YuSMP Travel Editorial Team
Russian citizens do not need a visa for a tourist trip to Sri Lanka. Instead, you apply for an electronic ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) — free for Russian citizens since 25 May 2026, covering a 30-day stay with two entries. Planning a trip? Start with our Sri Lanka overview, which covers the basics on seasons and budget.
Do Russians need a visa for Sri Lanka
A classic visa — a stamp from a consulate before departure — is not required for a tourist trip to Sri Lanka. Instead, an electronic ETA applies: an entry authorisation you apply for online in advance. On 25 May 2026, Sri Lanka expanded its free tourist ETA list to 40 countries — Russia is on that list, alongside China, India, Kazakhstan, EU countries, the UK and the US. Before that date, Russian citizens paid for the ETA — the change makes trip planning noticeably simpler, since the visa fee no longer factors into your travel budget. Citizens of countries not on the list still pay for the ETA. For a detailed breakdown of direct flights, money and resorts, see our complete guide to Sri Lanka.
The ETA isn't a visa in the traditional sense — it's an advance electronic entry clearance: the decision is made before you fly, and the border officer just checks it against your passport and stamps you in. You need an ETA for children and retirees too — there is no age exemption for this procedure, and every traveller needs a separate application, including infants.
How to apply for the ETA on eta.gov.lk
The only official portal for the ETA is eta.gov.lk, the website of Sri Lanka's Department of Immigration & Emigration. Third-party sites offering to process your ETA through an intermediary for an extra fee do exist online — you don't need to overpay; applying through the official portal is free for Russian citizens.
You'll need: a valid passport (valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date), your return or onward flight details, and the address where you'll be staying in Sri Lanka — a hotel booking or your host's address. Apply online, well ahead of your trip. The eta.gov.lk portal doesn't publish exact processing hours; a decision usually arrives within 24 hours, but it's best to apply with plenty of lead time rather than right before your flight — especially during high season, when the system sees more applications.
Once approved, the ETA arrives by email as a confirmation letter — you don't have to print it, but keep a copy on your phone or in your inbox in case you need to show it at boarding or passport control. Apply yourself on the official portal: there's no application fee for Russian citizens, and any request for card payment on a third-party site is a sign of a reseller scheme, not the official process.
Length of stay and re-entry
The free tourist ETA for Russian citizens is valid for 30 days from your first arrival and allows two entries within that period — for example, you could enter Sri Lanka, fly out to the Maldives for a few days, then re-enter within the same 30-day window.
This suits combined regional itineraries where Sri Lanka isn't the only stop. If you need a longer, uninterrupted stay beyond 30 days, the tourist ETA isn't designed for that — that kind of stay needs to be arranged separately through a consulate or Sri Lanka's immigration authorities, not assumed as an automatic extension of the tourist category.
Sri Lanka ETA: who travels free, who pays
| Category | Stay and entries | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Free ETA — 40 countries (including Russia) | 30 days, two entries | $0 |
| Paid ETA — other countries | 30 days (standard period) | $50 online / $60 on arrival |
| Transit visa | up to 2 days | $0 for everyone |
The full list of 40 countries with a free ETA is published on the eta.gov.lk fees page — besides Russia, it includes China, India, Kazakhstan, EU countries, the UK, the US and a number of others.
Overstay fines
If you stay in Sri Lanka longer than your ETA allows and don't extend your stay officially, an overstay fine applies.
According to government Gazette 2337/10, an overstay of up to 7 days past your ETA expiry carries no fine — you just pay the standard visa fee. An overstay of 7 to 14 days adds a $250 fine, and more than 14 days adds a $500 fine, in both cases on top of the visa fee. To stay within your allowed period and avoid running over because of shifted flights or weather, check Sri Lanka weather by month before you book.
You can match a destination to your season and budget with our Match tool, and browse hotels by date in the destination catalogue.
Frequently asked questions
Do Russians need a visa for Sri Lanka in 2026?
No classic visa is needed for a tourist trip — you apply for an electronic ETA, which has been free for Russian citizens since 25 May 2026.
How much does the ETA cost for Russian citizens?
The tourist ETA is free ($0) for Russian citizens — Russia is on the 40-country free-ETA list that has applied since 25 May 2026.
How many days does the ETA cover, and can I enter twice?
The ETA is valid for 30 days from your first arrival and allows two entries within that period.
How long must my passport be valid?
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date in Sri Lanka.
What happens if I overstay my ETA?
Up to 7 days overstay — no fine, just the standard visa fee; 7–14 days — a $250 fine plus the fee; over 14 days — a $500 fine plus the fee (per government Gazette 2337/10).
Where do I apply for the ETA — is there an official site?
Yes, the only official portal is eta.gov.lk, the Sri Lanka Department of Immigration & Emigration website; you don't need a paid third-party intermediary.
Entry rules and visa requirements can change — before you travel, check the latest information on the official eta.gov.lk portal.
