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Reopening Updates from Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka currently remains open to All Countries. All travellers are required be vaccinated travellers to Sri Lanka and show no symptoms of Covid on arrival.  Effective January 1, 2022, all visitors to Sri Lanka (whether vaccinated or unvaccinated) must purchase COVID insurance, currently set at 12 USD/month.

Travel safety and entry rules for international visitors planning a trip to Sri Lanka

CountryAllowed to travel to SL?Quarantine requirements upon returning to country of origin
INDIAAllowed
More info here
Fully vaccinated – no quarantine requirements
Find out more here
UNITED KINGDOMYes
More info here
Fully vaccinated – no quarantine requirements
Find out more here
CHINAAllowedFully vaccinated – no quarantine requirements
Find out more here
GERMANYAllowedFully vaccinated – no quarantine requirements

Find out more here

AUSTRALIAAllowedFully vaccinated – no quarantine requirements
Find out more
FRANCEAllowedFully vaccinated – no quarantine requirements

Not fully vaccinated – Home quarantine for 7 days
Find out more here

RUSSIAN FEDERATIONAllowedFully vaccinated – no quarantine requirements
Find out more here
Russian gov updates on travel here
UNITED STATESAllowedFully vaccinated – no quarantine requirements
Find out more here
MALDIVESAllowedFully vaccinated – no quarantine requirements
Find out more here
CANADAAllowedFully vaccinated citizens are allowed to reenter after essential/emergency travel.
Find out more here
NETHERLANDSAllowedFully vaccinated – no quarantine requirements
Find out more here
ITALYAllowedFully vaccinated – no quarantine requirements
Find out more here
UKRAINEAllowedFully vaccinated – no quarantine requirements

Find out more here

JAPANAllowedFully vaccinated – no quarantine requirements
Find out more here
SWITZERLANDAllowedNo quarantine required upon re-entry
Find out more here
SPAINAllowedFully vaccinated – no quarantine requirements
Find out more here
SWEDENAllowedFully vaccinated – no quarantine requirements

Find out more here

POLANDAllowedFully vaccinated – no quarantine upon return

Non or partially vaccinated – 10 day home quarantine upon return
Find out more here

CZECH REPUBLICAllowedFully vaccinated – no quarantine upon return

Non or partially vaccinated – self isolation upon return
Find out more here

DENMARKAllowedFully vaccinated – no quarantine upon return

Non or partially vaccinated – self isolation upon return
Find out more here

GCC COUNTRIES
United Arab Emirates.AllowedFully vaccinated – no quarantine requirements
Find out more here
KuwaitAllowedFully vaccinated – no quarantine requirements
Find out more here
KSAAllowedFully vaccinated – no quarantine requirements

Find out more here

BahrainAllowedFully vaccinated – no quarantine requirements
QatarAllowedFully vaccinated – no quarantine requirements
OmanAllowedFully vaccinated – no quarantine

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION IF YOU’RE VISITING SRI LANKA

  • Submit a completed Health Declaration Form .
  • Quarantine is not required for fully vaccinated travelers if the On Arrival (Day One) Covid-19 PCR test report is negative.
  • After completion of formalities at the Airport, all travelers will be transferred to a hotel designated for quarantine or to a Safe & Secure Certified Level 1 Hotel.
  • If there are children below 18 years, they can be discharged with fully vaccinated parents by adhering to the following measures.
  • If fully vaccinated or completed quarantine, obtain “Discharge Document” and email the details to the Epidemiology Unit (chepid@sltnet.lk and samithag@hotmail.com) of the Ministry of Health.
  • Travelers who are not AND partially vaccinated are required to adhere to Ministry of Health directives issued on 7th July & 15th July 2021 by Director General of Health in adhering to quarantine requirements.
Important information for passengers travelling to Sri Lanka – Covid updates
Travel restricted list of countries Refer updates here 
Information for foreign travelers arriving in Sri Lanka Find out moreCarry a negative COVID-19 PCR test report in English language done within 72 hours prior to embarkation.
Obtain ETA
Carry vaccination card if ‘Fully Vaccinated’
Undergo On Arrival (Day One) Covid-19 PCR test from a Ministry of Health approved laboratory

IMPORTANT INFORMATION IF YOU’RE TRAVELING WITHIN THE SRI LANKA BIO-BUBBLE

  • Applies to International Tourists visiting Sri Lanka under tourist visa and optional for dual citizens, valid resident visa holders, Sri Lankan citizens who opt to come under the tourism route irrespective of the vaccination status.
  • No prior approval required from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Civil Aviation Authority.
  • There is no minimum duration of stay in Sri Lanka. Source
  • All visas must be applied online. Visit www.eta.gov.lk
  • A pre-confirmed booking at a Level 1(L1) ‘Safe & Secure’ hotel for up to 14 days; depending on the duration of your stay.
  • Hotel booking could be made directly with the hotel or through travel Agent or OTA.
  • Visitors are allowed to move within L1 hotels and use all facilities of the hotel.
  • Please visit www.srilanka.travel/helloagain
Tourism Travel Bio Bubble Arrival Protocol InformationSource
Tourism Bio Bubble
Before applying for visa ensure you have the following:

Updated 14th September, 2021

Love Sri Lanka – See You Soon

Here’s a quick snapshot of what you need to know when planning a visit to Sri Lanka in the coming months.

Updated 29th March, 2021

Procedures for International Travellers Arriving in Sri Lanka

Foreign Travellers can holiday in selected certified hotels under Sri Lanka Tourism’s Safe & Secure program. Visit www.srilanka.travel/helloagain/ for details of the wide selection of available hotels. Tourists can use all facilities of the hotel and visit specified popular tourist sites, however, they are not permitted to mix with the local community until a specified number of days have elapsed. Travellers can move between multiple certified hotels.

All travellers need to have a negative PCR report when arriving in Sri Lanka. Travellers will be subject to two PCR tests during the certified hotel stay period.

Fully Vaccinated Travellers – Seven Day Stay in Certified Hotel
  • All doses of the relevant vaccine should have been received two weeks prior to arrival in Sri Lanka.
  • Proof of vaccination – travellers are required to produce an original vaccination certificate and a verified copy translated into English (if it is not in English) to the airport health officer.
  • PCR testing will be as follows – one test within 24-hours of arrival and one test on the seventh day.
  • If the traveller has received all relevant doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, and has negative PCR reports from tests conducted on days one and seven, they are free to interact with the local community and stay at any establishment, whether certified or not.
Non-Vaccinated Travellers – 14 Day Stay in Certified Hotel
  • If the traveller has not received the COVID-19 vaccine, or has received the vaccine less than two weeks prior to arrival, they are required to stay In a certified hotel for 14 days.
  • PCR testing will be as follows – one test within 24-hours of arrival and one test prior to departure from the country or prior to departure from the certified hotel on the 14th day (whichever comes first).
  • If the traveller receives a negative PCR report on the 14th day, they are free to interact with the local community once they leave the certified hotel.

Source: Economy Next

Updated January 18, 2021

As Sri Lanka prepares to reopen for tourism in January, here are some of the important details you need to know before you plan your visit to the country.

It is mandatory to have a confirmed hotel booking in a Certified Safe & Secure Level 1 hotel/s prior to applying for a Tourist Visa.

(visit www.srilanka.travel/helloagain for details of Certified Safe & Secure Level 1 hotel)

  • These are the steps to follow when applying for a visa:
    • Obtain a confirmed hotel booking in a Safe and Secure Level 1 hotel.
    • When making a hotel booking, pay for the PCR tests (USD 40 per test, per person, depending on the number of days of stay) and USD 12 for COVID-19 Insurance for one month. Visit www.srilanka.travel/helloagain for details.
    • Once you pay for your insurance and PCR tests, and have a pre-confirmed hotel booking at a Certified Safe & Secure Level 1 hotel, you will be issued a reference number by the hotel. This reference number is mandatory for visa processing. Once you receive the reference number, you can apply for your visa.
    • Apply for visa online at www.eta.gov.lk. On the online visa application, in the place where you are required to fill in the contact details in Sri Lanka, please indicate the hotel name and confirmed booking reference number.

Source: Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority

 

Things you need to know when prepping for your visit – Download
Frequently Asked Questions about travelling to Sri Lanka – Download

 

Updated October 12, 2020

Sri Lanka currently has no confirmed date for resuming tourism. Authorities are closely monitoring the on-ground situation and will make a decision as soon as they are able to. This space will be updated with new information whenever it is available.

At this point, local authorities have concluded that:

· Once Sri Lanka opens for tourism, citizens of all nations will be welcome.

· Comprehensive testing protocols will be followed prior to boarding a flight to Sri Lanka and upon entering the country.

· Guests will be required to visit the country for a minimum two week period, and stay at a single certified hotel.

· Guests who wish to remain in Sri Lanka for a longer period will be required to stay at a single certified hotel for a minimum 21 days prior to being able to travel around the island and stay at other certified hotels.

· Hotels that are open to foreign guests will not be permitted to welcome local guests at the same time, in order to minimise social interaction.

· Guests will not be permitted to leave the hotel premises during the mandatory 14 day or 21 day periods. They are welcome to move freely around the hotel premises and utilise all hotel facilities during this time.

· Guests will be required to download a mandatory software application when applying for an e-visa to Sri Lanka. This app will enable contact tracing in the event it is required for health and safety purposes.

· Guests will be required to pay a value of USD 35 as visa fees, and an additional USD 110 to cover costs of PCR testing and mandatory medical/COVID-19 insurance.

· In the event a guest tests positive for COVID-19, they will be treated at the KDU University Hospital.

Updated September 2020

Update from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority

Chairperson of Sri Lanka Tourism answers some of the most frequently asked questions from us.

From reopening the BIA Airport to what has the Tourism sector done to welcome the foreign tourists again, Chairperson of Sri Lanka Tourism, Mrs. Kimarli Fernando answers some of the most frequently asked questions from us. #sltourism

Posted by Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority on Thursday, September 17, 2020

 

Updated June 2020

Who can visit?

All nationalities and all types of travellers whether groups, families, individuals.

 

What are the visa procedures?

  • All travellers will require a valid visa; this will be issued for 30 days and be extendable for up to 6 months after arrival. Apply for visas online at http://www.eta.gov.lk/slvisa/
  • Further relaxation for long stay guests is currently under consideration, enabling visitors to be granted five-year multiple entry visas with maximum 6 months stay.

The following information is required to apply for a visa:

  • A return air ticket
  • Details of accommodation booked for entire duration of stay
  • Proof of medical insurance
  • Itinerary for stay in Sri Lanka

 

Where can I stay and is there a minimum duration?

  • You will need to stay a minimum of five nights in Sri Lanka.
  • Accommodation must be booked with a certified accommodation provider.
  • The list of certified accommodation providers will be available on the Sri Lanka Tourism website in the coming weeks. The certification process will be conducted by an independent professional auditor.

 

PCR Testing

Pre-Arrival

  • You are required to have a negative PCR test prior to boarding your flight to Sri Lanka.
  • The test should be no older than 72 hours prior to boarding.

On arrival in Sri Lanka

  • The airport will have high intensity sanitation measures in place for all areas and staff.
  • There is no quarantine on arrival unless symptoms are detected.
  • A PCR test will be administered on arrival at the airport.
  • Currently, it takes 24-hours to receive test results, however, attempts are being made to reduce this to 4-6 hours. If you are required to wait 24-hours for test results, you can select a hotel for a one-night stay from Certified 4 or 5-star hotels in Colombo or Negombo.
  • Provided your test result is negative, you can proceed to your pre-booked accommodation.
  • You will be required to comply with a further test 4-5 days after arrival. This test will be administered by a mobile unit in coordination with your Certified Accommodation provider.
  • Visitors staying for longer than 10 days will be required to undergo further tests during their stay.
  • In case of a positive PCR test result, quarantine in a designated hotel or hospitalisation will take place depending on the details of the case. The quarantine period will last 14 to 21 days if symptoms are detected.

 

Travelling in Sri Lanka

  • You are required to plan your transportation on the island prior to your arrival. Your Certified Accommodation provider or travel agent will be able to make these arrangements on your behalf.
  • Please note that foreign visitors will not be permitted to use public transport during this period.