RushMyTravelVisa » Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Visa Requirements to Change

admin — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 03:45:34 +0000

Now that the civil war is over, Sri Lanka is looking toward the future, and that means encouraging the growth of its tourism industry. With its lush forests and picture-perfect beaches, Sri Lanka’s potential is almost limitless. According to the BBC, some towns in Sri Lanka are in the process of building centers for adventure tourism, and the government is trying to attract more airlines to Colombo airport.

Their efforts already seem to be bearing fruit. Per the BBC, the country expects to see 700,000 tourists visit this year, and expects to host 2.5 million foreign visitors a year by 2016.

However, if you plan to be one of those tourists, keep your ears open for the latest visa requirements. Currently, there is no need for US citizens to get a visa ahead of time to visit Sri Lanka. However, officials plan to change the Sri Lankan visa system to require visitors to apply for visas in advance instead of at the airport.

The country’s Minister of Economic Development, Basil Rajapaksa, spoke with the BBC to explain the new requirements:

“We have changed the on-arrival visa to an at-home visa. Now anybody can apply for a visa from home and they will receive it within 24 to 72 hours. There have been instances of visas being rejected at the airport, but now you get the response while you are at home, and there will be special facilities at the airport for those who arrive with the online visa.”

Sounds good, but keep in mind this is for tourists only. If you’re visiting Sri Lanka on business you still need to apply in advance. See Sri Lanka Visa Requirements for Business Travelers for details.

Also, don’t forget to research visa requirements for other countries on your itinerary. To visit India, for example, you’ll need a visa even if you’re just passing through on your way to Sri Lanka.

RushMyTravelVisa can help you get the documents you need for your trip. We’ll research your itinerary, let you know which visas are required and how to get them, and help you apply.

Need a travel visa? Let us help!

Sri Lanka Visa Requirements For Business Travelers

admin — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 05:24:57 +0000

Sri Lanka has a growing economy based on agricultural products like tea, rubber and coconuts, as well as textiles and gemstones. In 2006, the Sri Lankan GDP grew 7.4% to reach the US equivalent of $27.4 billion.

According to WorldTravelGuide.net, American business travelers in Sri Lanka should feel right at home. Many business customs in Sri Lanka are similar to those in America. Most businesspeople speak English, punctuality is expected for meetings and appointments, and when you meet someone new, it’s considered polite to exchange business cards.

While American tourists in Sri Lanka do not need Sri Lankan visas, business travelers do. Here are the documents required to get a Sri Lankan visa for a business trip:

1 Sri Lanka visa application form
Your US passport, which must have a blank page and at least 6 months left before it expires.
2-passport-sized photos
A copy of your round-trip itinerary
A business letter of responsibility from your sponsor. The letter must provide the nature of your business, the purpose of your trip, the name of your contact and the length of your stay and promise financial support for you while you are in Sri Lanka.
Your sponsor in Sri Lanka also needs to send a fax to the Sri Lankan Embassy in Washington, DC to confirm the details of your trip.
You will be required to show proof of a yellow fever vaccination if you are arriving from an area in which the disease is present.

Business travelers to Sri Lanka must apply for a visa in advance. At RushMyTravelVisa.com, we specialize in making sure that business travelers have all the documents they need to travel. We’ll research your itinerary to ensure that you know exactly which visas are required, and we’ll provide clear, easy-to-follow instructions to help you get them. Then, we’ll deliver your Sri Lankan visa paperwork directly to the appropriate embassy or consulate for the fastest possible processing.

Apply for your Sri Lanka visa today!

Types of Sri Lankan Visas

admin — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:49:44 +0000

Sri Lanka is an island paradise of mountains, rainforestdes and temples, fringed by picture -perfect tropical beaches. With the defeat of the insurgent group the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam earlier this year, the country’s popularity as a travel destination is back on the rise.

Americans traveling to Sri Lanka definitely need a visa, but the type of visa you’ll need depends on the circumstances of your stay. Here’s a brief overview of the different types of Sri Lankan visas:

Tourist (or visit) visa: Tourist visas are issued for free on arrival for American citizens. They are valid for up to 30 days, but you can apply for an extension in Sri Lanka if necessary.
Business visa: A multiple-entry visa, valid for three months or up to one year, may be issued to businesspeople or investors.
Diplomatic visas are issued for diplomatic visits.
Multiple-entry visas: Can be issued for business or leisure and may be valid for up to 5 years. However, you must apply in advance for the visa and you cannot stay in Sri Lanka for more than 6 months at a time.
If you plan to work, study or live in Sri Lanka, you must apply in person at an embassy or consulate.

The US Department of State notes that “Foreigners entering Sri Lanka on a landing/tourist visa cannot convert their visa to a non-tourist one, and risk deportation if they engage in activities other than tourism without the appropriate visa.”

So, it’s important to make sure you have the right type of visa for your trip. RushMyTravelVisa.com can research your situation and help you determine your visa needs. We can also help you with the paperwork, providing clear, easy-to-follow instructions to help you avoid common mistakes.

Want to visit Sri Lanka? Apply for your Sri Lankan visa!