Japan to Sri Lanka visa requirements

Japanese ordinary passport holders need a free Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) approved online before flying to Sri Lanka. It grants a 30-day tourist stay with double entry and currently costs nothing under Sri Lanka's free-visa scheme. As of 2026, Sri Lanka does not grant Japanese tourists pure visa-free entry. Instead, Japan is one of 40 nationalities eligible for a free Tourist ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization). Japan has actually enjoyed fee-free ETA status since the earlier 7-country pilot, and the program was broadened to 40 countries with parliamentary approval on 7 May 2026 and implementation around 25 May 2026. The ETA itself remains mandatory: every Japanese traveler must obtain an approved ETA online before departure, as airlines check it at boarding and immigration checks it on arrival. The free Tourist ETA permits a stay of up to 30 days from first arrival, with double entry (on the second entry only the balance of the 30 days remains). The passport must be valid for at least 6 months and the traveler should hold proof of onward/return travel and sufficient funds. Approval is typically issued within 24-72 hours by email, though many simple cases are approved within hours; travelers are urged to apply several days ahead to avoid boarding refusal. While the official visa fee is now waived for eligible nationals, some third-party application sites add service charges - applicants should use only the official portal eta.gov.lk to avoid extra costs. Stays can later be extended in-country up to a total of 270 days through the Department of Immigration & Emigration, with extension fees applying.