Though India is just 25 kms from each other, one would think that both would not have tourist exchanges. But culturally, both these countries are so different from each other that both Indians and Sri Lankans apply for the corresponding visas pretty often. This article is about how to get India e-Tourist visa for Sri Lankans with India reopening after COVID pandemic.

Types of India e-Tourist visa for Sri Lankans

Unlike Sri Lanka, India has a variety of e-Tourist visas for India depending on your stay or purpose of travel. But as of Nov 2021, Only one type of visa that you can apply and it is 30 days Single tourist Visa.

Note: As of Nov 2021, only 30 days single entry visa can be applied for all foreign tourists to India. This article will be updated once we have an official government circular for the availability of other visas.

But just in case, the types of India visa are:

30 days India tourist visa, this is applicable for Lankans who are visiting India for a short duration of 30 days single entry which means you can enter India only once. 

60 days India tourist visa, (Not available as of Nov 2021) this is applicable for Sri Lankans who are visiting India for a short duration of 60 days.

1 year India tourist e-visa (Not available as of Nov 2021), this is for anyone one who want to explore the whole country or in general stay for one full year but you can stay for continuous 180 days only after which you need to exit the country and re-enter.

Collectively, there are different types of India Visa for Sri Lankans including and not limited to;

• Tourist visa
• Transit visa
• Business visa
• Project visa
• Student visa
• Intern visa
• Employment visa
• Medical visa
• Medical attendant visa
• Conference visa
• Film visa

Out of all the India visas, only five are e-visas. Needless to say, when you are looking to apply for the other categories, you must apply via an Indian Mission.

Did you know?

Holders of diplomatic passports whose nations are otherwise eligible for India e-visa are not eligible for India e-visa.

About India tourist e-visa for Sri Lankans

Typically, this India e-visa is granted for various purposes including and not limited to recreation, sight-seeing, visiting friends and relatives residing in India.

One can also use it to visit the country for short-term courses (non-formal without the issuance of certificate/diploma at the end of the course) or programs on yoga, music, dance, crafts, etc. However, it is essential to ensure that the duration of the course/programme does not exceed six months.

Tourist e-visa may also be sought on the grounds of volunteer work in the country. Nevertheless, the voluntary program must not exceed 30 days. Also, it must not involve any form of monetary payment or otherwise in return to the volunteer service rendered.

About India business e-visa for Sri Lankans

It is a multiple-entry type visa, which entitles you to a stay period of 180 continuous days for each entry made. The validity of this visa is 365 days.

Typically, this visa is a non-extendable and non-convertible visa. Also, one cannot use a business e-visa to visit restricted/protected areas or cantonment areas. Sri Lankan applicants holding diplomatic passports cannot apply for an India business e-visa as they may enter the country without a visa.

About India medical visa and medical attendant visa

Basically, the type of entry for an India medical e-visa is triple. Meaning, one may visit the country thrice using this visa. The stay period is 60 days from the time of arrival.

As a rule, which also applied to the other types of India evisa, the passport must have a validity of at least six months and a minimum of three blank pages for entry and exit stamps respectively.

The terms and validity of the medical attendant e-visa are the same as the medical e-visa. However, the former is granted only to two accompanying individuals of a medical e-visa applicant.

About India conference e-visa for Sri Lankans

Unlike the other India e-visa, a conference e-visa is a single-entry type visa. It enables a stay period of only 30 days. For more information, refer https://conference.mha.gov.in/

Important

For all the types of India e-visa, the biometrics of the applicant shall be mandatorily captured on arrival at the immigration desk.

What are the India e-visa requirements?

The list of common requirements remains the same for all types of e-visa. Needless to say, certain additional documents are mandatory, which are determined by the purpose of the e-visa.

List of common documents

A colour-scanned copy of the biodata page of your passport on PDF format.

Copy of your photograph taken against a white background with no frames or borders.

For the list of specific requirements for the different e-visa categories, read India Visa Requirements blog.

What is the India e-visa fee for Sri Lankan nationals?

You can find India Visa Cost for Sri Lankan Citizens mentioned below,

Indian Visa Types	India Visa Fee	Visa Validity
e-Tourist Visa 30 Days	$25	30 Days – Double Entry
e-Tourist Visa 1 Year	$25	365 Days – Multiple Entry
e-Business Visa	$25	365 Days – Multiple Entry
e-Conference Visa	$25	30 Days – Single Entry
e-Medical Visa	$25	60 Days – Triple Entry
e-Medical Attendant Visa	$25	60 Days – Triple Entry

Note: Banks charge an additional 2.5% of the above amount as their service charge.

India eVisa Application Process

India Visa Frequently Asked Questions FAQs

1. Is there an India visa on arrival for Sri Lankan citizens?

There is no India visa on arrival for Sri Lankans.

2. Can diplomatic passport holders apply for India e-visa?

Sri Lankans holding a diplomatic passport cannot apply for India e-visa as they may enter India visa-free.

3. Is the India e-visa fee refundable?

The fee is non-refundable.

4. What is the validity of the e-visa?

The validity of a tourist visa maybe 30 days, one-year, and five-years respectively. The validity of the e-business visa is 365 days, and the validity of medical and conference visa is 60 days and 30 days respectively.