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Travel Advisory Status

Last Updated – 09:30 AM, 18th March 2020 

18th March 2020

Visa Extension for Foreigners in Sri Lanka

The Government has decided to extend the validity period of all types of Visas issued to all foreigners who are currently in Sri Lanka. The validity period of all types of Visas will be extended for a period of 30 days with effect from 14th March – 12th April 2020.

Foreign nationals are informed to visit the Visa Division of the Department of Immigration and Emigration on either 08th or 09th of April 2020 to pay the relevant fee and to get the visa endorsed in the Passport. For those who intend to leave the island during the aforementioned period; the journey will be facilitated by paying the relevant visa fee at the Airport without any penalty.

The validity period of the Acknowledgement issued for applications already submitted to the Department of Immigration and Emigration to obtain visas will also be extended for a period of 30 days with effect from 14th March – 12th April 2020.

Any inquiries on the matter can be made through 0771588724.

Source: Ada Derana

17th March 2020

Sri Lanka Suspends Passenger Arrivals at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA)

The Civil Aviation Authority has informed all online and offline carriers that all international airports in Sri Lanka will be closed for operation of inward international commercial passenger flights (arrivals) with effect from 0400hrs on 19th March 2020 (Sri Lanka time) until 2359hrs on 25th March 2020 (Sri Lanka time). Please visit the CAA website for more details.

Source: Civil Aviation Authority

Travel Ban on Qatar, Bahrain and Canada

The Civil Aviation Authority has announced that passengers from Qatar, Bahrain and Canada will not be permitted to land in Sri Lanka starting from midnight today (17). The travel ban will be in place for two weeks.

This restriction will not apply to passengers transiting Qatar, Canada or Bahrain, if they are not nationals of the three countries.

Source: Daily Mirror

15th March 2020

Travel Beginning from UK, Norway and Belgium Banned

All travel beginning from the United Kingdom, Belgium and Norway will be banned for a period of two weeks with effect from 2359hrs (local time in Sri Lanka) on 16th March 2020. The ban will commence on all flights arriving after 16th March 2359hrs (local time in Sri Lanka) and end on the 30th of March 2020 2400hrs (local time in Sri Lanka).

Accordingly, all airlines are strongly instructed not to board during the aforementioned period in any of their flights destined to Sri Lanka, any passenger who is either originating from the aforementioned States or who has been in any of those countries within the last 14 days.

Source: Newswire.lk

13th March 2020

Sri Lanka Suspends Issuance of Visas for Passengers from Europe

The Government has suspended the issuance of visas to passengers from European countries for a period of two weeks. The decision was made on the 13th of March 2020.

Source: Daily Mirror

Travel Ban on Eight Additional Countries for Two Weeks

Sri Lanka’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has announced that all travel beginning from France, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Denmark, Netherlands, Sweden and Austria will be banned for two weeks from 15 – 29 March 2020.

All airlines flying to Sri Lanka are strongly instructed not to board any passenger, either originating from the aforementioned countries or who has been to these countries within the last 14 days.

Source: Ada Derana

 

Two Week Travel Ban on all Passengers Arriving from South Korea, Italy and Iran

The Government of Sri Lanka has imposed a two week travel ban on passengers from South Korea, Italy and Iran, from 14th – 28th March 2020.

Accordingly, the Government has advised all airlines to refrain from boarding passengers either originating from South Korea, Italy and Iran, or having been in any of the three countries within the last 14 days.

Source: Economy Next

 

12th March 2020

COVID-19 Updates

    • As of 10th March 2020, it is mandatory for all passengers arriving in Sri Lanka from South Korea, Italy and Iran to move into quarantine for 14 days upon arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA).

Source: Ada Derana

    • Quarantine facilities have been set up in two locations on the island, and the quarantine process is being handled by the Health Ministry and the Sri Lanka Army.

Source: News First

    • As of 12th March 2020, on-arrival visa issuance has been indefinitely suspended by the Sri Lankan Government.

Source: Daily FT

  • Visa applications must be made prior to arrival through the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) website here.

Follow our on-ground updates for up-to-date information that is relevant to travellers already in Sri Lanka and those intending to visit.