Offices in Colombo, Sri Lanka and Israel
Travel & visas· 2 min read
On 13 November 2026 we opened the official Sri Lanka ETA website and the Department of Immigration and Emigration notice on the free tourist-visa scheme. Both describe the same arrangement, in force from 25 May 2026.
Israel is on the list of 40 countries eligible for a tourist visa (ETA) free of charge for 30 days. The concession applies to holders of diplomatic, official, service or ordinary passports.
The official notice stresses that all foreign nationals, including those from the 40 countries in the scheme, must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization before arriving in Sri Lanka. The fee waiver does not mean you can arrive without an ETA.
Applications should be made on the official site: www.eta.gov.lk/slvisa. We do not list third-party visa agencies here.
According to that notice, the free visa is valid for 30 days; double entry is permitted within those 30 days from the date of first arrival; ETA fees paid before 25 May 2026 are not refundable; and travellers who want to stay beyond 30 days may apply for an extension and pay the applicable fee. We have not quoted a figure for that extension, because the official rate is the one in force when you apply.
The scheme described here is the tourist ETA. We have not reused older business or transit fee tables that we did not reconfirm on the same official page on the date of writing.
Once travel permission is in order, itinerary planning can start with Elephant Tours’ recommended itineraries or their tour-planning form. For an investment visit, contact Kenglobe Lanka.
This is general information, accurate as of the official pages we opened, and it can change.
Source: Department of Immigration and Emigration of Sri Lanka; official ETA portal
Yes. Even travellers who qualify for a free ETA must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization before arrival, according to the official notice on eta.gov.lk and the Department of Immigration.
Yes, under the scheme that took effect on 25 May 2026: nationals of 40 countries, including Israel, may obtain a tourist visa (ETA) free of charge for 30 days. The notice covers this tourist scheme; we have not listed fees for other visa types here.
The same official notice says that travellers who received a free visa and wish to remain beyond 30 days may apply for an extension and pay the applicable visa fee. Check the official rate at the time you apply, not an older guidebook.
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