Extending a tourist visa in Sri Lanka
How to extend beyond your first 30 days: online e-Visa Extension portal, Battaramulla walk-in, documents, timing, and the staged 30 → 60 → 90 day structure up to ~270 days.
Your first tourist ETA usually allows about 30 days from arrival (90 for Maldives under reciprocal rules). If your trip — or slow travel plans — run longer, apply for an extension before the stamp expires. Overstaying can mean fines and delays when you leave. Official guidance allows short-visit extensions in stages, commonly described as 30 days on entry, then roughly 60 days on the first extension, then 90-day blocks, up to a maximum around 270 days from arrival — always confirm the current schedule on immigration.gov.lk and the ETA extension pages.
Two official routes
- Online via the Department’s e-Visa Extension portal (eservices.immigration.gov.lk) — convenient if you are already travelling the island
- In person at the Department of Immigration & Emigration head office in Battaramulla, Colombo suburb — typically weekday mornings (often cited around 08:30–14:00; verify before you go). Authorised agents can sometimes submit on your behalf if you cannot attend
Online walkthrough
Register with email and password → enter passport nationality and applicant details → upload a clear passport data-page scan and a recent photo (mandatory) plus any supporting files (funds, onward ticket, address in Sri Lanka) → confirm and submit → watch your email for approval and any payment invoice → pay the published fee when asked → save the extension confirmation with your passport. Use the same login for family members if the portal allows group applications.
In-person walkthrough
Arrive early at Battaramulla with originals and photocopies of passport bio page, current ETA/visa page, onward ticket, proof of funds or bank access, local address, and passport photos. Dress neatly; expect queues. Fees are usually payable in LKR based on a USD schedule that varies by nationality and length — check the latest table the morning you go. Do not wait until the last legal day; leave several buffer days in case of referrals.
Timing tip: If you landed on a free 30-day ETA (from the May 2026 scheme), extensions beyond 30 days are paid. Build wellness retreats, monsoon flips, or remote work weeks into a calendar that fits each approved block. WhatsApp our planners with your stamp dates if you want an itinerary shaped around visa windows rather than the other way around.
