the weekend.

The forms did not print out too well as the pictures of the crests etc failed to print. However i dont think we will be deported for this.

All in all it was quite quick and easy, more in the nature of a fee rather than a visa really.
We are really looking forward to SL.

Thanks for letting us know. I look forward to your report.

We are leaving for Sri Lanka in February and I am glad I saw this posting. I applied online and it was very easy. What would have happened if we arrived in Colombo and did not have the Visa? Does anyone know?

If you arrive without an ETA then according to the website you can get one at the airport in Colombo
see this page and scroll down to the end of the box
http://eta.gov.lk/slvisa/visainfo/ap...p?locale=en_US

The fee payable on arrival is $5 per person more than the fee payable online.

That is good to know. Thanks for the giving the updated information ahead of time as it is really good to take care of it and then not have anything extra to do at the airport.

Even though the government website says you can get a ETA on arrival I am like you and think it is prudent to get one online before arrival.
As Kathi said there were earlier reports that there would be no ETA on arrival.
If I didnt get one on line before arrival then with my luck on arrival I would find the website was wrong or that the guy who issues the ETAs had iust left for the day etc etc.
Arriving with an ETA in your pocket is a whole lot easier.

gmoz-when are leaving for your trip. We are leaving the US on February 17th.

lhgeenacres we leave Australia on 15th, overnight in KL then we arrive in Colombo on 16th.