Sri Lankan officials have lifted all COVID-19 travel restrictions, allowing international arrivals to enter the country without additional COVID-19 documentation. The change, effective from December 13, 2022, applies to travelers of all nationalities arriving from any country. 

This decision aims to boost Sri Lanka's tourism industry by removing barriers that previously made travel more challenging. It is important to note that while COVID-19 policies have been lifted, standard immigration rules, including visa requirements, still apply.

COVID-19 Requirements for Travelers to Sri Lanka

Like most countries during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sri Lankan health authorities introduced extra entry requirements for foreign arrivals. These policies helped to control the spread of coronavirus within the country and among travelers entering and leaving.

• COVID-19 vaccine certificate
• Negative PCR test
• Negative antigen test
• Recovery certificate

Before restrictions were removed, passengers had to have one of the following documents mentioned above. Tourists without any of these documents were subject to a COVID-19 test on arrival.

Now that all restrictions have been lifted, none of these documents are needed. Passengers are also now exempt from taking a test on arrival.

Health Form and Insurance Requirements for Travelers to Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has updated its travel requirements for foreign visitors. Previously, foreigners were required to complete a Health Declaration Form and have health insurance that covered COVID-19 costs. However, both of these requirements have now been removed.

• Foreigners are no longer required to complete a Health Declaration Form for Sri Lanka.
• Health insurance that covers COVID-19 costs is no longer mandatory for foreign visitors.

Testing Positive for COVID-19 in Sri Lanka: What to Expect and Guidelines

If a visitor tests positive for COVID-19 while they are in Sri Lanka, they are required to quarantine for 7 days at a private hospital. This quarantine rule is specifically applicable to individuals who have tested positive for the virus. Arriving passengers who do not have the virus are not expected to quarantine.

• Visitors testing positive for COVID-19 in Sri Lanka must undergo a 7-day quarantine at a private hospital.
• The quarantine requirement is only for those who test positive for the virus.
• Arriving passengers without the virus are exempted from quarantine.
• Previously, all passengers, regardless of their test results, had to undergo a 14-day quarantine upon arrival.
• The 14-day quarantine rule has now been lifted.

Entry Requirements for Travelers to Sri Lanka

Good news for travelers planning to visit Sri Lanka! Effective immediately, international arrivals are no longer required to present additional COVID-19 documentation. As of the recent update, all the previously imposed requirements have been lifted. This means that visitors can now enjoy a hassle-free entry process.

Standard Entry Policies Apply

While the removal of COVID-19 documentation requirements is a welcome change, it's important to note that standard entry policies for Sri Lanka remain in place. Therefore, travelers must still adhere to the regular procedures when visiting the country. The recent decision to remove restrictions only pertains to COVID-19 documents and does not affect other entry requirements.

Sri Lanka ETA Still Mandatory

It's crucial to highlight that all passengers, regardless of their country of origin, are still required to obtain a Sri Lanka ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) prior to their trip. This applies to all nationalities, with the exception of travelers from the Maldives, the Seychelles, and Singapore. The Sri Lanka ETA serves as an official authorization, granting permission to enter the country from abroad. The application process for the ETA is simple, convenient, and entirely online, thanks to the user-friendly Sri Lanka ETA application form.

• International arrivals no longer need additional COVID-19 documentation.
• Standard entry policies for Sri Lanka still apply, except for COVID-19 documents.
• Travelers from all countries must obtain a Sri Lanka ETA before their trip.
• The Sri Lanka ETA is an Electronic Travel Authorization.
• The ETA application process is easy and accessible online.