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🇻🇳Vietnam
🇱🇰Sri LankaVN-LK

Vietnam to Sri Lanka visa requirements

Vietnamese ordinary passport holders need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before traveling to Sri Lanka for tourism. Apply online at eta.gov.lk; the standard tourist ETA costs about US$50 and allows a 30-day stay with double entry. Sri Lanka is not visa-free for Vietnam. A Vietnamese ordinary passport holder must obtain a tourist Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) online before boarding a flight to Sri Lanka. In May 2026 Sri Lanka waived ETA fees for 40 nationalities (effective 25 May 2026), but Vietnam is NOT on that list, so Vietnamese travelers still pay the standard non-SAARC processing fee of approximately US$50. The tourist ETA grants up to 30 days of stay with double entry. The ETA is normally approved within minutes to 48 hours; apply at least 2-3 days before departure. Visa-on-arrival counters exist but are slower and not guaranteed, so applying online in advance is strongly recommended. Sri Lanka is in South Asia and is not part of the Schengen area, so Schengen/ETIAS rules do not apply.
VISA REQUIREDTOURISMDOUBLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30
For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.
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/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30
Visa type
Electronic Travel Authorization (Tourist ETA)
Maximum stay
Up to 30 days per entry
per entry
Entries
Double entry
from issue date
Visa fee
US$50 (standard non-SAARC online tourist ETA)
consular fee only
Processing time
Minutes to 48 hours (apply 2-3 days ahead)
standard track
Validity
Use within ETA validity; extendable up to 90 days total in-country
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Confirm you need an ETA
Vietnamese ordinary passport holders are not eligible for Sri Lanka's free-visa scheme (Vietnam is not among the 40 listed nationalities), so a paid tourist ETA is mandatory before travel.
· Mandatory· Before departure
/02
Gather your documents
Have your passport (valid at least 6 months with blank pages), a confirmed return/onward ticket, accommodation details, and a payment card ready.
· Passport· Return ticket
/03
Apply on the official portal
Go to the official Sri Lanka ETA site at eta.gov.lk, choose Tourist ETA, and fill in your personal and travel details accurately to match your passport.
· eta.gov.lk· Online
/04
Pay the ETA fee
Pay the US$50 non-SAARC tourist ETA processing fee by card. The fee is non-refundable even if the application is declined.
· US$50· Card payment
/05
Receive ETA approval
Approval usually arrives by email within minutes to 48 hours. Print or save the ETA approval notice.
· Email· Print copy
/06
Present ETA on arrival
Show the ETA approval at airline check-in and at Sri Lankan immigration in Colombo (CMB) along with your passport and return ticket.
· Check-in· Immigration
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

11 items
Personalized checklist
Vietnam -> Sri Lanka · Electronic Travel Authorization (Tourist ETA)
0 / 11 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RequiredPassport valid at least 6 months beyond entry date
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredAt least two blank passport pages
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredApproved Sri Lanka tourist ETA (printed or digital)
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredConfirmed return or onward flight ticket
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
required
RequiredProof of accommodation (hotel booking or address)
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
required
RequiredPayment card for the US$50 ETA fee
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RecommendedSufficient funds for the stay
Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances
recommended
RecommendedTravel/medical insurance
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
OptionalRecent passport-style photo (for any in-country extension)
Use the official size, background, and recency rules for this route
optional
RequiredOfficial application form or online application
Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed
Use the current form from the official or designated application channel.
RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary
Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it
Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.
Official sourcesSri Lanka ETA Official Portal - Visa Fees (eta.gov.lk)Sri Lanka Department of Immigration & Emigration - Visa InformationEuronews - Sri Lanka waives visa fees for tourists from 40 countries (May 2026)
Application link included: Sri Lanka ETA Official Portal - Visa Fees (eta.gov.lk)
Open link
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Tourist ETA processing fee (online, non-SAARC)US$50Standard rate for Vietnamese passport holders; double entry, 30 days
Visa-on-arrival ETA (if not done online)US$60Higher than online; slower and not guaranteed
Overstay / extension feeVaries (LKR, paid in-country)For extending stay up to 90 days at Immigration Department, Colombo
Total estimateUS$50 — US$60incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Standard online ETA
Minutes to 48 hours
Apply at eta.gov.lk 2-3 days before departure; most approvals arrive quickly by email.
Visa on arrival
On arrival (queue dependent)
Available at Colombo airport but slower, costs more, and is not guaranteed; use only as a fallback.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
Vietnam excluded from free-visa scheme
Sri Lanka's May 2026 free-ETA scheme covers 40 nationalities, but Vietnam is not on the list, so the standard fee applies.
High
/02
ETA must be obtained before boarding
Airlines require a valid ETA approval at check-in for Vietnamese passengers.
High
/03
Passport validity under 6 months
Entry can be refused if the passport is not valid for at least 6 months.
Medium
/04
Application details not matching passport
Name or passport-number mismatches can delay or void the ETA.
Medium
/05
Relying on visa on arrival
VOA is slower, pricier, and not guaranteed; long queues are common.
Low
/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01
Immigration
Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.
/02
Customs
Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.
/03
Connectivity
Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.
/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024
2026-05-30 · major
Vietnam to Sri Lanka route verified
Confirmed via official eta.gov.lk fee page and 2026 news sources that Vietnam still requires a paid tourist ETA (~US$50); Vietnam is excluded from the 40-country free-visa scheme effective 25 May 2026.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do Vietnamese citizens need a visa for Sri Lanka?—
Yes. Vietnamese ordinary passport holders must obtain a tourist Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) online before travel. Sri Lanka is not visa-free for Vietnam.
How much does the Sri Lanka ETA cost for Vietnamese travelers?+
How long can I stay in Sri Lanka on a tourist ETA?+
How long does ETA approval take?+
Can I get a visa on arrival in Sri Lanka?+
Where is the official site to apply?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the Vietnam passport

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