Flying from the US to Sri Lanka on an Indian Passport: Which ETA Rules Apply?
Short answer: If you will enter Sri Lanka on an Indian passport, select Indian nationality for your ETA even if you live in the US or fly from a US airport. For a qualifying tourist visit, Indian nationals are included in Sri Lanka's free 30-day tourist ETA scheme, but they still need ETA approval before arrival. Meetings and conferences fall under the separate business category, so check that category's current fee and submission route before making arrangements. These rules were checked on 28 September 2026.
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Start with the passport you will use
Your Indian passport determines the nationality you enter on the Sri Lankan ETA application. The application terms require nationality and passport details to match the travel document, and you must enter Sri Lanka using the same document used for the application. A US address, Green Card or departure airport does not change the nationality shown in that passport.
Once you have identified the passport, identify what you will actually do in Sri Lanka. That choice separates the tourist route from the business route; a US residence document does not make the tourist conditions apply to business travel.
If your trip is tourism
Indian nationals, including ordinary passport holders, are included in Sri Lanka's free-of-charge 30-day tourist ETA scheme effective 25 May 2026. The fee waiver is for the tourist category. It does not remove the requirement to obtain an ETA before arrival. The waiver alone is neither ETA approval nor a decision on admission.
Check the official Sri Lankan ETA portal for the live Indian tourist conditions when you apply. If you would like support with an eligible electronic application, Sri Lanka ETA assistance from my-evisas.com is an optional route; Sri Lankan authorities decide the application.
If your trip is business
If the visit involves business meetings, negotiations, a conference, workshop or seminar, Sri Lanka lists it under business rather than tourism. The Indian tourist fee waiver therefore does not carry over to that trip. The government's fee table has a separate business category; check the current amount and eligibility for your passport and submission method on its ETA fee page.
There is a practical channel question to settle before filing. The government's short-visit guidance says a business ETA can be obtained through a Sri Lanka Overseas Mission or the Department of Immigration & Emigration (DI&E) head office in Colombo, while its fee page also includes a by-applicant business column. Those published descriptions do not establish a clear direct online filing route for your case. Confirm the current business procedure with DI&E or a Sri Lankan mission before submitting an application or paying a fee.
Choose the official route for your purpose
Start with the Sri Lankan ETA information for Indian nationality and the purpose of your visit. A holiday belongs in the tourist category; meetings or a conference belong in the business category even if sightseeing is also on your itinerary. The category determines which fee and submission instructions you need to verify.
| Your main purpose | Official next check |
|---|---|
| Tourism | Confirm Indian tourist eligibility, the current waiver and the ETA application route on the official portal. Obtain approval before travel. |
| Business meetings or a conference | Read the official short-visit business guidance, then confirm the current submission channel and fee with DI&E or a Sri Lankan mission. |
For a broader view of the authorization, see our Sri Lanka ETA guide. The route you choose should match what you will do on the trip, not where your flight began.
Before you leave the US
First, check the Sri Lankan leg. Make sure the approved ETA is linked to the Indian passport you will carry; an application acknowledgement is distinct from an ETA approval or referral notice. The Sri Lankan instructions also call for a passport valid for at least six months from arrival, a confirmed return ticket and sufficient funds for the stay. Keep the approval available when you travel.
Then check the return to the US separately. Your Sri Lankan ETA says nothing about your right to re-enter the United States. USAGov says a permanent or conditional permanent resident who has been away for less than one year generally presents a Green Card on return; documents for other immigration statuses differ. Check the US government's return-document guidance against your own status before departure.
FAQ
Does a US Green Card make me eligible as a US citizen for Sri Lanka ETA?
No. If you are traveling on an Indian passport, enter Indian nationality as shown in that passport. Your Green Card is relevant to your US return, not the Sri Lankan ETA nationality field.
Is the tourist ETA free for Indian passport holders?
Indian nationals are in the free 30-day tourist ETA scheme as of 28 September 2026. Check the live official conditions for your passport and trip, and obtain approval before arrival.
Can I use the free tourist ETA for business meetings?
Meetings are a listed business purpose. Check the business category's current fee and confirm its submission channel with DI&E or a Sri Lankan mission.
Where do I check the current fee and application route?
Use the Sri Lankan ETA portal for the tourist route and its fee page for current category information. For a business trip, confirm the application channel with DI&E or a Sri Lankan mission because the published pages describe it differently.
What must I check to return to the US?
Check the documents required for your own US immigration status before leaving. A Sri Lankan ETA approval does not determine US re-entry requirements.
How my-evisas.com can help
You can use the Sri Lankan government's route for your selected category. If your trip qualifies for an electronic ETA application, my-evisas.com can assist with the Sri Lanka ETA application. For business travel, first confirm the current channel with DI&E or a Sri Lankan mission; a mission or DI&E submission is a separate process. Sri Lankan authorities decide whether to approve an ETA and admit a traveler.
Sources
- Sri Lankan ETA portal and tourist scheme, Department of Immigration & Emigration (accessed 28 September 2026)
- Short-visit tourist and business categories, Department of Immigration & Emigration (accessed 28 September 2026)
- ETA fees, Department of Immigration & Emigration (accessed 28 September 2026)
- ETA application instructions and application terms, Department of Immigration & Emigration (accessed 28 September 2026)
- Travel documents for foreign citizens returning to the US, USAGov (accessed 28 September 2026)
Important Notice
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. my-evisas.com is a private service provider and not a government authority, embassy, or consulate.
Visa requirements and entry regulations can change at short notice. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the information provided. Only the official regulations in force at the time of your application are authoritative.
As of: 28 September 2026
Binding and up-to-date information is provided exclusively by the relevant official authorities. Please verify the currently applicable requirements before your application or travel: https://www.eta.gov.lk/slvisa/