Colombo is a short hop from Dubai, and a long weekend in Galle or Kandy sounds perfect. You have heard Sri Lanka is free for Indians, but also that you still need an ETA. Both are true, and the difference matters at the check-in desk.
Sri Lanka's tourist visa is free for Indians, including those living in the UAE, but you must get an ETA online at eta.gov.lk before you fly. It gives 30 days with a double entry. Your UAE residence visa does not change the rules.
Is Sri Lanka visa-free for Indians living in the UAE?
Not quite visa-free: it is a free visa. Sri Lanka's Department of Immigration and Emigration says that from 25 May 2026, nationals of 40 countries, India included, get a tourist visa (ETA) free of charge for 30 days. Indians already had a free visa under an earlier scheme announced in September 2024. In both cases the ETA is still compulsory: every foreign national must obtain one before arriving.
Your UAE residence visa plays no part. The free ETA is tied to your Indian passport. Fees paid by applicants before 25 May 2026 are not refunded, so if you are reading an old blog that quotes a USD price, ignore it.
Sri Lanka at a glance for Indians in the UAE
| Item | What applies to you |
|---|---|
| Visa type | Tourist ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) |
| Government fee | Free for Indian nationals (from 25 May 2026 scheme) |
| Stay | 30 days from first arrival |
| Entries | Double entry within the 30 days |
| Enter within | 3 months of the ETA being issued |
| Passport validity | At least 6 months from arrival |
| Also required | Confirmed return ticket and sufficient funds |
| Longer stay | Visa extension inside Sri Lanka, fee payable |
| Does UAE residency help? | No |
How do you get the free ETA from Dubai?
Apply on the official site, eta.gov.lk, from your phone or laptop in the UAE. Choose a tourist ETA, enter your passport details and travel dates, and submit. Because Indians fall under the free scheme, there should be no government charge. If a site asks for a visa fee, check that you are on eta.gov.lk and not a paid agent's lookalike.
At the airport in Colombo, officers check the same things for every ETA holder:
- A passport valid for at least six months from the date of arrival.
- A confirmed return ticket, for example back to Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
- Proof of sufficient funds for your stay.
- A printout or saved copy of your ETA approval.
The double entry is handy if you hop to the Maldives mid-trip: on your second entry you get only the balance of the original 30 days, not a fresh 30. For more routes like this, see best visa-free destinations for Indian passport holders.
When does the free ETA not cover you?
The tourist ETA covers sightseeing, holidays, visiting friends and family, and medical or Ayurveda treatment. A separate business ETA exists for meetings and conferences. Media work, political meetings and NGO activity cannot be done on an online ETA and need prior government approval. Staying beyond 30 days means applying for an extension in Sri Lanka and paying the extension fee.
Mistakes that cause problems at Colombo airport
- Skipping the ETA because you heard Sri Lanka is free. Airlines can refuse boarding without it.
- Paying an agent site a fee for a free ETA.
- Booking one-way and planning the return later.
- Applying too early: the ETA must be used within three months of issue.
- Assuming a second entry restarts the 30 days.
- Doing paid work or business on a tourist ETA.
Why your passport, not your residence, decides most of these rules is covered in passport vs residency visa rules for NRIs.
What about getting back into the UAE?
A short Sri Lanka trip has no effect on your UAE status as long as your residence visa is still valid on your return date. Check your Emirates ID expiry before booking. The six-month rule only matters on long absences: most residence visas can be cancelled after more than six months outside the UAE, and a return permit through ICP or GDRFA Dubai would then be needed. Golden Visa holders are treated differently.
Get your Sri Lanka visa with Krosz in 5 steps
- Pick Sri Lanka and your trip type. Open Sri Lanka visa on Krosz and choose tourist, business or family visit. You see the full price before you start: ₹1,999 Krosz service fee + GST, plus the government fee.
- Sign in with a one-time code. No password to remember: enter your email and type the OTP we send.
- Upload your passport and photo. Krosz reads your passport page and pre-fills your details, so you only check them.
- Add your trip details and pay securely. Dates, entry point and where you're staying, then pay by UPI, card or net banking.
- A Krosz visa expert checks everything, then submits. A trained expert reviews every document one-to-one before it reaches the government, and you track the status until your visa arrives by email.
Start your Sri Lanka visa with Krosz →
Rules and fees last checked on 12 October 2026. Visa rules change often: always confirm on the official government website or with your airline before you fly.