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🇬🇧 Does a British need a visa for Sri Lanka 🇱🇰?

What this means for your trip

An ETA (electronic travel authorisation) is not a visa: it is an online pre-screening that airlines check before boarding.

It is normally approved within minutes to a few days; apply before you book non-refundable travel.

Your passport should normally be valid for at least six months beyond your planned departure date and have blank pages for stamps; many countries apply this rule.

Sri Lanka at a glance

Capital: Colombo · Currency: Sri Lankan rupee (LKR, Rs රු) · Official languages: Sinhala, Tamil · Calling code: +94

U.S. State Department travel advisory for Sri Lanka: Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (updated 9 October 2025). It is written for U.S. citizens; read the advisory before you book.

Plugs and voltage

Your plugs fit: every plug type used in the United Kingdom (G) works with sockets in Sri Lanka.

More about entering Sri Lanka →

Your embassy in Sri Lanka

If your passport is lost or stolen, or you need help in an emergency in Sri Lanka, contact the embassy of the United Kingdom:

• British High Commission Colombo · 389, Bauddhaloka Mawatha · gov.uk

Missions from Wikidata (CC0), checked 2026-09-26. Addresses and opening hours change: check the mission's website before you go.

Easier destinations near Sri Lanka for British passport holders

• 🇦🇲 Armenia — Visa-free 180 days
• 🇧🇳 Brunei — Visa-free 90 days
• 🇨🇳 China — Visa-free 30 days
• 🇬🇪 Georgia — Visa-free 360 days
• 🇭🇰 Hong Kong — Visa-free 180 days
• 🇯🇵 Japan — Visa-free 90 days
• 🇰🇿 Kazakhstan — Visa-free 30 days
• 🇰🇬 Kyrgyzstan — Visa-free 60 days

The other way round

🇱🇰 Sri Lankan passport holders visiting the United Kingdom: Sri Lankan passport holders need a visa for the United Kingdom, and it can be applied for online as an e-Visa before travelling.

The British passport at a glance

All destinations for United Kingdom passport holders → · Who needs a visa for Sri Lanka →

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