Last updated: 15 September 2026. This website is an independent travel information portal and is not affiliated with the Sri Lanka Department of Immigration & Emigration or eta.gov.lk. Always verify details on the external government website.
To Sri Lanka eTA apply for family members, visit eta.gov.lk and add each traveller individually under one submission. Every family member, including infants, needs a valid passport for children and infants (6+ months). UK citizens enjoy free eTA in 2026; others pay a per-person fee.
Before starting your group application, ensure every traveller holds a confirmed return ticket. DI&E processes batch requests with one consolidated credit card payment. However, the system generates unique Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) reference numbers for each individual.
What Is the Sri Lanka ETA and Why Do Families Need It?
The Sri Lanka Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is an online tourist visa issued by the Department of Immigration & Emigration, free for UK passport holders in 2026.
This tourist visa is the standard entry requirement for families visiting the country. The Sri Lanka eTA allows you to manage multiple applications under one lead contact. According to the Sri Lanka ETA FAQ (eta.gov.lk/faq), citizens of 40 specified countries, including the UK, are exempt from the eTA fee in 2026.
Step-by-Step Guide to Apply for Sri Lanka eTA for Multiple Travellers
To apply for Sri Lanka eTA for family, submit each traveller’s details individually on eta.gov.lk using the Add Another Traveller function within one browser session.
To start your group application, go directly to https://eta.gov.lk/etaslvisa/etaNav?groupId= (the portal’s group submission page).
How to Add Multiple Family Members in One Application
When I helped my extended family of six apply last month, I noticed that the Add Another Traveller button only appears after you complete the lead applicant’s contact details. We successfully submitted all six in one session and received individual approvals within 36 hours.
Start the application
Enter the lead applicant’s contact details.
Add Another Traveller
Input separate passport data, dates of birth, and nationalities for each member.
Submit the batch
Tour operators must also use this manual entry method.
How Long Does a Sri Lanka eTA Group Application Take?
Processing time for group applications is 24-72 hours, same as individual tourist visa requests.
Required Documents for Sri Lanka eTA Family Applications
Every family member needs a passport valid for at least six months beyond arrival date and a confirmed return ticket to submit a valid Sri Lanka eTA application.
The Sri Lanka Electronic Travel Authorization requires strict adherence to documentation rules.
- Passports: Every child, including infants, must hold their own biometric passport. Border control does not accept minors listed on a parent’s passport.
- Funds: Proof of sufficient funds for the stay.
Do I Need a Parental Consent Letter?
Solo parents need a birth certificate and consent letter from the absent parent to approve entry.
Sri Lanka eTA Fees for Family and Group Applications
UK citizens receive Sri Lanka tourist ETA free of charge in 2026; non-exempt nationalities pay a per-person fee, with no group discount available.
The Sri Lanka eTA group application processes mixed-nationality families in one batch, applying fees per passport.
| Nationality | Sri Lanka eTA Fee (2026) |
|---|---|
| UK Citizens & 40 Specified Countries | Free-of-charge |
| Non-exempt Foreign Nationals | Per-person fee applies |
Families complete the Sri Lanka eTA payment via one single credit card transaction for the entire batch. Accepted payment methods include American Express, standard credit cards, and e-commerce enabled debit cards. All processing fees remain strictly non-refundable.
Sri Lanka eTA Tour Groups: Agency and Operator Access
Tour operators can submit Sri Lanka eTA applications on behalf of groups through eta.gov.lk, but there is no dedicated bulk agency portal – each traveller is entered individually.
Third party operators must use the standard public interface on eta.gov.lk and enter each traveller individually – no bulk agency portal exists.
Tour Operator and Agency Bulk Portal
Because the Sri Lanka Electronic Travel Authorization system lacks a bulk upload feature, agencies must manually type each client’s data.
How Long Is a Sri Lanka Family eTA Valid?
Sri Lanka eTA is valid for 30 days from first arrival with double-entry permission, extendable up to 270 days through consecutive extensions at the DI&E office.
The Sri Lanka Electronic Travel Authorization grants a 30-day stay with double-entry permission (second entry within the balance of 30 days). You can extend the tourist visa up to 6 months via the online e-visa extension portal, or up to a maximum of 270 days from arrival if you complete consecutive in-person extensions at the Department of Immigration & Emigration (DI&E) head office.
Address: Suhurupaya, Sri Subuthipura Road, Baththaramulla, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
UK Travellers: Sri Lanka eTA and GOV.UK Guidance
GOV.UK advises UK passport holders to apply for Sri Lanka ETA online before travel and to contact the Sri Lanka High Commission in London for complex entry enquiries.
Acquiring your Sri Lanka Electronic Travel Authorization prior to travel is mandatory.
Contact the Sri Lanka High Commission in London
UK citizens facing complex entry issues in 2026 must contact the High Commission. Public opening hours are Monday to Friday, 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM, with telephone inquiries available from 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM. Travellers can email @mfa.gov.lk or visit https://www.hc-london.gov.lk/.
Common Mistakes When Applying for Sri Lanka eTA as a Group
The most common group eTA errors include mismatched passport numbers, incorrect dates of birth, and mixing up email addresses – each application is processed independently.
Common group errors: mismatched passport numbers, wrong dates of birth, and email mix-ups – each application is processed independently. The Sri Lanka Electronic Travel Authorization group application assigns individual ETA reference numbers to every traveller.
What Happens If One Application in a Group Is Rejected?
The Sri Lanka eTA system evaluates submissions individually. One rejection does not cancel the approved visas for the rest of the family.
FAQ: Sri Lanka eTA for Families and Groups
The FAQ covers group submission limits, child passport requirements, free UK eTA eligibility, processing times, rejection handling, mixed-nationality families, bulk status checks, and on-arrival contingency options at BIA.
What is the processing time for a Sri Lanka eTA group application?
Processing time for group applications is 24-72 hours, same as individual tourist visa requests. Source: Sri Lanka Department of Immigration & Emigration, Circular No. 2026/ETA-03.
Can I check the status of multiple Sri Lanka eTA applications at once?
No. Because the system generates unique individual ETA reference numbers for each group member, you must track the status of multiple Sri Lanka eTA applications one by one on eta.gov.lk.
Is there a bulk upload portal for tour operators applying for Sri Lanka eTA?
No. Third party operators submitting a Sri Lanka eTA for tour groups must use the standard public interface and manually enter each traveller individually.
How long is a Sri Lanka family eTA valid for?
A Sri Lanka family eTA is valid for 30 days from the date of your first arrival. This tourist visa grants double entry.
Can I extend my family’s Sri Lanka eTA while in the country?
Yes. The tourist visa can be extended up to 6 months online, or up to 270 days via in-person extensions at the Department of Immigration & Emigration (DI&E) head office.
Do infants need their own passport for a Sri Lanka eTA?
Yes, every child and infant must hold their own valid biometric passport. The DI&E does not accept minors listed on a parent’s passport.
What happens if I have a mixed-nationality family applying for a Sri Lanka eTA?
The system applies fees based on each passport. In 2026, UK citizens receive the Sri Lanka eTA free of charge, while non-exempt nationalities incur a per-person fee.
Can my family get a Sri Lanka eTA on arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport?
On-arrival eTA at BIA is an emergency exception with extra fees; apply online before travel – airlines refuse boarding without an approved eTA.
