Sri Lanka visa and entry rules from Saudi Arabia
Colombo, Kandy, Galle · Last checked 18 October 2026
Do Saudi citizens need a visa for Sri Lanka?
Quick answer: You need a free ETA. Everyone needs an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before arriving in Sri Lanka, and since 25 May 2026 the 30-day tourist ETA is free for 40 listed nationalities, including Saudi Arabia, India and Pakistan. Apply online at eta.gov.lk. Egypt and the Philippines are not on that list.
If you hold a Saudi passport
- The Sri Lankan Embassy in Riyadh says all Saudi nationals can apply for the free 30-day tourist ETA, effective 25 May 2026. You apply online at eta.gov.lk before you arrive.
- The embassy warns against relying on social media posts or agents for fees and documents.
If you live in Saudi Arabia on another passport
- The free ETA applies by nationality. The 40 listed countries include Saudi Arabia, India, Pakistan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the UAE and Türkiye, among others. Nationals of other countries follow the general ETA rules, so check eta.gov.lk for your passport.
How long you can stay
- The free visa is 30 days. A second entry is allowed within those 30 days, counted from your first arrival.
- To stay longer than 30 days you must apply for an extension and pay the fee.
- The documents we read give no end date for the free scheme. Check the official site again before you book.
Plan your trip
Sri Lanka: official pages
- Sri Lanka Department of Immigration: free tourist visas for 40 countries
- Embassy of Sri Lanka in Riyadh: free tourist visa (ETA) for Saudi nationals
These are government pages. Entry rules change at short notice, so confirm on the official page, and with your airline, before you book. Safrova does not issue or arrange visas.
Last checked:
Checked by Anas Ismail on 18 October 2026. We check each rule against the official government page listed under official pages, and note the date we checked it.