Information

Immigration Basics

A valid passport Sufficient funds for maintenance An outward or return ticket, or foreign exchange to purchase an outward ticket

Visas

Nationals of the following countries coming to Sri Lanka as bona-fide tourists, do not require entry visas for a period of thirty days: Albania, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Canada, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Finland, France, West Germany, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Netherlands, Norway, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Portugal, Poland, Romania, Qatar, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, U.A.E., U.S.A., U.K., Yugoslavia, Turkey, 15 New States of The Former Soviet Union, 5 New States of Former Yugoslavia.

Such tourists should, however, have a visa for the country to which they are proceeding from Sri Lanka if the law of that country requires it. Nationals of the above countries require visit visa to enter Sri Lanka if they are not coming as Bona-fide tourists. Visit Visas are issued by Sri Lanka diplomatic missions abroad.

Nationals of all countries not included in the above list require a visa for entry into Sri Lanka.

Duty Free Allowance

Baggage of a tourist will be exempt from import duty if the Customs is satisfied that the tourist will re-export the articles comprising his baggage (other than tobacco, spirits and toilet water brought within the allowance) on his leaving the island or within period of one month from the date of his arrival in the island, whichever is earlier.

    * 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 12 ozs. Tobacco
    * Liquor
    * 1 ½ litress Spirits & 2 Bottles wine
    * Perfumes
    * 2 ozs. Perfume & ¼ Litre Toilet water
    * For the convenience of incoming visitors there are Duty Free shops at the        Airport.

Customs Duties

The Sri Lanka tariff is based on the Harmonized System of Nomenclature. Import duties are normally based on the CIF value.

Travel Documents and Period of Stay

Visitors to Sri Lanka must possess a valid passport together with an appropriate entry visa where required. Extension of stay would be granted on application to the Controller of Immigration and Emigration. Under an order effective from 1.1.90, visit visas will be issued on arrival to each passenger carrying a minimum or US Dollars 30 per day and an outbound air ticket. The Controller of Exchange has authorized that visitors not carrying foreign currency but valid international credit cards be issued entry visas.

Health Regulations

Visitors to Sri Lanka are required to hold, (if arriving via infected areas) certificates of vaccination against yellow fever and cholera.

Currency Regulations

Foreign Currency should be encased only at banks or authorized money chargers of the Exchange Control Dept. The currency declarations made at entry to te country may be required at this stage.

Accommodation

A wide variety of accommodation is available, ranging from international chain hotels to informal guest houses. The price of a single room (room only) is between US dollars 50 to US Dollars 70 in a Five Star Hotel. Detailed information is available from

The Travel Information Center,
Sri Lanka Tourist Board,
78, Stewart Place,
Colombo 3.
Sri Lanka.

Tel. +94-11-2437054 or +94-11-2437060