Sri Lanka visa for Bangladeshi citizens

Do Bangladeshi citizens need a visa for Sri Lanka?

Quick answer: Yes. Bangladeshi citizens need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for Sri Lanka, and it is not free, because Bangladesh is not on the 40-country free list. As a South Asian (SAARC) country, Bangladesh pays the lower rate: US$20 for a 30-day tourist ETA online, or US$25 if you get it on arrival in Colombo. Apply only at eta.gov.lk.

For the rules that apply to every nationality, including the full free list and fake sites to avoid, see our main Sri Lanka ETA and visa guide.

Is Bangladesh on Sri Lanka's free ETA list?

No. Since 25 May 2026, nationals of 40 countries get a free 30-day tourist ETA. The list includes India, Pakistan and Nepal from South Asia, but not Bangladesh. Singapore, Seychelles and the Maldives also get free ETAs under separate agreements, and Bangladesh is not one of those either.

The official notice also stresses one point for everyone: all foreign nationals must get an ETA before they arrive, even those whose ETA is free. So the question for a Bangladeshi traveller is not whether you need an ETA, but which fee you pay.

For flight options from Dhaka, see our flights from Bangladesh to Sri Lanka guide.

How much does the Sri Lanka ETA cost for Bangladeshi citizens?

The Fees page on eta.gov.lk has one column for South Asian countries and one for all other countries. Bangladesh is a SAARC member state (the SAARC Secretariat lists Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka), so the South Asian column applies.

Source: eta.gov.lk Fees page, read 2 November 2026 at about 9.11 am Sri Lanka time.

The fee is a processing fee and the official site says it is not refunded, even if your ETA is not approved. Enter your passport details with care, because a mistake means a new application and a new fee.

How do Bangladeshi citizens apply for a Sri Lanka ETA?

The official "How To Submit an ETA Application" page lists five ways: by yourself online, through a third party such as a travel agent or airline, at a Sri Lankan overseas mission, at the Department's head office in Battaramulla, or on arrival. For most Bangladeshi tourists, applying online is the simplest.

1. Go to eta.gov.lk and click Apply. Do not use lookalike sites.
2. Choose a tourist ETA and fill in the form with your passport details exactly as printed.
3. Pay the US$20 fee by Visa, Mastercard or American Express. The site says these are the only cards it takes online.
4. You get an acknowledgement first, then an approval notice or a referral notice.
5. Save or print the approval. The site advises carrying a copy to show at the airport.

If you cannot pay by card, the site tells you to use one of the other routes, such as a third party who pays for you or a Sri Lankan mission. To check progress, use the status check on the site or call the ETA call centre on 0094 71 99 67 888, which the site says runs 24/7.

You do not need to send passport copies or photos for the online ETA. The "What is an ETA?" page says no passport copies, documents or photographs are needed, and the ETA does not need to be endorsed in your passport.

Can I apply at the Sri Lankan High Commission in Dhaka?

Yes. The apply page says Sri Lankan overseas missions can issue an ETA for up to 30 days, and short visit visas for up to 3 months, usually within 3 business days. This route suits travellers who want a visa endorsed in the passport or who cannot pay online.

The SLTDA list of Sri Lankan missions, read on 2 November 2026, gives the High Commission in Dhaka at House No. 10, Road No. 62, Gulshan-2, Dhaka 1212, phone (+880) 2 989 6353, email [email protected]. Call or email before you go, because opening days are not on that list.

For stays of 30 to 90 days arranged through a mission, the fee table shows the US$20 SAARC processing fee plus a separate visa fee for your country. That country fee is not printed on the page, so ask the mission for the exact amount.

Should I get the ETA online or on arrival?

Online is usually the better choice. Here is how the two compare on the official pages:

The official site calls the on-arrival option "a limited facility". If you plan to use it, carry US dollar cash in case the card machine is not working.

What do I need at Sri Lankan immigration?

The official site lists the same three things for every ETA holder at the port of entry:

• A passport valid for at least 6 months from the date you arrive.
• A confirmed return ticket.
• Enough money to cover your stay.

Keep your ETA approval on your phone and on paper. The FAQ also says an ETA is not a condition to board a flight to Sri Lanka, so the airline may not check it, but immigration will. For what happens after you land, including SIM cards, money and taxis, see our Colombo airport arrival guide.

How long can I stay, and can I leave and come back?

A tourist ETA gives 30 days from the day you first arrive. It has a double-entry facility, which means you can leave and come back once inside the same 30 days. The "Short Visit to Sri Lanka" page says the second visit gets only the days left from the first 30, not a fresh 30.

That matters if you add the Maldives to your trip. The page counts both entries from the date you first arrive, so days spent in the Maldives still come out of the same 30. For example, if you spend 10 days in Sri Lanka and 5 in the Maldives, about 15 days are left when you come back. If your dates are tight, ask immigration at the airport. The apply page also says you must enter Sri Lanka within three months of the date the ETA is issued.

To stay past 30 days, you apply for an extension after you arrive. The official site says the ETA can be extended for up to six months. The extension has its own fees by nationality, which we cover in the main visa guide.

What else should Bangladeshi travellers know?

• Heritage site tickets are cheaper for you. Bangladesh is a SAARC country, and the Central Cultural Fund gives SAARC citizens 50% off at sites such as Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa. Our entry ticket prices guide has the full list. Carry your passport to the counter.
• Business trips need a different route. A business ETA can only be issued by a Sri Lankan mission or the Colombo head office, and you need proof of the business purpose.
• Some work needs special approval. The official page says the online ETA cannot be used for media work, meetings with political groups, or NGO and INGO work.
• Budget for the trip. Our Sri Lanka trip cost guide and money and ATMs guide cover daily costs, cards and cash.