TikaWeeks #23/2024: Sri Lanka update
Posted by John on 7th June 2024
Some travellers are having problems applying for their eVisas for Sri Lanka and I hope this week’s update will help iron-out any of these issues. There is only one official Sri Lanka eVisa portal which processes all applications and approves the only valid eVisas for Sri Lanka. Applying is reasonably straightforward so long as you follow the instructions to the letter. One-time passwords (OTPs) and all correspondence will be sent to your nominated email address so please check your spam/junk folder if you haven’t received anything from Sri Lanka eVisa, which sends automated emails from no-reply@vfsglobal.com. The emails sent by Sri Lanka eVisa at each stage of the application process should arrive in the following order: OTP, User registration, Payment, Verification and Approval.
Sign up or Login
The only official portal for applying for a Sri Lanka eVisa is at Sri Lanka eVisa.
Initially, you will need to create an account by signing up for the e-Visa service managed by VFS Global and the “Sign Up” link may be found in the top right corner of the login page.
Enter your email address, mobile number (with country code) and select your nationality (British citizens should select “British GBR- United Kingdom Of Great Britain And Northern Ireland”) and press the now active (lit up) “Send OTP” button to request your One-time Password (OTP), which will be sent to your nominated email address from no-reply@vfsglobal.com – see below. If don’t receive an email, please check in your spam/junk folder just in case.
On receiving the OTP, include it in the OTP field and press the “Sign Up” button. You will receive another email from no-reply@vfsglobal.com confirming your User Registration – see below.
Once registered, you may logout of the service and login again at anytime to complete the application, this time by using the “Login” link on the login page.
One-time Password (OTP)
The email sent from no-reply@vfsglobal.com with your OTP will look something like this:
Date: 07/06/2024,
Dear Applicant,
Thank you for using the Sri Lanka eVisa Application Service, provided by IVS-GBS and VFS Global.
12345 is your OTP. Please use it within 30 minutes to login to your account. OTP is confidential and for security reasons, DO NOT share this OTP with anyone.
If you have any queries or concerns, please visit our FAQ page or Contact Us directly.
Thank you,
Customer Support - Sri Lanka Visa Service.
User Registration
The email sent from no-reply@vfsglobal.com with your User Registration will look something like this:
Date: 07/06/2024,
Dear Applicant,
Thank you for using the Sri Lanka Visa Application Service, provided by VFS Global.
Your registration has been successful.
Your email ID is your username. Kindly click on the below link to complete your visa application. Click here
Keep your username and password secure and confidential at all times to avoid any misuse.
Thank you,
Customer Support - Sri Lanka Visa Service.
Application process
Once signed up and registered, the application for a Sri Lanka eVisa is a six-stage process:
- Eligibility Criteria
- Document Details
- Passport Details
- Contact Details
- Additional Details
- Review and Payment
Eligibility Criteria
Complete all fields (*) by using the drop-down boxes in each field. If you are a British Citizen then the completed page should look something like this:
Please select your nationality*
- British GBR- United Kingdom Of Great Britain And Northern Ireland
Country of Residence*
- British GBR- United Kingdom Of Great Britain And Northern Ireland
Visa Type*
- Non - Resident
Visa Category*
- Tourist
Select your Purpose of Travel*
- Sightseeing or holidaying
Sub Visa Type*
- 30 Days Single entry Visa
Type of Travel Document*
- Ordinary Passport
After completing all fields, press the “Save and Continue” button and proceed to the next page.
Document Details
You are required to upload documents as JPEG files (.jpeg) up to 1MB in size so it will be best to have the following documents saved on your device (laptop, tablet or phone) in advance:
- Passport size coloured photo
- Passport Bio Page (passport biometric page with photo)
Most applicants won’t need to include Additional Documents so this field shouldn’t be relevant.
Once the images are successfully uploaded, press the “Save and Continue” button and proceed to the next page.
Passport Details
Complete all fields (*) then press the “Save and Continue” button and proceed to the next page.
Again, British Citizens should choose “British GBR- United Kingdom Of Great Britain And Northern Ireland” for their nationality and/or country of residence.
Contact Details
Complete all fields (*) then press the “Save and Continue” button and proceed to the next page.
Additional Details
Complete all fields (*) then press the “Save and Continue” button and proceed to the next page.
Review and Payment
Check all of your details very carefully and pay for the eVisa by credit card (Visa or Mastercard). You will then receive an email sent from no-reply@vfsglobal.com with your payment receipt as a PDF file (receipt.pdf) and the “Payment completed” email will look something like this, with the 'Summary of Charges' tabulated:
**This is not an E-Visa**
Reference Number: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX (16-digit alphanumeric code)
Date: 07/06/2024,
Dear YOUR NAME,
Thank you for using the Sri Lanka Visa Application Service, provided by VFS Global.
Payment for your visa application has been successfully completed. Your confirmation number is: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Summary of Charges:
Name of applicant
YOUR NAME
Web reference Number
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Visa Category
Tourist
Visa Cost
40.00
Service Fee
10.00
Transaction Fee
0.00
Total
50.00
Total amount paid: USD 50.00
Your visa application is now under review, and you will be emailed with the additional process.
You can now follow the status of your application here
This document serves as a receipt of payment and does not constitute a visa approval. It is essential to possess a valid visa approval notice before arriving in Sri Lanka
Important news:
If you receive an email requesting additional information, please note that you must provide the requested documentation/correction within the stipulated time mentioned in the email.
Failure to comply will result in your application being processed as “Incomplete”, which could result in a delay in processing your application.
If you have any queries or concerns, please visit our FAQs page or Contact Us directly.
Thank you,
Customer Support - Sri Lanka Visa Service.
Verification
Following on from the payment receipt, you will receive a “Verification Completed” email sent from no-reply@vfsglobal.com which will look something like this:
Reference Number: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Date: 07/06/2024
Dear YOUR NAME,
Thank you for using the Sri Lanka Visa Application Service, provided by VFS Global.
Your visa application is currently being reviewed by the Sri Lanka Immigration and is in process.
You can now follow the status of your application here.
Track your application
If you have any queries or concerns, please visit our FAQs page or Contact Us directly.
Thank you,
Customer Support - Sri Lanka Visa Service.
eVisa Approval
The final email, and the one you really need (!), is the “Application Approved” email sent from no-reply@vfsglobal.com which will look something like this:
Department of Immigration and Emigration
Visa Division- Visa Approval Notice
Tourist Visa - 01 month
Dear YOUR NAME
The details of your visa approval are as follows:
Name: YOUR NAME
Date of Birth: XX/XX/XXXX
Nationality: British GBR- United Kingdom Of Great Britain And Northern Ireland
Passport Number: XXXXXXXXX
Passport Expiry Date: XX/XX/XXXX
Visa Reference: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Visa Category: Tourist Visa
Visa Validity Period: 01 month
Purpose: Tourism
Entries: Single
Entry Stay: Each stay upto 30 days
Visa Eligibility: 06 months (use before 07/12/2024)
Date of issue: 07/06/2024
Important Notice:
1. This document will serve as proof of your visa's validity to stay in the country.
2. This visa should be utilized within six months from the date of issue.
3. The validity of the visa will commence from the initial arrival date of Sri Lanka.
Terms and Conditions:
1. This visa permits for single entry within six months and you are permitted to stay only for 30 days from your initial arrival date.
2. You should leave the country upon expiry of the visa period.
3. Please aware that if you violate the conditions of the visa, that shall cause for the visa cancellation and/or liable for deportation.
Please log on to our website for more details on activities permitted and prohibited under this visa.
We wish you a pleasant journey in Sri Lanka.
Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka
This is a computer generated authentic report that requires no signature.
You should print out the approval notice and take a copy with you. The eVisa should be registered with the Department of Immigration and Emigration and available to the Immigration Officer at the port of entry to Sri Lanka on your arrival.
Thanks are due to our friend Eleanor at The Sri Lanka Collection for sending through all of the emails she received during the application process for her eVisa for travel to Sri Lanka next week, which I used in creating this blog. I hope it is useful!
There is also the facility to get an eVisa on arrival at Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport, which may be an option during the quieter seasons – we wouldn't recommend it during the busy seasons when the queues could be long. Simply show your passport to the Immigration Officer at the eVisa on-arrival booth and pay the fee (currently US$50) by credit card (Visa or Mastercard) or cash (US$). You will then need to present your passport and newly acquired eVisa at one of the immigration desks.
Categories: Sri Lanka, Travel tips
« All articles
