My friend recently came from America (via India) and applied for the ETA, the new Electronic Travel Authorization. Sri Lanka was visa on arrival and this new $20 visa has been the subject of much debate. My friend, however, said it was quick, painless and that he wished more countries did visas this way. Of course, no visa is better, but the new system doesn’t seem that bad.
While the roll-out of the system was a debacle (the fees were revised multiple times, dates kept changing) it is now in place and has brought in Rs. 170 million over the first 45 days of this year. More importantly, going by a sample of one, it seems to be painless for tourists.
My friend said he just went online, filled out the form, paid, and got an email confirmation. He didn’t need to print anything, the approval was just attached to his passport number which they scanned upon arrival. The website is still kinda cludgy, but the system seems to work. So that’s nice.
To apply for the ETA, just visit eta.gov.lk. It’s all online and you should get an email receipt rather promptly. AFAIK.
Entry for tourists are quite easy. I remember on my most recent travel, I met an American who hadn’t gone through the above process. But at the VISA counter he just pays and enters the country. Simple and easier.
I wish we had that privileged when traveling. Some VISA offices are quite the pain.
They need to publicise the fact that the visa is available on an official website.
Someone I know did a google search for the online visa application but found an agency that offered the visa. They got the visa but had to pay a $50 handling fee to the agency.
What happens to this money? Does it go to the tourism authority?
Hardly painless unless you judge on a tiny sample size. Out of about 100 clients, 20 or so didn’t receive any emails after the application, nothing weeks after, much less the 24 hours you are supposed to get a reply within. Repeated emails and calls to the contact numbers also went without reply. Seems to be getting a bit better now but the launch was quite chaotic.