Sri Lankan ETA

[theweaselsteve]

I have an upcoming trip to Columbo planned and I'll be in the country for just under 24 hours. I did a bit of research and discovered that I could get a transit ETA for free rather than paying for a tourist ETA. This has now been granted but it appears that it doesn't entitle me to actually enter the country.

I've been back to the website but I now can't apply for another ETA as I've already been granted one.

Does anyone have any experience with this? Is an ETA really necessary? Will the transit ETA granted me access? If not, does anyone have any ideas how to resolve this? This is a status run with a pretty tight schedule, I'd actually like to be able to get out and about on the short break from flying that I'll have!

Thanks in advance!

 

[Austman]

I've done 24 hour transits twice and you can of-course leave the airport. I did both times. You can even apply for the free [-]24[/-] 48 hour transit visa when you arrive before passport control. It was granted instantly for me. The other time I did it on line and it was fine.

 

[Pushka]

I thought it was for less than 8 hours for the free one. We are on a port stop in Colombo for 9 hours and have to pay for one.

 

[Austman]

I thought it was for less than 8 hours for the free one. We are on a port stop in Colombo for 9 hours and have to pay for one.

It's actually for up to 48 hours for free.

http://www.eta.gov.lk/slvisa/

edit: to get the link to work!

 

[Aussie_flyer]

No issues at all. The transit visa is for 2 days and you can enter the country

 

[theweaselsteve]

Thanks all, that's put my mind at rest. This is a snip form the confirmation I received.

It does clearly say I'm not permitted to enter Sri Lanka but I'll take the advice of those in the know here.

Thanks again.

 

[Austman]

Thanks all, that's put my mind at rest. This is a snip form the confirmation I received.
View attachment 87626
It does clearly say I'm not permitted to enter Sri Lanka but I'll take the advice of those in the know here.

Thanks again.

Yes - my on-line one said that too. But it worked no problems. I think it's a technical difference - transiting is not entering? Anyway, it was OK. If you are just transiting air-side, you don't need a transit visa at all.

 

[Pushka]

Well this is good to know. Will check an email I received when I get proper internet access.

 

[Pushka]

Well this is good to know. Will check an email I received when I get proper internet access.

Now ein confusen. Maybe they just want my money.

 

[theweaselsteve]

It is a little confusing admittedly, but I think you can stay in the country for 48 hours on a transit visa for free, and then pay $35 USD, if I remember correctly, for up to 30 days.

 

[Austman]

CIBT's information does not match the Sri Lanka government's. There's no mention of an 8 hour limitation on transit visas on the Sri Lanka government website:

http://www.eta.gov.lk/slvisa/

And it's also not my recent experience. x 2.

 

[burmans]

Now ein confusen. Maybe they just want my money.

View attachment 87628

An organisation which makes money out of selling visas, what would you expect other than them trying to sell you said visa!

 

[bobe]

We were there last year and its free for 48hours, after that you pay $ 35 US

 

[Danger]

I was in exactly the same boat - today. I had done the 48 hour transit visa thing a few weeks back, got the confirmation email and got all worked up like theweaselsteve because of the contradictory information. The information on the confirmation, as quoted above, seems to suggest the transit visa only allows you to stay airside for 48 hours. But as has been noted, that's not the case. When I passed through Immigration I wasn't asked for any information about my transit visa. I'd like to think the computer held the information against my name but I'm not so sure.

Colombo airport is a hole. There are two security screening points before you even check-in, then another at the gate. The entire airport was very hot. There appeared to be no air-conditioning. Arrivals and departures are in two different terminals. The SriLankan Serendip lounge was a joke. They have a "spa" which is a room about twice the size of a mid-galley with two leather chairs where you can get a complimentary foot massage. And the power to the entire terminal went out five times in my two hour stay, twice while I was at the Immigration counter.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Just a comment that the CIBT Visa service is not necessarily accurate. Looking at the rules for transit without visa in China there are a number of inaccuracies on the CIBT site - this must also call in to question the advice they give for other countries.

 

[Mattg]

The SriLankan Serendip lounge was a joke. They have a "spa" which is a room about twice the size of a mid-galley with two leather chairs where you can get a complimentary foot massage.

I think this is a tad unfair - I actually liked the Serendip lounge! Yes, it's a little small and is literally a very large room. But it has pretty much everything you need, plenty of food & drinks and good service. I certainly wasn't annoyed about getting a free massage, either. YMMV.

I agree with your comments on the rest of CMB though.

 

[Pushka]

An organisation which makes money out of selling visas, what would you expect other than them trying to sell you said visa!

Trouble is, the ship line has referred us to them for our cruise. If the ship decides you don't have the correct paperwork according to their rules, even if wrong, they don't let you board.

 

[bobe]

Been many times to the Serindip lounge and always find it VERY comfortable, plenty of food and drink, great hospitality, clean, and plenty of room, restrooms are clean well maintained, and as always the free massage if wanted.

 

[theweaselsteve]

Sorry to go a bit OT here but does can anyone advise what the access restrictions are for the two lounges at CMB? I'll be travelling J with MH but will only be QFF Silver at the time. Cheers.

 

[Mattg]

Sorry to go a bit OT here but does can anyone advise what the access restrictions are for the two lounges at CMB? I'll be travelling J with MH but will only be QFF Silver at the time. Cheers.

I believe you should have access to the Serendib lounge as you're flying in Business on a oneworld airline.