Flight itinerary for Sri Lanka ETA โ ready before you start your application.
Sri Lanka's ETA asks for your departure details at the application stage โ and Bandaranaike Airport immigration checks them again when you land. A Flightinary itinerary satisfies both: $50 for a double-entry tourist ETA, real GDS flight numbers, delivered in 15 minutes. Sri Lanka's biggest draw is flexible travel between Colombo, Kandy, Galle, and Sigiriya โ don't lock in a real ticket before your itinerary is settled.
What you need to know
What is a flight itinerary โ and why does Sri Lanka check it twice?
Sri Lanka's ETA is one of the more accessible travel authorisations in South Asia โ mostly online, no interview, typically approved within 72 hours. But Sri Lanka has a distinctive double-check: the ETA application lists your departure details, and immigration officers at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) check them again on arrival. Sri Lanka is also a country where most travellers plan loosely โ moving between Colombo, Kandy, Galle, Sigiriya, and the hill country without fixed departure dates. A flight itinerary for your Sri Lanka ETA satisfies both checkpoint requirements without locking you into a paid booking before your itinerary is settled.
What a flight itinerary is
A flight itinerary is a professionally formatted travel document generated from live GDS aviation data โ real flight numbers, actual airline names, genuine IATA airport codes, and accurate departure and arrival times. It documents your intended travel route for visa and immigration purposes, without requiring a paid booking. Zero financial exposure if your plans change.
Why not just buy a real ticket?
Sri Lanka is a popular destination for travellers who plan itineraries loosely โ moving between Colombo, Kandy, Galle, Sigiriya, and the hill country without fixed departure dates. Committing to a specific return flight before your plans are settled means paying change fees or losing your booking if things shift. A flight itinerary lets you show Sri Lankan immigration what they need to see, without that commitment.
Does Flightinary's itinerary work for Sri Lanka ETA submissions?
Yes. Every Flightinary itinerary is generated from real-time aviation data with genuine flight numbers, correct airline codes, and proper IATA routing. It is formatted to meet the documentation standard expected by Sri Lanka's ETA online portal and by immigration officers at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) and Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (HRI). The document reads as a credible, professionally prepared travel confirmation.
The process
How to get your Sri Lanka ETA flight itinerary in 3 steps
From search to submission-ready document โ whether you're heading to Colombo, the south coast, or the cultural triangle, the whole process takes under 20 minutes.
Search your route
Enter your departure city, your Sri Lanka destination (Colombo/CMB, or note that most arrivals enter through Bandaranaike regardless of final destination), and your intended travel dates. We pull live aviation data for your route.
2 minutesPlace your order
Pay a small service fee โ not the airfare. Your itinerary is generated instantly with real flight numbers, correct IATA airport codes, and proper airline routing, formatted in your name. If your Sri Lanka itinerary includes multiple stops (Colombo โ Kandy โ Galle โ Sigiriya), your return flight should show departure from CMB โ the main international exit point.
15 min deliverySubmit with your ETA
Provide your travel details on the ETA application at eta.gov.lk and print your flight itinerary to carry when you travel. Immigration officers at CMB may ask to see it on arrival. Your full document package is ready.
Embassy-readyReady? Get your flight itinerary now.
Delivered in 15 minutes. Free rescheduling if your appointment moves.
Full document checklist
Everything you need for a Sri Lanka ETA application
The Sri Lanka ETA application is lean and fast โ but having every document ready before you start avoids the frustrating experience of the portal timing out mid-form. Use this checklist, particularly noting that the flight itinerary and accommodation confirmation are the two items most commonly missing when applicants start their forms.
Identity & visa form
- Valid passport
Minimum 6 months validity beyond your intended departure from Sri Lanka; at least 1 blank page
- Completed ETA application
Filled online at eta.gov.lk โ the official Sri Lanka immigration portal. Save your Application Reference Number
- Passport-size digital photo
White background, frontal โ some ETA versions require a photo upload; check current requirements on the portal
- ETA approval printout
Download and print your approved ETA โ carry it alongside your passport at immigration in Colombo
Travel itinerary
- Flight itineraryWe provide this
Return or onward flight from Sri Lanka โ with real flight numbers and IATA codes. Required for the ETA application form and for the immigration desk at CMB.
- Accommodation confirmation
Hotel, guesthouse, villa, or invitation letter from your host in Sri Lanka โ cover each stop on your itinerary
- Onward travel plan
If continuing from Sri Lanka to another destination, show your onward flight or ferry booking (Colombo to Chennai, for example)
- Travel insurance
Not officially mandatory but strongly recommended โ medical facilities outside Colombo can be limited for tourists
Financial proof
- Bank statements
Last 3 months showing sufficient funds โ Sri Lankan immigration recommends approximately $30โ50 per day of intended stay
- Credit/debit card
Widely accepted in Colombo and tourist areas; carry some cash for rural destinations, tuk-tuks, and local markets
- Proof of income
Employment letter or salary slips โ particularly useful if your bank balance is modest
- Sponsorship letter
If hosted by a Sri Lankan resident, include their National Identity Card, bank statement, and signed invitation
Ties to home country
- Employment letter
Confirming your position, salary, and approved leave โ demonstrates a reason to return home at the end of your stay
- Property or lease documents
Rental agreement, title deed, or utility bills at your permanent address
- Family ties
Marriage certificate or dependants at home โ supports clear intent to return
- Return flight itinerary
The most direct evidence of intent to leave Sri Lanka โ carries significant weight at the immigration desk
Know your profile
How your nationality affects your Sri Lanka ETA application
Sri Lanka's ETA is available to most nationalities worldwide, with very low refusal rates. Some countries enjoy visa-free access (including Maldives, Singapore, and Seychelles). The ETA process is the standard route for the vast majority of international tourists, and it is broadly accessible regardless of passport strength.
| Passport | Refusal rate | Interview req. | Min. bank balance | Avg. processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ๐ฌ๐งUnited Kingdom | ~2% | Not required | $1,000 | 24โ72 hrs |
| ๐บ๐ธUnited States | ~2% | Not required | $1,000 | 24โ72 hrs |
| ๐ฆ๐บAustralia | ~2% | Not required | $1,000 | 24โ72 hrs |
| ๐ฎ๐ณIndia | ~3% | Not required | $800 | 24โ72 hrs |
| ๐ฉ๐ชGermany | ~2% | Not required | $1,000 | 24โ72 hrs |
| ๐จ๐ณChina | ~3% | Not required | $1,000 | 48โ72 hrs |
| ๐ท๐บRussia | ~3% | Not required | $1,000 | 48โ72 hrs |
| ๐ฒ๐ปMaldives | N/A | Not required | N/A | N/A |
๐ข Low refusal rate (under 3%) โ Sri Lanka ETA is broadly accessible
Sri Lanka's ETA refusal rates are very low across nearly all nationalities. If you are applying from a country that faces higher general travel scrutiny, submit a complete documentation package: return flight itinerary, hotel confirmations for your full stay, bank statements, and an employment letter. A well-prepared application processes faster and faces fewer follow-up requests.
๐ก Slightly higher scrutiny at the immigration counter?
For nationalities where immigration officers at CMB may ask more questions, ensure your ETA application is complete and consistent. Confirm your entry airport is Bandaranaike (CMB) โ it handles the vast majority of international arrivals. A Flightinary return flight itinerary and confirmed accommodation are the two documents that most directly reassure immigration that you have a firm departure plan.
Application timeline
What happens after you submit your Sri Lanka ETA application
Sri Lanka's ETA is processed online at eta.gov.lk and typically approved within 24โ72 hours. The process is simple โ but the sequence of steps matters. Have your flight itinerary ready before you open the application.
Prepare your travel documents
Day 0 โ Plan aheadGather your passport details, accommodation confirmation, and bank statement before starting the ETA form. The portal works best when you have all information to hand. Note your intended arrival date โ the ETA is date-specific and should match your flight itinerary.
Get your flight itinerary from Flightinary
Day 0โ1 ยท Instant deliveryOrder your Sri Lanka return or onward flight itinerary before starting the ETA application โ you'll need your flight details during the form. A Flightinary itinerary is generated from real GDS data with genuine flight numbers and IATA routing, delivered in under 15 minutes and formatted for direct documentation submission.
โก This is where most applicants fail โ don't use a fake PDFSubmit your ETA application at eta.gov.lk
Day 1Complete the online form, upload or reference your travel and accommodation details, and pay the $50 ETA fee by credit or debit card. Save your Application Reference Number โ you will need it to check your approval status.
ETA under review
Days 2โ3Most ETA applications are approved within 24 hours. During peak travel periods โ December through March, which is Sri Lanka's peak tourist season โ processing can extend to 72 hours. Check your email and spam folder for the approval notification. Do not apply through third-party sites charging extra fees.
Download, print, and travel
Day 3 โ Ready to goDownload your ETA approval from the portal and print it. Carry the printout with your passport โ immigration officers at Bandaranaike Airport (CMB) will check it. Once your ETA is confirmed, book your real flights. Check the ETA dates and entry count (double entry) before departing.
Applying for Sri Lanka ETA? Get your itinerary before you open the form.
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Stay rules โ explained
How long can you stay in Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka's tourist ETA grants 30 days per entry (double entry). This is extendable at the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Colombo, up to a maximum of 6 months total. For most tourists, 30 days is enough to cover the highlights โ but if you plan to explore deeply or need flexibility, the extension option is useful to know.
Days per entry (ETA)
Initial stay granted by the Sri Lanka tourist ETA โ double entry. Counted from the date of each arrival, not from the ETA issue date.
Months maximum total
Total maximum stay in Sri Lanka per visit, including extensions obtained from the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Colombo.
ETA fee (double entry)
Official double-entry tourist ETA fee at eta.gov.lk. Allows two entries within the validity period โ re-entry permitted after brief departure.
Full visa specification
Sri Lanka ETA โ key facts for 2025โ2026
A complete reference for the Sri Lanka Electronic Travel Authorization โ fees, stay conditions, eligible nationalities, and everything you need to know before you apply.
- Visa type
- Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) โ tourist category
- Application portal
- eta.gov.lk (official Sri Lanka immigration portal)
- Double-entry tourist ETA
- $50 USD โ 30 days per entry; most common tourist category
- Transit ETA
- $5 USD โ valid for up to 2 days for transit passengers
- Maximum initial stay
- 30 days per entry
- Extension available
- Yes โ up to 6 months total at Dept of Immigration, Colombo
- Entry types
- Double entry (standard tourist ETA)
- Processing time
- Up to 72 hours; most approvals within 24 hours
- Eligible nationalities
- Most nationalities worldwide; visa-free for Maldives, Singapore, Seychelles, and others
- Entry points
- Bandaranaike International (Colombo/CMB) is the primary international gateway; Mattala Rajapaksa (HRI) also available
- Interview required?
- No โ fully online application; no consulate appointment needed
- Recommended daily funds
- Approximately $30โ50 USD per day; immigration may ask about available funds
- Work permitted?
- No โ ETA is for tourism only; separate work or business visa required for any commercial activity
- Flight itinerary required?
- Yes โ return or onward itinerary required for ETA application and immigration desk at CMB
Common questions
Frequently asked questions โ Sri Lanka ETA flight itinerary
Ready to apply
Get your Sri Lanka ETA flight itinerary now
Real flight numbers, IATA codes, professional formatting โ accepted by consulates and immigration authorities worldwide. Delivered in under 15 minutes.