In response to the technical disruptions currently affecting the issuance of ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) approval notices, Sri Lanka’s Department of Immigration and Emigration (DIE) has issued a statement providing clarification.
The department explains in particular that submitting an application through the official portal remains mandatory for both tourist and business travelers.
Even if the approval notice is not issued due to the ongoing system malfunction, passengers are still required to:
- Submit a tourist or business ETA application online before departure;
- Travel with their “ETA reference notice”;
- Present this document, along with their passport, at the immigration counter upon arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Colombo.
After verification, the ETA will be issued on site by Sri Lankan authorities.
In short, not receiving an approval email does not exempt travelers from the process. Without a properly submitted application, boarding and entry into Sri Lanka could be denied…
How to retrieve your “ETA reference notice”
Given the current situation, many travelers are not receiving the approval email for their ETA application.
However, proof of submission can still be retrieved directly from the official portal.
Here are the steps to follow:
- Visit the official website: https://eta.gov.lk/
- Click on the “Check Status” tab
- You will see two options:
- Enter the 16-character alphanumeric “Confirmation Code” received at the time of application;
- Or check the box labeled “Please tick the check box if the Confirmation code is not known,” then enter the traveler’s passport number and nationality
- Click “Check Status”
Due to the ongoing technical issue, the application status will generally appear as “Pending.”
Travelers are strongly advised to print this page or save it digitally (PDF or screenshot) so it can be presented to the airline at check-in and to Sri Lankan authorities upon arrival.
At this time, this page serves as official proof that the ETA application for Sri Lanka has been properly submitted.
Different rules for certain nationalities
In its statement, Sri Lanka’s Department of Immigration and Emigration also reminds travelers that the standard ETA procedure does not apply to all nationalities.
Nationals of Cameroon, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Afghanistan, Ghana, and Syria are not eligible for the temporary measure allowing regularization upon arrival. They must apply for a short-term visa through a Sri Lankan sponsor and submit their request directly to the headquarters of the Sri Lanka DIE.
Meanwhile, nationals of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) must obtain prior approval from Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs before applying for a short-term visa.
For these nationalities, no flexibility related to the ETA platform’s technical issues is currently provided.
