Do UAE passport holders need a visa to visit LK?

UAE ordinary passport holders need a free Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before flying to Sri Lanka. Since 25 May 2026 the UAE is on Sri Lanka's 40-country free-ETA list, so the fee is waived, but online ETA approval remains mandatory and must be obtained before departure. As of 31 May 2026, United Arab Emirates ordinary passport holders cannot travel to Sri Lanka without prior authorization, but the required tourist Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is now free of charge. Sri Lanka's Parliament approved a scheme, effective 25 May 2026, granting nationals of 40 countries — including the UAE and all GCC states — a free tourist ETA. The ETA grants a 30-day stay from the date of first arrival with double-entry; on the second entry only the balance of the 30 days is given. Crucially, this is NOT a full visa exemption: every eligible traveler must still complete the online ETA application at the official Government portal (eta.gov.lk) and receive email approval before boarding. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond arrival with at least one blank page. Travelers wishing to stay longer than 30 days can extend at the Department of Immigration & Emigration in Colombo for a fee. The official authority warns travelers to use only the .gov.lk domain, as several unofficial sites charge fees for what is now a free service. Sri Lanka is not in the Schengen area, so Schengen 90/180 and ETIAS rules do not apply.