Sri Lanka is one of the easiest short trips a Pakistani traveller can plan: a single island that packs ancient cities, tea hills, wildlife parks and warm beaches into distances you can cover in a few hours by road. Since 25 May 2026, the visa side of that trip has become easier still. Pakistani passport holders can now obtain a tourist Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) free of charge, for a stay of up to 30 days with double entry. Free does not mean automatic, and it does not mean you can skip the application. You must still apply online and receive approval before you fly.
This guide covers the official route for 2026: who qualifies for the free ETA, what it covers, what business and transit travellers pay, how to apply step by step, and what to do if you want to stay longer than 30 days. Every rule below comes from Sri Lanka’s official ETA portal, checked in October 2026, and where an official page could not be confirmed, that is stated plainly rather than filled in with a guess.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Route for Pakistanis in 2026 | Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), applied for online before travel |
| Official portal | eta.gov.lk (Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka) |
| Tourist ETA fee for Pakistanis | Free of charge since 25 May 2026 |
| Who qualifies | Nationals of Pakistan holding diplomatic, official, service or ordinary passports |
| Maximum stay on the free tourist ETA | 30 days, with double entry, from the date of first arrival |
| ETA still required? | Yes, before arrival, even though the fee is waived |
| Business ETA | Separate paid category (see Fees) |
| Transit ETA | Free for up to 2 days |
| Extension beyond 30 days | Possible on payment of the applicable visa fee |
| Fee paid before 25 May 2026 | Non-refundable under the free-visa scheme |
| Information checked | October 2026 |
Do Pakistanis Need a Visa for Sri Lanka?
Yes. Sri Lanka’s ETA system applies to short visits, and the official portal’s Alert 01, effective from 25 May 2026, states plainly that all foreign nationals, including nationals of the 40 free-visa countries, are required to obtain an ETA prior to arrival in Sri Lanka. Pakistan is number 27 on that list of 40 countries.
The change in 2026 is about the fee, not about the requirement. Before 25 May 2026, Pakistani applicants paid for a tourist ETA. From that date, nationals of the 40 listed countries holding diplomatic, official, service or ordinary passports are eligible to obtain a tourist ETA free of charge. The official alert also makes one point that travellers should not miss: ETA fees paid by applicants before 25 May 2026 are non-refundable. If you applied and paid before the waiver began, you cannot claim that fee back under the new scheme.
In practical terms, then, the answer to the question most readers ask is simple: you need an ETA, you apply online before you travel, and for a tourist trip in 2026 the ETA itself costs you nothing.
What Is the Sri Lanka ETA?
The ETA is an electronic authorisation linked to your passport. You apply on the official portal, receive approval by email, and present it with your passport when you travel. It is not a visa sticker in your passport and it is not a document you collect at an embassy. For most Pakistani tourists, the whole process is online and takes only a few minutes to complete.
The free tourist ETA is valid for 30 days, with double entry permitted from the date of first arrival in Sri Lanka within the 30-day validity period. Double entry matters if your plans include a short hop out of Sri Lanka and back in again, for example a brief side trip, provided both entries fall inside the 30 days. It does not extend your stay beyond 30 days in total, and it does not turn a tourist ETA into a work or study permit.
An approved ETA does not by itself guarantee entry. Immigration officers at the airport still check that you meet the entry conditions, so carry your approval and your travel documents with you, and make sure the details on the approval match your passport exactly.
Who Can Apply
The free tourist ETA covers Pakistani ordinary passport holders travelling for tourism or a short visit, as well as holders of diplomatic, official and service passports from Pakistan. Each traveller needs their own ETA, including children. Children under 12 are also covered by a free ETA, but they still need an individual ETA of their own; a child is not covered by a parent’s approval.
A small number of cases do not fit the tourist ETA. If you plan to work, study, or stay in Sri Lanka for a purpose other than tourism, business or transit, the ETA is not the right route. Contact the Sri Lanka High Commission in Islamabad or the Department of Immigration and Emigration before you travel, rather than applying for a tourist ETA and hoping the purpose will not be questioned.
Travellers who hold a valid residence permit in a Gulf state should also note that their route can differ. Many Pakistanis fly to Sri Lanka via the Gulf, and our guides to the UAE and Qatar cover those transit hubs, but a Gulf residence permit does not change the Sri Lanka rule itself: you still need a Sri Lanka ETA before arrival, and for a tourist trip from a Pakistani passport it is free under the 2026 scheme.
Documents Required
The standard tourist ETA form is deliberately light, and it is worth being precise about what it asks for and what it does not.
Prepare these items before you start:
- A valid Pakistani passport. Keep at least 6 months of validity from your arrival date as a prudent standard, and make sure the passport details you enter match the document exactly.
- Your travel details as the form asks for them: your intended arrival date and the address where you will stay in Sri Lanka.
- A working email address. Your acknowledgement and approval arrive by email, so use an address you actually check, and check the spam folder if the approval does not arrive.
- Your contact details as requested on the form.
Note what is not on that list. The standard tourist ETA form does not ask you to upload a passport scan or a photograph, and it does not ask for a hotel booking, a bank statement or an invitation letter as a condition of the application. That does not mean you should travel without a plan: airlines and immigration officers can still ask about your stay, and a sensible traveller carries a hotel booking and a return or onward ticket in any case. The distinction matters because you should not pay an agent who claims an official rule requires those documents for a standard tourist ETA.
Visa Fees
| ETA type | Fee for Pakistani passport holders | Stay and entries |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist ETA (free-visa scheme, from 25 May 2026) | Free | 30 days, double entry |
| Business ETA | USD 30 | 30 days, multiple entry |
| Transit ETA, up to 2 days | Free | Single entry, up to 2 days |
| Tourist ETA paid before 25 May 2026 | Non-refundable | As issued at the time |
The tourist ETA is the only category covered by the free-visa scheme for Pakistanis. Business travellers pay a separate fee, shown above from the official ETA fee schedule, and the business ETA allows multiple entries for 30 days. Pure transit of up to 2 days is free.
Two warnings follow from the fee rules. First, any website charging a fee for a Pakistani tourist ETA in 2026 is adding its own service charge, because the official tourist ETA itself is free. Second, if you paid for a tourist ETA before 25 May 2026, that payment is non-refundable under the scheme, even though new applications are now free.
No fixed rupee total is stated in this guide, because the business ETA fee is charged in US dollars and your bank or card issuer sets the rupee amount on the day of payment.
Processing Time
The official ETA acknowledgement example states that applicants will receive a response within 24 hours of submission. In practice, most straightforward tourist ETAs are approved quickly, but manual checks can take longer, so do not leave the application to the day before your flight.
The safe approach is to apply at least a week before travel. That leaves room for a query, a correction, or a slow response without risking your flight. Never buy a non-refundable ticket on the assumption that an ETA will arrive in time if you have not yet applied, and never board a flight without the approval in hand: the official rule requires the ETA before arrival.
If you have not heard back after 24 hours, use the contact details on the official portal, quoting your reference number, rather than submitting a second application. A duplicate application can create confusion, not speed.
How to Apply: Step by Step
Step 1: Go to the official portal only. Use eta.gov.lk, the Department of Immigration and Emigration’s ETA portal. Type the address yourself rather than clicking a search advertisement. Lookalike visa websites charge large markups for the same application, and some collect passport details for their own purposes.
Step 2: Choose the right ETA type. Select Tourist for a holiday or short visit, Business for business travel, or Transit for a short stopover. Pakistani tourists should see the tourist ETA processed free of charge under the 2026 scheme. If the form asks for a payment for a tourist ETA, stop and check that you are on the official portal and have selected the right category and nationality.
Step 3: Enter your details exactly as they appear in your passport. Names, dates and passport numbers must match character for character. A single spelling difference can cause refusal or trouble at the border, and corrections after submission are not straightforward.
Step 4: Enter your travel details and submit. Provide your intended arrival date and your stay address as the form asks. Review the whole application before you submit, because the approval is issued on the details you entered.
Step 5: Wait for the acknowledgement, then the approval. You will receive an acknowledgement with a reference number, followed by the approval notice by email. Print the approval and keep a clear digital copy on your phone, and carry it with your passport.
The Visa-on-Arrival Question
You will see agency websites offering a Sri Lanka visa on arrival for Pakistanis. Do not rely on that route. The official portal’s Alert 01 requires an ETA prior to arrival, including for nationals of the 40 free-visa countries. Flying without an approved ETA risks being refused boarding or refused entry, even though the tourist ETA itself is free.
The on-arrival question also matters for cost. Applying online through the official portal is the route the official system is built around, and for Pakistani tourists it costs nothing. Paying an agency for an on-arrival service buys you no official advantage and adds a fee the official route does not charge.
After Approval: Before You Fly
Check the approval line by line: your name and passport number against your passport, the ETA type (tourist, business or transit), and the validity period. If anything is wrong, contact the Department of Immigration and Emigration through the official portal before you travel, because errors are far harder to fix at the airport.
On arrival, present your passport and your ETA approval. Keep the approval with you for the whole trip: hotels and domestic checks in Sri Lanka can ask to see it, and you will need it again if you leave and re-enter on a double-entry tourist ETA.
Extending Your Stay
If you want to stay longer than 30 days, you can apply for a visa extension on payment of the applicable visa fee, as the official Alert 01 states. Extensions are handled by the Department of Immigration and Emigration, and they must be arranged before your current stay expires.
Do not plan to overstay and sort it out later. An overstay can lead to a fine and can affect future visa applications. If your plans change, apply for the extension in good time, or leave before the 30 days expire and apply for a fresh ETA from outside Sri Lanka for a later trip.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping the ETA because it is free. Free means no fee, not no application. You still need approval before arrival.
- Using a lookalike website. Only eta.gov.lk is the official portal. Any site charging for a Pakistani tourist ETA is adding its own fee.
- Choosing the wrong ETA type. A tourist ETA does not cover business travel, and a business ETA is a paid category. Pick the type that matches your real purpose.
- Details that do not match your passport. Names, dates and passport numbers must match exactly, or the ETA may be refused or rejected at the border.
- Applying too late. Apply at least a week before travel, even though approvals often arrive within 24 hours.
- Submitting a duplicate application. If approval is slow, contact the department with your reference number instead of applying again.
- Trusting an agent’s extra requirements. No official source requires a bank statement, hotel booking or invitation letter for a standard tourist ETA. Pay for an agent’s help only if you understand what you are paying for.
Why Visit Sri Lanka
Sigiriya, the Lion Rock, is Sri Lanka’s most famous sight for good reason: a sheer rock fortress rising from the jungle plain, with ancient frescoes, water gardens and a summit palace from the fifth century. Kandy, the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings, pairs the Temple of the Tooth with a lake and botanical gardens, while Galle’s Dutch fort and lighthouse suit a slower coastal leg of a trip. In the south, the beaches around Mirissa and the wildlife of Yala National Park offer a very different kind of day out, and the tea country around Nuwara Eliya is worth the climb into the hills. A 30-day ETA gives you room to see all of it without rushing, and the double-entry option makes a short side trip easy to add.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Sri Lanka visa really free for Pakistanis in 2026?
Yes, for tourist travel. Since 25 May 2026, Pakistani nationals holding diplomatic, official, service or ordinary passports can obtain a tourist ETA free of charge for 30 days with double entry. You must still apply online and receive approval before you fly.
Do I still need an ETA if it is free?
Yes. The official portal requires all foreign nationals, including nationals of the 40 free-visa countries, to obtain an ETA prior to arrival. Free means the fee is waived, not that the application is skipped.
How long can I stay in Sri Lanka on the free tourist ETA?
Up to 30 days, with double entry permitted from the date of first arrival within the 30-day validity period. The dates on your approval are the ones that count.
How much does a business ETA cost for Pakistanis?
USD 30, from the official ETA fee schedule. The business ETA allows multiple entries for 30 days. It is a separate paid category and is not covered by the free tourist scheme.
How long does a Sri Lanka ETA take?
The official acknowledgement example states a response within 24 hours. Apply at least a week before travel to allow for manual checks or queries.
Do children need their own ETA?
Yes. Each traveller needs their own ETA, including children. Children under 12 are covered by a free ETA, but they still need an individual approval.
Is visa on arrival available for Pakistanis?
Do not rely on it. The official rule requires an ETA before arrival, including for free-visa nationals. Apply online on eta.gov.lk before you travel.
Can I extend my stay beyond 30 days?
Yes, by applying for a visa extension on payment of the applicable visa fee, through the Department of Immigration and Emigration, before your current stay expires. Do not overstay and sort it out later.
What happens if my ETA application is refused?
Check the reason given, correct the problem, and apply again. Do not travel on a refused application, and do not pay an agent who promises to reverse a refusal for an extra fee.
Do I need a bank statement or hotel booking for the ETA?
No official source requires them for a standard tourist ETA application. Carry a hotel booking and a return or onward ticket anyway, because airlines and immigration officers can ask about your stay.
Official Sources
- Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka, official ETA portal, Alert 01 (effective 25 May 2026, free tourist ETA for 40 countries including Pakistan, 30 days, double entry, ETA required before arrival, extension on payment of fee): https://eta.gov.lk/slvisa/
- Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka, ETA fee schedule (business ETA, transit ETA, children under 12): https://eta.gov.lk/slvisa/
- Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka (immigration.gov.lk): https://www.immigration.gov.lk/
Disclaimer
TourPointGo is an independent visa-information website, not a government authority, embassy, travel agency or immigration law firm. Visa rules can change without notice. Always confirm the current requirements on the official ETA portal before you travel, and never rely on an agent’s claim over an official source. This guide was checked against official Sri Lankan sources in October 2026.
Planning another SAARC trip? See our Nepal visit visa from Pakistan guide for the free 30-day SAARC visa, fees and the on-arrival process.
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