Sri Lanka Visa Information

Passport/Visa

	Passport Required?	Visa Required?	Return Ticket Required?
British	Yes	No	Yes
Australian	Yes	No	Yes
Canadian	Yes	No	Yes
USA	Yes	No	Yes
Other EU	Yes	No/1	Yes

Passports
Passport valid for at least six months from date of entry required by all nationals of countries referred to in the chart above.

Visas
Not required by nationals of countries referred to in the chart above, who will be issued with visas free of charge for a period of 30 days on arrival at Colombo Airport (for tourist visits only), except the following:
1. nationals of Malta and the Slovak Republic who do require a visa.

Visa Note
(a) All business visitors from countries referred to in the chart above require a visa. (b) Nationals of countries not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see General Info).

Types of Visa and Cost
Tourist and Business: £38 (up to three months); fee given is for UK nationals. Fees vary according to nationality; contact the consulate (or consular section at embassy or high commission); see General Info. Multiple-entry visas cost £114 (three months) or £189 (12 months).

Validity
As above. Visitors can request to extend their stay by applying to the Department of Immigration & Emigration, 23 Station Road, Colombo 3 (tel: (1) 259 7513). This is issued at the discretion of the authorities who must be satisfied that the applicant has at least US$30 per day for the stay and holds an onward or return ticket for travel.

Applications to:
Consulate (or consular section at embassy or high commission); see General Info. British nationals, traveling as tourists, may obtain a visa upon arrival, upon port of entry into Sri Lanka, for up to 30 days.

Working Days Required
At least three.

Warning
It is advised against all travel to the north or east of Sri Lanka. If you are in the north or east, you should leave. For the purpose of this travel advice the north is considered to be all areas north of the A12 road (which runs from Puttalam in the west to Trincomalee in the east) including the Jaffna peninsula; and the east is considered to be the districts of Trincomalee and Batticaloa, as well as coastal areas of Ampara district north of Pottuvil and east of the A25 and A27 roads.

There are reports of continuing fighting between the Sri Lanka government forces and the Liberation Tigers Eelam (LTTE) throughout the north and east. This has included the use of ground forces, artillery fire, mines, air and naval attacks. Further fighting could occur with little or no warning.

There is a high threat from terrorism in Sri Lanka and a risk of visitors becoming indiscriminately caught up in attacks. Terrorist attacks against government and civilian targets have taken place throughout the country, including in areas and on travel routes popular with tourists.

On 29 April 2007 the LTTE used light aircraft to drop bombs on targets in the Colombo area. Although little damage was caused this incident, and a similar raid on 26 March on the military area of Bandaranike International Airport (north of Colombo), caused disruption in Colombo city and at the airport. Some airlines are reviewing their flight schedules to Sri Lanka. Travelers are advised to check the status of their flights to and from Bandaranike International Airport with their carrier.

There is heightened security, particularly in Colombo and southern Sri Lanka.  There have been detentions, particularly of people of Tamil ethnicity. Travelers should ensure that they carry some form of identification at all times. If you are a British national and are detained, you should ask the authorities to contact the British High Commission. It is strongly advised to comply with government and security force instructions.

Travelers should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.

It is strongly recommended that all overseas nationals who are resident and/or working in Sri Lanka, or visiting for over one month, register with their high commission or embassy in Colombo.

This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organizations for the latest travel advice:

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk

US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel

Health

	Special Precautions	Certificate Required?
Yellow Fever	No	1
Cholera	Yes	2
Typhoid and Polio	3	N/A
Malaria	4	N/A

Health Care
Treatment is free at government hospitals and dispensaries; 24-hour treatment is available at Colombo General Hospital. Some hotels also have doctors.

Note
1
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travelers over one year of age from infected areas.

2
Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is not a condition of entry to Sri Lanka. However, cholera is a serious risk in this country and precautions are essential. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness.

3
Typhoid occurs in rural areas.

4
Malaria risk, predominantly in the benign vivax form, exists throughout the year, except in the districts of Colombo, Galle, Kalutara and Nuwara Eliya. The malignant falciparum strain is also present and is reported to be highly resistant to chloroquine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine. The recommended prophylaxis is chloroquine plus proguanil.


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