Do United Kingdom passport holders need a visa to visit LK?

UK passport holders need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to visit Sri Lanka, but as of 25 May 2026 the tourist ETA is FREE (US$0) for British nationals under Sri Lanka's new 40-country waiver. Apply online before you fly; it grants double entry for a 30-day stay. British (UK ordinary) passport holders cannot enter Sri Lanka visa-free in the strict sense: an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) must be obtained online before departure. However, effective 25 May 2026 Sri Lanka removed the US$50 tourist ETA processing fee for 40 nationalities, including the United Kingdom, making the tourist ETA free of charge. The free tourist ETA is valid for a 30-day stay from first arrival and permits double entry within that period (on the second entry only the remaining balance of the original 30 days is granted). Passports must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of arrival. The ETA is normally approved within a few minutes to 24 hours and is electronically linked to the passport, then converted to a Tourist Visit Visa on arrival. Stays beyond 30 days require an extension via Sri Lanka's Department of Immigration and Emigration. Sri Lanka is not in the Schengen area, so the 90/180 Schengen rule and ETIAS do not apply. GOV.UK travel advice and the Sri Lanka ETA portal confirm the ETA remains mandatory despite being free, so travellers should still apply ahead of travel through the official eta.gov.lk site only, avoiding third-party agents that add service fees.