# Visa requirements for Sri Lankan citizens

Visa requirements for Sri Lankan citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Sri Lanka.
As of 2024, Sri Lankan citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 44 countries and territories, ranking the Sri Lankan passport 97th in the world according to the Henley Passport Index. This has hampered the ability of Sri Lankan business people to travel and connect with peers and maintain a globally competitive outlook.
Although Sri Lanka is a middle-income country, successive Sri Lankan governments have made little or no efforts to improve the standing of the passport. The Sri Lankan passport continues to rank in the bottom 10% of Henley's Annual Passport Rankings. Considering the extent of the Sri Lankan diaspora, a passport with wider access to the world could contribute to a more competitive and future-ready society.
Sri Lanka has limited personal or business contacts with the ASEAN, a region with which it shares significant historical and cultural relations. Within the SAARC region, the Sri Lankan government has made little effort to encourage religious tourism from countries such as Nepal and Bhutan. Sri Lanka and Thailand signed a Free Trade Agreement in February 2024, and agreed to enable visa-free travel.
Sri Lankans are unable to travel to Hong Kong, China, Indonesia, Bangladesh and the Philippines, five of the world's most important markets, without a complex visa application process with a hefty visa fee. The inability to access the financial markets of Hong Kong has been especially detrimental to the growth of businesses in Sri Lanka.
Despite demands from citizens and civil society groups, Sri Lanka has largely been unsuccessful in expanding visa-free travel for its citizens. The Sri Lankan government has been able to negotiate visa-free travel to numerous countries for diplomatic and official passport holders, effectively developing a 2-tiered system that benefits state officials and politicians over ordinary citizens. Likewise, the Sri Lankan state spends millions on maintaining an extensive diplomatic service, which is said to bring little or no benefits to its citizens.
In July 2024, Sri Lanka announced it will issue biometric passports to its citizens in order to address the poor standing of the passport. The process, however, has been delayed due to procurement inconsistencies. Most recently, Sri Lanka signed a visa waiver for diplomatic and official passport holders with Cambodia.
The Sri Lankan state has made statements from time to time that it wishes to enhance links within the Indian Ocean littoral but has largely struggled to convert these statements into reality. In 2023, the Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickramasinghe noted that Sri Lanka had applied for membership in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and is actively seeking to establish trade relations with countries in ASEAN.

## Visa requirements

| Country | Visa requirement | Allowed stay | Notes (excluding departure fees) |
| Afghanistan | Visa required | | |
| Albania | eVisa | | Visa-free travel for a maximum stay of 90 days within any 180-day period for valid or previously used visa issued by a Schengen area country, the United States, or the United Kingdom. |
| Algeria | Visa required | | |
| Andorra | Visa required | | Multiple-entry Schengen visa covers entry. |
| Angola | Visa required | | |
| Antigua and Barbuda | eVisa | | |
| Argentina | Visa required | | |
| Armenia | Visa required | | |
| Australia and territories | Visa required | | May apply online (Online Visitor e600 visa). |
| Austria | Visa required | | |
| Azerbaijan | eVisa | 30 days | |
| Bahamas | Visa not required | 3 months | |
| Bahrain | eVisa / Visa on arrival | 14 days | Visa on arrival for a maximum stay of 14 days for those who hold a valid residency permit to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, who have already stayed for more than 6 months in their country of residence. |
| Bangladesh | Visa required | | |
| Barbados | Visa not required | 6 months | |
| Belarus | Visa required | | |
| Belgium | Visa required | | |
| Belize | Visa required | | Visa on arrival for US or Schengen visa holders. |
| Benin | eVisa | 30 days | Must have an International Vaccination Certificate. |
| Bhutan | eVisa | | |
| Bolivia | Online Visa / Visa on arrival | 30 days | |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Visa required | | Multiple-entry visa (issued by a Schengen country, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Ireland, Monaco, Romania, the United Kingdom or the United States) covers entry for a maximum stay of 30 days or until the visa expires. A maximum stay of 90 days within any 180-day period is permitted. |
| Botswana | eVisa | 3 months | |
| Brazil | Visa required | | |
| Brunei | Visa required | | |
| Bulgaria | Visa required | | Multiple-entry Schengen visa covers entry. |
| Burkina Faso | eVisa | | |
| Burundi | Visa on arrival | 1 month | From December 2021, passengers of all countries that required visa, can now obtain a visa on arrival at Bujumbura International Airport and at all land borders. |
| Cambodia | eVisa / Visa on arrival | 30 days | |
| Cameroon | eVisa | | |
| Canada | Visa required | | |
| Cape Verde | Visa on arrival | | |
| Central African Republic | Visa required | | |
| Chad | Visa required | | |
| Chile | Visa required | | |
| China | Visa required | | 24-hour visa-free transit through any international airports of China (except Ürümqi), allows domestic travel through different airports. |
| Colombia | Online Visa | | |
| Comoros | Visa on arrival | 45 days | |
| Republic of the Congo | Visa required | | |
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | eVisa | 7 days | |
| Costa Rica | Visa required | | |
| Côte d'Ivoire | eVisa | 3 months | e-Visa holders must arrive via Port Bouet Airport. |
| Croatia | Visa required | | Multiple-entry Schengen visa covers entry. |
| Cuba | Visa required | | |
| Cyprus | Visa required | | |
| Czech Republic | Visa required | | |
| Denmark | Visa required | | |
| Djibouti | eVisa | 90 days | |
| Dominica | Visa not required | 6 months | |
| Dominican Republic | Visa required | | |
| Ecuador | Visa required | | |
| Egypt | Visa required | | |
| El Salvador | Visa required | | |
| Equatorial Guinea | eVisa | | |
| Eritrea | Visa required | | |
| Estonia | Visa required | | |
| Eswatini | Visa required | | |
| Ethiopia | eVisa | 90 days | e-Visa holders must arrive via Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. |
| Fiji | Visa required | | |
| Finland | Visa required | | |
| France | Visa required | | |
| Gabon | eVisa | | e-Visa holders must arrive via Libreville International Airport. |
| Gambia | Visa not required | 90 days | Must obtain an entry clearance from Gambian Immigration prior to arrival. |
| Georgia | Visa required | | e-Visa available for holders of a valid visa or residence permit from a Schengen area country, OECD member country, or a GCC country can travel to Georgia visa-free for a period of 90 days. Visitors obtain an entry visa stamp to Georgia on arrival. The GCC resident permit should be at least six-months old for Georgia visa exemption. |
| Germany | Visa required | | |
| Ghana | Visa required | | |
| Greece | Visa required | | |
| Grenada | Visa not required | 3 months | |
| Guatemala | Visa required | | |
| Guinea | eVisa | 90 days | |
| Guinea-Bissau | Visa on arrival | 90 days | |
| Guyana | Visa required | | |
| Haiti | Visa not required | 90 days | |
| Honduras | Visa required | | |
| Hungary | Visa required | | |
| Iceland | Visa required | | |
| India | eVisa | 30 days | |
| Indonesia | eVisa | 60 days | |
| Iran | eVisa | 30 days | |
| Iraq | Visa required | | |
| Ireland | Visa required | | Visa is issued free of charge. |
| Israel | Visa required | | |
| Italy | Visa required | | |
| Jamaica | Visa required | | |
| Japan | Visa required | | |
| Jordan | Visa required | | |
| Kazakhstan | eVisa | | |
| Kenya | Electronic Travel Authorisation | 90 days | Applications can be submitted up to 90 days prior to travel and must be submitted at least 3 days in advance. eTA fee is USD 32.50. Proof of reservation at the hotel where visitors plan to stay is required (if staying with friends, an invitation letter is also acceptable). Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if coming from endemic countries. |
| Kiribati | Visa not required | 90 days | 90 days within any 12-month period. |
| North Korea | Visa required | | |
| South Korea | Visa required | | |
| Kuwait | Visa required | | GCC residents can apply for e-Visa if they have residency in one of the GCC countries (Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, and Oman). |
| Kyrgyzstan | eVisa | 60 days | |
| Laos | eVisa / Visa on arrival | 30 days | |
| Latvia | Visa required | | |
| Lebanon | Visa required | | In addition to a visa, approval should be obtained from the Immigration Department of the General Directorate of General Security (La Surete Generale). |
| Lesotho | Visa not required | 90 days | |
| Liberia | Visa required | | |
| Libya | eVisa | | |
| Liechtenstein | Visa required | | |
| Lithuania | Visa required | | |
| Luxembourg | Visa required | | |
| Madagascar | Visa on arrival | 60 days | |
| Malawi | Visa not required | 30 days | |
| Malaysia | eVisa | 30 days | |
| Maldives | Free visa on arrival | 30 days | |
| Mali | Visa required | | |
| Malta | Visa required | | |
| Marshall Islands | Visa required | | |
| Mauritania | Visa on arrival | | Available at Nouakchott–Oumtounsy International Airport. |
| Mauritius | Visa on arrival | 60 days | |
| Mexico | Visa required | | Holders of a valid visa for Canada, Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom or a Schengen area country may stay for a maximum of 180 days. |
| Micronesia | Visa not required | 30 days | |
| Moldova | Visa required | | Citizens holding a residence permit or a valid visa issued by one of the member states of the European Union or one of the parties to the Schengen Agreement can apply for an electronic visa. |
| Monaco | Visa required | | |
| Mongolia | Visa required | | |
| Montenegro | Visa required | | Multiple-entry Schengen visa covers entry for a maximum of 30 days. |
| Morocco | Visa required | | |
| Mozambique | eVisa | 30 days | Upon arrival, the visa will be issued after payment of the fee at the point of entry. |
| Myanmar | eVisa | 28 days | e-Visa holders must arrive via Yangon, Nay Pyi Taw or Mandalay airports or via land border crossings with Thailand (Tachileik, Myawaddy and Kawthaung) or India (Rih Khaw Dar and Tamu). e-Visa is available for tourism only. |
| Namibia | Visa required | | |
| Nauru | Visa required | | |
| Nepal | Online Visa / Visa on arrival | 90 days | |
| Netherlands | Visa required | | |
| New Zealand and territories | Visa required | | Holders of an Australian Permanent Resident Visa or Resident Return Visa may be granted a New Zealand Resident Visa on arrival permitting indefinite stay (pursuant to the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement), subject to meeting character requirements and obtaining Electronic Travel Authorization prior to departure. |
| Nicaragua | Visa required | | |
| Niger | Visa required | | |
| Nigeria | eVisa | 90 days | |
| North Macedonia | Visa required | | Multiple-entry Schengen visa covers entry for a maximum of 15 days and at least five more days than the stay. |
| Norway | Visa required | | |
| Oman | Visa required | | Foreigners residing in GCC countries may obtain a visa on arrival in Oman. Entry visas are issued to residents of any GCC country who arrive directly from any GCC country. Restrictions apply to non-degree related professions (e.g., labourers, carpenters). Entry visas are also granted to members of the resident's family as long as they enter together. |
| Pakistan | ETA / Online Visa | 30 days / 3 months | Pakistan e-Visa fee is free. Electronic Travel Authorization to obtain a visa on arrival for tourism purposes. Electronic Travel Authorization to obtain a visa on arrival for business purposes. |
| Palau | Free visa on arrival | 30 days | |
| Panama | Visa required | | |
| Papua New Guinea | eVisa | 60 days | Visitors may apply for a visa online under the "Tourist - Own Itinerary" category. |
| Paraguay | Visa required | | |
| Peru | Visa required | | |
| Philippines | Visa required | | |
| Poland | Visa required | | |
| Portugal | Visa required | | |
| Qatar | eVisa | | Visitors may apply for a visa on the Hayya website. |
| Romania | Visa required | | Multiple-entry Schengen visa covers entry. |
| Russia | Visa required | | |
| Rwanda | Visa not required | 30 days | |
| Saint Kitts and Nevis | Visa not required | 3 months | |
| Saint Lucia | Visa required | | |
| Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Visa not required | 3 month | |
| Samoa | Visa not required | 60 days | |
| San Marino | Visa required | | |
| São Tomé and Príncipe | eVisa | | |
| Saudi Arabia | Visa required | | |
| Senegal | Visa required | | |
| Serbia | Visa required | | Visa-free travel for a maximum stay of 90 days for valid visa holders or residents of the European Union or the United States. |
| Seychelles | Electronic Border System | 3 months | Application can be submitted up to 30 days before travel. Visitors must upload a reservation confirmation(s) for each visitor's location of stay in Seychelles. Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if coming from endemic countries. Payment of the fee (EUR 10) by credit or debit card. Valid for one journey only and it expires once exit the country. |
| Sierra Leone | Free visa on arrival | 30 days | |
| Singapore | Visa not required | 30 days | |
| Slovakia | Visa required | | |
| Slovenia | Visa required | | |
| Solomon Islands | Visa required | | |
| Somalia | Visa on arrival | 30 days | Available at Bosaso Airport, Galcaio Airport and Mogadishu Airport. |
| South Africa | Visa required | | |
| South Sudan | eVisa | | Obtainable online. Printed visa authorization must be presented at the time of travel. |
| Spain | Visa required | | |
| Sudan | Visa required | | |
| Suriname | eVisa | | |
| Sweden | Visa required | | |
| Switzerland | Visa required | | |
| Syria | Visa required | | |
| Tajikistan | Visa not required | 30 days | |
| Tanzania | eVisa | | |
| Thailand | Visa not required | 60 days | |
| Timor-Leste | Visa on arrival | 30 days | |
| Togo | eVisa | 15 days | |
| Tonga | Visa required | | |
| Trinidad and Tobago | Visa required | | |
| Tunisia | Visa required | | |
| Turkey | Visa required | | Conditional eVisa. Maximum stay of 30 days for valid visa holders or residents of the European Union or the United States. |
| Turkmenistan | Visa required | | |
| Tuvalu | Visa on arrival | 1 month | |
| Uganda | eVisa | 3 months | |
| Ukraine | Visa required | | |
| United Arab Emirates | Visa required | | May apply using 'Smart service'. |
| United Kingdom | Visa required | | |
| United States and territories | Visa required | | |
| Uruguay | Visa required | | |
| Uzbekistan | eVisa | 30 days | 5-day visa-free transit at the international airports if holding a confirmed onward ticket for a flight to a third country. |
| Vanuatu | Visa not required | 30 days | |
| Vatican City | Visa required | | |
| Venezuela | Visa not required | 90 days | According to IATA, Sri Lankan citizens can visit Venezuela without a visa for up to 90 days, but it is unclear if this is the case. |
| Vietnam | eVisa | | e-Visa is valid for up to 90 days with single or multiple entries. Prearranged visa obtained online through travel agencies available at Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City or Da Nang airports. Phú Quốc without a visa for up to 30 days. |
| Yemen | Visa required | | |
| Zambia | eVisa | 90 days | |
| Zimbabwe | eVisa | 3 months | |

## Dependent, Disputed, or Restricted territories
### Unrecognized or partially recognized countries

| Countries | Conditions of access | Notes |
| Abkhazia | Visa required | |
| Kosovo | Visa required | Do not need a visa—a holder of a valid biometric residence permit issued by one of the Schengen member states or a valid multi-entry Schengen Visa, a holder of a valid Laissez-Passer issued by United Nations Organizations, NATO, OSCE, Council of Europe or European Union a holder of a valid travel documents issued by EU Member and Schengen States, United States of America, Canada, Australia and Japan based on the 1951 Convention on Refugee Status or the 1954 Convention on the Status of Stateless Persons, as well as holders of valid travel documents for foreigners (maximum 15 days stay). |
| Northern Cyprus | Visa not required | |
| Palestine | Visa required | Arrival by sea to Gaza Strip not allowed. |
| Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic | | Undefined visa regime in the Western Sahara controlled territory. |
| Somaliland | Visa on arrival | 30 days for US$30, payable on arrival. |
| South Ossetia | Visa not required | Multiple-entry visa to Russia and three-day prior notification are required to enter South Ossetia. |
| Taiwan | Visa required | |
| Transnistria | Visa not required | Registration required after 24 hours. |

### Dependent and autonomous territories

| Country | Conditions of access | Notes |
| China |||
| Hong Kong | eVisa | |
| Macau | Visa required | |
| Denmark |||
| Faroe Islands | Visa required | |
| Greenland | Visa required | |
| Netherlands |||
| Aruba | Visa required | |
| Caribbean Netherlands | Visa required | Includes Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba |
| Curaçao | Visa required | |
| Sint Maarten | Visa required | |
| France |||
| French Guiana | Visa required | |
| French Polynesia | Visa required | |
| French West Indies | Visa required | Includes overseas departments of Guadeloupe and Martinique and overseas collectivities of Saint Martin and Saint Barthélemy |
| Mayotte | Visa required | |
| New Caledonia | Visa required | |
| Réunion | Visa required | |
| Saint Pierre and Miquelon | Visa required | |
| Wallis and Futuna | Visa required | |
| New Zealand |||
| Cook Islands | Visa not required | 31 days |
| Niue | Visa not required | 30 days |
| Tokelau | Visa required | |
| United Kingdom |||
| Anguilla | Visa required | |
| Bermuda | Visa not required | |
| British Virgin Islands | Visa not required | |
| Cayman Islands | Visa not required | |
| Falkland Islands | Visa required | |
| Gibraltar | Visa required | Visa exemptions for holders of a valid UK multiple-entry visa or EU family residence permit |
| Guernsey | Visa not required | |
| Isle of Man | Visa required | |
| Jersey | Visa required | |
| Montserrat | Visa not required | |
| Saint Helena | eVisa | |

## Passport validity

Many countries require passport validity of no less than 6 months and one or two blank pages.

## General limitations on passport use

Visitors holding an Israeli passport or any passports showing evidence of travelling to Israel are not allowed to enter some countries due to the Arab League boycott of Israel. Some Arab League countries refuse entry to travelers whose passport shows evidence of entry into Israel or hold an unused Israeli visa.

### Criminal record

Some countries (e.g., Canada and the United States) routinely deny entry to non-citizens who have a criminal record.

### Blank passport pages

Many countries require the passport presented to have a minimum number (generally one or two) blank pages. Endorsement pages, which often appear after the visa pages, are not counted toward the minimum number.

### Persona Non Grata

The government of a country can declare a diplomat persona non grata, banning their entry into that country. In non-diplomatic use, the authorities of a country may also declare a foreigner persona non grata permanently or temporarily, usually because of unlawful activity. Attempts to enter the Gaza Strip by sea may attract a 10-year ban on entering Israel.

## Fingerprinting

Several countries including Afghanistan, Argentina, Cambodia, China (applies for ages 14 to 70), Japan, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Taiwan and the United States demand all passengers to be fingerprinted on arrival.
Additionally, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar conduct iris scanning on arrival and on visitors that need to apply for a UAE visa.