Quick answer
Australian cricket fans need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before flying to Sri Lanka, applied for online through the official ETA site, plus a passport valid for at least six months, a return or onward ticket and evidence of where you are staying. The standard tourist ETA usually covers 30 days, which suits most cricket trips; a full tour plus a holiday may need an extension. Fees and waivers change, so check them when you apply.
Key takeaways
- Apply for the ETA online through the official site a few weeks before departure.
- Carry a passport valid for at least six months from arrival.
- The standard tourist ETA usually covers 30 days; check current terms.
- Longer trips can usually be extended through the Department of Immigration and Emigration.
- Use only the official ETA site; unofficial agents charge extra fees.
The Electronic Travel Authorisation
Sri Lanka's Electronic Travel Authorisation is applied for online before travel. The application asks for passport details, travel dates and an address in Sri Lanka, and approval usually comes quickly. Fees and waivers for Australian passport holders have changed several times in recent years, so check the official site when you apply.
Use the official government site only. Many unofficial sites look similar and charge a service fee on top of the official cost, sometimes a large one.
Print the approval and keep a copy on your phone, as airlines sometimes check it at check-in in Australia.
- →Apply online through the official site.
- →Check fees and waivers when you apply.
- →Keep printed and phone copies.
Passport and documents
Your passport should be valid for at least six months from the date you arrive, with blank pages for stamps. If you are close to the limit, renew before the series rather than risk being refused boarding.
Carry a return or onward ticket and the address of your first hotel, as immigration may ask for both. A printed copy of your travel insurance and the contact details of your hotels and driver are also useful.
Keep a photo of your passport's photo page on your phone and in an email, in case of loss.
- →Six months' validity from arrival.
- →Return or onward ticket.
- →First hotel address and insurance details.
How long the ETA covers
The standard tourist ETA usually allows a stay of up to 30 days, which covers a Test series, an ODI series or a two-week holiday comfortably. If you are following a whole tour and then staying for a beach week, check the dates against the permitted stay.
Extensions are usually possible through the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Colombo, and in some cases online. Apply before your permitted stay runs out, and allow time for processing.
Lankan Stays & Trails can advise on how long a trip will run once the fixtures and side trips are mapped, which makes it easier to check the ETA dates.
- →Standard ETA: usually up to 30 days.
- →Extensions: apply before your stay ends.
- →Check terms on the official site.
On arrival at the airport
At Bandaranaike International Airport, immigration checks your passport and ETA. Queues can be long when several flights land together. After baggage, customs is straightforward for most visitors, with red and green channels.
Duty-free allowances apply to alcohol and tobacco, and the airport has duty-free shops on arrival. Check current allowances before buying. If you carry prescription medication, bring it in original packaging with a copy of the prescription.
Before leaving the terminal, buy a local SIM and withdraw rupees from an ATM.
- →Immigration: passport and ETA.
- →Customs: red and green channels.
- →SIM and ATM before leaving the terminal.
Other things to know
Drones need permission to fly in Sri Lanka and are generally not allowed near cricket grounds. Clothing or tattoos showing the Buddha can cause problems at entry or later, and visitors have been refused entry over them. Cover such tattoos, and leave such clothing at home.
Sri Lanka's currency rules require foreign currency above a certain amount to be declared on arrival. Check the current threshold if you are carrying a lot of cash.
- →Drones need permission; not near grounds.
- →Cover Buddha tattoos; avoid such clothing.
- →Declare large amounts of cash.
Frequently asked questions
Do Australian cricket fans need a visa for Sri Lanka?
Australian passport holders need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before arrival, applied for online through the official site. Fees and waivers have changed in recent years, so check the current terms. A passport valid for six months and a return or onward ticket are also needed.
How long does a Sri Lanka ETA last?
The standard tourist ETA usually allows a stay of up to 30 days, which covers most cricket trips. If you are following a whole tour and adding a holiday, check the dates. Extensions are usually possible through the Department of Immigration and Emigration before the permitted stay ends.
How early should you apply for the Sri Lanka ETA?
Apply a few weeks before departure. Approval is usually quick, but applying early avoids stress if there is a problem with your details. Keep printed and phone copies of the approval, as airlines in Australia sometimes check it at check-in.
Can you be refused entry to Sri Lanka for a Buddha tattoo?
Visitors have been refused entry or deported over visible Buddha tattoos, which are seen as disrespectful. Keep such tattoos covered throughout the trip, including at the airport, and leave clothing showing the Buddha at home. Other tattoos are not a problem.
Can you fly a drone at a Sri Lankan cricket ground?
Drones need permission from the authorities to fly in Sri Lanka and are generally not permitted at or near cricket grounds during matches. Leave the drone at home or check the current rules carefully before bringing one, and never fly it over crowds or the ground.
What documents should cricket fans carry on arrival?
Carry your passport, ETA approval, a return or onward ticket, the address of your first hotel and your travel insurance details. Copies of prescriptions for any medication and the contact details of your driver are also useful. Keep digital copies in case anything is lost.
Is there duty free on arrival in Colombo?
Bandaranaike International Airport has duty-free shops in the arrivals area, a useful stop before the series. Allowances for alcohol and tobacco apply, so check the current limits before buying. The shops also sell electronics and household goods, mostly aimed at returning Sri Lankans.